Armstead Brown Diaries_1941 - Florida Supreme Court
[ARMSTEAD BROWN DIARIES. 1941.]
[Inside cover:]
Armstead Brown
[Title page:]
Diary for 1941.
Wednesday, January 1, 1941.
Clear. Called at hospital to see Dr. Johnson. Traded in my old car for 325.00 and bought a new Chevrolet 2 door coach, to be delivered tomorrow. First new car I’ve bought since 1930.
This afternoon Judge C. & I played golf. I made 49. No bombing of England last night. Hitler said yesterday that England must be destroyed. Well, he has been trying to destroy it since Sept. 7th 1940 and the spirit of the British people is stronger than ever. The old year 1940 was a terrible year in Europe & Asia. Hitler & his gang returned to the methods of barbarism in an effort to enslave all Europe. God grand 1941 will be better.
Thursday, January 2, 1941.
Cloudy. Some slow drizzling rain most of the day. My new car, a dandy 2 door “Town Sedan” Chevrolet was delivered this morning. Cost me $552.50 and my old car at 325.00. Price 877.50 But I believe the price of cars will soon go up and the production of cars restricted. We must concentrate on making planes, tanks, guns & shells & ships. Got in some work today. Started an opinion around. Passed on a number of cases written by other Judges.
Germany is sending more troops into Rumania and also fighting planes to help the Italians. England is expecting an effort at invasion—now or a little later on. The Italians in Bardia still holding out. Bardia is strongly fortified. Will Germany take the Dardanelles, & invade Greece & Turkey: or will they attack Gibraltar, or both—as flank attacks before trying to invade England?
Friday, January 3, 1941.
Raining, dark & cloudy, getting cooler after nightfall. On bench & in conference till 11:30. Got in a little work in afternoon. Wrote some letters. Tonight we went to a little party at the Cowles.
Kemper Moore & her mother; Mrs. Hohne, (Katherine Ruse) and Miss St. Mary (redheaded) and Miss Winslow (the latter two teachers at College) were there. We had a very pleasant time playing games till 12 o’clock. I was not feeling very well. Very fatigued. Mrs. Hohne is as pretty and attractive as ever.
Saturday, January 4, 1941.
Clear. Yesterday the British broke through the line of forts surrounding Bardia, on the S.W. and captured 5,000 or more prisoners-and made further gains today. Total Italians captured 8,000.
Judge Chapman and I played golf this afternoon. I took a miserable 53. Judge C made about 50. First time he has beaten me.
Sunday, January 5, 1941.
Cloudy & cool. Went to Sunday School[.] Heard fine lesson by LeRoy Collins: then to Church, for Communion Service. We met Annie at the Airport this aft. at 4:15. She left N.M. at 8:15 this morning. Her plane arrived about 3 mins. ahead of time at 4:12.
Bardia fell today. Six generals and 25,000 men were made prisoners by the British in the battle of Bardia. Hurrah for the British.
Monday, January 6, 1941.
Cloudy.
On bench and in conference all morning.
At 3 pm. I heard President Roosevelt[‘]s masterly message to Congress over our radio at home. It was a history-making address. It should stir Congress and our industrialists and working men, and our citizens generally, to buckle down to real work, at top speed, to get the necessary planes, ships, tanks, and guns to Britain and Greece in time. Tonight we heard Senator Conrren R. Austin of Vermont, republican, back up the President in an able and earnest address over the radio. Heard him speak on the Senate several years ago and was very much impressed with him.
Well tomorrow we inaugurate Spessard Holland as Governor—the best fitted man for the job we have had in a generation. Today there was a heavy German daylight raid on London.
Westminster Cathedral badly damaged.
Tuesday, January 7, 1941.
Cold, cloudy morning with light drizzling rain till about 11:20, at which time the inauguration ceremonies began. It was pretty cold out on the platform built in front of the Capitol and a misty drizzle fell for awhile. Outgoing Gov’r. Cone made a very good and appropriately short speech of about 7 minutes.
Governor Holland then took the oath of office and delivered a very fine and able speech of about 40 minutes. I would have been glad to go down to the reviewing stand and seen the parade, but Lizzie was cold, and we went home to dinner. In the late afternoon Lizzie came to the “open house” at the Mansion. And then tonight we went to the reception at the Capitol but stood in line for about an hour and 20 mins. On our way out we found Mr. Knott in a collapsed condition and called doctors and stayed until they arrived, and he was out of danger. Then we got home about 10 p.m.
Wednesday, January 8, 1941.
Beautiful day. Cool. In Conference nearly all the morning. British have surrounded Tobruk already, cutting off any chance of retreat. Unless help arrives, Tobruk will be another Bardia. The Greeks are progressing slowly, but holding all their gains.
Thursday, January 9, 1941.
Delightful day. On bench and in conference large part of the day. Managed to wind up an opinion and pass on a number of cases. Went to see Dr. Andrews about pain in neighborhood of groin. He said it was a strained ligament. Probably when I was helping get Mr. Knott on the table when he fainted away at the Capitol night before last.
This was Lizzie’s birthday. At Elfreda’s—So we had a little birthday party at home tonight.
London was raided again tonight.
Friday, January 10, 1941.
Clear, but foggy & damp in early morning. Clear and cold most of the day, & temp. down to 38 at 11:30. On bench and in conference nearly all day.
No raids on London tonight but a heavy bombing of a port in Southeast England. Pres. submitted a bill to Congress today giving him power to lease or lend war equipment and to give the English fleet the use of Am. ports and bases—This comes near being an act of war, if enacted.
Saturday, January 11, 1941.
Clear, beautiful day. Got in some work in office today. This afternoon left the office at 4 and played golf with Wm. P[.] Simmons. Having had a grueling walk, I made a 53. Bill made a 43. Tonight the Thomases called to see us. London had a bad bombing raid tonight.
Sunday, January 12, 1941.
Clear. Went to Sunday School & Church and in afternoon Judge Chapman & I played golf from 3:40 to nearly 6 pm—14 holes
Another bombing of London tonight with incendiary bombs. But Britain bombed Turin in Italy very heavily.
A beautiful day here.
Monday, January 13, 1941.
On bench and in conference a large part of the day. Played golf late this aft with Eugene Ellis & Harris Drew of W. P. Beach. [Drew became a Supreme Court justice in August 1952, serving till 1971, an 18.5 year career on the Court]
The Germans sent some dive bombers down to base on Island of Sicily, and from there attacked a British convoy destined for Greece, and seriously damaged the Air Craft Carrier and set the British Carrier Southampton on fire, and it was sunk by the crew, who had to abandon ship.
Tuesday, January 14, 1941.
Clear but slightly cloudy in early morning. We had a conference all morning clearing up tag ends from the previous term which ended yesterday. Then about 12 o’clock, we took up the matter of the election of a Chief Justice for the coming two years. I was nominated by Judge Buford and seconded by Judge C[hapman] and there being no other nominations, I was elected Chief Justice. This aft. at 4:30 Judge C. & I played golf.
Wednesday, January 15, 1941.
Cloudy & hazy. Warmer, with considerable rain in late afternoon, with some thunder & lightning & wind. Got in some work today. Good many visitors. Justice Thomas down with flu. Also researched clerk Kit (S.O.) Carson. My first opinion as Chief Justice filed this afternoon. Important case. Campbell et al v. Forrest Chapman, as County Judge, involving clash of jurisdiction of the Potter D’Oraz Palmer estate between two County Judge’s Courts.
Thursday, January 16, 1941.
Dark, cloudy morning.
Spent large part of morning answering messages of congratulations upon my being elected Chief Justice. Called at Judge Thomas’ home to see how he was getting on and found that both he and Mrs. Thomas were down with the flu. Got off a letter this afternoon to Budget Commission as to need of enlarging Sup. Ct. Bldg. Played golf at 5 pm.
Friday, January 17, 1941.
Cloudy.
On bench from 9:30 till 12:40. Heard arguments in four cases. Conference this aft. at 3 pm to 4:30. Worked till 6 pm. Lots of letters of congratulation to answer. Tonight did some work at home. Lizzie & Annie went with the Cowles to hear Miss Jamison sing. Bombings of England comparatively light last night & tonight. England has lost the cruiser Southampton and the Air Craft Carrier Illustrious by bombing during past week.
Saturday, January 18, 1941.
Cloudy & murky, morning: somewhat clearer in afternoon. Put in some work on administration details & answered letters of congratulation.
Judge Chapman & I played golf this afternoon. Was suffering from numbness in left leg, but played fair golf & felt much better afterward. Got in some work tonight.
Sunday, January 19, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy—Cold N.W. wind.
Went to Sunday School. Lizzie suffered terribly last night and today with hemorrhoids. Dr. Dozier prescribed for it. This afternoon I called at hospital and talked with Dean Dodd, who is now making good progress, and then went to see Dr. Johnston at his new home. He is up and about, and quite cheerful.
Monday, January 20, 1941.
Clear, beautiful day, but cold morning. President delivered a very fine inaugural address today—a history making inaugural. I wired the President my congratulations. An appeal to the spirit of America.
I submitted to the Justices a new set of rules for the Internal Gov[‘]t of the Court today. Played golf this aft from 5 to 6. Company tonight. Had planned to work.
Tuesday, January 21, 1941.
Clear, fine day. I submitted rules for Supreme Ct. under new Const. amdmt. yesterday-and in conference today the Court made some changes and then the new rules were adopted. They give the Chief Justice great power & responsibility, and more work. I won’t be able to write many opinions.
The British attacked Tobruk today and penetrated 5 miles inside the defenses.
Wednesday, January 22, 1941.
Mostly clear. Very pretty day. Got in some work in office today. Played golf with Mr Hill from 5:20 to 6:30. About dark when we got in.
Tonight Jim Whitehurst called about 7:30 before we had had supper & stayed till 10:15 pm[.] Meanwhile the Cowles had come over, & stayed till 11 o’clock. I slipped back and ate my supper about 9 pm. which Liz fixed for me. Another British victory in Africa. Tobruk taken today.
Thursday, January 23, 1941.
Quite a busy day. Hearing this morning for 30 min. on application of Fritz Gordon for writ of prohibition. Put in busy day passing on opinions of the other Justices—
Did not feel well tonight—Brought work home, but could not tackle it. Strange numbness in left side of body from head down. Tobruk’s capture gives England more than 100,000 prisoners. They are pushing on towards Italy’s remaining port. Very little bombing of England past 3 days.
Friday, January 24, 1941.
Mostly clear & warm. On bench & in conference all morning. Had hair cut & played golf this afternoon. Feel much better tonight. Suffered with queer numbness in legs & great lethargy this aft., but felt very well after game. Lord Halifax, new British Ambasador arrived on a new British battleship today. The President met in Chesapeke Bay a few miles south of Anapolis & had him & his wife to dine on the Presidential Yacht: then they went to Wash’n. A most unusual reception for any ambassador.
Saturday, January 25, 1941.
Clear. Another delightful day. Felt very well this morning; badly this afternoon. Numbness in left side. Worked till 5 pm. Then went out and in spite of my queer symptoms I played 7 holes of golf unusually well. Made 4 pars out of 7 holes—a total of 34 strokes, or 1 under 5s[?]. I continued, however, to feel badly all evening.
The British have had very little German bombing for 6 nights & days now. They think it means the Germans are resting their airmen for a heavy attack.
Sunday, January 26, 1941.
Missed Sunday School today but Liz & I went to Church. Gov-r. & Mrs. Holland and Mary Groover[?] H. & young son and several other people affiliated with our church and Reverend Thurston[?] Dr. Anderson presented a very good sermon. Hitler has not bombed London for 7 days. He is evidently cooking up some activity. I think he is getting ready for an invasion soon—60 or 90 days. The British continue their gains in Africa. The insurrection of the Iron Guard in Romania has been put down—6000 killed
Felt better today—Played golf this aft. with Judge Chapman & Frank Miller.
Monday, January 27, 1941.
Some rain last night. Cloudy this morning. About 45 to 65. Cleared up about 11 Am. B.30.10 to 30.16. Very busy morning with Motion docket. Played 7 holes of golf this aft. from 5:35 to 6:20. Felt pretty bad, both before & after game. Tonight put in some work.
The British are pushing toward Bengase—Derna seems to have been abandoned. Congressional Committees had Hull before them today—on the lease-lend bill.
Tuesday, January 28, 1941.
Colder 32 to 54. 30.15 to 30.12. Clear. Fine Day. On bench and in conference from 9:30 to 4:30[.] Went home & rested and then dressed for the party given by the Justices & their wives to the Gov.r. and his cabinet & their wives which Lizzie had engineered and worked so hard on. It was given at the Lodge at Wakulla Springs and went off beautifully. The Gov’r sat on Lizzie right—I sat opposite Lizzie with Mrs. Holland on my right and Mrs. Larson on my left. We had a grand dinner & everybody had a grand time. Judge & Mrs. Thomas took Liz & me down there and back.
Wednesday, January 29, 1941.
Clear & cool. On bench all morning. Div A. Had 4 rather important cases. Had[?] them down & got through by 1 pm[.]
In conference at 3. Worked till 6:15 pm. Wendell Wilkie receiving enthusiastic reception in England. Incendiary bomb raid over London tonight. Not much damage.
British pushing westward toward Bengasi.
Premier John Mitaxos[?] died this morning. Next[?] door[?] to Greece.
Thursday, January 30, 1941.
Clear & cold. Got in some work today passing on opinions of other judges. Played golf with Judge Chapman this aft. 5 to 6:20. Tonight I had intended to work but had a long visit from Rodney Durrana[?] which I enjoyed. Liz & Annie had gone to picture show.
British captured Derna today. No air raid on London for 10 days until last night. Pretty heavy raid.
Friday, January 31, 1941.
Mostly clear. Took large dose of Sal Hepatica 2 heaping teaspoons—about 4 pm last night, & it was too much for me. When I awaked about 7:15 a.m., I felt very badly. Bowels moved freely, but if felt so weak & knocked out, I breakfasted in bed. Got to office about 10 A.m. Had hard day’s work in office. Ben Bridges, fine man, devoted public servant, clerk of City of Tallahassee for 24 yrs., died at 1:30 today—I went around to the home & visited the family tonight.
Saturday, February 1, 1941.
Hazy, cool, searching[?] Put in a hard day’s work. This aft at 5 Liz & I attended the funeral of Ben Bridges. I put in some work tonight on the Mandel case[.] And then listened to the radio. England’s 12th night without an air raid. Hitler must be up to some devilment. May be getting ready for invasion. Or for a blitzkrieg of air raids and poison gas. The greatest threat is the continued sinking of British merchant ships—the submarine campaign. We cannot afford to see England starved out.
Sunday, February 2, 1941.
Hazy morning. Cloudy afternoon with some light rain in late afternoon and early evening. Went to Sunday School this morning and instead of going to church, I called on Judge Ellis. He was fairly cheerful and interesting in conversation, but not looking very well. Not over his spell of flu I guess. I have been feeling very badly today—A depressed, uncomfortable feeling in the region of my heart. Don’t know what’s the matter.
Monday, February 3, 1941.
Cloudy—damp—cool.
Busy morning. Hearing motions to 11 Am. Conference till 1 o’clock. Handed down a number of decisions. Busy this afternoon with correspondence and various administrative details.
Bob & Elizabeth came in at 9 p.m. So glad to see them---especially my dear Elizabeth whom I love devotedly. Such a fine, sweet girl.
West to N.W. wind. Cooler at night.
Tuesday, February 4, 1941.
Cold & clear. Very pretty day. On bench or in conference from 9:30 to 1 pm. Did some work in office this aft. Liz & I went to Legionaire’s Banquet to Gv’r Holland at F.S.C.W. Dining hall. Returned home tired at 10:00 and went to bed.
Willkie visited DeValera today. The debate on the Lease-Lend bill still drags on. England has had very little air raids for 13 days now. Hitler is up to something.
Wednesday, February 5, 1941.
Clear, cold morning—Rather damp and penetrating. Warmer in afternoon.
Bob & Elizabeth both pretty well worn out today. Elizabeth quite sick tonight. Last night’s party at the Cowles, after dinner at the Black & White, & getting home about 2:30 Am. was too much for them[.] Walter got pretty tight on Bob’s supply of Scotch. Never does that when he pays for the drinks.
We had two cases argued this morning & one passed over. Got through in 65 minutes. Got in some work in office. Feeling O.K. tonight.
British bombing the “invasion ports” today in daylight raids, doing much damage. Germans retaliated by raids on London tonight.
Willkie left England late yesterday by plane for Lisbon, & will fly from there to N.Y. He has damaged himself politically with his own party perhaps, but has grown in stature as a statesman.
Thursday, February 6, 1941.
Dark, Cloudy morning. Rain by late afternoon and all night.
Congress is still talking about the lease-lend bill, & how far we shall go in aiding England to stop our common enemy—Hitler. The crisis may come before Congress quits talking.
Judge & Mrs[.] Thomas gave a lovely little party at 5:30 in honor of Elizabeth & Bob, as our guests. Bob did not feel well enough to go. Several of Elizabeth[‘]s friends were invited—Nice time.
Friday, February, 7, 1941.
Dark, Cloudy morning. Clearing by afternoon.
Elizabeth & Bob spent the day in Port St. Joe, using Lizzie’s car.
This afternoon I played golf with Judge Chapman from 5 pm to 6:15: Cool & bracing. I had been feeling badly before playing with numbness in left leg and shoulder, but played a good game—46—and felt all O.K. afterward
The British captured Bengasi today[.] Most of the Italian troops had fled.
Tonight I went to picture show with Liz & Annie & Bob & Elizabeth. First movie I’d been to in quite awhile. Rob’t Montgomery & Carole Lombard in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Light & amusing. Nothing to it, but clean.
Saturday, February 8, 1941.
Clear & cold morning. Clouding up by mid-day. Damp and chilly.
Gen. Wavelle has waged a brilliant and highly successful campaign against the Italians in N. Africa. I see no need for him to go on to Tripoli. Tobruk and Bengasi are all the British need in Libya. Now, the question is, will Hitler strive to recapture the Italian losses in Libya, Albania & Eritrea, or will he attempt invasion of England? He must strike England either by invasion, or in the Mediterranean area.
The House passed the lease-lend bill late this afternoon. Willkie will be back tomorrow and probably testify before the Senate F.A. Comm. Monday. He is in Porto Rico today.
Had another busy day. Worked till nearly dark.
Sunday, February 9, 1941. (Coldest Day Since November)
Hazy & cold early morning. Clearing by 9:30
Bob & Elizabeth returned to N.Y. this morning taking the 8 A.m. bus for Jax. We have enjoyed their visit so much. Went to S.S. & Church, and this afternoon played golf from 4 to 5:30 with Judge Chapman. Cold wind blew all day.
My body was warm enough, but hands too cold to play good golf.
At 3 p.m. to 3:36 we heard over the radio very clearly a magnificent stirring radio address by Winston Churchill.
British war ships & planes smashed the ports of Genoa & Pisa early today, doing much damage to the docks and shipping.
It seems the British Army intends to push on 650 miles from Bengasi, through the waterless desert to attack Tripoli.
Monday, February 10, 1941.
Clear & cold. Furnace quite burning yesterday morning. Oil ran out. Of course this had to happen when the weather was really cold. It has warmed up considerably during the day.
Tonight after supper Giles Patterson came out and spent the evening with me. We had a delightful time. He is a fine, brilliant man—high class.
Lizzie & Annie went to the movies & took the Cowles.
In conference all morning.
Tuesday, February 11, 1941.
Clear, beautiful day. Warmed up nicely by noon. On bench & in conference all morning. Visitors all afternoon till I fit at 445 to play golf with Judge C. We had a nice game. Wendell Wilkie testified before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee this afternoon. His statements were fine and showed that he is a big man capable of sizing up the situation. The lease-lend bill should be passed promptly now, especially since Churchill said in his speech Sunday that England did not need American troops: that all they wanted was “the tools to fight with”—that if given” the tools they would finish “the job.”
Wednesday, February 12, 1941.
Clear & still pretty cold. 4th Cold day in succession. On bench & in conference till 11 Am[.]
Then visitors took practically all my time till 1 o’clock. Dann[?] was among my callers. He came in by plane this morning & had to leave for Jax. almost immediately. He has been on the jump for six weeks, but is looking fine & reports Judy & the baby all O.K.
Willkie made a fine speech at the Lincoln Day Banquet in N.Y. tonight. He is a real leader, & as I’ve been saying for some weeks now, he is saving the Republican party, which was fast becoming a party of mere negation—an obstructionist party—that stood for nothing. Yesterday Willkie told the Senate Comm. we ought to let England have from 5 to 10 destroyers per month. He was right, we are doing nothing with them.
Thursday, February 13, 1941.
Warmer. Slightly cloudy.
On bench and in conference all morning. Did a little work in afternoon.
Visitors—Played golf with Judge Chapman at 4.45 to 6.20. Then went back to office & worked till 7 and then worked again tonight.
Considerable rain during the evening and night—.
Friday, February 14, 1941.
Cleared up during day. Considerable wind from N. & N.W. Colder in afternoon and evening.
On bench and in Conference till 12.30. Got in a lot of work this afternoon. Passed on a number of cases and wrote one dissenting opinion.
Germany has massed heavy troop concentrations in Rumania for sometime and it appears that Hitler intends to go through Bulgaria against Greece & Turkey.
British ship losses heavy. Germans claim to have sunk 13 ships off Portugal, in one convoy.
Saturday, February 15, 1941.
Cold & Clear morning. Warming up by midday. Delightful afternoon. Got in a lot of work today passing on cases. Played golf from 3:30 to 5:30 with Judge Ch., and worked till dark—about 6:50. Then worked tonight from 9:30 to 11:30.
The bombing of England has started up again in past day on So. but not so bad as it was. The British are bombing the channel ports, and progressing in their campaign in Eritrea & [ ? ] Somaliland. What the British Army is doing in North Africa is unknown.
Sunday, February 16, 1941.
Clear. Did not go to S.S. or Church today. Had to work—most of day & some at night also.
In late afternoon Liz & I drove out on the Thomasville road and called on Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Jason[?] Ellis. They have a nice country home, & 120 acres of very pretty land.
London bombed last night & tonight.
Monday, February 17, 1941.
Clear but somewhat hazy morning. Clear day. Getting cooler in late afternoon.
Mr. Robt. M. Evans, 66, a fine man and a teacher in our Bible Class, died early this morning with angina. Too bad. I called at the home tonight.
I made a speech this morning before the Conference of State Attorneys and County Solicitors. Worked in office till six o’clock.
Tuesday, February 18, 1941.
Hazy foggy morning, clearing later.
Two cases argued this morning—one from 9:30 to 10, a Miami case, and the other, Tampa Electric Co. v. the Tampa Utility Board, ran from 10 till 1 pm. 1-1/2 hrs to the side. They came exactly within the time allowed. Injunction by Electric Co. against enforcement of 30% cut by Board in utility rates. Well argued. Good lawyers. 3 speeches on each side.
Wednesday, February 19, 1941.
Cold & Clear. Clouding up in late afternoon. Went to funeral of Dr. Moor this aft, & then Judge C. & I played golf, from 5 to 6:30[.] Tonight Liz & Annie went to “Carmen” by the Artist Series at the College. This morning we heard Bart Riley and Senator Willis[?] argue a prohibition case. Then we went into Conference till 12:30.
The British landed Australian troops at Singapore. Caught the Japs napping. Turkey still says that she is the friend of Greece & England in spite of her non-aggression pact with Bulgaria.
Thursday, February 20, 1941.
Hazy early morning. Cloudy. Some drizzling rain at intervals. Very busy day, trying to write an opinion, pass on cases of other judges, & attend to administrative details. Invited to Chamber of Commerce banquet tonight, but declined. Put in work passing on cases tonight.
It seems that the English are trying to take Tripoli, and release their Mediterranean fleet for combating the U-boat menace to the shipping lanes from United State to England. The U-boats & Germany have very often sunk a lot of British ships today off the Irish coast. We ought to combine our Atlantic fleet with Englands & run those U-boats off the sea lanes. If Britain falls, we are in for very serious trouble. Our Navy is not adequate by itself in the Atlantic.
Friday, February 21, 1941.
Very pretty day. Had 1-1/2 hour conference this morning. Very busy day. Played golf this aft. at 5 with Judge Chapman and Fred Elliott [The Elliott Building at the corner of Monroe Street and Apalachee Parkway, across the street from the Union Bank to the South and the Historic Capitol to the West, is named for him]
Had a bad night last night. Severe grinding pain in region of stomach or heart. Also suffered from itching skin—old man’s itch, or Winter itch. I don[‘]t know which.
Hitler’s army in Rumania is moving in the direction of Greece through Bulgaria. Also Germans are moving into Spain, threatening Gibraltar. And Japan is threatening the Dutch East Indies and Singapore. The Hitler plan is to attack Britain at many points and stop her sea lines of supplies—The U-boats are numerous and sinking many vessels.
Things are beginning to happen. We should join our Navy to Englands.
