Armstead Brown Diaries_1945 - Supreme Court



Armstead Brown Diaries.

[inside front cover:]

for 1945.

Armstead Brown.

[title page:]

One Year for 1945.

Dow’s birthday—Feby 27th.

Monday, January 1, [1945]. Rain, clearing, colder.

Some rain last night & early this morning. Turned rapidly cooler after dawn. W. to N.W. wind. Clearing by noon.

Went to office this morning, but it was so cold that I returned home, bringing a case to work on, about 11 a.m. I worked at home this afternoon and tonight, but took a long walk on golf course about 5 to 6 p.m.

Gen. Patton has advanced four miles deeper into the German salient, and Von Runsted has turned most of his force for an attack on Gen Patch’s 7th Army, which was forced to give some ground before rallying to hold back the Nazis.

A recording of a speech by Hitler was radioed yesterday. He still propesies [sic] victory. First time he has been heard from in 5 mos. Goebeles [sic] says he has been spending his time on high strategy, studying maps, etc. Strange.

The air was clear in Belgium and Germany today and American & British planes did a great day’s work. 285 German planes were shot down during the day.

The intense[?] fighting is still going on in Budapest. The Russians have 2/3 of the city now. It looks like another Stalingrad.

Our state Dept has, like the British, refused to recognize the Lublin, Russian-sponsored, Polish cabinet as the government of Poland, but continue recognition of the Polish Government in exile in London.

Tuesday, January 2, 1945.

Clear and Cold. Lizzie and I attended the Inauguration ceremonies. The Justices were asked to be in the So. corridor of the Capitol by 10:45, but it was near 11:30 before the Gov’r & Gov’r elect, followed by the Cabinet and Supreme Court Justices (Terrell & Adams being absent) marched out on the platform erected yesterday in front of the Capitol. Our wives had already been escorted and seated. Sec. of State Gray was master of ceremonies and handled the situation well. The first speech was by Gov’r Holland who made a fine 12 min. speech. Then Ch. J. Buford swore in Governor Millard Caldwell, and he also made an excellent speech. Then we all went to the reviewing stand, but Liz and I went home. At 2 p.m. we went to a delightful buffet dinner given by Justice & Mrs. Sebring, to about 30 friends. Home by 3:30. I rested awhile, then took a long walk on golf course.

At 8 p.m. we went to the Reception at the Capitol. We stood in the receiving line, headed by the new Gov’r & his wife until 9:30, and had shaken hands with probably 180 people or more when we got out of the line and went home. It was a pretty strenuous day.

Holland has made us a good and great Governor and he and his good wife have endeared themselves to our people. The Caldwells will do likewise, I believe.

Wednesday, January 3, 1945.

Mostly cloudy today. Got in a good day’s work in office. Wrote up one case. Got home at 6:30, took a walk, and then we had the Cowles and Mary Maud to dinner with us. A very pleasant evening.

Gen. Patton has advanced about four miles No. of Bastogne and the 1st Army under Hodges is fighting hard to advance Southward. It will be fine if they can cut off Von Runsted’s line of retreat. But meanwhile the Germans have made a strong attack on our 7th Army to the South and our troops had to give some ground along a considerable front. The Germans are sure putting up a hard fight and the end is not yet in sight. Our planes have done them a lot of damage, and we have killed or captured or put out of action about 60,000 Germans. What our losses are has not been reported but the Germans claim to have practically destroyed five of our Divisions.

Our superfortresses have bombed various Jap. war plants, and sunk some 25 vessels off Luzon. The Japs. are evidently preparing to try and take back Mindanao Island, but we have landed reinforcements there.

Fighting still on in Budapest.

Thursday, January 4, 1945.

A clear, fine & mild day.

Worked in office, passed on a number of cases, until 4:30, when I went over to the links and played golf and I felt very much better afterwards.

Our 1st Army has made some progress, advancing about 4 miles on a 25 mile front through a blinding snowstorm, without air support or advance artillery preparation, taking the Germans by surprise. Our 3rd Army was able to make only a mile advance east of Bastogne, on account of stiff resistance.

Von Runstedt has brought in reinforcements, and the battle will apparently be long and bitter—and in bitter cold winter weather.

In spite of the concessions that have been made, the [ ? ] forces in Greece keep on fighting but the British continue to progress. However, it is hard street to street and house to house fighting, as in Budapest. The Germans sent a strong force to cut the Russian ring around Budapest, and came very near doing it. Germany has a much larger army at every front than we had thought. The Germans are still strong and appear to have plenty of men and material.

Our air war in the Pacific is wonderful. 35 more ships sunk off Luzon & Jap war plants struck at various points.

The war in Burma is going well.

Friday, January 5, 1945.

Partly cloudy. Long court conference this morning. This aft. I had to go to my dentist, Dr. Conrad, and then worked from 4 to 6:30.

The Battle of the Western front continues to be very fierce. Not much change in lines today.

Gen. Montgomery is in charge of all our armies north of the German bulge and Gen. Omar Bradley of those to the South, both under Gen. Eisenhower. The weather continues very cold, and snow, sleet and rain abound. Our air force could not do much.