Saturday, February 22, 1941.
Clear & cold. Put in a busy day in office. Wrote an opinion yesterday and one today—by the hardest. Worked till 5 pm this afternoon and went home. Ma Brown drove in from Junction City about 5:30. Laban, her faithful negro man servant, drove the automobile. Lizzie had arranged through the Cowles’ cook, Isabell, for a place for him to spend the night. Ma was a little tired from the trip, but we sat up and talked till 11:30-and enjoyed her very much. She is a remarkable woman for her age—about 81.
Sunday, February 23, 1941.
Clear & cold morning. Cool all day.
Ma slept till 9 this morning. After breakfast she talked with me till after 12 o’clock, about her sister Lizzie’s giving her trouble in re. her claims to interest in lands of the old Gorman mill place and Will’s little estate, and the proceeds of pending efforts to sell some timber. Ma was very much upset about it all. After dinner she left to return to Junction City, Laban driving. Expects to drive down to Miami in about a week.
I went to the golf club about 4 pm and played golf with Harry Wells. He made a 44, I a 47.
Had lot of trouble last night & tonight with cold weather itch. It must be a form of nervousness.
Monday, February 24, 1941.
Light rain at times. Dark, cloudy day. Motion day. Conference till 11:30 Balance of day largely consumed with visitors and administrative matters. Passed on a few cases written by the other judges—Did some work tonight.
Our blind isolationist Senators are prolonging the debate on the lease-lend bill. They do not have the vision to face the facts. They do not realize that we cannot afford to see England beaten down by Hitler. They do not realize the peril to America of the German U-boat attack on British shipping that is soon becoming more of a menace. They do not realize that there are some things worse than war—that is slavery—either actual or Economic. American has a golden opportunity.
Tuesday. February 25, 1941.
Rather dark, cloudy morning but no rain.
Oral arguments in 3 cases this morning. and got through by 11.30. Conference till 12.15. Another conference this afternoon from 3:45 to 5:15.
Rodney Durrance and his wife Leone called to see us this evening and stayed till 11 pm. Rodney is splendid young man and a good lawyer.
Wednesday, February 26, 1941.
Hazy & cold morning.
Busy Day. In Conference from 11 Am to 12:30. Got a number of old “hard Knots” handed down.
Got the Court to authorize purchase of a new carpet for court room and transfer of the photos & portraits of former judges to the walls of the corridors instead of completely covering the walls of the court room, and most of them so high up you cannot read the name plate.
Thursday, February 27, 1941.
Cloudy—overcast—damp. Clearing and cooler in late afternoon. 41° at 11:30
Four cases argued this morning. One case 45° to side. Got through by 1 pm[.] Conference in afternoon, and the Judge Ch & I played golf. Pretty strong cold wind, but I made a 47 and felt 100% better after the exercise.
The British are rapidly defeating the Italians in Eritrea & It. Somaliland. Italy may lose Ethiopia before very long.
Friday, February 28, 1941.
Got in some work in office today. Cleaned up all about a few “hard Knots.”
Bulgaria has joined the Axis. Jugoslavia[sic] will follow That leaves only Turkey & Greece. Britain is preparing to aid them in holding back the Huns. The Italians have lost the African war. Tripoli will probably be taken soon, thus the British will have conquered all Libya—a brilliant military achievement. All honor to Generals Wavell and Wilson.
The fruitless debate in the Senate on the Lease-lend bill has wasted 11 days. The opposition is [ ? ] but blind to the facts. The will be defeated. The bill will pass.
Saturday, March 1, 1941.
Clear, cold & windy. Very busy day. Worked till 6 p.m. & then again at home after supper. Wrote one opinion in an old case.
It looks like Hitler is getting all set to invade Greece and take the Dardanelles, through Bulgaria. Greece may have to agree to a disgraceful peace or be destroyed. Turkey has a better chance to put up a real fight than Greece. They may with British aid, protect the Dardanelles, but I fear that even with all the aid Britain can give, Greece will be over run, as was Poland.—But the Greeks are brave & their hilly mountainous frontier is a great help. Hitler will not have a walkover if the Greeks decide to fight.
Sunday, March 2, 1941.
Cold clear morning. Warming up by lunch time. Went to Sunday School but not to Church. Lizzie did not feel like going either.
Played golf this afternoon with M[.] H[.] Poage, Lester Moon and young Mr. Fresdinnick[?], from 3:30 to 5:15. We played the inside nine. I made a 48, which equaled their best score. If I had been putting well, I would have made a good score. I 3-putted a number of greens. German troops are in Bulgaria[.]
Now that Bulgaria has joined up with Hitler, it looks like the Greeks, in spite of their heroic and successful battles with the Italians, are in great danger in spite of all the help that Britain can possibly give. And the U-boats are threatening the life of England.
Monday, March 3, 1941.
Clear. Warmer. E & S. winds. Clouding up in late afternoon.
In conference nearly all morning. A very strenuous day. Took time to get my hair cut this aft. Worked till after 6 p.m.
Tuesday, March 4, 1941.
On bench all morning. Conference 4 to 5. Played golf with Mrs. Parker and Miss Pauline Kelly this afternoon. We were all even at the end of the 8th hole, which Mrs. P. won. She was driving beautifully all afternoon.
Wednesday, March 5, 1941.
Clear & colder, warming up in afternoon.
Events are rushing toward tremendous developments in the great war. Germany is preparing to march through Bulgaria & Rumania towards Greece and the Dardanelles, and is trying to get Jugoslavia to join the “new order in Europe.” Greece remains bravely adamant. England is preparing to help her. Turkey, and perhaps Russia, will fight before they allow the Germans to capture the Dardanelles. Meanwhile Hitler afraid to invade England, is trying to wear down British resistance by bombing English ports and industrial cities & starve the British by sinking her merchant shipping. The situation is dark but I believe the British will win in the End—with our help.
Thursday, March 6, 1941.
Cloudy. Some sunshine, but hazy.
If Hitler tries to get the Dardanelles, it looks like Turkey & Russia will both fight. Greece stands firm, though it may mean her destruction. England has landed a division of troops in Salonika.
Something is going to happen soon.
Tonight Liz & I went to see “Rebecca” a very fine movie picture starring Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine & Aubrey Smith, a really fine picture.
Friday, March 7, 1941.
Dark, cloudy morning, S. wind, followed by all day rain and still raining some at 11:30 p.m.
On bench and in conference large part of day. Hitler is evidently preparing to strike through Greece & Turkey toward the oil fields of Irak[sic]. Just what he plans are remains to be seen. I wonder if Russia will stand idly by and let him take the Dardanelles?
Our roads all messed up by the rain. Several cars in the ditch within sight of our house this aft. & tonight.
Sat[urday], March 8, 1941.
Cloudy & Windy. West to N..W. Wind. Heaviest snowfall in 47 yrs. in N.E.—Maryland to Maine. Greece inflicted a heavy defeat on the Italians in Albania today & captured 2100 prisoners. The Germans bombed London last night and again tonight. “lend-lease” bill passed Senate tonight at 7.30. 60 to 31 Two weeks of useless opposition.
Busy day in office today, passing on opinions coming in from both divisions.
This afternoon I called on Mrs. Susan Bradford Eppes. It was her 95th birthday. She is blind and partially deaf, but she enjoyed her birthday party. Quite a number of friends visited her and she enjoyed it. Her mind still alert; such a fine, sweet old lady. I took her a birthday present selected by Lizzie. Liz was sick with a cold & could not go. She is better tonight.
The British have taken Italian Somaliland.
Sunday, March 9, 1941.
Clear & cold morning, & windy all day.
Went to S.S. but Lizzie was sick with a bad cold and so I did not go to church.
Came by the office & put in a little work and then home. Had to go right back to town to get some medicine for Lizzie.
This aft., I played golf with Fred Elliott & Harris Drew of W. Palm Beach.
The British are very much encouraged by the passage of the Lease-lend bill by the Senate.
I hope with our aid they can win.
Monday, March 10, 1941.
Clear beautiful Morning. Clouding up during the day to some extent.
Starting at 9:30 we heard short arguments on two motions, and from 10 a.m. to 12.50 pm we heard oral arguments in some 6 or 7 cases involving the distribution of race track moneys to some 7 or 8 Counties.
The British are gradually clearing up the Italians in East Africa; are now driving into Ethiopia.
Jugoslavia is tetering[sic] on the brink of joining up with Hitler.
No word from Libya. The British must be transferring troops to help Greece and Turkey.
The Court this afternoon rejected my plan to remove the pictures from the walls of the Court room.
Tuesday, March 11, 1941.
Very pretty day. Some rain last night. In Conference nearly all morning[.]
The House approved the Senate amendments to the “Lease-lend”—and to Britain-bill this afternoon and one hour later at 2.50 pm signed by the President. I hope it is not too late. England had 148,000 tons of shipping sunk in the week ending Mch 3rd. Hitler is going to try and cut Britain’s lifeline—her ocean transportation of food and supplies—and starve her into submission. That’s the meaning of the intensifying submarine campaign—the “battle of the Atlantic”—Hitler’s only chance to win the war. We must see to it that this is not done, if it takes our entire force of destroyers to stop it.
The Court this morning rejected my proposal to recarpet the courtroom.
Judge Chapman & I had a nice game of golf this afternoon—5 to 6.30.
Lizzie put in the whole afternoon trying to solve the problem of Miss Julia Nims and May & Eddie Andrews.
Wednesday, March 12, 1941.
Clear, beautiful & mild. Did not get to do much work this morning. Too many interruptions. Efforts to get my income tax return properly filled out with the aid of Mr. Ballou. Got in some work this aft. Finished opinions I have been working on with Harry Newett’s help for some time.
Took a long walk on golf course this afternoon late watching some of my young friends play—Tiffany Turnbull, Bill O’Bryan and Tom Grason[?]—all fine young fellows.
Tonight I got in some work on another old case—Forde v. Miami Beach.
It looks like Jugoslavia will finally give in & join up with Hitler, much to the disgust of the masses.
The Greeks in Albania and the British in Ethiopia are defeating the Italians on all fronts.
Hitler has his big army ready to attack Greece and Britain is sending troops to Salonica & Piraous.
German bombers are making savage attacks by night on English cities.
Thurs[day], March 13, 1941.
Foggy—windy.
Have been hoarse all day. But no cough & no fever.
No oral arguments this week after Monday. I have today finished another hard opinion in an old case. Given S[.] V. Vaugh Jr. office pending a .
England being heavily bombed again tonight, but Berlin caught it heavy & strong last night also.
Friday, March 14, 1941.
Clear, cold & windy.
Put in a good deal of work. Still hoarse, but no sore throat, no pain & no feaver[sic]. Fell very well.
Worked till nearly 6 pm, but did on work tonight. Lizzie uneasy about me. So she purchased an inhaler, for hot water & steam mixed with Benzoin-and I did quite a bit of inhaling tonight: also had another mustard plaster on chest, & back, as I had last night.
English ports & Scottish ports heavily bombed again—also London.
Saturday, March 15, 1941.
Clear, cold morning, warming up later.
Had a good night’s sleep last night and night before, but a little cough this morning, so Lizzie insisted I stay in bed—which I did practically all morning and until 4 in the afternoon. Felt very well in afternoon and wanted to take a walk in the bright sunshine, but Lizzie thought the wind too strong. So—I stayed in. Put in a little work this morning on motions coming up next Monday, and in afternoon did some work in the Forde v. Miami Beach case, involving the City’s zoning ordinance.
At 9:30 to 10:06 we heard a great speech by President Roosevelt, broadcast from the banquet of the White House Correspondent’s Ass’n. He discussed the passage of the Leas-Lend bill and what our country should now do. It was an eloquent and inspiring Clarion call to our people to make the necessary sacrifices and rise to the occasion to Britain and ourselves.
Sunday, March 16, 1941.
Cloudy, warmer, some rain.
Stayed in bed this morning; heard Bro. Jack Anderson’s sermon over my little radio.
Still hoarse, with a little coughing, but no feavr[sic] nor any serious symptoms of a bad cold or “flu.” Lizzie thinks I should stay inside again today. I hate to do it but I guess its wisest course.
We were to attend the installation banquet of the B’Nai Brith tonight, but I had to give that up. Got Judge Thomas & his wife to go instead.
Terrific & very cold blizzard struck the Dakotas and Minnesota very suddenly—47 persons frozen to death in 80 m. pr.hr. wind.
Monday, March 17, 1941.
Moderate temperatures—Somewhat cloudy.
Staid[sic] at home again today—Lizzie phoned Dr Rhodes this morning. But he did not come till 2:30. Found no fever, & blood pressure 132. Gave me a prescription. What it is I don’t know. Am feeling fine this aft. & tonight, but still hoarse & some cough.
St. Patricks Day
Hope to go to work tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 18, 1941.
Felt very well this morning, but stayed in bed most of the day. Had Harry Hewitt[?] come out to talk over the Forde case with him. Then I had quite a long visit from my good old friend Judge Jno. C. Gramling.
Wednesday, March 19, 1941.
Very nice mild day. Mostly clear.
Went back to work this morning. Had 5 cases on the docket. Got through with 4 and about half through with the 5th case, by 1 pm. Recessed till 3:30 and finished that case by 3. Then a Conference till nearly 4. Worked till nearly 6 p.m. Then home and a long walk on the golf links.
Feel all O.K. tonight, except itching—badly.
Radio at 11 pm says London had one of the worst air raids of the war tonight.
Thursday, March 20, 1941.
Cloudy-Light Rain in afternoon. Quite warm. More rain tonight –Light.
Had 5 cases on docket this morning. Disposed of them by 12:20. Conference till 1 pm[.]
Did some work in office this aft.
Dow and Hilda drove in about 6:15 and we had a good dinner & a good time talking till about 11:30. Dow is some thinner than he used to be but seems to be quite well. It certainly is great to see something of him.
Plymouth terribly bombed tonight.
Friday, March 21, 1941.
Cloudy and warm. Some light rain.
The Adams case was argued this morning by Robt R Milam & Chas Cook Howell, for the Adams children and Olin Watts and Judge Mitchell D. Price for Mrs. Ruby Wilder Adams heirs, Mrs. Adams having died pending the litigation. The validity of the “step mother” bill of 1939 was argued at length. The argument ran from 9:30 to 12:30—3 hrs—the exact time I had allowed. Dow was in the audience a little while.
Dow lunched with Payne Midyette-Hilda with us. After lunch Dow & Hilda left about 2:45 for Homerville, Ga., where they spend the night with the Gillians. Then they go to St. Simons Island near Brunswick where they will spend two or three days.
Plymouth again bombed tonight.
Saturday, March 22, 1941.
Mostly cloudy. Put in a busy day in office. Finished opinion in Thos. Forde vs City of Miami Beach—involving validity of zoning ordinance as applied to certain water front lots. Hard case. Last of the “hard Knots” I brought over from the previous administration. --Thank goodness! This afternoon I visited the new City office building next to the Supreme Court on the North. A well built bldg. City had no constitutional power to go into office building business, but it filled great need—A nice bldg.
Jugo Slavia[sic] is divided on question of “joining up” with the Axis. Hitler demands it. The people resist—But their leaders are afraid.
The Battle of the Atlantic is getting very serious. Lot of ships being sank.
Sunday, March 23, 1941.
Hazy in early morning. Clear at times. Warm and hazy more or less during the day. Went to church this morning. First time for 4 or 5 Sundays. Bro. Anderson irked me by saying that all the warring leaders were asking[?] for their idea of the brotherhood of man, and today he prayed for the blessings of God upon the leaders of all Nations[.] He seems to make no distinction between Winston Churchill & Roosevelt and Hitler. He evidences no moral indignation over the monstrous acts of Hitler.
Plymouth seems to have been practically destroyed the terrific bombing of the past two nights.
Jugo Slavia has not yet signed up with Hitler.
Italy has been put out of business in the war by England & Greece.
Monday, March 24, 1941.
Clear morning. Somewhat cloudy & hazy this aft. Strenuous morning—Many motions & petitions to consider. Some of them argued by counsel. Worked till 6:30. Not feeling very well.
Jugo-Slavian officials left for meeting with Hitler’s gang today—much to the disgust of the people. If they sign up with Hitler tomorrow there may be civil war. Tho the troops are already called out to quiet the populace.
Berlin heavily bombed by the RAF last night. But English shipping is still being sunk-in large quantities-there’s the rub.
The $7,000,000,000 appropriation for aid to Britain, Greece & China passed both houses—the Senate passing it today. It will be flown to the President, who is cruising off Florida, tomorrow to sign.
Tuesday, March 25, 1941.
Mostly clear. Very spring like. The dogwoods are blooming and the red-bud trees also.
Conference this morning 11:30 to 1 pm[.] Got out a good many cases. Some had to be passed over on acct. of Judge Whitfield’s absence. He has been ill for nearly two weeks with sinus trouble.
Tonight at 7 the Justices & their wives were entertained by Gov’r & Mrs Holland. Little Ivanhoe, their dear & beautiful little girl of about 9 yrs. was the only other member of the family besides the Gov. & his wife, who was present. Ivanhoe stayed up & was keenly observant of all that was going on till we left about 10:15.
Jugo Slavia has signed a pact with Germany but with one clause that the Germans don’t like; i.e., no German troops are to enter & move across Jugoslavian territory.
Not much bombing of England tonight.
Wednesday, March 26, 1941.
Cloudy-some light rain during morning. Very busy day in office—Worked hard to clear my desk before leaving tomorrow for the State Bar Ass’n in Tampa.
No bombing to amount to anything in England tonight.
Thursday, March 27, 1941. (Tampa Trip)
Left Tallahassee at 10 am and arrived at Williston at 12.40 (154 miles from our house) and got lunch, and reached Clearwater about 4 pm. We drove over to the Beach over the beautiful causeway and drove around awhile and got a Manhattan Cocktail at a very nice place. Then we went back over to Clearwater and spent the Night at the Fort Harrison Hotel. I took a long walk before dinner.
Our little radio came in fine tonight. Yugoslavia is still defying Hitler-though there is some division of opinion in that little country. The croats in N. Yugoslavia are afraid of Germany. The Serbs are willing to fight for their freedom & independence.
England has had no bombings of importance for several nights.
Friday, March 28, 1941.
We left Clearwater, a clear, cool morning, at about 9:15 and drove over the Davis Causeway to Tampa and put up at the Floridan Hotel—about 9:45. I then went to State Bar Ass’n convention at Tampa Terrace Hotel. Heard an excellent address on “Personal Liberty and the Courts” by Prof. Raymond T. Johnson of Wash’n & Lee University, Law School. Then Mr. James Booth of St. Petersburg on the petition to our Supreme Court to raise the educational requirements for admission to the Bar to the standards set by Am. Bar Ass’n. Then I attended a luncheon of the Section on Judicial Administration. Then I went back to the Floridan & found Lizzie had been staying in bed to keep warm. It was pretty cold & no heat on in Hotel. Then I went back to Tampa Terrace & heard two excellent addresses, one by Chief Justice Lock Ward of Arizona Supreme Ct. and another by U.S. Dist. Judge B.J. Low of Wash’n. After dinner Liz & I went to a good moving picture—(“Lady Eve”) starring Henry Fonda & Barbara Stanwyck.
Saturday, March 29, 1941.
Quite cold in Tampa this morning—strong N.W. wind. Clear. After breakfast with Lizzie, I went to Bar Convention & heard an address by Atty Gen’l Watson on the Statutory Revision matter. Then a address by Raymer F. Magnuse on the Bar & the Public; and then part of the address by Dr. Jacob M. Lashley, Pres of the Am. Bar Ass’n. Wish I could have heard it all. But I left about 11:50 and went back to the Floridan & Liz & [I] got off for home at 12:15. We got up to the Dupree Gardens about 1 pm & had a delightful lunch there-a nice place-and the Gardens are very beautiful. We left about 2 p.m. and reached home at 6.15. A bright clear day. But quite cool. We drove the 257 miles from Tampa to our home in 6 hrs & ten minutes, & Gardens, 22 miles North of Tampa, we drove the 251 miles in 5 hrs & 10 min. My car behaved fine.
Good to be back home.
Tonight at 9.30 we heard a fine Jackson Day address by President Roosevelt, delivered from the Cabin on the Yacht Potomac in Port Everglades, to which place he has returned after 8 days cruising & fishing on the S.E. Florida Coast.
Sunday, March 30, 1941.
Quite a cold snap for this time of year. Had a day of rest at home today. We took dinner with the Cowles; and then I took a long nap, and played golf with Judge Chapman from 4:15 to 6. Felt fine afterwards & then called on Judge Whitfield, who has been quite ill from cold & sinus trouble for past two weeks or more.
London has had 9 nights without any real air raid.
Jugoslavia still hangs in the balance. The British are clearing up the Italians in Eritrea and Ethiopia. British have put 5 Italian ships out of action. Italian & Danish ships seized at Panama Canal & other ports.
Masuoka, Jap Premier, after confabs with Australian[?] & then German big-wigs, including Hitler, is now on his way to talk with Dahlon[?] & perhaps Petain.
Monday, March 31, 1941.
Hazy, cool morning. Disagreeable weather with rain in afternoon.
Very busy day.
U.S. Gov’t orders taking of 28 Italian and all German & Danish ships in our harbor. Those ships were about to be sabotaged and sunk. In fact, a lot of sabotage had been done by these crews under orders from their governments.
Very strenuous day. On bench & in conference all day—till six o’clock.
Bessie, Joseph & Little Martin[?] came in this aft & spent night.
Tuesday, April 1, 1941.
Very pleasant day. Mostly clear.
4 cases set for oral argument this morning. All disposed of by 12.30.
Conference this aft. at 4. Disposed of two important Miami cases—efforts to prevent the sale of the certificates or bonds to amt. of about 8,000,000 at int. of 2.78, recently validated, sale to be consummated April 4th.
Played golf this afternoon with Judge Chapman. I made a 46, he a 50.
Japanese Premier Matsuoka, after visiting Berlin, when Jugoslavia was refusing to ratify the pact which Hitler had gotten their officers to sign, is now in Italy, when Mussolini is wincing from the great naval victory of Mch 29th when the British sunk 5 Italian warships without the loss of a single British sailor.
Wednesday, April 2, 1941.
Clear. Very pretty day. The trees are putting out their new green leaves. Spring is here.
On bench this morning. Visitors this afternoon interfered with my work.
Tonight we went to see a very good picture—Vivian Leigh & Carl Heidt in “Dark Journey,” a British production.
Yugoslavia has not yet given in to Hitler. Ninth night without bombing on London & very little in other parts of England. I suspect Hitler is getting ready for heavy mass bombing.
Thursday, April 3, 1941.
Heavy rain in morning—Clearing by 12:15. Beautiful afternoon though windy.
Very busy day. On bench from 9:30 to 1 and from 2:30 to 4. Conference till 4:30.
Judge Chapman & I played golf with Theo Brevard at 5:45. I happened to make the best score—a 48.
Bristol bombed tonight for 4 hrs-heavy.
The strikes are crippling defense production. The strikers are resisting[?] to force at Allis-Chalmers plant. Congress should pass a [ ? ] arbitration law. Something Must be done.
Friday, April 4, 1941.
Hazy, cloudy, morning. Clearing up somewhat in afternoon—
On bench and in conference till 4 pm. Then went to Dr. Brown who treated my eyes, which have been giving me trouble the past two days. Some sinus infection probably cause.
The British evacuated Bengasi in Libya a day or so ago—where they had left light troops—The German-Italian forces are advancing on it. Most of the British troops have been sent to Greece. But the Italian colonies in East Africa will all soon be in British hands. Italian Somaliland, Eritrea & Ethiopia-At least it looks that way.
Jugo slavia still defies Hitler’s demands. Hitler may attack at any moment now. That may mean a general Balkan War.
Saturday, April 5, 1941.
Clear, pretty day, but very windy. Put in a good day’s work in office, in spite of smarting eyes. Wrote one opinion and one dissent, and passed on a number of opinions of the other Judges that have accumulated during the week.
My eyes were too sensitive to do any work tonight. Lizzie read some to me and then we listened to the radio.
Hitler’s drive on Jugoslavia and Greece, & the British at Salonica, expected for several days now, has not yet begun, but must be imminent.
No air raids on England tonight so far. I guess the Germans are preparing for an all-out blitz. Here’s hoping that it will end in failure.
Sunday, April 6, 1941.
A delightful Spring day. Beautiful. I went to Sunday School and then we & Annie & the Cowles went to dinner over at Quincy—the Quincy Hotel—We had a very fine delightful dinner. Got back home about 3:30, and at 4:30 Judge Chapman & I played golf.
Tonight’s radio told of Hitler’s unprovoked invasion of Jugoslavia and the 6 hour bombing of the “open city” of Belgrade, killing many civilians, 20,000, plain murder- also the attempt to invade Greece through Bulgaria, but the Greeks & English stopped them, temporarily at least.