The picture in the Pacific theater is better. MacArthur has landed troops on a small island N. of Mindoro and only 20 miles from the South shore of Luzon. Our carrier based planes struck the Japs in Formosa and the China Coast.

The fighting in Budapest still goes on.

The Russians have recognized the communist Lublin contingent as the provisional government of Poland. Britain & America say they recognize the Polish government in exile in London. Am sorry this rift has occurred.

The British have taken the part of Akyab in Burma & British, American & Chinese troops are moving toward Mandalay. Then they intend to take the port of Rangoon. It looks like the Japs. are going to be run out of Burma soon and that the Burmese road to China may be opened.

Saturday, January 6, 1945.

Cloudy with strong N.E. to S.E. winds in afternoon and early evening. Rain at night. Put in a good deal of office work today till 6:30. Also made out personal, real & intangible tax returns.

Our 1st & 9th armies and the British 2nd made some progress today on the North side of the German salient, and Gen. Patton withstood 18 vicious counter attacks on the South side. The Germans broke through to a point 15 miles inside of France from the Alsace area and our 7th Army, while beaten back for some distance, rallied and counter attacked. On the whole, our situation is somewhat improved. But the snow and fog have held back our air support.

Today Pres. Roosevelt sent a 8000 word message to Congress, of which he gave a summary tonight in a 25 minute radio address. It was strong, sane & sensible. He recommended passage of a National Service Act, which we should have had long since, and the immediate draft of 20,000 nurses imperatively needed by our armies. He also made a plea for tolerance and understanding and unity among the Allied Nations. I think his speech will do good.

Our air forces are playing havoc with Jap. shipping and Jap. war industries.

Sunday, January 7, 1945.

Warm, with low barometer. Rained nearly all night last night, & some more today. Went to office at 1:30 & got a big bunch of letters from Jimmy. 11 to Annie & three to Lizzie & me. Most interesting. We felt like we were on his ship with him. His descriptions were so vivid. In must be a very large ship, with several thousand soldiers aboard. He told of crossing the equator on Dec 23rd and the hazing that was meted out to him & 4 others who had never crossed it before. So he must be bound for the S.W. Pacific—where [,] he could not tell us. I wonder if there was ever another such boy as Jimmy.

I have been suffering with indigestion today, but felt better after playing golf with Judge Chapman & Roy Snipes[?] 4:30 to 6:30. I made a par 5 in the long 585 yard hole, and another par in the hard 15th hole and yet took a 51.

While the Germans are still fighting hard, the tide of battle is beginning to turn in our favor the past two or three days.

Gen. Montgomery, who is in charge of the American & British Armies North of the German salient since Dec. 17th expresses satisfaction with the fight our men have put up, & thinks the situation looks pretty good for the Allies.

Things are moving well for us in the Pacific theatre.

Monday, January 8, 1945.

Cloudy & warm early morning, but beginning to get cold by 8:30. Wind changed to N.W. Got colder all day. Partly clear in afternoon.

Put in a good days work up to 4 pm when I had to go to Dr. Conrad. He put a gold crown on a lower back jaw tooth and a filling in an upper tooth on left side.

The news from the Western European front is reassuring. We are gradually closing in on all sides of the Russian [he means “German”] salient, which is now reduced to about 10 miles in width. The western tip has been pinched off. The Germans have only one main road left for their communications and for retreat. But they are still fighting. The weather continues bitter cold, and our airplanes have had a hard time, and our soldiers too.

The Germans made a bridge head across the Maas River, but the British have wiped it out. They have also made two bridge heads across the Rhine N. and S. of Strasbourg, but opinion is that they cannot break our hold on Strasbourg.

The fighting in Budapest continues terrific and the Germans are making a strong effort to break through the rim of Russian positions and relieve their 80,000 troops in the City.

The Japs say we are trying to land troops on the beach of Lingayan Gulf on North Luzon. Maybe we have landed them.

Congress does not seem to be in a mood to grant the President’s request for a National Service Act.

Tuesday, January 9, 1945.

Mostly cloudy & overcast, with strong N.W. wind. Pretty cold tonight & N.W. wind still blowing.

The invasion of Jap. held Luzon began today by forces under General MacArthur on the beaches of Lingayen gulf, about the same spot where the Japs. landed 37 months ago. The invasion was on a big scale. The convoy was over 70 miles in length. Just how many ships and how many men we do not know, but newsmen estimate that we have landed 200,000 men & thousands of tanks and vehicles. Four beach heads established. Our losses insignificant. 79 Jap. planes destroyed in Luzon today, but this assault on Jap. air power has been growing in intensity for days on Luzon & Formosa.

And things are still going well for us in Europe in spite of the bitter weather and lack of air support. We are gradually narrowing the German salient and only one good road is left, & that is under artillery fire. There are signs that Von Runsted is beginning a withdrawal. Gen’l Bradley says the German casualties have been greater than our own, which are heavy.

The bitter battle for Budapest goes on, but Russian victory seems assured. We are even making some progress in Italy.

Wednesday, January 10, 1945.

Clear and cold.