The end of the campaign against Eritrea & Ethiopia is near. Addis Abbaba has been taken. The English protected the Italian forces against the fury of the natives. Soon most of their troops can go to Greece.
Monday, April 7, 1941.
Clear, but hazy; then cloudy, with frequent drizzling showers.
Busy morning in conference & hearing Motions. Got a few cases disposed of and ready for filing, including the Mendel case, upon which I have put no end of study and labor, and finally reached the same conclusion I had in the first hearing.
It appears from the radio reports that the Germans have entered this Balkan war with great superiority in numbers and equipment. Whether the Greeks, Yugo-slavs and British can hold out against such odds is extremely doubtful. Hitler has bombed Belgrade already until it is a mass of ruins—also a smaller city has been destroyed. Neither had any military value. Useless, brutal murder of Civilians—men, women & children. They are trying to repeat the crime of the destruction of Poland—and they may do so—unless a miracle happens. Hitler is up against brave men—none braver.
Tuesday, April 8, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy.
Did not feel very spry this morning. So I took breakfast in bed and got up about 9:15 and got to office about 9.45. Worked till 11:30 and then went over to the Senate Chamber and visited around until high noon, when former Pres Turner Butler convened the session, & had the roll called. All Senators present except Walter Rose-absent acct[.] of his wife’s illness. Then I swore in the 19 New members, then the new Pres. of the Senate, John R. Beacham, & several of the lesser officers. Got home about 1:30 and at 3 o’clock I went by the Governor’s office & attended Gov[.] Holland & the Cabinet to a joint session of House & Senate. The Gov’r delivered a strong address-dealing with many hard problems. We have an able high-minded Governor.
The radio reports from the Balkan front tonight sound bad. The Germans have made rapid progress and it looks like Salonica will be taken by tomorrow[.]
Wednesday, April 9, 1941.
Mostly clear—Some clouds and a shower tonight. Busy day—
This morning early the Germans entered Salonica, coming from the Vardon River valley through Jugosalvia. This cuts off that part of the Greek Army East of the Vardon from the balance of the Army. The Greeks have done all they could and will continue to fight nobly & grandly.
The Germans are pushing the British back in N. Libya-evidently making for Egypt & the Suez Canal. British had sent most of their troops to Greece.
Tonight Liz & I went to the New Leon High School and heard a grand address by Col. Stewart-Raddice.
The British bombed Kiel naval yards effectively last night.
Thursday, April 10, 1941.
Mostly clear. Judge Whitfield came to his office for a little while this morning. Has been sick from sinus trouble for 3 weeks. Judge Adams has been down with malarial fever for nearly two weeks. This throws more work on the remaining five judges. B’ham and Coventry were terribly bombed again last night. But England retaliated by bombing Berlin & Emden. The sinking of British shipping goes on apace. The next three months may decide this war. But do our striking workmen care? Nothing apparently. The Allis-Chalmers plant has been closed by the strike for 2-1/2 months. And the Ford plants have had to shut down. But settlements seem about agreed on. But a number of other defense plants are closed by unnecessary strikes. The politicians are cringeing before organized labor. Congress & the President should stop these strikes. Organized labor is unpatriotic, selfish and dictatorial; i.e, a large part.
Friday, April 11, 1941.
Clear, beautiful spring day.
Heard oral arguments in four cases this morning—i.e. up to 1 pm. Conference 3 to 5.
Played golf 6:15 to 7 p.m.
Some English cities, including Coventry and B’ham bombed heavily again tonight. The Germans are moving toward an effort to break through the British-Greek lines near Florina and also around Mt. Olympus. The Germans have great superiority in numbers and equipment. The situation looks dark, both there and in Eastern Libya.
Saturday, April 12, 1941.
Clear and delightful. A very busy morning hearing the application of Clyde Stephen & Jas. Bunker for leave to apply for writs of error coram nobis [a writ of error directed to a court for review of its own judgment and predicated on alleged errors of fact—Black’s Law Dictionary] I thought leave should be granted, but the majority were for denial. Then they wanted a stay order to apply to U.S. Supreme Court for certiorari; but the majority opposed it. I voted for it, as they are sentenced to be executed next week.
The British & Greeks and still holding their lines in Greece. Hitler’s forces first effort to break through has been repulsed. The British are preparing to make a stand at Tobruk in Libya to stop the Eastward drive of the Germans toward Egypt. Hope they hold Tobruk & I believe they will.
Played golf at 5 pm.
Sunday, April 13, 1941.
Clear, delightful Easter Day.
Lizzie had a terrible night last night, but would not let me know it, so I could get some badly needed sleep. She suffered great pain with her back and had a chill followed by high fever. Got Dr. Rhodes here about 10 A.M. He gave two prescriptions which I went up town and had filled. But none of them seemed to have any effect. It think Liz was suffering so that her stomach was paralyzed and could not digest the medicines. During afternoon Dr. Rhodes sent out some nembutol capsules but they did not have any effect. So at 11 pm I phoned him to come & give her a hypodermic, which he did, and that gave relief and she is now asleep.
The British-Greek lines are still holding in Greece, the first German assaults having been repulsed a day or so ago.
The German panzer divisions in Africa have gone around Tobruk and on to Bardia, which they have taken. But I believe that when the British get their forces in Ethiopia up to North Egypt, they will check this German advance.
No bombing of English cities for 2 nights.
Monday, April 14, 1941.
Another delightful day.
Liz slept very well during the night but had a spell of nausea about 7 am. Has not been able to retain any nourishment during the day, or to retain medication taken. Dr. Rhodes came about 7 pm & said the blood test had shown malaria. He gave her a hypodermic to quiet the pain and let her sleep. Soon afterward she vomited up her supper. It-the dope-quieted her pain, but she had very little if any sleep, and many spells of nausea up to bed time.
The British have had to fall back on Libya & the Germans are now in Egypt. Also the British have had to withdraw to further back positions in Greece. The situation is very grave.
Tuesday, April 15, 1941.
Clear, a little cloudy.
Lizzie still very sick. Unable to retain any nourishment.
Called in Judge Hal Adams to sit in place of Judge Alto Adams today and tomorrow. Alto did some work in office this afternoon. First in several weeks.
Had an exceedingly busy day today. Very tired when I got home at 7 pm
Lizzie still very sick.
The Greeks and the British had to fall back to another line of defense in Greece. Looks pretty bad.
Wednesday, April 16, 1941.
Clear, cloudy at times. Pretty afternoon.
Four interesting cases argued this morning. Two of them, whole court—Constitutional questions.
Lizzie appeared a little better this morning but not tonight.
The Greeks & British have made a stand and their resistance has stiffened. The German machine could not move them.
British sank 8 Italian vessels today-- 7 vessels in convoy & a destroyer.
This afternoon late Tom Gurney of Orlando, Judge Ch. & I played golf—Tom made a 45, I a 46, and Chapman about 53.
Tonight London is suffering the worst air raid in history—so far.
Thursday, April 17, 1941.
Clear—but hazy—Clear afternoon.
London is digging out of worst air raid. Hundreds of buildings—homes, shops, hospitals—destroyed and thousands of people killed and wounded. Hitler’s kind of war—war on non-combatants—women-children-the old.
On bench all morning—the Graham will case argued for 4 hrs.
The Greeks & British have been battling the German mechanized forces, and by dive bombers—for 48 hours, in Greece. English forces are trapped in Tobruk, but are holding out. The German drive into Egypt has been stopped, for the present at least.
These are terrible hours for our British brothers—but they are acting nobly and have no thought of giving in.
Lizzie some better today.
Friday, April 18, 1941.
Weather about the same.
On bench all morning.
Managed to do some work in office this aft., and at 5 pm I took Annie out home, and I stayed a few minutes with Lizzie, who seemed some better. Then went & played golf with Judge Chapman. I made a 46 and Judge C. a 48.
The Greeks and British are putting up a brave but apparently hopeless fight against the Germans in Greece. The losses on both sides are terrible.
Outnumbered, and with inferior equipment-the Allied forces must eventually be crushed unless a miracle happens. It looks black.
The English bombed Berlin last night & the Germans are howling awfully about it.
Saturday, April 19, 1941.
Clear & warmer.
Busy day in office.
Judge & Mrs Frank Smathers of Miami & Waynesville reached town today, on their way to Miami from So. California & Arizona. Delightful, fine people. I called on them at their hotel & took them to ride and came by home & in spite of her illness, Liz insisted on their coming in her room & they had a nice visit of about a half hour. Then I took them to their hotel.
The British & Greeks are still holding their line firmly in Greece, but the overpowering numbers & airplanes of the Germans indicate that the sacrifice is in vain.
Sunday, April 20, 1941.
Partly cloudy.
Lizzie had a bad night and a bad day today. I spent the day with her. Went up & got the mail and this aft. I went up & got some medicine for her. Called the Floridan & found that Judge & Mrs. Frank Smathers had gone down to the Wakulla Springs hotel for the night.
London was bombed for 2 hrs last night, but not as bad as last Wednesday night.
The Greeks & British in Greece have made a brave stand, but they cannot hold out against such an overpowering mechanized force, with superiority in numbers & in planes, much longer.
Monday, April 21, 1941.
Partly cloudy. Rather warm aft.
Busy with Motion day work till about noon. Then a visit from Judge & Mrs. Smathers, who had visited the legislature, after a night at the hotel at Wakulla Springs, which hotel they liked, but the road from the main highway to Wakulla Springs, which is a graded sand road, was pretty hard on Frank’s arthritis. About the time they left, Mrs Pearl Purce & Francis Thompson called. I certainly enjoyed both visits. They are fine women. Frank & Mrs. S. are leaving this aft. for Miami via Gainesville. I am [ ? ] to both of them and a [ ? ] Frank immensely.
The Greeks & British had to retreat to a shorter line. But I don’t see how they can hold out.
Tuesday, April 22, 1941.
Clear, mostly. After a busy morning Justices Buford, Chapman & Thomas & myself went by invitation before the House Appropriation Committee at 2:30 p.m. & testified to the need of an appropriation of $250,000 for enlargement of the Supreme Court Bldg. & the committee endorsed the bill by vote before we left.
Conference from 3:30 to 4:30. Got the Tampa Electric Co. rate case handed down--& one or two other cases.
The radio tonight indicates that the Greeks & British successfully retired or retreated to stronger positions and a shorter line. But they cannot in my opinion hold out much longer.
This afternoon Judge Ch. & I played golf at 5:15. I made a 43. Judge C. a 50. Best score I’ve made in some time.
Wednesday, April 23, 1941.
Partly cloudy. Lizzie better today. Went to dining room for her meals.
Got in some work in office today.
Our house-painting was finished yesterday. Come at a bad time for Liz—
Wrote Pres. Roosevelt this morning urging prompt naval cooperation with England, & convoying of our shipments of munitions to England.
Tonight we could hear nothing much from Greece. The King has gone to the Island of Crete. What has become of the remnant of the Greek & British armies is not known. Germans claim to have sunk all transports in Greek Ports with dive-bombers.
The situation is dark, but Britain is not dismayed. They bombarded Tripoli heavily yesterday. Very few Nazi planes over England tonight.
Thursday, April 24, 1941.
Cloudy & hazy—rather damp morning.
Lizzie had an uncomfortable night. Feels pretty bad today, but went to the table for her meals. This spell has left her very thin and weak.
In spite of many interruptions—callers on business, and socially, I managed to pass on a number of cases today.
Played golf in late afternoon with Mr. Hill[?]. Inside 9. I took a 49, he a 52.
No definite news yet as to just what has happened to the Greeks and the British forces who have been fighting a gallant rearguard action at Thermopylei[sic], evidently if possible to enable the main British force to get to some port and get away by sea. The Germans claim their dive-bombers have sunk 160,000 tons of British transports with 30,000 British troops on board. I doubt it. Maybe we will get some word tomorrow.
Sec’y Hull & Sec. Knox practically come out for convoying our shipments to England tonight. Fine!
Friday, April 25, 1941.
Clear. Last night Secretary of State Hull & Sec’y of Navy Knox made real speeches—in which they faced the facts and showed the necessity of more effective aid to England—hinting at convoying our shipments to England. We have played an ignoble part so far & the time for action has come. The British have had the pain[?] at Thermopylae over overflowing[?]numbers, for past 2 days—a brilliant and brave rear-guard action to give the main body time to get away.
The N. African campaign progresses far nobly[?]
Dr. Harrison confirmed this morning Liz some better.
Saturday, April 26, 1941. Trip to Hawkinsville
After a very breezy[?] morning, I left Tally at 3.05 and drove up to Hawkinsville, getting there at 6.40. Stopped 10” at Moultrie & 10 minutes at Stuckey’s place—1 mi. N. of Umatilla[?] for a glass of orange juice and to buy some pralines for Annie Lee Twitty [?], & Carrie Parson, & Lizzie. Found Susie Harris at Annie Lee Twitty’s and had a nice supper with them. At 9:30 I went over to Carrie’s house & spent the night. Sat up talking to Carrie & Anna till about 11 pm. then to bed, reading in bed till 12 pm. Got a good night’s sleep. After breakfast, went over to Annie Lee’s & spent the morning with Susan & Annie Lee & Russell Twitty. We went out to the country & visited the graves of Fannie & Tommy. Then we had dinner with Annie. Her son Will Parsons[?] & wife & boy had driven down from Augusta, Ga., & I liked them fine. Had a grand dinner. At 3 pm we left—Sue & I—and got to Tallahassee at 6.50 Lizzie was better, & we all went
[continued on next page: Sunday, April 27, 1941.]
over to Mary Maud’s for Scotch & Soda’s. The Cowles were there. We then came back home for supper and had a good time talking till about 11 pm. I got a nap after supper.
Had a strenuous but delightful trip to Hawkinsvillle—fine weather, tho’ a bit cool this Sunday morning—down to about 50° in Hawkinsville.
Sue is quite well & I enjoyed as much seeing her again and our trip home was a very pleasant one.
Liz tells me that Winston Churchill made a grand speech at 3 p.m. this aft. & she heard it perfectly over my little radio.
The Germans entered Athens today[.] The Greeks acted with quiet dignity. Mostly staying in their homes.
Monday, April 28, 1941.
Hazy—somewhat cloudy.
Busy with motions all morning, and in afternoon with administrative work and passing on cases.
At 5 pm I went home & took Susie and Annie and Mrs. Fain for a drive, to show Susie the town.
Quiet evening at home—not feeling very well
Whether the British troops in Greece were able to reach ships is still not clear. The Germans claim to have sunk 400,000 tons of shipping in Greek harbors, & a British cruiser, with dive bombers.
Tuesday, April 29, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy & cool morning.
On bench all morning.
Annie took Sue, who did the driving, down to Wakulla Spring for lunch and the Cowles took her & Annie & Mary Maud down to St. Mark’s for dinner. They got back about 9:30 & we talked till about 11:30.
Wednesday, April 30, 1941.
Clear
On bench from 9:30 to 1.
As requested, I attended the Senate Appropriation Committee with Justices Chapman & Buford at 3 p.m. The Committee had already acted however, just as I got there. The Supreme Court building enlargement bill was favorably reported. Having passed the House, it is now up to the Senate. Better luck so far than I expected. On returning I called a conference which lasted till 4:30 pm[.] At 5 I went out & played golf with Mr. Hill & a Mr. Rhodes. I was not feeling well & played the first few holes badly, but felt better and played the last 4 holes—15th, 16th, 17th, & 18th very well—4, 4, 5, & 4, & wound up feeling much better.
Sue left for Montgomery by bus at 10:30 A.M. Sure have enjoyed her visit.
Of the 60,000 British Expeditionary force, it is reported 48,000 have managed to get away. 3,000 killed & wounded, 5,000 taken prisoners, & 4,000 not yet disembarked.
Thursday, May 1, 1941.
Clear morning. Lizzie felt better this morning but worse this afternoon and tonight. I do not feel like going to Wash’n to the Low Institute with her in this condition.
Hitler is evidently going to make a drive to get control of the Suez Canal and the oil wells of Iran & Irak[sic]—as well as an attack on Gibraltar. There was a severe attack today on the British Garrison in Tobruk, with tanks & bombers.
Britain is in a close place. The control of the Mediterranean is seriously threatened.
Germany is furious because of our Government’s announcement of the patrol of Western Hemisphere waters. We are very close to a declaration of war, in actual war with Germany. It is bound to come.
Friday, May 2, 1941.
Clear morning. A bit cloudy in afternoon. Busy afternoon, day, in office after arguments & conference in morning. Worked till late tonight, trying to get things in shape to leave Sunday to attend the Am Law Inst. in Washington.
The Germans have stirred up the people of Irak against the British & they actually fired on the small British force that is trying to protect the British owned oil wells in Irak & Persia.
The President has called on the country to lend Britain 2,000,000 tons of shipping.
We ought to convoy over shipments of war material to Britain.
Saturday, May 3, 1941.
Clear morning. Somewhat hazy.
Busy day in office.
Played golf 5:30 to 6:40.
Worked till after 11 o’clock.
Pres Roosevelt’s indecision in the face of the critical condition of the British, who are fighting our battles, is having a bad effect on the Morale of our people.
The President’s plan of a mere patrol of Western Hemisphere waters will not meet the need. The only way we can get war material safely to England is by convoying the shipments by our own warships.
We must do it; why not now.
Sunday, May 4, 1941. (Washington Trip)
Still clear. No rain. Very dry and dusty.
Went to Sunday School; then worked in office till lunch time. After lunch I took a short nap, and then packed my grip & left at 3 pm in my car for Jacksonville, where I took the 7.40 Seaboard train for Washington, to attend Am. Law Institute.
Lizzie considerably better today & yesterday. At least she says so. But I hated to leave her. She is so thin & weak & suffers so with her back.
Monday, May 5, 1941.
Reached Washington at 11.45 A.m. Slept better than I had anticipated. The air conditioned car was a bit too cool, which made the outside air feel all the warmer when I got off the train. Warmer in Wash’n than in Tallahassee. Clear. Went to Raleigh Hotel. After lunch and a nap, I went to Senator Claude Pepper’s office about 2.15 and heard that he was to speak at 2.30; so I got in gallery admission card and hurried over. When I got there about 2:30 the Senate was adjourning. For some reason Claude was a little late and after waiting awhile, they adjourned. A moment later he arrived, much embarrassed. Then I called on Senator Andrews, & then to the Supreme Court about 4 p.m. where I listened to the arguments until they adjourned. Then called on Justice Black of Ala., and then on Justice Roberts & Frankfurter. All delightful gentlemen. The others had all gone home. Then to my hotel, where I got into my tuxedo, and went to the dinner given by the Law Institute to the [ ? ] & visiting justices.
Tuesday, May 6, 1941.
Weather about the same[.]
Last night at the banquet I sat next to Justice McKinney of S.Ct. of Tenn. a delightful gentleman. Justice Faivell[?] former CJ of Iowa, was next to him. Had a good time. After the dinner was over, Judge Terrell showed up. Then the Reception. I met Justice Harlan Stone & Justice Reed[.] Also a Mr Dunbar of N.O., a lawyer. Also H. U. Sims of B’ham. Also met Atty Gen’l Jackson, a bright, likable man.
Attended Law Inst. meeting this morning. Very Interesting. Subject, Re-Statement of Law of Evidence. Took dinner with Mr. & Mrs. Rosenthal of Chicago. After lunch I went to Raleigh hotel & took a nap. Read in the afternoon papers that Claude Pepper had made a stirring address in favor of convoys & all-out aid to Britain. I went to his office to congratulate him, but he was in the Senate, so his sec’y took me over there & Claude came out & we had a nice chat. I heartily congratulated him. Don’t understand Pres. Roosevelt[‘]s inaction. Then I took walk in the beautiful Capitol grounds. How grand the building, & the view—went down the Mall to the Wash’n monument.
Wednesday, May 7, 1941.
Attended & enjoyed the morning session of the Inst. Billy Rogers, Bob Milam, & Geo Gerrett, & several other of my Fla lawyer friends were there. I introduced some of them to Ch. Justice Gordon of Ala. & his wife. I had made an appointment by phone with Cordelia Dowdell-Wolf to take lunch with me at the Mayflower Hotel, where the Inst. had its meetings. So, after the morning session was over she came at 12:30 & we had a good lunch and a good time. Then I went back to the Raleigh, packed, & caught the 3 pm Seaboard for home. Mr. Frank Fleming was on board, & we chatted till 7 p.m. & then had dinner together. Rain about dark[.]
(Rain in Tallahassee-Good one)
Thursday, May 8, 1941. Back home from Washington trip. Fair.
When we reached Jacksonville at 7.50 it was cloudy. Had been a hard rain the day before. I got breakfast in town. Got a taxi & got my car. Then called on Arthur Driver; then left at 8:30 & drove to Tallahassee by 12, noon.
Found Lizzie some better. A fine rain Wednesday, May 7th, had helped the look of the grass & flowers. Good to be home.
Put in a hard afternoon’s work. Then played golf in late aft with Judge C. I made a 47.
Sec[‘]y of War Stimson made a very strong radio address night before last, showing the urgent necessity of naval cooperation with Britain.
Friday, May 9, 1941.
“Fair & warmer.”
Very busy day. In conference from 11 to 1 pm[.] Busy passing on cases and handling administrative details. Worked till nearly 7 pm.
Last night the Germans bombed the English port of Hull—just about destroying that small but important Port City. The British air force also did a big night’s work, bombing Hamburg & Bremen, important German ports & submarine bases.
Saturday, May 10, 1941.
Clear morning. Busy in office till 6:30 pm. Beautiful clear day.
This Saturday night London was blasted with terrific damage by a 6-1/2 hour raid of German bombers, some 300 to 400 of them. The hall of the House of Commons was left in ruins, Westminster Abbey was badly damaged & also Westminster Hall, & various other buildings and homes were ruined and probably several thousand civilians were killed and many wounded.
We could not get the British Broadcasting Co. over the short wave radio.
Sunday, May 11, 1941.
Clear cool & beautiful day. Went to Church—Big congregation—Every seat filled. Good Mothers Day sermon.
This aft. I played golf with Harry Wells & City Manager Yancey—I beat them by a small margin.
Tonight we got the British B.C. Co. from London clear & strong. They said that “Big Ben” was hit but not put out of business.
We could hear it over the radio. They gave a full account of the devastating bombing raid on London last night. The R.A.F. brought down 33 German bombers. Only a light attack by the Germans tonight.
Rudolph Hess, High German official came down by parachute from a plane, in Scotland early today.
Monday, May 12, 1941.
Hazy, early, clearing later. A very pleasant and beautiful day.
Motion day. Hearing motions and in conference till about 1 pm.
Worked this aft. till 5 p.m. Then went home and rested.
Went 7:30 dinner given by the Dade Senators & Representatives to the girls at the College from Dade County. A nice dinner at the Floridan—and a nice program. About 100 girls present. A fine [ ? ], [ ? ]. I was one of the speakers.
When I got home I heard over the radio a grand speech by Lord Halifax, delivered at Kansas City.
Last night Pres. Hoover spoke against Convoys—A [ ? 3 words ] speech, however.
Tuesday, May 13, 1941.
Cool & clear. Very cool for this time of year. On bench this morning. Got in some work this afternoon. Played golf with Mrs Porter & Pauline Kelly & Mr. Hitt lat this aft. I won this time, with a 46 on the inside nine. Mrs. P. got a 47.
Much speculation as to why Rudolph Hess, Hitler’s friend & deputy, should have deliberately left Germany and flown over in a Messerschmitt plane, which he knew did not hold enough gas. to get him back, & Parachuted down in Scotland, Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
Wednesday, May 14, 1941.
Clear & beautiful.
On bench this morning. Not able to do much in office today. This afternoon at 5 pm at the Governor’s request I went out to his office taking Justices Whitfield & Terrell with me. He wanted to know if the language of the Sup. Ct. Bldg bill meant that that appropriation would have preferential standing once some other funding provided for by other bills for State institutions, which were more desperately needed. We told him no. So he signed the bill.
The Radio tonight says that Rudolph Hess flew over to Scotland to see the Duke of Hamilton, whom he knew, thinking to work out some peace agreement between England & Germany. Well, maybe so. But the Duke is in the Royal Air force & not in his castle, near which Hess landed. Perhaps there is more than that back of this strange flight.
Thursday, May 15, 1941.
Clear, beautiful day.
On bench and in conference all morning. Worked in office till 5. Then played golf with Judge C. and Fred Elliott. Fred made a 39. I a 46, Judge Ch. about 55. Fred is such a splendid fellow, and has a fine, clear mind.
Tonight’s radio news is bad. France through her Vichy government, has met Hitler’s demands. From now on Vichy is but a puppet government. The armistice terms with G. & France are violated. France will cooperate fully with Germany and that means she will turn on her former ally—England—& become an ally of Germany. The French fleet and French colonies will, if they do not rebel, be arms in effect, a part of Germany. Thus Dakar, the French West African port, will become a threat to So. America, only 1600 miles across the Atlantic. Unbelievable.
Friday, May 16, 1941.
Another clear, beautiful morning.