800 ships were used in our landing of troops and equipment on Luzon. Gen MacArthur landed with his men. We have about 15 miles of the beaches and have penetrated about 4 miles inland. So far the Jap. opposition has been light, but they are undoubtedly moving their troops to the South. Observation officers say the Japs. are withdrawing their troops from S. Luzon, where they thought we might strike, and the chances are our forces will soon be in contact with large Jap. forces and big battles will be fought before we can reach Manila.

The Germans are evidently withdrawing from most of their salient, but the snow blizzard has been so bad, movements of men and equipment have been slowed down on both sides. Planes could do little to help. Our own planes bombed one village held by our own troops. Terrible.

The Russians have taken 3/4 of Budapest. House to house fighting still goes on.

Dictated an important opinion today.

Thursday, January 11, 1945.

Clear, but somewhat warmer.

Office work, with considerable interruptions. Had to go to my dentist again, and put in some work on my income tax return.

This aft. at 4:20 I went to Country Club & had a game with Judge Chapman. I made a 48.

The Germans are pulling out of their bulge, which has been reduced from 1400 sq. miles to 200. Some of them are being caught in the process. In one hour of clear weather our airplanes did them considerable damage.

They have nearly been cleared out of Budapest.

The British have made excellent progress in Burma.

Everything seems to be going well with our landing on Luzon, but Jap. torpedo boats sank three of our big fleet of ships, with considerable loss of life, so our convoy was withdrawn.

Lizzie & Annie & the Cowles went to the movies tonight and I got in some work on one of our cases.

Tokyo radio says that there is a naval battle going on off Indo China.

Friday, January 12, 1945.

Partly cloudy & a bit warmer.

There is news-brief so far-of a big Naval & Air craft from carriers battle off Indo China. Our warships & carriers struck at a large Jap. convoy evidently making for Luzon-- A number of Jap. ships sunk, 25 of them, & others damaged. One light cruiser & several destroyers.

Our invasion force on Luzon has widened our beach head to 25 miles & has deepened it to 10 or 15 miles. So far with little Jap. resistance. They will probably make a stand & fight at the large river about 20 miles So. of the beaches. The sinking of the Jap battleship Musuchi, 45,000 tons on Oct. 24/44 has been confirmed.

Von Runstedt is pulling out of the pocket but a number of prisoners have been taken by our 1st & 3rd armies & the British.

The German threat to Strasburg in Alsace has not yet been removed

Air attacks by our big bombers continue in the Pacific.

Worked in office all day till 6:30.

Saturday, January 13, 1945.

Rain.

Cloudy morning with some rain. Mostly clear in afternoon—didn’t get much accomplished today. Tried to fill out income tax return but found it pretty difficult. May have to get an expert. Played golf this aft. with Judge Chapman. My game was terrible—a 53.

Gen. MacArthur has progressed several miles further on Luzon, and as yet without any stiff resistance.

The Russians are reported to have started an offensive on Southern Poland.

Gen. Von Runstedt’s withdrawal continues. But so far efforts to cut him off and hem him in have proved unavailing [?], though a good many stiff fights have occurred and a good number of German prisoners have been taken.

The number of Jap ships of all kinds sunk by Admiral Halsey’s ships & carrier planes during past week is said to be over 300.

Sunday, January 14, 1945.

A beautiful day, & very pleasant. Fair.

Lizzie suffering from a cold this morning, so we didn’t go to church. This afternoon, Judges Chapman & Sebring & I had a very pleasant game of golf, & then watched the wind up of a game in which Chick Alexander & Jimmy Lee and our Pro, “Sunny” Hay, & 2 others took part. Lee & Hay each made a 75, & Alexander a 76.

Some positions of Von Runsted’s army have been cut off & liquidated, but it looks like the major portion will be able to get back to where they started from. Their casualties have been heavy, their loss of equipment great, but our casualties have been heavy also. However, it was stiff resistance of the Am 1st Army at the start which kept the German thrust from being disastrous.

We are still driving deeper into Luzon and are now 85 miles from Manila. Surely the Japs. must be getting ready for a stand at some point further south.

Allied forces are going well in Burma. Our bombers have been attacking the enemy strong points in both the Pacific and in Europe.

Monday, January 15, 1945.

Cloudy, some light rain.

In conference all morning practically. Busy all afternoon making out income tax. The Russian offensive, which began in So. Poland a couple of days ago is on a large scale, striking also toward E. Prussia and Checkoslovakia [sic]. One big battle was won at Kalica in Poland.

We are making big inroads on Von Runsted’s retreating army. Our casualties covered by the Russian offensive up to Jan. 7th about 40,000 men; about 4,200 killed, about 20,000 missing, and the remainder 16,000 wounded. In addition there are about 5200 casualties at other parts of the European front.

MacArthur has gone about one-third of the way to Manila and as yet without any strong opposition.

Our air forces continue to pound Jap. bases on Formosa & other points, and Jap. shipping.

Senator Wheeler made a long speech in the Senate today criticizing our foreign policy, which is calculated to further strain our relations with Britain and Russia.

Tuesday, January 16, 1945.

Clear and cold, with N.W. wind, till late aft.

Some interruptions this morning, but got to work all afternoon, till 6:30. Then home and a good long walk.

Pres. Roosevelt, and Gen. Marshall & Admiral King are all going to write letters to the Congressional committees, to be delivered tomorrow, urging the passage of a National Service Act which the officers of the C.I. O. and the A.F. & L. are strongly opposed to. I thought we should have had such an act passed right after Pearl Harbor, but it is still needed.

Our forces have made some dents on the flanks of the retreating Germans and have inflicted some pretty heavy punishment, but Von Runsted is making a fairly orderly withdrawal. But he failed in his main objective of splitting the Allied armies apart and taking Liege and Antwerp. His attack was strong, well armored and skillfully led, but the bravery, vigor & tenacity of the Americans was too much for him. They canalized his forces and then squeezed them back & inflicted heavy losses. So, the great offensive is one month old today, is definitely defeated. Now the Russians are surging forward in the East and the Allies are taking the offensive again in the West. And the Norwegians are fighting in N. Norway.

The Japs have not been able to stop MacArthur. Or even slow him down.

Wednesday, January 17, 1945.

Mostly cloudy, damp & disagreeable.

The cold, foggy weather has interfered with our forces on the Western front, but they have made some progress and Von Runsted’s Belgian Bulge is being slowly flattened out.

English & Am. planes attacked various points inside Germany, including an oil refinery. The attack was a large one. We lost 2%, 43 planes.

The Japs are attacking MacArthur’s left flank pretty hard, but practically no resistance on the right flank. Our air forces destroyed 61 Jap. planes on the ground at Clark field.

During the past week Admiral Halsey’s fleet and planes have sunk 130 Jap ships off Formosa and the China Coast and damaged over 200 others. Canton & Hong Kong installations & plane [?] factories [?] were among the placed bombed.

The Russian Armies are advancing rapidly. Warsaw was taken, after nearly 5-1/2 years of rule[?] under the Nazis. The City is a mass of ruins. Krakow will be next. The Germans say the three Russian armies total over 2,000,000 men.

The Germans are still trying to take Strasbourg, but it seems we are ready for them. The doom of Nazi Germany is sealed. Our terms are, as they should be, still “unconditional surrender”

Thursday, January 18, 1945.

Overcast early morning, damp & cool but very pleasant in afternoon, but barometer is falling. Probably rain tomorrow.

We were on bench all morning and in conference from 3 to about 5. Then Judges Ch & Sebring and I played golf. None of us played any too well, but we had a good time.

On the Western front the Russians [means Germans], though pressed back in some sections, have stiffened their resistance and have evidently had some reinforcements of men and armor. They are engaging 12 Divisions in an attempt to loosen our hold on Strasbourg. The weather permitted very little air action today.

The three Russian Armies are still making fine progress and one of them has reached the German border in Silesia. The Germans are still holding a small part of Budapest.

Gen. MacArthur has run into some pretty hard fighting with the Japs in extending his East flank Northwestward for strategic reasons. He holds a beachhead on Lingayen Gulf which is now 60 miles wide.

Gen. Chenault’s 14th air force, from it China base, has done some fine work the past few days, attacking Jap. strong points on the China coast, thus helping Admiral Halsey’s airmen in their attacks.

Friday, January 19, 1945.

Warm last night and today. Some rain during the night and during the day, at intervals but clearing by 4:30

Worked in office this aft., but mostly study and looking up law. Annie sick with a cold, yesterday & today. Our building terribly overheated today.

On bench & in conference all morning.

The Russians are going strong. Cracow, ancient capitol of Poland, taken, also by another drive Gorlice 65 miles to the South. Lodz, Poland’s chief industrial city, 70 miles S.W. of Warsaw, will probably fall next. What opposition they met was quickly liquidated. Evidently the Germans are retreating as rapidly as possible to prepared positions inside Germany.

Gen MacArthur’s forces have been attacked by the Japs. in some strength, but were beaten off.

Several Japanese cities bombed. The Jap. Parliament has been called to meet. They realize that the war is going against them, and probably will get a new government set up.

British 2nd army has taken a town inside Germany & our first Army has advanced several miles. But the Germans in large force are making a desperate effort to cut off our forces in Alsace and retake Strasbourg. They have pushed our forces back. The 7th army is holding, however & fighting hard.

Saturday, January 20, 1945 (sick)

Fair & mild.

Sick with a cold. Some deep cough and quite hoarse.

Lizzie made me stay at home and in bed. Got some anti flu capsules and cough medicine, but as I had some fever in afternoon she got in touch with Dr. Rhodes by phone at night, & he sent out some sulfa tablets, to be taken 2 every 5 hours—14 of them. I started on them tonight about 11 p.m.

President Roosevelt was inaugurated for his 4th term at noon today; also Mr. Truman sworn in as Vice Pres. It was a simple ceremony on the rear or E. portico of the Whitehouse, which was all over in 20 minutes, but impressive. The President, in good voice, made an excellent 5 minute speech.

Sunday, January 21, 1945. Rain (sick)

Rainy and cold. I of course stayed in bed and took my sulfa tablets every 5 hrs.