One case argued this morning. About 45” to the side. Interesting case. Const. Question.
Short Conference afterward.
Worked in office till about 7 pm passing on opinions written during week.
Sollum[?] in N.W. Egypt, recaptured by British. French mandated Syria, now occupied by German bombing planes airdromes, attacked by British bombers, which destroyed many planes on ground.
Saturday, May 17, 1941.
A bit hazy in early morning, clear & warm but with nice breeze all day.
Put in a fairly good day’s work in office, with some interruptions.
Played golf with Judge Ch. about 5:15 to 7 pm. After supper and a little rest we went to see Melvyn Douglas & Joan Crawford in a picture called “A Woman’s Face.” Quite dramatic. Very good.
Sunday, May 18, 1941.
Clear. Heavy & humid, with light scattered thunder showers in afternoon. No rain to amount to anything.
Went to S.S. then by the office for the mail. Then Liz & I took Mary Maud Jefferds to Quincy Hotel where we met Annie & the Cowles & Mrs. Jones & had a nice dinner. Annie was hostess. On returning home about 2:45 I got a nap and then put in 2 hrs watching the golf tournament. Returning home about 7 pm I found the whole bunch at our home & Francis Thompson besides.
This is a dark time for Britain. It looks like Turkey will yield to Axis-Russian pressure and allow Germany to march through Turkey to take Baghdad & the oil fields.
Monday, May 19, 1941.
Hazy—but clearing later.
Pretty busy morning—with motions, &c.
Wrote an opinion this afternoon with some difficulty, as Col. Flournoy of De Funiak Springs broke into my work terribly with a request for a stay order until he could get a supersedas in the trial Court.
The Italian General in Ethiopia, Duke of Aosta, has decided to surrender his 38,000 men to the British. It will be done tomorrow.
An Egyptian vessel, the Zayn Zunn[?] has been sunk in the So Atlantic—Over 300 passengers, 138 Americans—Germany did it.
Tuesday, May 20, 1941.
Clear & warmer. Clouds at times, but no rains.
On bench all morning. In conference from 4 to 5.
Tonight, we had a rally-meeting of the Talla. Committee for Defense of America. Judge Buford presided. I was the first speaker, followed by Senator Pat Whitaker & Speaker Dan McCarty. Then Mr. Britt made a speech. Dr. Harold Richards then proposed a resolution, to be forwarded to the President and our representative in Congress, urging naval cooperation with Britain and convoys of American Shipments to Britain of food and war materials by our warships. I wrote the President along that line two or three weeks ago.
Wednesday, May 21, 1941.
Clear. Beautiful morning.
Busy day. Not feeling at all well.
Played golf this aft late and took it easy at home tonight.
The Germans are trying to take Crete by landing parachutists and men on gliders. They have landed several thousand from their nearby bases on the mainland of Greece and are apparently just beginning. A large number have been killed or captured by the Greek & British troops, but the skis[sic] continue to give down “their ghastly dew.”
Thursday, May 22, 1941.
Clear. Beautiful day.
Many interruptions but got quite a lot of work done. Got out the Addison[?] opinion to the Gov’r late this afternoon with regard to his right to appoint and send to the Senate for confirmation either Dick Hunt and Stanley Millidge, who Gov. Cone had appointed last Nov. as Circuit Judges, or different men of his own selection. As Hunt and Millidge are both good friends of mine I regretted to have to reach the conclusion which we did. We also advised the Gov’r as to the terms; i.e., that the present terms expire July 30/41, and new terms begin then.
Went out to Goodwood late this afternoon to a meeting for British and [ ? ]. Crete still holding out.
Friday, May 23, 1941.
Clear. Warm.
Busy day in office. Got two important cases filed. I wrote an opinion in one. Also wrote another opinion in another case, which I started around, P.C., --the case of Goodkind v. Wolkonsky. Got the Adams case agreed on & filed.
The British & Greeks on Crete still hold—A desperate battle is being fought against the German air-borne troops.
Tonight we took dinner with Jeff & Mary Maud. Aleene Jones & the Cowles were there.
Judge Ch. & I played golf at about 5:15 pm. Both made 48.
Saturday, May 24, 1941.
Clear morning, clouding up by midday, with some small local showers in the vicinity., but none here in town. Made a 47 on the inside nine this aft.
The struggle still goes on desperately in Crete. The parachutists still floating down. Large number of them have been killed, and 5000 Germans on vessels drowned when British navy units sunk them, but could not stop to pick up the men on acct. of the German dive bombers.
The N. African situation remains about the same.
But this was a sad day for England. The Hood, the pride of the British Navy, a 42,000 to[n] battle ship, was sunk while chasing a German warship off Iceland. A shell happened to hit the Hood’s powder magazine and the big vessel blew up—Doubtless most of the crew of 1300 were killed or drowned.
Sunday, May 25, 1941.
Clear. Very good breeze from So.
Had to read some briefs at home today. Did not feel very well. Cut out Church & S.S. this morning. Staid[sic] in bed quite a lot. Went out to Frank Morris about 5 pm to the reception in honor of Mrs Ruth Bryan Rohde & Capt. Rohde. Got back home shortly after 6 p.m. Took a walk on golf course. After supper and a nap I went over about 10 pm to a little party at Mr. & Mrs Cowles to some of the College people. Dr. & Mrs. Williams & Miss Linn were there.
Crete is still holding.
Monday, May 26, 1941.
Clear. No rain—Rain badly needed.
In Conference & hearing motions all morning. Passed on a number of cases during afternoon.
Pauline Kelly’s mother died this morning. Age 83. I will be an honorary pall bearer at funeral tomorrow.
Not much change in war situation. British are still holding Crete but with out hardly any air support. The Germans have landed tanks by planes.
British are mopping up remnants of the Italian Army in Ethiopia & holding their own in North Africa. British fleet is chasing the Bismarck.
Tuesday, May 27, 1941.
Clear. Rain badly needed.
This morning I attended the funeral of Pauline Kelly’s mother. Then returned to oral arguments & Conferences till time to go to lunch.
I hear over the radio at 7:45 a.m. that the British had sunk the Bismarck yesterday morning, thus quickly avenging the sinking of the Hood Saturday. [in fact, the Bismarck was sunk on this day, May 27]
The situation in Crete remains very desperate.
Tonight—President Roosevelt made a masterly address, and declared an unlimited National Emergency. He said that we would defend the freedom of the seas and [ ? ] it that Britain did not fall.
Wednesday, May 28, 1941.
Clear & warm—No rain in sight yet.
Two cases argued together. Leaving some time for work in office—which I needed. I worked till after 6 p.m
The Reaction to the President[‘]s address last night has been very good in our own country and in Britain. But tonight Sen. Burt Wheeler made a bitter attack on the President’s speeches. Lindburgh is yet to be heard from. Hitler will get much glee out of these attacks on our President. But Wheeler did not answer the President’s arguments.
I have not felt at all well today. May be it is the continued hot weather and the dust laden air.
It looks like the British are about to lose Crete.
Thursday, May 29, 1941.
Clear. Worked at my desk today. Played golf at 5:15 to 6:45 with Judge Chapman. I made a 47; he a 54. Very pleasant. Sun pretty hot but dry air-no humidity. So I felt no fatigue. And tonight we went to see Wm Powell and Myrna Loy in a very amusing picture. They play well together.
The British troops are now faced with overwhelming numbers and the bombers have sunk the transports in Suda bay. So I see no way for escape. The fighting is still going on. This debacle would have been prevented if Britain had had superiority with air[.] But surrender appears [ ? ] for the remnant of the British troops.
Friday, May 30, 1941.
Still clear. Drouth becoming serious. Got in quite a lot of office work today. Had to put in an hour or more at Dr. Connor’s office this afternoon—having a jaw tooth recrowned.
Tonight Liz & I went to the reception given by the President of the Senate, John Beacham & wife, to the Gov’r & members of the legislature, and had to stand in line for an hour—which I hate. Gov. Holland seemed as “fresh as a daisy,” in spite of his strenuous work. He has wonderful physical & moral stamina. Is making a great Governor.
The Fate of Crete seems sealed. The British are making headway in Irak.
Saturday, May 31, 1941.
Somewhat hazy in early morning, and a bit hazy & cloudy during the day. Good breeze. Looked like we might have rain in afternoon. But cleared up later on.
Had an hour in the dentists chair this aft.
Then worked till 5 p.m. Then golf.
The Battle of the Island of Crete has been going on for 12 days now. How those un-replenished British forces have lived through so many days of constant fighting is a wonder to me[.]
Sunday, June 1, 1941.
Warmer, hazy morning. Cloudy & looked like rain most of day, but no rain here.
Liz & I went to Church this morning.
This aft. I played golf with Mrs. Porter & Eleanor Mizell. Mrs. Porter beat me—45 to 47—Eleanor made a 50.
Tonight we took dinner at the Cherokee with Frances Thompson. First had cocktails at our house. Her guests, beside us, were Mrs Thomas H. Corley[?] & young daughter Betty. Senator Corley, who was to have been president, did not get home from a fishing trip in time. No rain here yet. Heard over radio that the British had rescued 15[,]000 of their soldiers in Crete. The German radio says this is ridiculous.
With the German control of the air, I do not see how Britain could disembark any of their troops.
Monday, June 2, 1941.
Clear. Too clear. Atmosphere dry & light.
Busy with Motions nearly all morning. Worked in office all afternoon till 6:30. Quiet evening at home.
Chief Justice Hughes writes the President that he will retire from his high office on July 1st. He is 79. but he looked strong & well when I saw him in Washington few weeks ago. He has made a wonderful record and his place will be hard to fill.
Tuesday, June 3, 1941.
Quite foggy in early morning. Clearing by 10 A.m.
Oral arguments in two cases this morning. In spite of many callers, I managed to get in some work in office and called a Conference & disposed of some matters at 4:30. At 5 pm Judge Chapman & I left to play golf. Bruce Davis, Jr., joined us. He made a 37. Only 15 yrs. old. A very fine young fellow. Will be 16 in Oct. Is going to make a great golfer. I made a 44. Played 8 holes in 38 and took 6 on the last hole. Should have made a 4, which would have given me a 42. But I made 44 anyway.
No special activity in the war front today. But bombing of England began again tonight.
Wednesday, June 4, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy, clearing later.
Kaiser Wilhelm died early today at the age of 82. He was a gentleman compared to this monster Hitler.
Worked all day till 6:30. Wrote two opinions.
Claude Pepper made a great speech tonight in Montana[.] Wheeler would not meet him. Claude carried the audience with him, according to the [ ? ]. His analysis of Hitler, Hitlerism, and his denunciation of it, was superb & his plea for the support of the President in his efforts to save our country and England was eloquent & forcible.
His entry into Wheeler’s state was a good thing. He invited Wheeler to meet him but Wheeler declined.
Thursday, June 5, 1941.
Clear early morning. Clear all day. No sign of rain.
Got in quite a lot of work in office today, but quit at 5 and played golf with Judge Chapman. I made a 47.
Germany goes right on with her plans for world domination, while we do nothing. We should at once seize Trinidad, Martinique, Dakar, & the Cape Verde Islands and the Azores. Unless Britain and the U.S. control the Atlantic, Hitler will surround us—by getting control of S. America & then Panama Canal.
And yet we have taken no decisive action—though Britain is in grave danger of losing out in the Mediterranean.
Friday, June 6, 1941.
My 66th birthday.
Clear morning. Somewhat smoky or hazy by midday. Maybe it is both smoke and dust. We have had such a long drouth. Maybe the haze is caused by moisture—humidity –with air[.] But it cleared in the afternoon.
Busy Day in office, interrupted by many callers.
Tonight Lizzie gave me a nice birthday party. She invited our neighbors, the Jeffords, & Francis Thompson & Allen Jones. We had a very pleasant time.
I had never expected when I was young to live this long.
(Smoky conditions this morning due to forest fires.)
Saturday, June 7, 1941.
Clear. Still no signs of the much needed rain. No rain since Mch[.] 27 except May 8.
At noon today Judge Thomas and I went to the Governor’s office pursuant to request, and in the presence of as many people as the Gov’s office, and the Board Room and reception room would accommodate, we swore in the two newly appointed Circuit Judges. I swore in Geo. Holt as Circuit Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit (Dade & Monroe Counties), and Judge Thomas swore in Sen. A. O. Koanes[?] as Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit. Both able, honest and capable men.
Played golf with Judge Chapman at 5:30 to 7. We each made a 49—bad scores mainly due to poor putting.
Sunday, June 8, 1941.
Still clear & no signs of rain, but paper this morning predicts rain within 24 hours. We have had no rain since Mch 27th except a 3 to 4 hr. rain on May 8th.
Liz & I went to Church this morning. Very good sermon by Bro. Anderson.
This aft. I called to see Judge Ellis but he was not at home.
Later we went for a ride in the country and I was amazed to see how well the corn had stood up under the long drought.
When we got home in late aft., it looked like rain, but none came here. Some rain fell to the N.W. & probably other points but none here.
The British & Free French troops entered Syria early this morning.
Monday, June 9, 1941.
Clear-some clouds-A few drops of rain for a few minutes in afternoon.
In Conference all morning. Got some important cases handed down—Also got the Court, Judge Terrell dissenting, to authorize the purchase of a new carpet for the Courtroom.
Dictated a dissenting, in part, opinion in a case involving zoning restrictions on the Eastern end of Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.
The British & Free French Forces are making good headway in Syria.
Today is the last day of the January term of our Court. We ended the term with only 1144 Cases on the docket—Nearer up with our work than we have ever been.
Tuesday, June 10, 1941.
Clear. Warm-but good breeze.
On bench practically all morning. This afternoon most of my time was taken up with visitors.
Among them Mary Cozart[?] and a young man she intends to marry. They are on their way to Shreveport, to visit some of her Father’s relatives.
Played golf with Judge Chapman, Frank Miller, Carl Simpson and a Mr. Zimmerman. The latter made a 39. I made a 45.
The British & Free French forces are still making progress in Syria.
Wednesday, June 11, 1941.
Clear & warm.
On bench all morning—4 cases argued. Worked on opinions in Oceans & Island case this afternoon, involving Miami Beach zoning ordinances—property at corner of Lincoln Road & Collins Ave.
Played golf—7 holes—from 6:30 to 7:25.
Still no signs of Rain.
Thursday, June 12, 1941.
Clear—Still no rain[.]
Disposed of oral arguments in 5 cases this morning.
Worked in office in afternoon until nearly 7 o[‘]clock.
It appears that the American merchant vessel which was sunk in the So. Atlantic on May 21st was sunk by a submarine—and a German submarine at that. Only 11 survivors, who landed at a Brazilian port yesterday. The submarine made no effort to save the survivors. The ship, the “Robin Moor,” carried no war munitions.
This ought to awaken our people.
Friday, June 13, 1941.
Rain—at last—the first since May 7th, when we had a very good rain, about 1-1/2 inches. And that is the only real rain we have had since March 27th.
Now, today’s rain, which came about 10:30 to 1 pm, was only 30/100 of an inch, but it was a slow, steady rain and soaked in & did a lot of good.
So—it appears that Friday the 13th is a lucky day.
On bench all morning. Very busy all afternoon.
Saturday, June 14, 1941.
Clear morning. Cloudy with light shower in late afternoon—went out to play golf with Judge Chapman at 5 pm and we got caught in the shower on the 16th hole. I made a 45. Entered into the British Aid Tournament, paid 2.00 & got a golf ball and a ball-marker as a memento.
Sunday, June 15, 1941.
Clear morning.
Went to Church. Liz not well enough to go. Read some of Dan’l W. Vorhees’ speeches in Crate Bowman’s book which he loaned to Judge Terrell 5 or 6 yrs. ago. Those are the speeches of a great orator and statesman.
This afternoon played golf with Judge Chapman. I made a 47, he, a 50.
Hitler has been massing troops near the Russian border. What this means, no one knows. Maybe he wants Stalin’s consent to march through Turkey, or to Let Hitler have the Ukraine, or its food products and oil.
Monday, June 16, 1941.
Rain in early morning and slow drizzle all day with overcast sky. Cool & pleasant.
Disposed of about 18 motions this morning—three of them argued.
Put in afternoon passing on opinions and petitions for rehearing.
Tonight I read Daniel W. Voorhees wonderful speech on Thomas Jefferson—a magnificent tribute to a truly great man.
The British are meeting with stiff resistance in Syria.
The remaining members of the Robin Moor’s crew & passengers arrived at a So. African port this aft. on a British vessel which picked them up. Fine. The President today ordered all German Consulates & their offices to be closed & returned to Germany. Good.
Tuesday, June 17, 1941.
A light rain for awhile this morning. Clear & warm & humid in late afternoon.
Judge Chapman & I played golf in late aft. with Mr. Blake Clark. Mrs. Clark went around with us. A fine young couple. Mr. Clark made a 43. I took a 47.
The British sprang a surprise offensive on the Germans in Libya yesterday, which was quite effective.
But their operations in Syria are being stoutly opposed by the French.
Wednesday, June 18, 1941.
A slow rain, at times heavy, in morning, and a light drizzle all afternoon.
Worked in office all day.
The British sortie in Libya was repulsed and the British & Free French forces in Syria have been strongly counter-attacked by the Vichy-French forces.
Thursday, June 19, 1941.
Clear early morning, clouding up some by midday and in afternoon, but no rain.
The significance of Hitler’s massing of troops along the Russian frontier is not yet apparent. Probably it means that Hitler is preparing to drive a hard bargain with Russia of some sort.
Tonight I addressed the “Boys State” at the College auditorium and swore in the “Governor,” David Gatchell of Sanford, and the members of the Cabinet, of “Boys State.”
The Germans have retaliated & ordered our consuls home. They say that they have been spies.
Friday, June 20, 1941.
Clear morning—Clouds and a light shower in afternoon.
Worked in office till 5 pm & then went out & played golf with Margaret Moor-Datson.
No important developments in the world-war situation today.
Yesterday it was announced that Turkey had signed a peace pact with Germany. But Turkey says this does not abrogate a like treaty with England & that no German troops will be permitted to march through Turkey.
Our government has demanded reparations from Germany for the sinking of the Robin Moor.
Saturday, June 21, 1941.
Clear morning. Cloudy by midday. A little drizzle in late afternoon.
We heard over the radio tonight at 11.10 pm that Germany had invaded Russia without a war declaration. That fighting had been going on for several hours, perhaps, since the early morning of June 22nd in Russia. Hitler’s announcement of a State of war, tried to put the blame on Russia, but it was too thin. I never expected war between those two bandits—Hitler & Stalin. I thought Russia would accede to Germany’s demands. I hope Stalin will give Hitler a good fight & make him pay dearly for his victory. I am glad to see these two rascals fall out. Hitler has made a great mistake.
Sunday, June 22, 1941. Germany attacks Russia
Cloudy-slightly-in early morning, with slow rain from 11 Am to 2 pm.
Stayed at home today, suffering with pain in right shoulder—very sharp at times.
Heard strong address over radio by Winston Churchill at 2 pm. He spoke to the British people about the conduct of the war and the significance of Germany’s making war on Russia in the early hours of this morning. He says the attack began at 4 A.m. without any declaration of war and without an ultimatum.
This afternoon Lizzie called Dr. Dozier. He examined me, but decided my aching shoulder was caused by my electric fan as I had supposed.
The Huns claim to be making wonderful progress in their unprovoked war on the Bolsheviks.
Monday, June 23, 1941.
Cloudy—considerable rain—clearing in late afternoon.
Motion Day. Several argued. In Conference till 12 o’clock. Put in the whole afternoon hearing the various bidders on the recarpeting of the Court room explain their bids and the virtues of their various carpets. Did some studying of briefs tonight.
Not much reliable news from the German-Russian war so far. Of course Berlin claims the Germans are having easy sailing.
This unprovoked aggression shows how Hitler regards his non-aggression pacts—as a mere scrap of paper. Meanwhile this gives the U.S. & England time for further preparation, and England is bombing the German invasion ports by day & by night with great effect.
Tuesday, June 24, 1941.
Fairly clear today—No rain here. But very humid.
On bench & in conference this morning and spent most of the day trying to settle the carpet question. Our Committee, composed of Justice Buford, Clerk McCord & myself could not agree. I stood out for a Cochran’s Duratwist, in which Shaw’s bid was $1171, while Judge Buford wanted the Lockwaive[?], handled by J.W. Collins Co., which Collins bid on was about $1250 & DeHaven’s still higher. We called in the other members of the Court & the majority sided with Buford. Then we put in the balance of the afternoon trying to decide on colors. I wanted a deep red, so did Judge Buford but Mr. Collins & all the [ ? ] [ ? ] wanted a kind of neutral color[?] [ ? ] [ ? ] & we let it go at that. Judge Ch & I played golf later this aft.
Wednesday, June 25, 1941.
Clear with some cloudiness in afternoon.
Busy day passing on opinions of the other Judges.
From the rather meager and conflicting reports it is hard to tell how the German-Russian War is going.
Sweden has consented to the marching through Sweden of A German Division from Norway to Finland & thence to Russia.
This morning a Turkish ship with 200 officers and men of the Turkish navy bound for England to take over several war vessels—destroyers—built for Turkey—& bring them to Turkey, was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean. Believed to have been the work of a German or Italian submarine. All passengers reported lost.
Thursday, June 26, 1941.
Mostly clear. Light shower during the day. Hot afternoon—humid.
Busy day. 4 cases argued orally this morning.
Played golf in late afternoon with Justice Chapman & Harry Wells. I won with a 43.
Nothing very definite in the war news today.
Our country’s position as stated by Under Secretary of State, Sumner Wells, is that while we are opposed to Communism we will help Russia in this war with Hitler. The real menace to us at this time. I think this is right, but we cannot help Russia very much. England must come first.
Friday, June 27, 1941.
Foggy early morning. Clear & warm later. Cloudy afternoon with some very light showers.
On bench all morning.
Conference from 3 to 4:15 pm[.] Worked in office till about 7 p.m.
This aft at 5 pm Mrs. Williams, art teacher at the College, and Lizzie met with Clerk McCord and I and decided on the color of the carpet for the Courtroom. We had about 15 samples of the lockweave Gropoint grade of carpet sent down to Collins Furn. Co from Atlanta, and we all agreed on a bright but deep and rich wine color. So I think that question is settled. Price $1252.00
The Germans do not seem to be making any quick headway in their war on Russia.
Saturday, June 28, 1941.
Clear morning. Showers in middle of day. Clearing later. Humid. Played golf by myself in late afternoon—drenched with perspiration. But a hot & cold shower made me feel all O.K.
Tonight’s radio tells of heavy fighting between the Russians and the Germans, and of a terrific battle of tanks—several thousand on each side.
The British air force is still staging terrific bombing attack on enemy bases, ports & factories.
But the British ships are still being sunk. Now while Hitler is fighting Russia, would be the time for us to strike. Our Navy could subdue the submarine menace, & save England, if given the chance now.
Sunday, June 29, 1941.
Clear morning, but by 10 Am intermittent showers began—for several hours. Cloudy balance of day.
Went to hospital this morning to see how Geo. White was getting on. He has been very critically ill with asthma and has been under oxygen tent. Had talk with Mrs. W. who said he was beginning to improve. I then went to Sunday School & Church.
This aft. I called to see Judge Ellis, but no one appeared to be at home.
Well, Berlin radio[e]d grandiose claims today, which were largely denied by Moscow tonight. Evidently this is the slowest blitz-Krieg the Germans have staged yet.
Paderevski, the great Polish musician & statesman, died today in N.Y.
Monday, June 30, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy morning, with showers again from noon to 3 Pm. Temp very pleasant.
Rather light Motion Day work. Put in balance of day passing on cases.
About 6:30 I went home and walked around the golf course.
Germans claim they have taken & gone beyond Minsk. But Russians claim that the German panzer divisions have been cut off and their line of communications with the main German forces cut off. Nothing definite yet.
Britain continues her heavy bombing of Western Germany and Western French military points.
Tuesday, July 1, 1941.
Clear early morning. Showers. Very warm and humid between showers.
On bench or in Conference all morning.
Tonight the “Bundles for Britain” gave a 1.00 per seat entertainment at the High School Auditorium. We all went. The three entertainers were pretty and winsome Katherine Reese Harris, and Gordan[?] Epperson and Albert Messer. They were all fine. Good crowd.
Very humid & warm tonight.
Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox made a strong speech before the Conference of Governors in Boston yesterday urging that this Country help the British put the German submarine out of business in the Atlantic.
Wednesday, July 2, 1941.
Clear morning. Clouding up later with light shower in afternoon and at night. On bench in morning, Judge May Walker sitting in Judge Adams’ stead in one case.
Played golf late this aft. about 6 pm to 8, with Eddie Andrews and his 12 yr old son and his brother Earl. I took a 50.
Wrote President Roosevelt endorsing Sec’y of Navy’s speech before Governors’ Conference on Monday and urging naval action to keep the sea lanes open between our country and England.
It is hard to tell how the war in Russia is progressing. But it seems that the Germans are making progress.