Did some reading and by afternoon my cough & hoarseness disappeared, but I commenced to feel very uncomfortable by night-with pain over left kidney. Sulfa drugs have a very unpleasant effect on me, but they do knock out the infection. One of the symptoms is an upset & very acid stomach & severe headache.

Monday, January 22, 1945. Rain & cold. (sick but getting better)

Another very cold & dark day.

My cold symptoms gone, but still feel miserable & uncomfortable. This aft. & tonight I had all the symptoms of a terrific head cold, nose running terribly all aft. & tonight, but, having finished my sulfa tablets in the morning, I otherwise began to feel very much better, and enjoyed my little radio very much throughout this attack, but did not write anything in my diary. The writing as of Saturday, Sunday & today was all done in the afternoon of Tuesday, the 23rd I’m satisfied that the main reason for this cold was the overheating of my office on Thursday & Friday of last week. & I doubtless caught the cold from Annie.

Pres. Roosevelt has appointed Henry Wallace Sec’y of Commerce, Jesse Jones having resigned at President’s request.

The Burma road to China, via Ledo road, has at last been reopened.

Tuesday, January 23, 1945.

Clear & fine. Rather cold morning. But I really feel about as well as usual, in spite of the medicines I had to take. Liz has been grand & given me every attention.

During the past three days I have made no entries as to the war news, but the Russians have continued their rapid progress in the East and have reached Silesia & have killed or captured 60,000 Nazis, and our British & American Armies have made progress in the West, except in the Strasbourg area, where we are having a hard time of it. While the Germans have captured 25 miles of the old Maginot line, we are still holding Strasbourg, & driving the Germans before us in Luxemburg.

We had some clear weather yesterday and our air forces destroyed a line of retreating Germans about 9 miles long-the last of the Belgian salient I guess, and our planes destroyed practically every vehicle and tank in that road. Von Runsted’s salient has been flattened out.

MacArthur’s progress so far has met little opposition. He is now 20 miles from Clark field.

Have felt well today & worked tonight for several hours while Liz went with the Cowles to a picture.

Tonight we learn that the 1st army has taken San Vith, the hub of Von Runsted’s drive.

Sen. Gorge[?] has introduced a bill to take the R.F.C out of the Dept. of Commerce.

Wednesday, January 24, 1945.

Clear and cold. I felt fine and “peppy” last night, did some work on cases, and thought I would go back to office this morning. Had a fine night’s sleep. But woke up lazy and lethargic. After a hearty breakfast in bed, I still had no energy-Just wanted to lie in bed, which I did till 11 a.m. Then got up & took a bath, made up my bed & still felt a strong lack of pep. No desire to do anything. Strange for me. Perhaps it is reaction from the sulfa drug. Am worried about Lizzie who is worn to a frazzle nursing me and looking after Annie who is in a strange condition herself. Poor Liz, after getting breakfast, had to go to town. This aft. I felt better and drove to town and had Dr Brown remove ingrowing eyelashes. Warm aft.

The Russians have slowed up somewhat. Resistance of the Germans has stiffened as they near their prepared defense line along the Oder River. But the Russians have proceeded along the Polish corridor almost to the sea. Thus the escape rout of the Germans in E. Prussia has been removed. The Germans have withdrawn some of their troops from the Western front & are sending them to the Eastern front. One of their troop trains was badly hit by British bombers today. But they are still on the offensive down in Alsace and the threat to Strasbourg has become grave.

MacArthur’s forces have reached Clark field. The hardest fighting has been on the North end of our East flank. Jap bases on Formosa and at other points bombed again.

Thursday, January 25, 1945.

Mostly cloudy, tho clear in middle of day.

I intended to go back to work this morning, but had a lot of bad headache last night, and felt pretty rotten this morning. So I stayed home and read a record, took a good walk just before lunch and then a nap. Felt O.K. then and went to the office and worked till nearly six. So glad to be back on the job, and feel about as well as usual tonight.

Jesse Jones testified before the Senate Committee yesterday and made a good impression. He said he did not think Henry Wallace was qualified to handle the R.F.C. & other lending agencies. Today Wallace testified & recommended himself very highly. Said fight was between big business and little business. Senator Gorge [?]’s bill to take the lending agencies out of the Commerce Department will probably pass.

Well! The Russians have crossed the Oder River, cutting through the German defenses opposite Breslau. And one of their armies has pushed through to the Baltic Sea, thus bottling up the 150,000 Germans in East Prussia. The Germans will do their best to stop them, but sooner or later the Russians will go on to Berlin only 130 miles away, as fast as their supply lines will permit.

The German offensive against our forces in Alsace is reported to have been checked.

MacArthur has take Clark Field & advanced 5 miles to the South of it. Fine!

Friday, January 26, 1945.

A little rain early this morning, but clear by 10:30. On bench & in conference all morning. Worked hard this aft. & tonight on cases written by other Judges. Tonight at 12 Jimmy called us up from Seattle. He may be there some time. Ship being repaired. Had trouble with the labor unions. They wanted to put some new guns in the ship, but the labor unions could not furnish men for the [ ? ? ? ] and would not let the ships crew do it, as they were not union members. So the ship may not get the new guns. Putting union rules above war needs.

The Russians have bypassed Posnan and Breslau and have crossed the Oder at several points & are within 135 miles of Berlin. They are also closing in on Konigsberg.

The British 2nd and our 9th and 1st armies have pressed forward for some 5 to 10 miles on a 40 mile front. There is still fierce fighting in Alsace where the Germans are strong. The weather is very cold and our planes could not see how to fly.

The Japs are still fighting hard against MacArthur’s North left flank—They are also shelling Clark Field from the nearby hills to the coast.

Teddy [?] & the children may go to Seattle to see Jimmy he said tonight.

Saturday, January 27, 1945.

Clear and cool, but a fairly comfortable day.

Put in a good morning’s work, and an hour or so this afternoon. Cleaned up all the cases coming in from the other Judges & there were lots of them.

The Russians are preparing to clean the Germans out of Poznan & Breslau, but they have pushed on beyond Poznan and are within 98 miles of Berlin. But they may decide to go through Checkoslovakia where so many German war plants are located. Also to get control of Silesia, the source of so much of German war supplies. That would cripple the Germans more than taking Berlin now. The Russians evidently intend to take Konigsburg, tho it is strongly defended and it may be a costly undertaking.

Gen Montgomery & Gen. Courtney Hodges & the 9th Army are all advancing Eastward and have gone through portions of the Sigfried line with very little opposition. To the South Gen. Patton’s 3rd army is also making substantial gains. Evidently the Germans have withdrawn a lot of their troops & sent them to their Eastern front. Their onslaught in Alsace has been stopped.

Tokyo was bombed today by a large force of B-29s. The air force of the Japs. met them in large numbers. We shot down 75 Jap. planes & lost 5 of our bombers.

Gen. MacArthur’s men are now 10 miles So. of Clark Field and are driving the Jap. artillery out of the nearby hills.

Sunday, January 28, 1945.

Clear & warmer, partly cloudy.

Lizzie & I went to church this morning, and this aft. we called on Gov. Caldwell and family. Mrs. Caldwell was away at the time. Then we called on our pastor & family. Rev. Claud Hayns, his mother & wife & daughter, and his young son. Mrs. Hayns, the wife, is a very pretty & refined lady, and Mr. Hayns mother is a very nice old lady. I am sorry we had waited so long to call on them.

The Russians have closed the doors of escape for the German forces in East Prussia and it is reported that the Germans themselves have set fire to Konigsberg. The Russians have not tried to extend further toward Berlin today, but are consolidating their gains in Silesia.

Our troops on the Western front have made some further progress, and the weather permitted the bombing of German war plants.

Gen. MacArthur’s forces have captured [ ? ], N.E. of Clark field, & have cleared most of the Japs. from their left flanks.

First convoy of trucks passing on the Ledo-Burma highway which has been named the Stillwell highway.

Monday, January 29, 1945.

Dark, rainy early morning, but clearing up later.

Very little Motion day business but we were conferencing on disputed cases until about 11 a.m. Then I got busy in office, cleared up several cases which reached me from the other judges and worked this aft. till 6:40 dictating an opinion.

The Russians have taken Drisen, which puts them within 93 miles of Berlin. Last night American & British planes bombed Berlin, and today we bombed German railway yards & war plants at various points—also played havoc with a long line of German trucks & tanks evidently headed for the Russian front. British & American forces made some gains all along the snow covered front from St. Vith to Alsace.

Saturday’s big raid by B-29s over Tokyo resulted in shooting down 119 Jap. planes. Out of our 100 super fortresses, we lost 5. The Japs. got up a great many fighter planes. Just how many of our B-29s were in that raid, we don’t know.

Gen. MacArthur’s forces took Rosario Saturday, after a long hard fight, up in the N.E. sector near Lingayan, & today they took San Fernando, only 33 miles from Manila.

Harry Hopkins is feeling out the situation for the President in London & Paris. Just when & where the coming conference of Roosevelt, Churchill & Stalin will be no one knows. Marshal Stalin is pretty busy.

Tuesday, January 30, 1945.

Clear & cold. Very pleasant afternoon.

Busy in office today till 5:30, when I went home, took a 30 min. walk on golf course and at 8 O’clock Liz & I went to the church & heard a fine lecture by Dr. Smart.

This morning Mr. J L Crisap, 62 died of a heart attack soon after breakfast. I visited his home this afternoon. Fine man. I liked him.

The Russians are now within 73 miles of Berlin. They are pushing forward through Pomerania and Brandenburg. Hitler spoke on the radio today—the anniversary of his coming to power some 13 years ago, & promised his people victory & told them to fight to the death. I wonder if the German people believe that victory for Germany is possible.

Our armies on the Western front made an advance through a blizzard early this morning on a 40 mile front which carried them up to, & inside the outer works of the Siegfried line at some points.

We made another landing on West Coast of Luzon 90 miles So. of Lingayen gulf. One of the objects is to seal off Bataan and secure Subic Bay. They penetrated 11 miles inland with little or no opposition. Found three American soldiers who had escaped from the Japs 2 years 9 mos. ago & have been living with the natives in the wooded hills of Bataan.