Thursday, July 3, 1941.
Hard rain at dawn this morning, lasting for nearly and hour. Then cleared up. Then a hard rain from 11 to 12. Clear afternoon. I worked till 6 p.m. and then came home and took a walk on the golf course.
“Little” Hilda Brown Davis, and her husband Dr. Rob[‘]t Carter Davis, as they had written us, came in by motor from Atlanta at 8 p.m. & we had a good dinner & talked & had a good time till 11:30. “Little Hilda” is a dear, & very bright & full of personal magnetism. Dr. Carter is an exceptionally fine young man—able—and a real gentleman.
Friday, July 4, 1941.
Independence Day.
Little Hilda and Carter, her husband left about 11:15 Am for Clearwater.
Fairly clear morning, cloudy afternoon, but no rain.
The President delivered a 5 min. radio address at 4 p.m.
I worked for an hour and a half this morning. Took it easy the balance of the day. Played golf in afternoon with “Bobby” Trammell and Jimmy Yancey—12 & 13 yrs old but good players.
Teddy’s portrait of me arrived today. Lizzie & Annie think it a fine piece of work. I appreciate it very much and wrote Teddy a letter of thanks.
The war news is still conflicting. But I gather the impression that the Germans are not have an easy time of it and are making much slower progress than they anticipated. Meanwhile the RAF is bombing Germany very heavily.
Saturday, July 5, 1941.
Rain this morning from 11 to 12.30. Cloudy & humid all afternoon.
Worked in office today.
Played golf about 5 to 7:30 pm with Judge Ch. I made the same as yesterday—a 46.
Quite cool tonight. Will sleep in my room instead of on porch.
The terrific British air bombing of German & French munitions plants, ports, & other military objectives is now meeting with much greater German fighter plane-resistance. Hitler found it necessary to send back from Russia a part of his air force.
Sunday, July 6, 1941.
Hard rain from daylight to 8:30, then a slow rain till 9:30. I had to come in off the porch about 5 a.m. & sleep in my room
Liz & I went to Church, but the drizzling rain caught us when we left our car and also when we were going back to our car after Church services were over.
The afternoon was cloudy. About 4:30 p.m. I called on Judge & Mrs. Ellis and stayed till about 6.
Monday, July 7, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy morning, followed by pretty hard rain from 10 Am to 1 pm. Clearing up in late afternoon. Very warm and humid.
The U.S. is today occupying Iceland—or establishing a base there—by consent of the Iceland government—to be returned when the emergency is over—our troops to supplement[?] & replace the British. This is a fine move.
Russia claims that she has inflicted terrific losses on the Germans and the Germans claim the reverse. But it does seem quite certain that Hitler is not progressing as rapidly as he anticipated.
We went to see Clark Gable & Rosalind Russell tonight in “They met in Bombay”—a good picture. I enjoyed it immensely. First I’ve been to in quite awhile.
Busy Motion day. In conference all morning.
Tuesday, July 8, 1941.
Another hard rain this morning.
Several important cases argued this morning.
This afternoon Judge Chapman and I had a very pleasant round of golf—just after a light shower.
Wednesday, July 9, 1941.
Cloudy most of the day, but very warm and humid.
With the exception of an argument in an application for mandamus to Circuit Judge in Gore v. Davidson newspaper fight suit, I worked in office till 6:30.
I appointed Judge Thomas and Mr. Edward McCarthy, assisted by Asst. Atty. General D B Whitaker, to review our old equity rules, which they did today.
The Vichy-French troops in Syria today asked the British-Free-French troops for an armistice.
The Red Army of Russia is giving the Nazi armies a hard fight.
Tonight Liz & I went to see a real good picture—“The Ziegfeld Girl” with James Stewart, Hedy Lamar, Lana Turner and Judy Garland.
Thursday, July 10, 1941.
Mostly cloudy. Rain from 1 to 3 pm.
Conference for awhile this morning. We adopted 6 of the old equity rules and repealed the remaining 89—which Judge Thomas’ Committee found had been in effect superseded by the 1931 Chancery Act.
Got home about 6:30 pm & took a long walk on the wet golf course and tonight we all went to the pictures—“Moon Over Miami.” Very good.
It seems that the British & French armistice would not be agreed on: So the war in Syria goes on.
Russia & Germany are locked in a tremendous and violent battle along the whole long front, so it is said. The British continue their heavy bombing of Germany.
Friday, July 11, 1941.
Mostly clear. No rain to amount to anything.
Worked in office, except for 1 hrs. conference in morning, until 5 p.m. Then played golf with Judge Ch. & Frank Miller. I made a 46.
Saturday, July 12, 1941.
Mostly cloudy. No rain to amount to anything. Just a short drizzle.
Worked all day in office. Passing on opinions and petitions for rehearing, and handling “Court administrative matters[“].
Berlin claims that they have broken through the Russian lines at various points, but Moscow admits only local German successes of no great importance.
The terrific bombardment of military objectives in Western Germany and Northern France by the British air force continues.
But the loss of British Shipping goes on—tho not quite so bad as it was last month. Our people are generally pleased with our move in Iceland.
Sunday, July 13, 1941.
Lizzie & I went to Church—Good sermon by Bro. Anderson.
Armistice Terms agreed on yesterday between the French & British & Free-French generals in Syria, subject to approval of their governments. Meanwhile, hostilities have ceased. Good.
Played golf this aft. with Mrs. Porter, Miss Jentye Dodge & young Mrs. Dodge. Mors. Porter made best score—a 42. I was next with a 45. It was very hot and humid, & almost no breeze.
Conflicting reports from Berlin and Moscow as to the progress of the German war machine continue—But one thing is plain—that it is a far flung battle with heavy losses on both sides. History is being made.
Monday, July 14, 1941.
Clear morning. Not so humid as it has been, but by afternoon the breeze died down and it was very hot and humid. No rain.
This morning disposed of motions and discussed some cases in conference.
At a little after 5 went out and played golf with Judge C. & Frank Miller.
84° at 10 pm
Tuesday, July 15, 1941.
Mostly cloudy, humid and warm. Worked in office all day—with a good many interruptions.
Sad news reached us about 6 pm—the death of our good friend and my doctor—Dr. Kent Johnston, who died of heart trouble (with which he was first stricken some six or eight months ago) at St. Vincent[‘]s Hospital in Jacksonville. He was a benefactor to the community, by building and operating at a loss his hospital, built by him some sixteen or more years ago. I believe he saved my life when I had a severe attack of pleurisy about 15 years ago. I was very fond of him and so was Lizzie. He has been a benefactor to the community.
Wednesday, July 16, 1941.
Clear early morning—very beautiful, but cloudy and muggy during the day.
At 4:30 Lizzie & Annie & I and Henry Palmer & Elmira drove down and took dinner with Mrs Leuellen Fain & children at St. Theresa, returning home by 11 o’clock. We had a nice boat ride and a mackerel jumped into the boat while we were moving along over a choppy bay. Most of our party went in swimming. The Gulf breezes made it all very pleasant.
Thursday, July 17, 1941.
Mostly Cloudy. Fairly pleasant by night. No real rain. Just a light shower here, but rained near by.
The Germans are making slow progress against the Russians. Nearly 4 wks have passed since Russia was invaded on June 22nd, and the Germans are still 220 mile from Moscow.
Friday, July 18, 1941.
Considerable Rain from day light to mid afternoon. Hard Rain from 1 to 3 pm.
In conference all morning. We got together, or agreed to disagree, on a good many cases.
This afternoon at 5 Liz & I attended the funeral of Dr. J.K. Johnston at the Catholic Church.
The radio tonight indicates that the Germans have broken through the Russian Army at Smolensk and are going on toward Moscow.
The British go right on bombing Germany, but the Germans have brought back some of their fighter planes from Russia to combat them.
Saturday, July 19, 1941.
Clear early morning. Clouding up later. Shower by noon. Hard Rain from 2 to 4 pm[.]
Very busy morning with administrative matters. Worked some this afternoon, & went out about 5.45 and played a little golf.
The Germans are making claims but very slow progress. The guerrilla warfare behind their advanced lines is slowing them down. Meanwhile the R.A.F. is playing havoc with German industrial cities. And the U-boats have not been sinking as many British ships as usual during the past month. The British air power has been greatly strengthened by the steady and increasing arrival of U.S. bombers and air fighters.
Sunday, July 20, 1941.
Mostly clear. Only a very light shower, after lunch.
This morning I performed my first marriage ceremony—uniting in marriage Mr. J. Harry Schad and Julia Ellis (Douglas)—carrying out a promise I made Judge Ellis two weeks ago, and later—a couple of days ago, “Julie” and her sister Millie Whitehurst came to see me, and we agreed on a form of abbreviated ceremony which I had prepared. Liz & I got there about 9:45.
The marriage took place at 10 A.M. at Judge Ellis’s home—followed by a nice breakfast. About 20 people were there—among them Jim Whitehurst & Millie, Mrs Holmes of Monticello, & a Mrs. Vera _____ of Brooksv. Mrs[.] Naomi Peterson, and Miss Joe Daniels, & Justices Whitfield, Terrell, & Buford, and their wives.
I played golf this aft with Judge C. & Ken Bollinger.
Monday, July 21, 1941.
Hard Rain for 2 hrs this afternoon—with slow rain intermittently until 10 p.m.
Heavy Motion day business, consumed practically all morning.
Got in some work passing on cases and handling administrative work till 6 p.m. this afternoon.
Pres. Roosevelt delivered message to Congress today asking that body to declare a national emergency, in that our nation was imperiled, so that he could have the power to retain in the service the men who were called for one year’s training & service, a year ago.
No decisive news from the Russo-German war.
Tuesday, July 22, 1941.
Clear morning—Cloudy later and some rain about 1 to 2—Not so heavy as yesterday.
Busy getting cases agreed on—Conference this aft. Not much definite war news. Moscow bombed last night.
The Germans are not making much headway lately.
Goering is reported in “self-imposed exile in a mountain retreat.”
Probably imprisoned. With Hess interned in England & Goering in Limbo, Hitler at present has no rivals among the Nazis.
Wednesday, July 23, 1941.
Clear early morning. Cloudy by noon. Light shower. Cloudy and fairly cool all afternoon & Evening.
Conference this morning. Got the Court together on some important cases and they were handed down.
This afternoon was taken up with administrative matters. At 4:45 Liz drove by & we went to Mr. P. T. Mickler’s funeral. Fine old grocery merchant and very loyal member of our Church for 40 or 50 years.
Then I got out to the golf course about 6 pm and played golf till after 7.
No decisive war news. Moscow is bombed again. A costly & bloody war is going on between Germans & Russians.
Thursday, July 24, 1941.
Slow rain nearly all last night and early this morning. Quite cooler.
No rain during day.
Tried to write an opinion today, but administrative matters and visitors took up most of my time.
At 5:30 I went out and played golf. Not at all warm—about 80°--but lots of humidity.
Japan, with France’s puppet government in Vichy’s consent, has taken over Indo-China. A threat to the Phillipines & Singapore, and the Dutch East Indies.
Friday, July 25, 1941.
Very clear and beautiful and cool early morning. But clouding up later and a shower by noon. Clear in late afternoon. Conference this morning from 12:30 to 1:15. Got together on some disputed cases.
Got authority of Court to have Bar Ass’n committee, headed by Geo. Bedell, to revise our Supreme Court Rules & submit revision to Court in time for court action in some and publication in the Revision of the Statues to be published about Sept 1st. Called up Pres Milam of Bar Ass’n && got his cooperation. Lizzie, Annie, Mary Maude Jeffords and I drove down to the light house late this afternoon. Got back about 8:30 pm.
No definite change in the War situation. Night raid on Kiel by British last night, & night before last effective bombing attack on two German battleships in Brest harbor.
Saturday, July 26, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy and cool early morning, with steady, coo rain, from 10.15 to about 4 p.m. when the rain became a gusty drizzle. I worked in office this morning, but did not go back until the rain slacked up some about 4 pm. I got the mail and brought a record back home and worked at home all afternoon. Tonight I had some neuralgia and rested after supper; then listened to the radio. The Germans have not gained much the past few days.
Both the U.S. & Britain have frozen all Japanese Credits, which will mean the stopping of practically all trade with Japan. We are also strengthening our bases in the Phillipines.
Looked stormy this aft from 4 to 6. The Barometer dropped about 14 points & by 11 pm it had gone back to 30.09.
Russians holding their own very well.
Sunday, July 27, 1941.
A brilliantly clear, beautiful morning. Such a contrast to yesterday. Quiet warm and humid during day, but some breeze.
Liz & I attended Church. Unusually good sermon by Bro. Anderson.
Still clear this afternoon, but a good breeze, so Judge Chapman & I played golf from 4:15 to 6 pm & each made a 47.
Nellie Fain’s engagement and marriage on Aug 27th announced today. She is to marry a Mr. Bridges of Blakely, Ga. He is getting a fine, bright, sweet girl.
Monday, July 28, 1941.
Clear & hot, & humid. Cloudy afternoon.
A very busy day. About 18 motions—many of them argued--& one case argued, which kept us in conference all morning and in the afternoon till 4:30. No rain today.
Tonight we went to see Vivian Leigh & Laurence Olivier in “That Lady Hamilton.” It was a great picture, greatly played. Olivier of course took part of Nelson.
Tuesday, July 29, 1941.
Clear morning—Some clouds later and af few drops of rain, but no real rain today.
Clear and pleasant tonight.
Rodney Durrance and wife Leone called about 8:30 and spent the evening.
No decisive war news.
Busy Day in office.
Wednesday, July 30, 1941.
Clear early morning. Cloudy afternoon, but very hot and humid. No rain.
Had a strenuous conference practically all morning, trying to get the Court together on several Knotty cases, wherein there was sharp differences of opinion among the judges—3-3 divisions, so I will have to cast the deciding vote, after I have further examined the cases & made up my own mind.
This aft. at 5 Judge Chapman and I went out to the golf course and played a round with Frank Pepper of Miami, Motor Vehicle Comm’r. Driggars, & Fred Elliott. Fred & I made the best scores—I made a 46 and Fred about the same. It was very hot and humid.
The Pres. calls on Congress to grant price control power to prevent inflation.
Thursday, July 31, 1941.
Clear morning. Short shower in late afternoon. Warm and humid.
Very busy day. Got quite a bunch of cases filed.
War news inconclusive, but apparently the German blitz has bogged down in Russia to a very slow pace.
The British bombing of Germany goes on steadily.
Liz & Annie went out to the dance given by the patriotic ladies, headed by Mrs. Fred Elliott, to the young soldiers, located at the nearby airbase, where they could dance with some of our local young ladies. A good thing.
Japan profusely apologizes for the evident attempt to bomb our U.S. gunboat in the River at Chung King.
Friday, August 1, 1941.
Clear morning but very heavy rain from 1 to 2:30 p.m., then clearing up in afternoon.
This was the last active day of this term of court before our recess, which begins tomorrow.
We had Dr. [ ? ] Hathaway’s case argued this morning, from 10 Am to 12, also a motion from 9:30 to 10, and were in conference from 12 to 1 pm. Then the hard rain & thunder came, & I waited till 2 pm before going home. The water covered the road at the underpass over a foot deep, but I got through.
We just about cleaned up all the cases on hand by tonight. A record.
Saturday, August 2, 1941.
No rain.
Pretty morning but very hot from 11 oclock on.
Justice Thomas left yesterday afternoon and Justice Adams left this morning.
I put in a pretty busy day cleaning up loose odds and ends and working on one of the three Knotty cases which the court was divided on.
The U.S. has embargoed oil shipments to Japan. The economic war on Japan is getting serious. Britain is doing the same.
The Germans are making very slow progress in their war on Russia. Now 6 wks old, but Moscow still stands.
Sunday, August 3, 1941.
Mostly clear. No rain, but some clouds. Pretty warm.
We went to church this morning and had a good sermon by Bro. Anderson.
This afternoon Judge Ch. & I played golf from about 4 to 5.30. Then I came home & we went for an auto ride.
The German-Russian war is now six weeks old & Hitler has not yet taken Moscow or Leningrad. It looks now like he may not be able to defeat the Russians, or if so, only at terrific cost of men and materials.
Monday, August 4, 1941.
Pretty hot morning. Rain from 1:30 pm to about 3. Hard.
Worked in office all day. Studying.
Tuesday, August 5, 1941.
Hard Rain from 12 to 1 pm. Brilliantly clear in early morning, as usual.
Liz gave a coca cola party to Nellie Fain from 11 to 12.30. I came out about 12. A fine bunch of girls—Nel’s friends—most of whom I had met but could not remember their names.
Did some work in office today. Some visitors.
Played golf with Judge Ch. about 5.30 to 7 pm.
Glenn Terrell, Jr. played the last 3 holes with us. Also father was along. I made a 47. Course wet & heavy. We got caught in a shower.
Wednesday, August 6, 1941.
Heavy rain from 2 to 3.30 and again from 5.30 to 6.30.
Put in a hard day’s work on an opinion.
Berlin is making great claims, and Moscow is denying them. But it appears that the Germans are attacking with renewed vigor on all fronts. They are trying to deliver a swift knockout blow to the Russians. They claim that four million Russians have been killed or captured.
But Moscow scoffs.
Thursday, August 7, 1941.
Clear morning. Cloudy afternoon, but no rain today.
Managed to get in some work on a hard opinion today, but was interrupted considerably by visitors.
Played golf this aft. at 5:30 to 7:15 with “Bobby” Trammell—12 years old. He beat me by 1 stroke.
The bloody Russo-German war goes on, but there seems to have been little change in the battle line for the past two or three weeks. The Russians have put up a good fight—much better than I expected.
Friday, August 8, 1941.
Clear morning. Somewhat cloudy afternoon. Rain in middle of day.
Joseph Dowdell arrived at 1.15. I met him at bus station. He is very nice, and we had a very pleasant lunch & dinner, and evening, together.
I worked all day. Finished an opinion I’ve been working on all week when I could get the chance—the Aldrich wife case.
Germany reported tonight to have made serious inroads on the Russians in the Ukraine.
Saturday, August 9, 1941.
Clear, warm morning.
Annie left on 8 o’clock bus for Jax & New York.
Finished up all work in office this morning, except one case in which the court was divided and in which I want to write an opinion.
This afternoon about 4:30 we drove down to Wakulla Spring and Joe & I took a bath in the cold water. I have never been so sensitive to the cold water of that spring before. I did not stay in more than 5 minutes.
Germany claims notable gains against the Russians in the Ukraine and So. of Leningrad, but the Russians say that it is not serious.
Sunday, August 10, 1941.
Cloudy—slightly—and damp, humid early morning. 80° by breakfast. Another warm day.
I slept till 8:35 this morning. Did not feel very well. Took it easy this morning. Joe & I took a walk on the golf course. We all took a nap after lunch, and then this aft. we three went to Wakulla Spring & Joe had a nice swim. I did not go in. But it was cool & pleasant down there.
No rain today.
Monday, August 11, 1941.
Clear & less humidity in morning, but clouding up some in afternoon, getting very heavy and humid heat by night. No rain.
Finished another opinion this morning. Dictated it to Mr. Warren—a fine stenographer. That clears my desk. I am completely up with my work for the first time since I’ve been on the Court.
Joe left on 6 p.m. bus, for Jax., thence back to Miami. Have enjoyed his visit.
I played 7 holes of golf after 6 p.m. Got very warm.
Tuesday, August 12, 1941. (Summer Trip.)
78° in early morning. Clear and worm.
We left Tallahassee at 9:25. Speedometer stood at 2847 miles. Intended to reach Lookout Mt. and spend two night and day there on our way to Warm Springs, Va., but when we got to LaGrange, at 3.30 p.m., Lizzie called up her old friend Mrs. R.T. Segrect[?], our neighbor when we lived in LaFayette, who insisted on our spending the night with her; so we drove to her large old fashioned home and in spite of the intense heat, we spent a very pleasant afternoon and night with her. After dinner about 6:30, we drove all over and around LaGrange, a pretty city, of 22,000, and about dark we called on Mrs. Henry Rivers, formerly Susie Thomas, and her husband and daughter—and got to bed about 10 p.m. but the room was so hot, we didn’t sleep well. After breakfast, we left about 8:15, and reached the Lookout Mt. hotel about 1:30. It is a very nice hotel. We had lunch and a good nap, in the cool mountain air.
Wednesday, August 13, 1941.
Left LaGrange at 8:30 am and would have reached Lookout Mountain Hotel by 12.45 but lost a lot of time finding the hotel.. Went out of our way a lot, but got to the Hotel about 1:30 p.m. Had a delightful lunch. Cool & nice up here. A beautiful view from this mountain top, in all directions.
The papers today say that France—the Vichy government—has finally given in to Hitler, & will let him have possession of Dakar, & any other part of her colonies that Germany wants, and possibly her fleet—an obsequious surrender. I think this means we will have to occupy Martinique. We cannot afford to let the Germans have a naval and air base there.
Thursday, August 14, 1941. (speedometer at Bristol 3527)
After a cool night and good sleep at the Lookout Mt. Hotel, we left after breakfast, getting off about 9:30. We went through South part of Chattanooga and reached Knoxville about 1 pm. We stopped for lunch at a nice eating place—The Highland Grill, in the So. edge of Knoxville. Left about 2 p.m. and reached Bristol, Tenn.—Va.—about 6.15 p.m. We stopped for the night at the Hotel General Shelby—a very nice room and a good dinner.
The historic meeting at Sea between Pres. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill during the past week, was made public this morning. We heard the reaction to it over our little radio, from various parts of the world, in our hotel room tonight. The 8-points on which they agreed, as war aims and peace aims, are very general, but they could not afford to be specific.
Friday, August 15, 1941. (Speedometer, on reaching Warm Springs, Va., showed 3758 miles)
Left Bristol, Va. at 8:40 Am[.]
Took a quick lunch on the way, and, in spite of delays by road construction and slow heavy trucks, between Bristol and Salem, near Roanoke, we arrived here at “Three Hill,” Warm Springs, Va., about 4:30 pm. It is a charming old place, and the scenery is beautiful. The Miss Johnston, Miss Eloise and Miss Elizabeth, are dear old ladies—real aristocrats—and they have a lot of very delightful people stopping with them. We could not get the cottage room with bath they had reserved for us today. We will move in Crab Apple cottage tomorrow morning. Meanwhile I have a room on third floor of the “big house” and Liz has a small room in the Garden cottage—a single bed. Each without bath. I am tired and so is Liz. We have driven 911 miles to get here.
We heard a very able speech over the radio by Sec’y of War Stimson tonight.
Saturday, August 16, 1941.
A beautiful day. About 60° to 80°
Took it quietly. Liz & I drove down to Hot Springs in the afternoon and bought some post cards, &c.
Tonight we heard over our little radio, very clear & strong, an interesting British broadcast—the regular “News reel” from 10:30 to 11, which we got at home over the short wave. This time we got it even better from Toronto, a re-broadcast direct from London.
Today the President landed in the U.S., at Rockland, Me., after his momentous cruise, and entrained at once for Washington. Just where in the Atlantic he and Churchill met is still unknown to the newsmen.
Sunday, August 17, 1941.
We had a very quiet Sunday
In the morning Lizzie and I drove down to Hot Springs, 5 miles away, and visited the big hotel there, the Homestead Hotel, and then sat down, with many others, in chairs around the tennis courts, and watched a very pretty game of tennis, played by two men between 50 and 60, and two girls about 20 yrs of age. They were all fine players.
In the late afternoon I rambled around considerably in the woods back of the hotel. Lizzie had a bad afternoon and night from indigestion and hay-fever. I like it here, but if this hay-fever keeps up, we’ll have to leave.
Monday, August 18, 1941.
Quite cool this morning. After breakfast, I had a long and very interesting conversation with Mr. Francis Cary, a very fine old gentleman, about 80 years old, retired lawyer and industrialist of Baltimore, Md. In spite of his long corporation practice and present holdings, he is a strong supporter of President Roosevelt’s foreign policies, and is a true liberal. About 11 A.m. we drove down to Hot Springs and took Mr. & Mrs. Slade with us. Fine people.
I took quite a walk this aft. and when I got back I found that Mr. & Mrs. Francis Carey had invited us & the Slades to a cocktail party at 6 to 7 pm which we enjoyed very much.
Tuesday, August 19, 1941.
A very quiet day. Rain threatening all morning, with intermittent drizzles, followed by a real rain this afternoon. We spent the afternoon in our room—mostly in bed. I read a lot in Gen. Jno. B. Gordon’s Reminiscences of the War between the States—a most interesting and well written book. I have been a long time getting to it, but I find it better even than I anticipated.
We heard over our little radio tonight a real good address by Justice Frank Murphy (S.S. Sup. Ct.) on “Nazi-ism and the Catholic Church.”
Wednesday, August 20, 1941.