Wednesday, January 31, 1945.

Cold & clear. N.W. wind. Getting colder tonight

Had a pretty busy day. Managed in spite of interruptions, to get a good deal of work done.

The Russian avalanche is now within about 48 miles of Berlin at one point. Three Russian armies are advancing on a front of about 60 miles in width.

Our first & 3rd armies, also the Canadians, have penetrated some miles inside the Siegfried line. Also to the South, the Colmar pocket has been deeply cut by the French and our 7th army is on the offensive North & South of Strasbourg.

Our landing on the west coast of Luzon was successful and already Bataan is sealed off from the Japs. in the Manila area. Our troops have also taken a Jap airfield on Subic Bay.

Gen MacArthur’s troops are now within 28 miles of Manila.

But in China the Japs have taken the last 20 miles of the Canton-Hong Kong Railway & seized another of our Am. airfields.

But on the whole the war is going fine for us & our allies.

Tonight Lizzie & I went to hear Dr. Smart’s last lecture at our church. It was fine.

Thurs. February 1, 1945.

Clear & cold. N.W. wind, which died down considerably in late afternoon.

Spent day working in office, with exception of a trip to bank to deposit my salary check $508.40, which is all left of my salary of 625 per mo. after the withholding tax was taken out.

The Russians keep going. Many thought they would have to stop until their supplies caught up with them, but they keep on, and are reported by the Germans to be only 39 miles from Berlin.

Our Am., British & French armies are making some progress against the Siegfried line.

We have made another, the 3rd, landing on Luzon—41 miles S.W. of Manila. Not a man lost. A small company of American Rangers went 25 miles inside the Jap. Lines on Bataan and rescued 510 American prisoners who have been in Jap. hands for 2 yrs. & 9 mos. Most of them were very thin and worn down. Two died on the way back to our lines. But all were dazed and happy.

Friday, February 2, 1945.

Mostly clear & cold, getting warmer in aft.

Busy day in office, but with many interruptions.

The Russians are about to cross the Oder both North & South of Frankfurt. The German radio says they are within 33 miles of Berlin.

Allied forces on the Western front have advanced an average of 3 miles inside the outer defenses of the Siegfried line, all along the line & down South they have taken the City of Colmar, thus clearing out the strong Colmar pocket after 10 weeks of bitter fighting.

Our armies on Luzon are closing in on Manila from several directions. It looks like we will take the Phillipine Capital within the next few days, or a week or so at most.

Our subs have sunk 65 Jap. ships during January, and our big bombers are giving the Japs no rest.

Saturday, February 3, 1945.

Mostly cloudy & disagreeable, with some light rain at night.

Had visitors all morning, but got in some work this aft. till 6:30.

Today 1,900 Am. bombers & fighters dropped 3,000 tons of bombs on Berlin. We lost 35 bombers from flak.

The Russians are trying to cross the Oder No. & S. of Frankfurt, so as to attack that strongly held city, but have had some difficulty in doing so. They are now 40 miles from Berlin. they have advanced Northward far enough to isolate Dantzig[sic] and bottle up the Germans in E. Prussia. Konigsberg is under attack. Our forces have made some further penetration of the Siegfried line—but Gen Patton met stiff opposition.

Our forces are closing in on Manila and will probably enter that city tomorrow or next day.

Sunday, February 4, 1945. Manila entered by our advanced troops.

Cloudy & misty morning with So. wind. I went to Church this morning. Liz not able to go. This afternoon was almost clear. So Judge Chapman & I played golf. I made a 45, best score I’ve made in some time.

26 Days ago Gen. MacArthur commenced landing troops on Luzon, on beaches of Lingayan Gulf—This morning early, but 4 p.m. by our time Our 37th Division entered Manila from the North, also our Cavalry, with some sniping from the Japs. and one clash in which a lot of Japs were killed. The first objective of our troops was to surround and take the big concentration camp where large numbers of Americans have been imprisoned for nearly 3 years. This objective was accomplished. Gen. MacArthur reports that the North half of Manila has been occupied, but the South half is So. of the broad river which runs through the City and is hard to get at. However we have an army approaching from the South. There have been a few fires started by the Japs. but very little demolition. Within a day or so we will have the entire city in our hands, and Gen. MacArthur’s promise will be carried out.

Our troops are, by hard fighting & heavy artillery, are gradually going through the Siegfreid line. The Russians are making headway toward taking Frankfurt & Konigsberg. And our air forces are very busy.

Monday, February 5, 1945. Rain

Cloudy, with considerable rain this afternoon and tonight. Warmest day in a long time.

Worked in office all day—finished a rather hard opinion, and put in some work tonight.

The Russians have crossed the Oder river at one point, and are consolidating their positions, threatening Frankfurt and Breslau. East Prussia is nearly all conquered but Konigsberg still holds out.

Our troops on the Western front are pushing deep into the Siegfried line.

As soon as the river running through Manilla can be bridged, we will occupy the entire city. But the Japs still hold Corregidor & Cavite, and some territory in North Luzon, including Baguis [?], the summer capital.