This morning we drove over to Hot Springs, taking Mr. & Mrs. Wm A. Slade with us, and Lizzie left me there at the Golf office, and while I played golf they drove back and took a bath at the Warm Springs bath-house, and then returned for me. A chauffeur noticed that the exhaust pipe had about disintegrated, so we had to leave my car at the Homestead Garage until they could phone to a neighboring town for a new exhaust pipe, as it was dangerous to use the car. We had to return to Three Hills in a taxi. I puffed and blew quite a lot playing golf on the steep, but very pretty Hot-Springs course, and did not play very well. However, I managed to make 9 holes in 50.
Thursday, August 21, 1941.
Very pretty day. a bit cloudy but no rain.
This morning Mr. & Mrs. Stevens drove down to Hot Springs and took us along. There we got out own car-which had a new exhaust tail pipe, also car greased & alimited. We drove back to Warm Springs and both enjoyed a bath in the clear, warm waters. It is quite buoyant, and easy to float in. I also went in the spill way, where the water is swift. But Liz is suffering so from asthma & hay fever we plan to leave for Waynesville tomorrow.
Friday, August 22, 1941. Mileage on Speedometer on Lv’g Warm Springs, 3830
Left Warm Springs about 10.15 for Charlottesville. We went the longest route, so as to get the benefit of the magnificent “Goshen Pass.” Commodore Mathew F. Maury is buried at Goshen. We reached Charlottesville in the early afternoon, after traveling 104 miles, mostly over beautiful but curving mountain roads, and spent the afternoon in visiting the campus of the University of Va., and Thos. Jefferson’s home, Monticello. The latter I found most interesting and inspiring. Spent the night at the Monticello Hotel in Charlottesville, and our room was on the wrong side of hotel—no breezes and very warm.
Saturday, August 23, 1941.
Left Charlottesville about 9:30 and arrived at Danville, via Lynchburg about 12;30 and had lunch there, and reached Asheville about7:30, just about dusk—dark. Mileage at Asheville 4,316. Made 370 miles today. Could not find any room at Battery Park, Asheville—Biltmore or Landgren; so we went to the only place we could find a room—the Princess Anne, first getting a sandwich & beer dinner at a drug-store.
Mileage on arriving in Asheville, 4316 m.
Sunday, August 24, 1941.
(Mileage on arriving in Waynesville, 4,352)
We had a very good nights rest, as the Princess Anne is located off the main streets, and it was quiet. But the breakfast was very poor.
We drove out to Grove Park Inn about 10:30 and took lunch there—a very fine meal--$4.08 for the two of us.
We then drove back to the Princess Anne and heard very clearly over our little radio the magnificent and inspiring address of Prime Minister Churchill.
We left for Waynesville about 4.30 and arrived at Mrs. Quinlan’s place at about 5.45, the traffic was heavy and slowed us down. Miss Betsy and Mrs. Q. were glad to see us, and we them. They were able to give us a room with double bed, with bath, but not private. Hope to give us our old quarters by Tuesday.
Clear, pretty weather & a lot warmer than usual.
Monday, August 25, 1941.
Lizzie had a bad night. The bed was too soft. We put in the board we brought with us, and hope for better night’s rest tonight.
This morning I walked down town and met several people I knew. Called on Ernest Withers. Such a find man.
Glad to find Charley Murchison & wife, of Jacksonville, here at Mrs. Quinlan’s. Other guests are Mr. & Mrs. Dave Humphrey, who came here last year, and Mr. & Mrs. Martin Vold of Columbus, O., and Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Fletcher Elder and young daughter “Peggie” & son “Sam.” All nice people.
The British and Russians entered Iran (Persia) today and the British took Abadan, one of the largest oil refineries in the world, by a surprise attack, by land and by air—landing troops in the great plant so quickly that no opportunity for sabotage was given. In 20 hours they had complete control. A brilliant stroke.
Tuesday, August 26, 1941.
Very pretty day. We moved into the other front up stairs room because it had two beds.
Walking around town I ran into Judge Charley Davis of Madison, Fla.
This afternoon about 5 o’clock, we were all given a delightful picnic dinner by our hostesses, Mrs. Quinlan, and Miss Betsy, out at her little cottage in a cove, in the mountains about 9 miles South of here. We were held up a little while by a shower, but all had a good time.
The British & Russians sent forces into Iran yesterday. Iran (Persia) has had 4000 German agents stirring up trouble. The British forces seized the great oil wells and oil refineries.
This was a wise move. The brief battle of Abadan was won today.
Wednesday, August 27, 1941.
This was a beautiful day—warmer than usual. Charley Murchison and his wife, Helen, took us with them on a drive to Newfound Gap, Clingman’s Dome & Gatlinburg, Tenn, at which latter place we had a fine dinner at the Gatlinburg Inn. The atmosphere was unusually clear, and we enjoyed the grandeur and beauty of the mountain scenery. We got back to Waynesville about 6 pm. Charley and his wife are fine folks and mighty good company.
Pierre Laval and two other Germanophiles reported over the radio to have been shot and seriously wounded today by “a Communist,” who later denied he was a communist and asserted he was a follower of Gen’l DeGaulle & considered Laval et al traitors to France.
Thursday, August 28, 1941.
A very pretty day, until late afternoon when a misty, cool rain came up and lasted for some time.
I called on Frank Smathers this morning. He has been in bed for two weeks, but is better. He was as bright and talkative as usual. I was so glad to see him. Mrs. Smathers & all the family were out somewhere.
Played golf this afternoon with Mrs. Hilton Hampton of Tampa and Mr. Lanier of Arcadia. I made a 47. We got caught in the rain on the 7th hole, but Lanier & I played on. Enjoyed the game so much.
Tonight Lizzie & I called to see Dr Henry McGehee & his wife Mary (Shipp) McGehee of Talbotton, Ga., at the Waynesville Hotel. Also saw other friends there, Mr & Mrs. Shands of Gainesville, & Mrs Shands father, Mr. Walter Hawkins of Jacksonville, & Judge Chas E. Davis of Madison, Fla.
Friday, August 29, 1941.
Rather cold, misty morning, clearing and warming up by afternoon.
This morning I called to see Judge Drumright, who has been sick in bed with bronchitis ever since he arrived here 5 wks ago. He is still pretty sick.
This aft. I wrote some letters and postcards and then called to see Judge & Mrs[.] Chas[.] E. Davis—at Waynesville Hotel.
Tonight I suffered some with indigestion and spent the evening quietly.
Saturday, August 30, 1941.
Beautiful day. Played golf this morning with Mr. J.C. Lanier. I made a 44, the best score I’ve made since I left home. Mr. L. made about 51.
This afternoon we took it quietly, and went out to dinner with Judge and Mrs. Frank Smathers. It was a splendid dinner. George Smathers was there, also Virginia. Also a friend of Mrs. S., a Mrs. Moore, who is a daughter of the late Senator Tillman of So. Car., a very fine woman. George Smathers is an unusually able and attractive young lawyer.
Three nice young women came in this afternoon—2 Misses McKinnon and Miss Virginia Tilden—nieces of Judge Wilber Tilden of Orlando.
Sunday, August 31, 1941.
Cool, but clear. Therm. 54° early this a.m.
We went to the Methodist Church and hear a fine sermon by Rev. Mr. Huggin, who was here last year. Met a Dr. Simmons, who was here last year, from Arcadia, Fla. He remembered me but I could not recall his name.
Monday, September 1, 1941.
Clear, mild beautiful day. Rather warm in afternoon.
Played golf this morning with George Smathers and Dr. Warren Quillian of Miami, both good players. I was off my game, and took a 50. George made it in 36. We were delayed in getting out to the Course by the Labor Day Parade.
At 1.45 we heard very clearly over Mrs. Q’s radio the President’s excellent Labor Day address.
Chas. Murchison and wife got off for home this morning. We will miss them.
Tuesday, September 2, 1941.
Very pretty, mild, morning, with light showers in afternoon and evening.
This morning I played golf with Mr. S.C. Murray of Sylvester, Ga. whom I played with last year, & a Mr. “Buck” Jones of Jacksonville. I made a 46, Murray a 48 & Jones about 40.
This afternoon I called on Judge Chas. E. Davis at the Waynesville Hotel and had a pleasant chat with him and Mr. Walter Hawkins and “Colonel Mundy,” both of Jacksonville
Mr. & Mrs. Jas. W. Spratt of Jacksonville arrived today. They are the Uncle & Aunt of Mrs. Murchison. Fine people.
Wednesday, September 3, 1941.
Very foggy in early morning. Clear by 9.30. Played golf this morning with a Mr. Newton of Macon, Ga. Though older than I am, he is a little better player. He made a 46 and I a 48.
This afternoon Lizzie and I called on Judge & Mrs. Smathers, and Mrs. Lona Moore was still there—a very fine and intelligent woman. Frank was, in spite of his pain, very cordial and talkative. Mrs. Smathers was as usual, very sweet and charming. We had a good time.
Tonight Mr. Sam Elder and I sat up and talked till nearly 11 p.m. He is a very bright and interesting man.
Thursday, September 4, 1941.
Very pretty day. Some light showers in afternoon.
This morning Mr. & Mrs. J W. Spratt took us for a delightful drive up to Soco Gap, and then down the Caloochee valley road.
I called on Judge Drumright this aft. & found him about well[.] Sulfa-thyasol did the work in just a few days.
Most of our folks went to the dance at the Hohil[?] Garden tonight.
The furious Russo-German war, now in its third month, goes on apace, with heavy losses on both sides. But neither Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev or Odessa have yet been taken.
Friday, September 5, 1941.
Took it easy this morning. Attended to a lot of small things and some correspondence.
At 12.45 I attended the meeting of the Rotary Club as their guest speaker. Some 6 or 7 Floridians were also guests. I thought I made a very poor speech but it seemed to please the crowd.
This afternoon I played golf with John Harris, of St. Petersburg. Fine man and fine lawyer—and a very good golfer. I made a 44 and John a 39. I felt fine & enjoyed it.
The U.S. destroyer Green, carrying mail to Iceland, was attacked early this morning by a submarine, presumably German, but was not hit. The Green dropped depth bombs, and it may be the submarine was disabled, or destroyed.
Saturday, September 6, 1941.
A very clear, beautiful day. A bit cooler, but we have not had any weather here cool as it was this time a year ago. The full moon, rising over the mountain, about 8:30 pm tonight, was unusually beautiful. Temp. early this a.m. 56.
I played golf this afternoon with Henry Baynard and wife, and a Mr. Sarven, all of St. Petersburg, Fla. I made a 47. It took us about 2 hrs. to go around. I was pretty tired afterward. For some reason I have not felt very well today, but I enjoyed the game any way.
Sunday, September 7, 1941.
(Our last day in Waynesville, this trip)
Another clear, beautiful day. Ideal.
We went to the Methodist Church and heard another fine sermon by Rev. J.H. Huggin.
After a very good dinner, we all sat on the porch and chatted for awhile, and I then went up to our room and had a nap, and read some. About 5:30 I drove out to the golf course and had a short chat with Mr. Eugene Romph. Then returning to Prospect Hill, I picked up Lizzie and Miss Margaret and Alice McKinnon and we had a nice drive out to Junaluska, around the lake, and back to town the short way, just in time for dinner.
Spent the evening chatting with the guests, & listening to Elmer Davis & Walter Winchell over the radio.
The President’s mother, a fine old lady, died today at the age of 87.
Now we are packing up.
Monday, September 8, 1941.
Left Waynesville about 10 A.M. Arrived Highlands about 12, 60 miles, and spent an hour at Mrs. Root’s Gift Shop. Then got lunch at nice little café next door. Went out to the Golf Club about 1.45 and met Rob’t. A. Henderson & wife on porch of the Inn & he insisted I take my usual 30 min. nap at his cottage, which I did. Then about 3:30 we left for Atlanta—going down the steep mountain road to Dillard, thence So. to Atlanta. Arrived at Dow’s apartment about 6:30, at 65 Peachtree Memorial Drive. So glad to see Dow & Hilda. Liked their new aptmt. very much. Dined with them at Rhodes Café. Then went to see Hilda, Jr., and her husband, Rob’t Carter Davis, as their two adorable children—Carter, Jr. about 2 yrs. old, & little sister “Dana,” 7 mos old.
Tuesday, September 9, 1941.
Went to Dow’s office about 11 Am. Saw Eugene Ransom, fine fellow.
Dow took Lizzie & me, & Hilda & little Hilda to dinner at the Capital City Club—delightful. Weather cooler & better. At night Liz & I had Dow and Hilda, & little Hilda and her young doctor husband as our guests at a dinner on the terrace of the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel. Then we all went out to little Hilda’s & enjoyed talking & playing with the dear 7 mos. old little sister, who was awake. We stayed there till about 10:30. Then back to Dow’s apartment where he & Hilda & Liz & I talked till 12 o’clock.
A most delightful day.
Wednesday, September 10, 1941.
(Back Home)
This morning Liz & I left Dow’s apartment, taking Dow downtown with us, about 9 A.m. We drove down Peachtree Road to Peachtree St., then down Peachtree to Spring and down Spring to Whitehall, then turning left in Stewart Ave., at the corner where Dow and I lived (500 Whitehall St) when we came by, we drove on down to Hopeville, Jonesboro, Griffin, Thomaston, Butler, Americus and Albany, where we lunched, thence to Thomaston & then to good old Tallahassee. Stopped in town to buy groceries & reached home at 5 pm, after a drive of 273 miles from Dow’s home in N. Atlanta. Found “Jim” at work. I filled up Lizzie’s car, got the hot water heater going & then we unpacked, & went to Dinner with Mary Maud & Jeff, & the Cowles were also there. A fine dinner. Now home & to bed.
Had a grand trip, but its good to be home again. The weather has been very hot since we left, but the rain this aft[.] gave us a delightful cool evening.
Thursday, September 11, 1941.
Got to the office this morning at 9, and called on the other Judges. At 10 Am we had an oral argument in a Hillsboro County refunding case. Mr. W. F. Hines made the main argument. The carpet men had just finished putting down the new carpet in the Courtroom last night, and the draperies had all been dry cleaned. So, our Court room looked better than I have ever seen it. I had a hard time in getting the Court agree to these improvements, but with the help of Judge Thomas & Judge Chapman we finally got all the Court around to it except Judge Terrell.
It took me practically all day (except for the oral argument and a conference, which took most of the morning) to go through the heavy accumulation of mail.
The Germans have made 5 attacks on our ships. We should declare War. Pres. Roosevelt made an historic speech over the radio tonight, in which he served notice on Germany that we would defend our right to the freedom of the seas. This will probably mean war unless Germany leaves our ships alone.
Friday, September 12, 1941.
Cloudy, but cool. a very pleasant day. Put in a hard day’s work in office.
Annie arrived this afternoon.
Tonight the Cowles had us to dine with them at the Sliver Slipper.
Liz is having a bad time with asthma tonight.
The President’s speech of last night has greatly heartened the hard pressed British. It remains to be seen what the Germans will do. If they continue their present type of submarine warfare, as against American ships, it means that we will have to do a lot of shooting—and this means that we will soon be in the war, as we should have been months ago.
Saturday, September 13, 1941.
Another cool day. I have answered all my accumulated mail and passed on all the cases which have been written, except the Graham will case. Also there are two or three petitions for rehearing that I could not get to. On the whole, I have disposed of a large amount of work these three days since our return from vacation.
This aft Judge Chapman, Dr. Hathaway & I played golf from 5 to 7 p.m. Felt fine afterward.
Sunday, September 14, 1941.
Clear, mostly, clouding up late in the day, and considerably warmer than the past three or four days. A little light rain about 3 pm; then clear.
This morning Liz & I went to church and hear an excellent sermon by Bro. Jack Anderson.
I worked in my office this afternoon and caught up with all my work except the Graham will case, which will require rather long study. Enormous record. Now, I’m ready for the busy work of oral arguments beginning tomorrow.
Hitler is making a desperate effort to take Leningrad before Winter sets in. He claims to have broken through the outer defenses. Meanwhile the Russian counter attacks toward Smolensk are making headway.
Monday, September 15, 1941.
Almost clear morning. Rather warm. Hard Rain in afternoon.
In Conference all morning—until 12.45, disposing of motions and trying to get the Court together on cases whiere the Justices were split up.
Busy all afternoon.
Suffering with considerable bronchial irritation today.
Tuesday, September 16, 1941.
Cloudy—clearing later—Rain from 5 to 6.
Oral arguments practically all morning. With conference afterward, until lunch time.
This aft. I cleared up some routine matters and then began the study of the Graham will case.
The Rain prevented my playing golf.
Hitler met reverses in his effort to take Leningrad today.
But the Germans & Italians have sent over strong reinforcements and are going to make a desperate effort to defeat the English in Egypt. But they won’t do it.
Cairo was bombed by Axis planes today. If they repeat it, I believe Rome may be bombed.
Wednesday, September 17, 1941.
Partly Cloudy, with several showers during the day.
Busy day. Oral arguments in morning.
Thursday, September 18, 1941.
Mostly clear. Light Shower. Clear afternoon. Pretty warm.
On bench all morning.
Busy afternoon, but at 5 p.m. Judge Chapman and I went out and played golf with Mr. Phillips and Dick Erwin. We played the first nine. I made a 48. Judge C. about 53. Dick about 39 and Phillips about 40.
Mabel, Joe’s wife, came in about 1.15 for a visit with us.
Friday, September 19, 1941.
Clear early morning, then somewhat cloudy; by afternoon brilliantly clear, with nice breeze—A beautiful day.
And a very busy one. Oral arguments all morning. Worked in office till nearly dark.
The news tonight indicates that Hitler has taken Kiev, capital of the Ukraine, and that Leningrad is in a close place. The Russians have held out much longer than I anticipated. I hope they will not crumble before winter sets in.
Saturday, September 20, 1941.
Another delightful, clear day.
The Petition of the State Bar Ass’n, for raising the educational standard for eligibility to take the State Examination for admission to the bar, was argued this morning. The petitioners argument was presented in the main by Mr. James Booth, followed by Robt. R McCann—both strong arguments—followed by Mr. Mehrtans of Miami and Mr. D. Neil Ferguson of Ocala, Fla. No one appeared in opposition this time. In conference, it developed that the Petition would be granted, with very little, if any, modifications.
Tonight Liz & myself took Connie & Mabel & Mr. & Mrs. Cowles to dinner out at the “Black & White” and then to the movie, “The Strawberry Blonde”—James Cagney & Olivia De Haviland, Virginia Hayworth & Alan Dale [Hale]. Very good.
Sunday, September 21, 1941.
Partly cloudy.
We went to church as usual this morning, tho I did not feel very well. Had indigestion during the night.
This afternoon Judge Chapman and I played golf. Off my game badly.
When I got back I found that our neighbor “Jeff” had been in an automobile collision and was in the hospital but not thought to be badly hurt. We had Mary Maud to supper with us and after supper she went to the hospital. Mrs. Allen James and the Cowles went with her. About 10 o’clock Walter phoned that he, Jeff, was worse and the doctor wanted him to have a blood transfusion. Liz by phone secured several donors. Do hope he will be better tomorrow.
Monday, September 22, 1941.
Clear.
A heavy motion docket this morning. Kept Div. B busy until 12:30.
Mabel left this morning about 9- for Miami.
“Jeff” after several transfusions was reported much better this afternoon.
The Germans entered Kiev a couple of days ago, and are now headed for the Russian oil fields. The Russian Army appears to have retreated in good order, tho Berlin claims that they have surrounded a large part of it. I do not believe Russia is about to collapse, as the Germans claim.
The Russians are defending their country against an unwarranted and meretricious invasion. They will fight on.
Tuesday, September 23, 1941.
Temp. & Barometer about the same as yesterday. A very pretty day.
On bench with Division A this morning. In conference most of afternoon.
Tonight we went to the Reception in honor of Dr. Edward Conradi, as Pres. Emeritus of Fla. St Col. for Women.
Wednesday, September 24, 1941.
Cloudy early morning followed by rain from 10 Am on—nearly all day—heavy at times—the result probably of the hurricane which struck Texas last night, doing much damage at Houston & then turning towards Shreveport, La., but losing in force.
Busy all day with oral arguments, passing on work of the other judges; and conferences.
The Germans claim to have trapped and destroyed a Russian army of 750,000 men East of Kiev, capturing 380,000 prisoners. The Russians, on the other hand, claim to have counter attacked with deadly effect on all fronts.
Thursday, September 25, 1941.
Cloudy and warmer than usual in early morning. Heavy rain in middle of day.
Arguments this morning.
Afternoon largely taken up with administrative affairs.
Tonight we went to see “Charley’s Aunt,” a very laughable picture—Jack Benny and Kay Francis starring.
The bitter, bloody battle of Leningrad goes on—The Russians are so far holding the city and throwing back the terrific German mechanized attacks.
Friday, September 26, 1941.
A heavy fog—early morning—Then clear. Rain from 12 to 2.30.
Only one case argued this morning.
But I’ve had plenty of work.
Played golf this afternoon from 5 to 7. The course was wet and heavy, but I managed to make a 46. Played with a fine young man whose name I could not remember. I think it is Frazier McCall.
Heard a grand fighting speech over the radio tonight by Mr. Smith, Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle. He said we must get into this fight against Hitler & his gang at once. That Congress ought to declare war against Germany. He is right. I have thought and said so for quite sometime.
Saturday, September 27, 1941.
Brilliantly clear and beautiful morning. Clear all day.
Busy day in office, mostly studying cases written by the other Judges. Worked till 6:15 p.m.
The Germans now claim to have killed 300,000 Russians and captured 650,000 prisoners in Kief[sic] area. The Russians deny this.
Leningrad still holds out and Moscow stands without serious threat.
The British are sending troops to Iran and from there to the Caucasus to help the Russians stop Hitler before he gets the Russian oil wells.
We ought to be doing the same thing. England & Russia can hardly beat Hitler alone. They need our help.
Sunday, September 28, 1941.
Clear and warm.
We went to Church this morning. Large congretation. Excellent sermon.
Played golf with Judge C. this afternoon. We ran into the finals of the Club Tournament. Robt. Parker won over Jimmie Lee, 2 & 1, and Phillips won over Bruce Davis, Jr., 4 & 3. I wanted young Bruce to win. He is a fine boy and a great player for his age. He will be 16 next month.
In spite of the German reports of enormous victories, the Russians show no sign of collapse.
Our country launched 14 new merchant vessels yesterday.
Monday, September 29, 1941.
Clear, pretty day. Very pleasant. Very little humidity.
With Justices Chapman & Thomas, I called on the Gov’r this afternoon, and discussed with him the formation of the Supreme Court Addition Bldg. Commission and the need of getting the work started as soon as possible, now that the State has the money on hand.
Worked in office till nearly dark.
Tonight Lizzie, Annie & I went to the movies. The newsreel and “The March of Time” are excellent. The feature picture—“The Letter” was a good picture, but I did not think that Bette Davis measured up to the Main part. She is a much overrated actress.
Tuesday, September 30, 1941.
Another clear, pretty day.
And a very busy one for me. But at 5 pm Judge Ch. & I went out and played golf. He gave me a good trimming—45 to my 48.
The Italian report last night of the sinking of four British warships and 3 merchant vessels in the Mediterranean was denied by London tonight, which British report was that none of the large convoy of merchant vessels was sunk, but that the battleship Nelson was hit by a torpedo which slowed her down but she proceeded on her own power.
Churchill made another of his noble speeches in House of Commons today.
Wednesday, October 1, 1941.
Clear—Pretty Day—Somewhat cloudy in afternoon.
Slowly our country is awakening to the dangers which threaten us. If Union labor would only show a little patriotism and stop these unnecessary strikes which have been and are slowing our production of war materials it would be a wonderful help. But our President, and public men generally, have pampered organized labor so long that they the Unions cannot think of anything but their own selfish interests. This applies more to the labor agitators than to the mass of American working men. But they should rise up and clean house.
Thursday October 2, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy.
Worked on the revision of our court rules yesterday and today—what time I was not passing in opinions and entertaining visitors.
Have not felt at all well yesterday and today. Slight numbness in my left side and slight giddiness.
The Germans have begun their “gigantic” drive against Moscow.
Friday, October 3, 1941.
Mostly clear.
Finished my work in Revision of Supreme Court Rules this morning and passed them on to Judge W. [J.B. Whitfield]
This afternoon spent largely in studying one case, and assigning the motions to he heard Monday.
Tonight we went to see the picture “Sun Valley Serenade” a delightful picture starring Sonja Henie—one of my favorite actresses. It was a clean comedy, with good music and beautiful skating & dancing.
Saturday, October 4, 1941.
Mostly clear. Almost a full moon tonight.
This afternoon about 4.30 I went out and played 9 holes of golf with Bill Simmons (now in the army) and Judge Chapman. Bill made a 48, I a 49 and C. a 50. None of us played very well.
Tonight Liz & I went to a party given by Mrs. Henrietta McNair to honor Mrs. Senator Andrews.
The sinking of the tanker J.C. White, Am. owned, under Panama flag, on Sept. 27th off the Brazilian coast, has come to light. 34 of the crew of 38 have been rescued & picked up by other ships. It is presumed that the torpedoing was done by a German U-boat, in American waters.
Sunday, October 5, 1941. (Unusually warm for Oct.) 96° in Washington 98° in Augusta 98° in Phila. N.Y. 91°
Hot.
Clear, beautiful morning, but very warm from 11 Am on with heavy humidity from 4 pm on—but still clear. No breeze the radio says a hurricane is headed for Miami. I hope this is a mistake. But Miami is preparing for it very thoroughly. We went to the World wide Communion service at our Church. Big Congregation for the 11 oclock service, and almost as large for the 8:40 Am service. Very impressive.
This afternoon I listened to Kaltenborn at 3:15 and before that to a very interesting Round Table discussion in which two brilliant women starred—Dr Alexander and a Miss Hagen[?]-Hilyer[?]—one for the present U.S. capitalistic system, the other for Socialism. Then we listened to the World Series—Brooklyn dodgers defeated by the Yankees 7 to 4. I was for the Dodgers.
Radio said hurricane would hit Miami early tomorrow.
Monday, October 6, 1941.
Warm and humid. Mostly clear—clouding up in afternoon.
The hurricane hit Miami early this morning. Passed on across the State and went into the Gulf. It was not a big hurricane. Comparatively little damage to property, and no serious casualties. For which I am thankful.
Yesterday was a record breaking hot day for October in Wash’n., Philadelphia & N.Y.
Quite a busy Motion day.
Tonight we went to see Jas. Stewart and Rosalind Russell, two [of] my favorite actors, in “No Time for Comedy.” The acting was good but the play was rather weak.
We’ve had a pretty warm evening: 81° at 11:30 Unusual for October.
Tuesday October 7, 1941. (Storm)
A heavy rain and Strong winds hit us about daylight this morning. The strongest winds from the East and South. Then changing to the So., and finally to the West and N.W. and North. Indeed, we were on the edge of the hurricane which went across the State from Miami to Punta Gorda and then turned North. Many trees blown down. None of ours were, tho our drive way was choked with fallen limbs. Lots of driving rain.
The wind commenced to die down about 10:15 and at 10:30 I went to the Court and held oral arguments until 1 p.m.
The air was very [ ? ] and humid this afternoon. And it felt very much warmer than it really was. No electric lights out our way, but phone still works.
Hitler has launched a terrific drive on Moscow.
Wednesday, October 8, 1941.
Heavy fog, clearing by 9 Am[.] A clear warm day.
Oral arguments all morning.
A very busy day.
With the work of our yard man, Jim, Lizzie got our yard and lawn cleared of the fallen limbs and twigs, which covered it, from yesterday’s storm.
Thursday, October 9, 1941.
Beautiful clear morning. Clear and hot.
On bench all morning. Very busy all afternoon. Eleanor Salley, whose case for custody of her little girl, was argued before the Master this morning, took dinner with us tonight and then we all—with Mrs. Cowles—went to see a very good picture—“Hold Back the Dawn”—starring Chas. Boyer, Olivia De Haviland and Paulette Goddard.
The thermometer stands at 80° at 11:45.
Friday, October 10, 1941.
Clear & warm, but getting cooler in the late afternoon and evening.
On bench all morning and for an hour in afternoon.
I made a speech at the Jewish Synagogue tonight, at a service held to honor the memory of the late Justice Brandeis, who died on Oct. 5th.
The Germans claim a complete victory and that the Russian armies are destroyed to rise no more. I do not believe it. The Russians admit they are hard pressed but deny defeat. There are a lot of Russians left.
Saturday, October 11, 1941.
Clear and cool. A fine day.
Played golf late this aft. with Eddie & May Andrews.
A German scheme to establish a radio station in Greenland, by way of a Quisling-Norwegian ship and crew, was stopped by our Navy today. The ship, and the equipment already put ashore, were taken and will be interned in some American port.
The Russians are outnumbered and are having a hard time of it, in trying to defend Moscow and the Donet[sic] basin. Crucial battles are in progress, & losses terrible.
Sunday, October 12, 1941.
Clear and cool. Delightful day.
Went to Church this morning. this afternoon spent largely in bed. Didn’t feel well. Strange numbness in my left side and leg. but about 5 pm I drove over to call on Judge Ellis, but he & his wife were not at home. Then later Lizzie, Annie & I called on Mr. & Mrs. H. H. Baskin. We enjoyed our visit. A fine couple.
After supper I called to see “Jeff.” He is still far from well. I fear it will be a long while before he fully recovers from that auto accident.
Heard a stirring address by Lord Beaverbrook over the radio this aft.
The heavy German drive on Moscow goes on furiously, but the Germans are still some distance from the Russian capital.
Monday, October 13, 1941.
Clear and pleasant.
Heavy Motion docket this morning. Busy afternoon. Dictated an opinion late in afternoon.
Got home about 5.45 and took a long walk on golf course.
Took it easy at home tonight.
The situation in Russia is very grave and precarious.
Tuesday, October 14, 1941.
Another very pretty day. A little cloudy in afternoon but clear at night.
The fight is on in Congress over the administration[‘]s efforts to get authority (if indeed the President needs it) to arm Am. Merchant ships.
The German threat to Moscow grows. But I do not believe they can take the city—Their best chance is to cut it off and starve it out—if they can.
On the bench or in conference nearly all day.
Wednesday, October 15, 1941.
Mostly clear.
Another very busy day. But I felt the need of outdoor exercise and played a few holes of golf—5:15 to 6 p.m. First golf I’ve played in 10 days.
Congress is working slowly on the President’s request to amend the Neutrality act so as to authorize the arming of Merchant vessels. While the World is on fire, Congress fiddles. The entire act should be repealed—and at once.
Thursday, October 16, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy, but a very delightful day.
On bench & in conference till late this aft.
The fate of Moscow hangs in the balance, but I doubt if Hitler can capture the City.
Odessa has been reported to have fallen.
The Japanese government has fallen and a new and more belligerent cabinet has been formed.
Friday, October 17, 1941.
A delightful day.
On bench all morning—till 1 p.m.
Played golf with Judge Chapman 4.45 to 6.15.
Went out to the College tonight—Liz & I, and the Cowles, to the reception given by Dr. Conradi in honor of the new President, Dr. Doak S. Campbell and his very lovely wife. Dr. & Mrs. A. J. Hanna were there.
Today one of our destroyers, the Kellogg, was torpedoed by a German submarine 350 mi. S.W. of Iceland. It was badly damaged, but not sunk.
American merchant vessels in the Pacific were ordered to put in at friendly ports.
Gen. Tojo, anti-British General, is now succeeding Konoye, and it may mean a warlike policy for Japan.
Saturday, October 18, 1941.
Devoted day to work in office.
Light shower in early afternoon. Cloudy, but warm.
Late this afternoon we went to see Eleanor Salley’s portrait of Mary Ann Waller, at Curtis Waller’s home- Curtis is home for the weekend.
The Germans are claiming the complete destruction of the Russian armies defending Moscow. I don’t believe it.
Sunday, October 19, 1941.
(Cloudy) Took it quietly today—went to church.
Did some work in office this aft. Wrote a letter.
After dinner today, Mr. & Mrs. Cowles, & Chandler Cowles & his wife & Leonard Cowles, & Mary Maude Jefferds, came over to our house for an after dinner coffee and liquor. Chandler & wife arrived last night by plane from Los Angeles, Cal., and Leonard by plane from Wash’n.
Although Chandler is an ensign in the Navy, he does not appreciate the gravity of the Hitler-Germanic regime, or see any reason why we should go to war.
Monday, October 20, 1941.
Mostly cloudy. The mild Gulf storm has gone Northwestward to the East of us. All we’ve had were some gusty breezes. Not much rain—mostly a drizzle.
Worked in office all day. Interrupted by visitors.
The great drama of the war between Germany & Russia continues to unfold. The drive on Moscow still goes on. But the Germans are still some 50 to 70 miles away. I do not believe that Moscow will fall.
The U.S. destroyer, torpedoed last Friday, reached some undisclosed port late yesterday. 11 men “missing,” 2 seriously injured[,] 8 slightly injured. An act of war.
Tuesday, October 21, 1941.
Mostly clear.
Put in the day working on a difficult case.
Played golf with Judge C. in late aft.
The Germans are making considerable headway in the Ukraine and heading toward the oil fields in the Donet basin. But Leningrad & Moscow are holding.
One of our merchant ships, the Lehigh, flying the American flag, was torpedoed in the So. Atlantic, near Africa, and an American owned merchant vessel flying the Panama flag was torpedoed off Iceland. How many lives were lost, we do not yet know.
Surely this will awaken the American people.
Wednesday, October 22, 1941.
Clear and fine day.
Busy all day in office.
Tonight we had the Cowles & Chandler & his wife & her mother Mrs. Henry, and Leonard Cowles over to the Sliver Slipper for dinner.
Wendell Wilkie and a number of prominent Republicans have come out for the complete repeal of the Neutrality Act, going the President one better. So the President’s Secretary, Mr. Early, said that that was what the President had long desired.
Thursday, October 23, 1941.
Another clear, pretty day.
Hard day’s work in office.
This aft. at 5 I ran out to the golf course and played 7-1/2 holes of golf with Mr. & Mrs. Clark When we got in, it was so dark we could hardly see how to play the last hole. Played half of it.
The Germans have shot 50 French men for the Killing of a German general a week ago, and in the morning they will shoot 50 more—entirely innocent people—“hostages”—because the French have not been able to find and deliver up the guilty party or parties. These brutal tactics will never be forgotten by the defenseless French people.
Friday, October 24, 1941.
Clear and Warm.
Pretty busy day. Conference this morning. Trying to get the court together on the decision of troublesome cases, or at least a majority, on some sound and just ground.
Lost an hour this afternoon getting Dr. Brown to pull out some ingrowing eye lashes. Have to go through this every two or three weeks.
Saturday, October 25, 1941.
Clear and cooler.
Felt very badly this morning.
Jno. B. Sutton of Tampa and Mr. Davis of Wilmington, N.C., Vice-Pres. of the A.C. L. R. Co.[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company] called to see me. I was one of about 15 guests at a luncheon at the Cherokee given by Jno. Sutton in honor of Mr. Davis, who, by the way, is a first cousin of “Uncle Kit” Davis, Aunt Bessie’s late husband. The Governor and other State officials were guests. We had a very pleasant time.
I got home about 3:30 and rested till 4 pm, then played golf with Judge Chapman. I made a 45. Felt so much better tonight.
Sunday, October 26, 1941.
Very pleasant day. We went to Church & heard a good sermon.
This aft. we and the Cowles drove down to St. Marks and had a grand boat trip, in Mr. H. Myers boat, a 26 ft. boat, down to the entrance to Apalache[sic] Bay, opposite the light house-about 8 miles—getting back to St. Marks about 5 pm. Walter Cowles and I rode in young Mr. Wm. Waddell’s boat up to Newport. Lizzie & Annie & Mrs. Cowles drove the car up there. So we landed with some difficulty—there being no real dock there now on account of the new construction by a Mr. Larsh. The 5 mile ride was delightful. The St. Marks River is beautiful.
C.I.O. Labor dictator [Justice Brown is probably referring to United Mine Worker chief John L. Lewis] has called a coal mine strike, effective tonight, putting 53,000 men out of work, merely because of refusal of a closed shop demand.
Monday, October 27, 1941.
Mostly cloudy—Some rain.
In addition to the regular Motion day business, which was unusually heavy, we had two cases to review the action of the R.R. Commission involving motor bus routes. In Conference and on bench all day.
Tonight Pres. Roosevelt made a Navy Day Address which was quite forthright. Pretty plain talk. Said the shooting had begun; that Germany had fired the first shot, and that our Navy was already in action. That Congress should remove the restrictions of the neutrality act. That we would defend our right to the freedom of the Seas. Almost a declaration of a State of war.
Tuesday, October 28, 1941.
Cloudy in Early morning—Clearing and turning a bit cooler by 10 A.m. Clear and delightful afternoon.
Five cases argued today. On bench till 4 pm and in conference till 5. Then ran out and played about 7 holes of golf.
Wednesday, October 29, 1941.
Clear and cooler.
A busy day hearing oral arguments and in conference.
Attended Rotary Luncheon today as the guest of Loyd Marshall. Heard a very interesting address by Mr. C. H. Carroll, the able So. Manager of the Western Union.
Kharkof has fallen. It looks bad for the Russians in the Donet Basin. They may get the Caucases oil fields after all.
Leningrad & Moscow still hold.
Thursday, October 30, 1941.
Mostly clear.
Very busy day. On bench and in conference till 5 pm. Judge Ch & I ran out and played 7 holes of golf, on the inside nine. I made the first six holes in 26—4 under 5’s--& then took a 7 on the last hole, 33 for 7 holes. Darkness caught us on the last hole.
Tonight we went to see Bob Hope & Paulette Goddard in “Nothing but the truth[“]—a very clean & rollicking comedy.
Friday, October 31, 1941.
Cloudy & warm. Another very busy day.
One of our U.S. destroyers the Reuben James was torpedoed and sunk last night west of Iceland. We heard tonight that 44 of the crew of over 100 had been rescued. Hope all will be found. Evidently most of the men were able to get in the life boats. Of course this shot in the dark came from a German submarine.
This is the first of our war ships to be sunk. It ought to awaken our people.
Saturday, November 1, 1941.
Cloudy-drizzling rain by 8:30 A.M. and intermittent light rains until early afternoon. Clearing up by nightfall and getting cooler.
A busy day in office interrupted by a visit to the dentist, and considerable correspondence.
The Germans are being held at baby before Moscow & Leningrad but are making some headway in their efforts to take Rostov and the Donet oil fields; also this drive Southward toward Sebastopol on the Southern tip of the Crimean Peninsula.
Whether any more than the 44 survivors of the sunken U.S. destroyer who were picked up yesterday will be rescued, remains to be seen.
The debate in the Senate on the repeal in part of the Neutrality Act drags on.
Sunday, November 2, 1941. (Full Moon tonight)
Clear & cool. Very pretty day. We went to Church as usual. I took a long walk on golf course after breakfast.
This afternoon I did some work in office. Returning home at 4.45, Lizzie & I called on Gov’r. & Mrs. Holland. The Gov’r was away but we had a pleasant visit with Mrs. Holland. Then we called at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Barnes and to see Mrs. Henriet Harris, who is visiting them but no one was there. Then we drove out to see Dr. & Mrs. Doak Campbell. Dr. C. was out of the City, but we had a delightful visit with Mrs. Campbell, a fine, charming lady.
On our return home at 6:30 we found Mary Bogart Henry & her husband Carl Henry. The[y] had called about 6 o’clock & remained till about 7:30. Lizzie drove them to their home on W. Gaines St.
Cold tonight.
Monday, November 3, 1941.
Clear & cool morning.
Beautiful day.
Very much pressed with work today, but left at 5 and ran out and played 7 holes of golf before dark.
Tuesday, November, 4, 1941.
Dark and chilly and cloudy morning with some drizzling rain most of the day.
This morning we had oral argument of two cases attacking the recent act regulating bill boards and prohibiting their use within the rights of way of the State highways or 15 ft. beyond. These two cases and one other kept us on the bench from 9:30 to 1.05. In Conference nearly all afternoon.
We learned tonight that the Germans had sunk a U.S. Navy tanker near Iceland.
97 of our men—and all officers—on the Reuben James (destroyer) were lost. The largest Navy loss since the sinking of the Maine.
Wednesday, November 5, 1941.
Cloudy & cool, with dampness and drizzling rain
Another busy day—Oral arguments, Conferences, &c. This aft. busy with passing on cases. And took some records home with me and passed on them tonight.
Nothing definite from the Russian front.
Japan newspapers have been very belligerent toward the U.S. lately, but they have suddenly quieted down, as Japan is sending a special envoy to Washington.
Thursday, November 6, 1941.
A very pretty day.
And a busy one.
Played golf in late afternoon.
Friday, November 7, 1941. Neutrality Act partially repealed by Senate
Clear and cool. Fine day.
The Senate passed the bill tonight repealing those clauses of the Neutrality Act which prevent the arming of Merchant ships and the sailing of our ships to England or other “war zones.” It now has to go to the house.
Stalin and Churchill both made optimistic speeches today.
The Russians are not only holding their own on the Moscow front, but are counter attacking and regaining some of their ground.
Also, the German drive on Sebastopol has been slowed up.
Worked all day and for 2 hrs. tonight.
Saturday, November 8, 1941.
Fine, clear day.
Busy in office all day—passing on opinions—Some of them dealing with close, difficult questions.
The British sent over several hundred bombers last night, and fighter planes too, and rained bombs on many important points from Norway to Northern France, including a good dose for Berlin. The Mediterranean Air force attacked Brindisi, Italy. But the losses were very heavy—37 bombers (200 airmen) and 20 fighter planes—Half the losses were due to ice forming on the planes—especially the bombers.
Hitler made an unexpected appearance at the Munich beer hall celebration and made a speech attacking Russia, Britain & the U.S. Said the Russian losses were10,000,000 men.
Sunday, November 9, 1941.
Clear and cold.
Went to Church this morning.
Played golf this afternoon with Catherine Shefir and Miss Cone.
Yesterday a British Navy force of 2 cruisers & two destroyers sunk an Italian convoy of 10 merchant ships convoyed by 2 cruisers and several destroyers, & none of the British ships were injured--& no losses. This occurred in the Mediterranean.
Monday, November 10, 1941.
A little rain this morning. Rather damp, cool and disagreeable.
Div. A & I disposed of about 20 motions this morning.
Got rid of some of the accumulated cases this aft.
Prime Minister Churchill made a very stirring speech today, a notable one, too. One thing he said was that if the U.S. became involved in war with Japan, Britain would declare war on Japan “within the hour.”
Wednesday, November 12, 1941.
Clear, delightful day.
Dental work this morning.
Conference with Div. B this aft. Also played golf with Judge Chapman in late afternoon.
Worked tonight.
Thursday, November 13, 1941. Bill amending Neutrality Act passes House by Close vote.
Beautiful and delightful day.
Conference of the whole Court from 10:30 to 1 pm
Pretty busy day. Worked in office till about 6 pm and then put in some work at home tonight.
The bill amending the Neutrality act, so as to permit arming of merchant ships and the sending them anywhere—to belligerent ports—or anywhere our merchant vessels want to go—thus permitting us to deliver munitions and food to British ports or Russian ports—was passed by the House today by a vote of 212 to 194. It took a hard fight to get it passed by this slender majority of 18 votes. The President’s letter, read to the House by Speaker Rayburn, helped. I’m glad it passed.
Friday, November 14, 1941.
Cloudy and warm.
Had to have more dental work done this morning.
Otherwise, a busy day in office; worked till dark, but as my eyes were very tired, I did no work tonight.
The British Navy suffered a heavy loss early this morning—the Aircraft Carrier Ark Royal was sunk near Gibraltar, by a submarine, supposedly Italian. One torpedo, which happened to hit a vital spot. All of the crew of nearly 1600 were saved, except one; good work.
Heavy fighting reported on the Moscow & Leningrad fronts.
The President had a talk with the coal mine workers representatives, headed by John Lewis, with Steel Co. officials set for tomorrow postponed till Monday.
Saturday, November 15, 1941.
Beautiful, bright, and warm. Clear, in spite of low barometer.
Conference this morning from 11 to 1 pm[.] Worked all afternoon, but went to the movies tonight. Tyrone Power & Betty Grable, in “A Year in the R.A.F.” Real good.
Sunday, November, 16, 1941.
Clear—and mild. Gorgeous Day.
Went to Church this morning. National Defense week. A weak, colorless sermon by Bro. Anderson. He has never denounced the brutal actions of Hitler. His sermon could give no offense to the Nazis.
Mary Cogart[?] Lindlay and husband Carl Lindlay and Mrs. Frances Thompson took dinner with us & about 3:30 we drove out to the Dale Mabry field—a sub-army training base—and I was [ ? ] to see what a large plant they had.
Tonight we went to a [ ? ] [ ? ] Rally at the Leon High School. The preacher speakers spoiled it.
Monday, November 17, 1941.
Clear.
Very busy Motion day. Several of them argued. An all day Session with Div. B.
The Japanese Envoy, Kurusu had a talk with the President today.
The President had asked that the Steel Companies executives and John L. Lewis & other representatives of the United Mine Workers meet with him today—if they failed to reach an agreement Saturday. The Steel Co. Executives went to the White House, but no John Lewis. He sent a note—stating that the U.M.W. insisted on a closed shop agreement, which demand the Steel Companies had refused, and the strike would go on. Thus the most serious labor situation in years has been thrust upon us, in this critical hour.
Tuesday, November 18, 1941.
Clear and warm.
Had a bad night last night—head ache—not much sleep. But early this morning Lizzie fixed me plenty of good hot coffee, and I soon felt O.K. and put in a fairly good day’s work—tho I had to lose an hour’s time from work this morning taking Mary Cozart Lindley to see Mr. Ross, Chief Clerk and Mr. Brock at the Motor Vehicle Dept. and help her get a job there. Then to see Ralph Davis the Gov’r[‘]s Sec’y.
This afternoon, when I got home, I went to the Cowles and met Mr. & Mrs. Stickney and their beautiful and charming daughter—Catherine. All fine, cultured people. The Stickneys are natives of Alabama, but have spent many years in Havana Cuba. They knew [5 words that may be names, but are difficult to read]
Wednesday, November 19, 1941.
Foggy morning. Clear Day. Quite warm.
Plenty of work. But this aft. Judge C. & I left at 4:30 for the golf course. Played 9 holes. My wood shots were unusually good. Never fell down on a single one. But my approaching and putting not so good. So I took a 48.
British begin a strong drive against the Germans & Italians in North Africa. Advanced 50 miles today.
Hard fighting on the Russian front, but the Germans not making much headway anywhere.
The President wrote Jno Lewis a letter today—on the Steel Companies—Proposing that the closed shop dispute be dropped for the duration, or that the issue be submitted to arbitration. The Steel Co’s agreed to this. Lewis refused both propositions.
Thursday, November 20, 1941.
Foggy in early morning, But clear and warm balance of day. Got lots of cases filed today.
This is the last Thanksgiving Day a la Roosevelt. Some 30 states are celebrating today on The Day—but the President will go back to the old Thk’g Day after this year. Most people prefer the traditional day.
The British Drive in North Africa is not as yet seriously resisted.
We went to the movies tonight.
The[y] had a very interesting “Round Table of the Air” featuring a discussion of our military and naval situation as related to the war. Claude Pepper, Admiral Yarnell, Fannie Hurst and a Mr. Steel.
Gen’l Weygaud has been recalled from Command of the French in N. Africa. He opposed Hitler’s domination of French Army & Navy.
Friday, November 21, 1941. Our 40th Wedding Anniversary.
Cloudy & Misty morning[.] Clearing in afternoon. Warm
Left for Gainesville at 2:15 and went via Perry, Old Town, Wilcox, Trenton & Newberry, arriving Gainesville (153 miles) at 5.30, and at Thomas Hall at 5.45. Went to the Blue Key Banquet at Fla. Students’ Union Bldg., on University Campus, at 6 pm to about 9 p.m. I was seated next to Dr. Tigert and Gov’r Holland and next was the Toast Master, Wm A McRae and next to him was the Chief Speaker of the evening, Dan T. McCarty, now an officer in the Army. Dan and the gov’r both spoke but Dan made a grand speech dealing with our National emergency: subject: “There’s a Job to be Done.” After the banquet I attended the “Gator Growl” in the stadium. Estes Baxter too Judge Chapman & me. Fuller Warren was Master of Ceremonies, & was in his element. He did a grand job. The occasion closed with fine fireworks display. I was very tired when I got to Hotel at 1.30.
Saturday, November 22, 1941.
The Ceremonies dedicating the new Law College library Bldg., began about 9:10; an open-air meeting adjoining the old law school bldg., which was built in 1909, and the dedication was in honor of the late Judge Nathan P. Bryan, who had so much to do with the founding of the University and also of the Law School. Dr. Tigert presided. The speakers were Dean Harry S. Trusler, Mr. Wilbur Harkness, of the W.P.A., H. P. Adair and myself, followed by the Gov’r. who was the main speaker of the occasion. It was a beautiful morning and the ceremonies went off very interestingly, before a very good crowd. Justices Thomas, Chapman and Adams were in the audience. After the speech making was over, I met a number of friends from Miami and other parts of State. Then Mr. Edrehi of Pensacola drove me back to my hotel. Called on Judge & Mrs. Ellis, who are staying at the hotel, Judge E. was not well. Then I had lunch and a brief nap, and left about 2.15 and reached Tallahassee at 5:30. I am sorry I had to cut out the football game. Fla. won over Ga. Tech.
Sunday, November 23, 1941.
Foggy early morning. Clear by 10 Am. A rather warm day.
Our former pastor, Rev. J.H. Daniel, Dist. Supt. Jax. Dist., preached for us this morning. It was good to have him back with us, and he preached us a splendid sermon. He has a fine personality.
This aft., I played 9 holes of golf with a Mr. Fair and a Mr. Kent Sanders of Thomasville.
The British drive in North Africa is making some headway, tho the Germans say no. American tanks are being used by the British and are proving very effective.
Monday, November 24, 1941.
Fair—and cool, N.W. Wind.
Busy all morning hearing motions & petitions for certiorari and for constitutional writs.
In Conference all afternoon. We all went to see Clark Gable & Lana Turner tonight in “Honky-Tonk.” Very good I thought, but Lizzie & Annie didn’t like it much. Too much Wild west & shooting I guess. Lana is very pretty.
Getting colder.
Tuesday, November 25, 1941.
Clear and cold. N.W. wind.
Severe earthquake today somewhere in the Atlantic.
Busy day in office-passing on opinions-worked till dark and then again tonight I did considerable work. Thank god I am able to do it.
The British drive in N. Africa has met unexpectedly stiff resistance by the German mechanized forces. A stalemate for the time being.
The Germans are also making a desperate effort to take or surround Moscow.
Wednesday, November 26, 1941.
Clear and cold, but quite pleasant by afternoon.
Managed to write an important dissenting opinion today, as to right of City to enforce City tax liens against property, title to which had vested in the State under the Murphy Act. I held the City could not enforce such alleged liens.
The fierce tank & Infantry battle is still going on at full tilt in N. Africa, but the British are not dismayed. I believe they will run the Germans and Italians out of N. Africa before many moons.
The Germans claim that they are closing in on Moscow. They are undoubtedly making a strong effort to capture or encircle that city before the worst winter weather comes on.
Thursday, November 27, 1941.
Clear & beautiful Thanksgiving Day.
Worked all morning in office and got home in time for dinner.
We had a fine Thanksgiving Dinner with the Cowles for our guests.
This aft. I played golf with Judge Chapman and worked till 11:30.
Moscow is in great peril. The British battle to get [ ? ] of Libya is still [ ? ] and doubtful, but I think the British will win.
Friday, November 28, 1941. Conference with Kuruso breaks down.
Clear and warm.
This morning I had a conference with Div. B. and put in the balance of the day on miscellaneous matters.
Read some more of the record in the Graham will case tonight.
The Germans are making some progress in their drive on Moscow. The weather is propitious for the use of tanks—and also for air attacks.
But the British are slowly gaining on the Germans & Italians in Libya.
The negotiations of our Government with the Japanese ambassador Nomura and Envoy Kurusu have evidently come to an end. Peace in the Pacific will not last long now unless Japan backs down.
Saturday, November 29, 1941. Jap Premier makes belligerent speech.
Clear and warm.
Held conference this morning. Wrote three opinions this afternoon.
Worked tonight till 12 o’clock on reading testimony in Graham will case.
The Russians have recaptured the City of Rostov from the Germans.
The bitter battle of Moscow still goes on. The Germans claim that they are within 31 miles of the City.
Japan’s premier made a belligerent speech today. Japan is massing troops and planes in Indo China-evidently to attack either Thailand or the Burma road.
Anything may happen. I think Germany is egging Japan on to make war against this Country & Russia and a temporary peace with China.
Sunday, November 30, 1941.
Somewhat hazy and cloudy. Misty drizzle by late afternoon.
Went to Church this morning. Played Golf from 4 to 530 with Judge Chapman.
It seems that Hitler has sent Fritz Weideman to Chung King to get China to agree to peace with Japan.
Japan is evidently getting ready to try and close the Burma Road & to attack Thailand.
The Russians have made some counter attacks and are holding the Germans back; it looks now like Hitler will not be able to capture Moscow before the bitter winter weather sets in[.]
The British are making some headway in Libya.
Monday, December 1, 1941. Jap. Envoy renews talks with Sec. Hull.
Mostly clear. Very mild.
Heavy Motion docket.
Very busy day. Worked in office till after dark.
Took it easy tonight.
Heavy & bloody battles between the Germans and Russians.
The British are gradually closing in on the Germans & Italians in N. Africa, from reports.
The Far East situation continues tense. But the Japanese ambassador & Envoy had another conversation with Sec’y Hull this morning.
Pres. Roosevelt got back to Wash’n today after a short holiday in Warm Springs.
Tuesday, December 2, 1941.
Mostly clear & warm.
On bench all morning. A very busy day. Worked till after dark, and then again tonight for 2-1/2 hrs.
The Russians have badly beaten the Germans in the Rostov area and are holding their own in front of Moscow.
The English have had a set back in their African campaign, Tobruk has been isolated again, but they claim it is only temporary.
The R.R. Strike—threatened—has been settled & called off—but the settlement of course to provide for a sizeable increase in wages.
Wednesday, December 3, 1941.
Mostly cloudy-& warm. some light rain in late afternoon and early night.
On bench this morning. Passing on cases this afternoon.
Tonight the Cowles and Lizzie, Annie & I were dinner guests of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Elliott. They had a splendid dinner, including Mallard and Pintail ducks deliciously cooked. I have always liked Fred and Mrs. Elliott. They are both fine characters and delightful hosts.
The Russians have decisively defeated and routed the German army which had taken Rostov. Hitler’s effort to enter the Caucasus and take the oil fields has resulted in his first defeat.
No clear developments in North African war today.
Thursday, December 4, 1941.
Showers. Warm & humid.
On bench all morning.
Worked in aft till 4:30 when Judge Chapman & I ran out & played 9 holes of golf. I perspired like it was summer.
Annie sick today. Too much dinner last night.
The House passed the Smith anti-strike, or strike regulation bill today by a big majority. A pretty strong bill. Chances are the Senate will take all the teeth out of it.
We have had a long warm spell of weather, unusually so for this time of year.
Friday, December 5, 1941. Japan’s reply to Hull unacceptable
On bench & in conference till about 4 pm—worked until 6 pm and then again tonight from 10 to 12.
A little drizzling rain this morning. Not much. Cloudy and a little cooler.
Japan’s reply, handed in today; said not be acceptable—No government action yet.
The Germans are being pushed back in a rout in the S. Ukraine—but are making some headway on the Moscow front. England has declared war on Finland, Rumania & Bulgaria.
No change in African situation.
Saturday, December 6, 1941. Pres. sends personal message to Hirohito.
Clear. N. to N.W. wind. Getting cooler.
Worked in office all day-till dusk.
In an effort to preserve peace, President Roosevelt sent a personal message to Emperor Hirohito tonight. The text of the message was not given out. In spite of Premier Tojo’s protestations to the contrary, it has become known that Japan has sent some 20,000 additional troops to Indochina, making a total of 100,000 or more, most of them mobilized near the Thailand frontier, the shortest route to cut the Burma road.
Some renewal of the battle of tanks in N. Libya today.
Hitler is continuing his desperate effort to take Moscow and is making some progress, but the Russians are bitterly resisting, tho badly outnumbered. Hitler has 1,500,000 troops & 8000 tanks engaged, so it is reported.
Sunday, December 7, 1941. (Japan attacks the U.S.)
Clear & cold morning.
At about 2.30 we heard over the radio that Japanese bombing planes had attacked our naval and air bases at Pearl Harbor and also the City of Honolulu, at about 7:30 a.m. there, about 1.05 p.m. E.S. Time. This treacherous attack without warning took place within an hour after Japanese Ambassador Nomura and Envoy Kurusu had presented to Sec’y Hull Japan’s reply to the U.S. note delivered to the Japanese government on Nov. 26th. Later reports were that 104 of our soldiers were killed and 150 injured by bombs falling on our barracks at Hickam field and that two of our warships had been sunk in Pearl Harbor. I hope this is not true. Manilla, Guam and Singapore were reported to have been bombed today. Japan declared war on us later in the day. Congress will be addressed by the President tomorrow. We will of course declare war. This was a low down infamous and unprovoked attack. We will meet it.
Japan has begun this war. We will end it. Japan will be defeated.
Japan deserves a thorough beating. We will give her that beating.
Monday, December 8, 1941. (War declared on Japan)
Somewhat cloudy.
The Damage done by the Japs at Pearl Harbor and Honolulu was quite extensive—more so than indicated by last nights reports. Great damage was done to hangers and planes at Hickam field; the Oklahoma battleship was either sunk or burned and others damaged. The casualties were also greater.
The President briefly addressed Congress at 12:30 today, calling for a Declaration of a State of War with Japan, which Congress promptly did. Only one dissenting vote—Miss Rankin—in House.
Britain declared war even before we did—today—after an address by Prime Minister Churchill. Many So. Am. Countries did likewise.
The war is on.
Tuesday, December 9, 1941.
Foggy & cold morning.
On bench & in conference this morning—Examined & passed on several cases written by the other Judges, this aft.
The Japs have attacked Manilla by air and landed troops in Lubang Island, near the mouth of Manilla Bay. They have landed troops in Malaya, but are meeting stiff British resistance. I believe their effort to get to Singapore will fail.
Presumably Jap planes flew over the waters near San Francisco last night. False air raid alarm in New York, causing much confusion.
Tonight the President made a calm but determined & sensible address to the Nation, over the radio.
Wednesday, December 10, 1941.
Clear. Fine Day.
Attempts of the Japs to land troops on Luzon Island, Phillipines—repulsed today. One Jap. transport sunk and several other damaged.
The British are fighting the Japanese troops that are trying to go down the Malay Peninsula to attack Singapore.
The British have raised the siege of Tobruk by routing the German’s base So. of Tobruk.
The Chinese are beginning an offensive against Japan, going in the direction of Canton.
The Russians are pushing the Germans back on all fronts, so Moscow says.
Japs bombed Manila again today.
Thursday, December 11, 1941. (We declare war on Germany & Italy—
Somewhat cloudy. Light rain in aft. On bench and in conference all morning. Got in some work in afternoon and tonight.
Hitler addressed the Reichtag today. His speech showed that, in spite of his braggadocio, he was not at all sure of himself. He asked a declaration of war against the United States, which was promptly acceded to, of course. Mussolini followed suit. Pres. Roosevelt sent a brief written message over to the Congress advising that we declare war on Germany and Italy—Separate messages. Separate declarations of war were passed through both houses within 36” Miss Rankin did not vote either way. Otherwise it was unanimous.
Today we got back at Japan. We sunk four of their warships.
Friday, December 12, 1941.
Dark, rainy morning. Cloudy, dark day—with slow rain at times.
Despatches show that Capt. Colin P. Kelly, of Madison, Fla. sank the Japanese cruiser Haruna off N. Luzon, though it cost him his life. He dived low and planted bombs on the ship 3 times, before he was killed. The enemy ship did not sink at once, but finally went under.
Whether it be a withdrawal or a retreat under fire, the Germans are falling back in Russia rather precipitately.
Have had a busy day and worked several hours tonight, and am very tired.
Saturday, December 13, 1941.
Dark, rainy morning, clearing up some by 2 p.m.
Busy in office all day. Bart Riley phoned me from the Floridan Hotel about 1 pm. that he was sending some papers to me; but I could hardly understand him. I suspected he was intoxicated.
Leroy Collins brought the papers to me this afternoon. Said Bart was evidently on a spree. Too bad. Bart is fine when sober. I called to see him on my way home about dusk & found him sound asleep.
Some good news today. We sunk 4 Jap. transports just North of Luzon. The Germans still retreating in Russia with heavy losses. The British sank an Italian Cruiser & two other ships in the Mediterranean.
Tonight I tripped over a chair in the darkness in the living room, about 11:50, & came near breaking a rib.
Sunday, December 14, 1941.
Overcast, damp & cold early morning. Brightening up during morning. N. wind. Clear and bright by midday.
Got in some work today. With one opinion.
Too sore to play golf.
No important news from the battle fronts—except Russia where the Russians seem to have the Germans on the run.
Monday, December 15, 1941.
Clear & cold.
Very busy day. Wanted to work tonight but was almost entirely knocked out by visitors. Mary Cozart Lindley & husband. I like them both.
Sec’y of Navy Knox got back from Honolulu today. He says the Japs sunk the Arizona & the Oklahoma, which can be raised & reconditioned; and 2 or 3 destroyers & 1 minesweeper. He says our men were not on the alert at the time of the surprise Jap attack of Dec. 7. Well, bad enough, but I had feared worse.
This is the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the bill of rights. Fine radio program followed by excellent address by the President.
Tuesday, December 16, 1941.
Partly cloudy—hazy.
Very busy day.
Not many striking developments in today’s news except tonight that Pearl Harbor is being bombed again.
Hong Kong & Singapore are both in danger.
The British are making good headway in Libya.
Wednesday, December 17, 1941.
Foggy early morning—clear by 11 Am.
On bench and in conference all day—Got in little office work after 5:15 pm.
We are more than holding our own in the Phillipines. 26 planes at a Jap field were destroyed by some of our Bombing planes, piloted by “Bund Wagner.
The British are having a hard time stopping the Japs in Malaya, but they are getting the best of the Germans in Libya.
Germans retreating all along the front in Russia.
Thursday, December 18, 1941.
Beautiful, clear & mild day, but I was too busy to get out & enjoy it. Very busy day & worked tonight till 12 o’clock. Finished my study of the record & briefs in the Graham will case tonight. Have been working on it for 3 mos. Reached my decision tonight.
The Germans are still retreating in Russia, & also in N. Africa. Hitler is reported taking a rest at Berchtesgarden on the advice of his physicians.
No important news on the So. Pacific except that the U.S. submarines have sunk a Jap. vessel or two today. The British are doggedly resisting the Jap advance Southward in Malaya.
Friday, December 19, 1941.
Another clear, mild day.
Wrote a special concurring opinion today in the case involving the constitutionality of the recent act to regulate billboard advertising. I took the position that the act, or most of it, could be upheld as a protection to the right of view of Natural scenery & beauty of travelers on the highways—a new basis for such legislation.
Hong Kong has been taken by the Japs. The British made a brave fight, but were outnumbered & without air support.
The island of Panang was also taken by the Japs today—It lies off the West Coast of Malaya and is another severe loss to the British.
Saturday, December 20, 1941.
Another clear, mild, beautiful day. Took it easy today and feel much better tonight. No night work—I hope I can cut out night work from now on. I feel so much better during the day.
Our men sunk a Jap transport today and damaged a destroyer.
Hong Kong is still holding out, in spite of the heavy odds. The British, Canadian & Indian troops are valiant, and have surprised not only Tokio, but London also.
The British have pursued the Germans almost to Bengasi.
The Germans are defeated in Russia & on a steady retreat.
Our country must redouble its efforts—Labor is still truculent.
Sunday, December 21, 1941.
Another beautiful, mostly clear day.
Went to Church this morning. Bro. Anderson preached a very good sermon, only it was calculated to make the boys who are going to the front wonder if they were not doing an un-Christian and wrong thing. His idea was that war was contrary to the teachings of Christ, and he made no exceptions of going to war in defense of our country against unprovoked attack. It made me sick.
Outside of Sec’y Knox’s statement that we had sunk 14 German submarines in the Atlantic, there is very little war news. Hitler takes command of the German Army! A strange [ ? ]
Monday, December 22, 1941. (Churchill confers with Roosevelt.)
Cloudy—some rain in late afternoon and in the evening.
The Japs attempted a large scale landing of troops on the bay back of N.E. of Island of Luzon. A large number of transport barges landed with an estimated 80,000 troops, supported by war ships and air support, succeeded to a considerable extent. Some of our bombers from Manilla destroyed some of the ships, and artillery & tanks arrived in time to do considerable damage to the Japs. But the facts are not yet clear. Hitler’s demotion of his capable field Marshal and assuming the direct command of the German armies is causing much comment. Jap. submarines are causing some U.S. ship losses.
Prime Minister Churchill reached Washington last night. He & staff are conf’g with the Pres.
Tuesday, December 23, 1941.
Dark, rainy day. Warm.
Got handed down this morning the case that was argued yesterday. I guess this winds up all formal court business until Jan. 2nd.
Prime Minister Churchill and the President had a long talk last night, and today Churchill, with the President, faced the ordeal of the President’s Press Conference. The actual work began this afternoon. Lord Beaverbrook & 80 experts are in the party.
Manilla is in serious danger. The Japs landed a lot of troops on the shores of the Bay 110 miles N.W. of Manilla. Hong Kong holds out & the British are beating the Germans in N. Africa.
Wednesday, December 24, 1941.
Mostly clear. Clouding up in late afternoon. Took it pretty easy today, doing a little letter writing and straightening up things in office.
Took long walk on golf course, watching my friends play. My right side is still too sore from my fall on the night of 13th for me to play. Tonight Lizzie and I went to see a pretty good movie: “All that Money Can buy.”
This afternoon at 5.00 pm the Ceremonies on the White House grounds—lighting up the big Christmas tree—were unusual interest and were broadcasted. Lizzie and I heard every word. Both President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill delivered very fine, appropriate & inspiring addresses.
The Japanese succeeded in landing a large army 110 N. of Manilla and a stiff battle is on. Looks bad.
Thursday, December 25, 1941.
Cloudy, cool Christmas morning.
As usual, I got more present than I deserve. Lizzie and I intended to leave this morning for Atlantic Beach but about 8:15 Liz got up without her brace and tried to get my present out of the dresser drawer, and this caused a slip or crick in the lower part of her spine—the sacroiliac joint I think—and this hurt her so badly she had to take aspirin and lie down. So we had to give up our trip. I stayed at home with her today. She was almost helpless, & suffered much.
Hong Kong has fallen. It was the bombing of the water supply that caused the surrender.
The Phillipines are in great danger. The Japs have landed 200,000 troops.
Friday, December 26, 1941.
Still warm and cloudy this morning. Some rain last night. Cleared up later and we had a very pretty day.
Prime Minister Churchill made a great and notable speech before the members of our Senate and House in Wash’n at 12:30 today. He spoke for 35 mins. He and Pres. Roosevelt are the most effective orators in the world today, but I believe that Churchill is really a more moving speaker than our President.
The great drama is unfolding slowly. Russia is still pressing the Germans back; the British have the Germans on the run in Libya; but Hong Kong has fallen and Manilla is grievously beset by superior numbers.
Liz is some better today.
Saturday, December 27, 1941.
Dark, Cloudy, cool morning, then a slow rain all day.
Japan bombed Manila for 3 or 4 hours yesterday, in spite of it being an “open city.” The old part of the city, containing churches and public buildings, was mercilessly bombed. As Manila had been declared an “open City” there was no means of defense. A find old church, 350 years old was destroyed. Many people were killed and wounded. The Japs knew it was an open city. They sent bombers over the day before and not a shot was fired at them. So, today we hear of this dastardly attack on Civilians.
Lizzie has been a little better today.
When we get to Tokio, I wonder if the Japs will declare that to be an “open city.”
Sunday, December 28, 1941.
Cooler, & clear. A very pretty day.
Manilla—the old walled City—badly bombed by the Japs again yesterday and fires still raging. Tokio radioed to the Filipinos that if they would cease resistance and join up with Japan, the bombings would cease. But the Filipinos will not listen, I am sure, to the Japs after their dastardly bombing of an open city and the brutal massacre of innocent civilians.
President Roosevelt sent a message to the Phillipine government today saying that the U.S. would do all the it could to help and to protect the independence of the Phillipines.
The Russians are still pressing the Germans hard. It remains to be seen whether the Germans can hold a line, no doubt already planned, for the winter. I doubt it.
Gen’l McArthur’s forces are hard pressed by superior numbers and air power in Northern and Southern Luzon, but they are still holding firm.
Monday, December 29, 1941.
Clear & cold. Went to office a little while this morning. Lizzie some better today.
This afternoon I discovered, by pressure of my fingers, that I really had a broken rib as a result of my fall over the chair one night two weeks ago. That explains my continued soreness and pain. I went to see Dr. Andrews, and he examined me and said there was no doubt about it—that I really had a broken rib, and he proceeded to strap me up, and the pain is much better.
The general world war situation is much the same. No decisive developments. Last night the British inflicted a successful raid on a German base on an Island off the coast of Norway. Killed or captured all the garrison and sunk a number of German ships.
Tuesday, December 30, 1941.
Clear & cold morning. Delightful afternoon. Wish I could have played golf. But my side continues to hurt a good deal in spite of the strapping—I hope I’ll never break another rib.
Put in a pretty good day’s work in the office today.
The pressure of great superiority in numbers, air and tank power, is having its effect on Luzon. Brave and able Gn. MacArthur & his gallant little army are falling back on all fronts. It seems that defeat is inevitable. Such a pity that we have not been able to send them reinforcements.
The Russians have retaken Kurch and are marching into the Crimea. The British have about cleaned up the Germans in Libya.
Mr. Churchill made a great speech before the Canadian Parliament today. I heard the rebroadcast of it tonight at 12.00.
Wednesday, December 31, 1941.
A bit hazy, but the sun is shining through this morning. Somewhat hazy this aft.
Did some work in office this morning, but unforeseen circumstances made it impossible to work this aft.
I am afraid that Manilla will be taken—probably within the next day or so. Our forces are so small as compared with the Japs, and the latter have command of the air. They also have plenty of tanks. I hope Gen’l McArthur is not captured. We need him.
The Russians are still pressing the Germans westward. Hitler has been defeated, as I have believed all along he would be in Russia.
The British have almost completed their conquest over the Germans and Italians in Libya.
MEMORANDA [additional daily entries continue]
(Jan 1 / 42)
Light rain in early morning and until 1 pm[.] Then held up awhile. Then rained hard until _____ pm
Annie arrived on the 4 pm train. Neither Lizzie or I were able to do so, so Marry Maud met her & brought her home in a pouring rain.
Desperate battle raging near Manilla[.] Gen. M’Arthur has managed to combine his armies of the Northern & So. fronts into one body which is fighting the last stand fight against overwhelming odds to save Manila if possible, and if not, to fight on as long as possible on the Northern side of Manilla Bay.
Staid[sic] at home this rainy day, studying the record & briefs in a hard case. Suffering considerably from my broken rib.
Jan. 2 / 42 A clear pretty day.
Suffered so last night with my broken rib that I could not sleep. Got Dr. Andrews to come at 1 o’clock at night. He gave me some pain tablets that gave me relief and also put some additional adhesive tape on. I stayed in bed till about noon. Felt much better. Went to Dr. A’s office this aft & had x-ray of chest made.
Manilla was entered by the Japs today. Gen. MacArthur did not attempt to defend it. He moved all his troops to Batan[sic] Peninsula, North and West of the Bay. His line runs across the Batan peninsula from near Corregidor, an Island fort on the West to a point N. of Bay.
The Italians who have been attempting to hold Bardia have been completely defeated today. So Derna and Bengazi are now in British hands. These garrisons were by-passed in the chase after Rommel[‘]s German mechanized divisions.
Jan 3rd
Dark, rainy, cold. Staying at home still nursing that broken rib, which is nearly well, I think.
MEMORANDA
Aug 29 / 41 Waynesville
Prescription given me by Dr. Sam. Fletcher Elder of Miami
Phenobarbital—4 grains:
Liquid Caripeptic, 2 oz.,
Liquid Takadiaste 2 fluid oz.
Dose. 1 or 2 teaspoonful in water
(For flatulence and imperfect digestion of starches & meats)
[written on inside back opening of the book, both pages]
Gasoline purchases on trip. 1941.
Aug. 12 / 41 At Columbus, Ga. $ 1.15¢
“ 13 / 41 “ Rome, Ga. 1.94¢
“ LaFayette, Ga. .96¢
“ 14 “ “ Chattanooga, Tenn 1.40
“ “ “ Greenville, “ .80
“ 15th “ Chilhowie, Va. 1.29
“ “ Radford, Va. 1.10
“ “ Selma, Va. .61
$10.25
“ 21st At Hot Springs, Va., gas. 1.44
“ 22 “ Charlottesville 1.30
“ 23 “ Lynchburg 1.00
“ “ “ Winston Salem, N.C. 1.54
“ Morganton .92
Sept. 1. “ Waynesville .59
“ 8 “ “ 1.03
“ 8 “ Cornelia, Ga. 1.32
“ 10 “ Griffin. 1.45
“ “ “ Thomasville 2.15
Total Gas cost $23.99
Nov. 21 & 22 Trip to Gainesville. 14 g. 3.10
[back inside cover:]
(1941). Speedometer 2847 at Tallahassee 3527
911 miles 2849
3758 sp. at Warm Springs, Va. 680
Aug. 12 Mileage on leaving Tallahassee 2847
Aug. 22 Mileage on Leaving Warm Springs, Aug. 22 / 41 3,830
Mileage at Charlottesville 3,946
“ 23 “ “ Danville 4,088
“ “ “ Asheville 4,316
Aug. 24th Waynesville 4,352
Sept. 8th Mileage on leaving Waynesville 4,432
“ “ “ “ arriving Highlands 4,497
“ “ “ “ “ Atlanta 4,637
“ 10th “ “ leaving “ 4,637
arriving Tallahassee 4,910
Total miles travelled on Summer Trip, 2,063 miles
[end]
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