About 3000 civilians-Americans interned by the Japs., have been liberated and given much needed food.

Opinion & rumor is that Roosevelt, Churchill & Stalin are conferencing somewhere near the Black Sea.

Tuesday, February 6, 1945.

Cloudy & fairly warm. Getting cooler in afternoon.

Worked in office. Short conference at 3 p.m.

I worked till 6 p.m. Not feeling well tonight. Ate too much supper. Indigestion.

Russians have crossed the Oder at several places-from near Breslau to North of Frankfurt.

Gen. Eisenhower’s armies have pushed on average of two miles deeper into the Siegfried defenses, but nowhere have we made a complete breakthrough, as the system of defenses is about 30 to 35 miles deep.

The Japs. are trying to burn all of the business section northward, So. of the River in Manila. Our forces have not yet bridged[?] the river, and only small forces are across to fight the fires. They have had to dynamite buildings to stop the spread of the worst fires.

4000 Allied planes attacked Leipsig [sic] and other points in Germany—the main object being to break up German communications and prevent the movement of German troops to the Eastern front.

Wednesday, February 7, 1945.

Mostly clear. Pleasant afternoon. Judge C and I played golf this afternoon. Both off our game. Worked in office today.

The Russians have crossed the Oder River at seven different points, and both the First & 3rd Am. armies have pierced thru the Siegfried line, but there has been no wide break-through as yet.

It has been officially announced that the “Big Three” with their staffs are in conference somewhere in the Black Sea area. It is reported that one plane carrying British experts crashed on the way, killing 15 men. I hope this is a mistake.

It looks like the British & American armies are about to stage a big push to rush the Germans between them and the Russians, who are about set to roll on to Berlin & beyond, taking Breslau & Frankfurt on the way.

Thursday, February 8, 1945.

Clear and cool. Spent a pretty busy day in office—Came home about 6:30 and took a good walk on golf course. Wrote a short opinion this afternoon.

The Russians have had some trouble with their pontoon bridges across the Oder, ice floes breaking them, but they have captured a number of places inside Germany & Silesia, a part of the Reich, & are within 31 miles of Berlin. Our American & British & French armies are making substantial gains all along the Siegfried line, which has been pierced through at several narrow points. A drive for Cologne is starting.

Our troops in Manila have bridged the Pasig River and are new clearing the Japs out of So. Manila. The Bay will soon be open and the attack on Corregidor will soon begin.

Tremendous air borne attacks were made today on German positions near the line of the Russian offensive, thus greatly aiding the Russians. The next few weeks will see the German armies caught and crushed between the Russians in the East & the British& Americans in the West.

We bombed Kobe on W. coast of Japan today.

Friday, February 9, 1945.

Clear, cold morning, fairly pleasant afternoon Worked in office all day till nearly 7 pm. Not feeling very well either. Some strange giddiness.

All along our Western front we are pushing forward. In most places, the resistance was weak. The Russians are laying siege to Frankfort and Breslau. All supplies from Silesia to Berlin have been cut off. Bread riots in Berlin. The Nazis have cleared out, leaving Berlin and it civilian population in a terrible fix. The Germans [he means, the “Russians”] can walk in whenever they want to. The German armies will probably make a stand in the hills & mountains S. or S.W. of Berlin.

We are having a time of it clearing the Japs out of the So. half of Manila. House to house fighting. We have bridged the Pasig River. It is reported that the Japs. have transferred Gen. Wainwright and numerous other prisoners from Formosa to Manchuria. They fear we’ll take Formosa, which we will in due time. But we have something of a job on our hands to clean up the Japs. on Luzon first.

The Japs. managed to set off mines and burn a large section of good buildings north of the river.

Saturday, February 10, 1945.

Fine, pleasant day. But there has been a heavy snow the past few days in the North, especially in New England.

Bob’s mother, “Lucy” as we all call her died this morning. Bob & Elizabeth are going to Jamestown tonight. Wonder what arrangements they have made for the care of little Jim.

Quite a severe earthquake shook Japan this morning. And something else shook Japan also: --a big superfortress raid on Tokio.

No decisive developments on the European battlefronts, but steady progress on both fronts, especially by Gen. Montgomery’s troops at the North end of the Siegfried line. Some 50 to 60,000 Germans were killed or captured in the clearing out of the Colmar pocket.

The Japs. have artillery and machine guns in a good many buildings in So. Manila and have inflicted some pretty heavy losses on our troops. House to house fighting is going on. These suicide squads are giving our men lots of trouble. And great damage has been done by the mining and burning of buildings—a wanton destruction that does the Japs. no good.

Not feeling well, but did a pretty good day’s work today.

Sunday, February 11, 1945.

Somewhat cloudy all day with light rain at night. Liz & I went to Church. This aft. I didn’t feel like but went to club house, got my clubs & played 6 holes of golf. Felt better. When I got back to the club, I found that Chick Alexander & Jimmy Lee & 2 others had just come in from an 18 hole round. (Lt.) Chick had broken course record with a wonderful 63. Three weeks ago, he broke the course record with a 65. Chick is a fine fellow, from Durham, N.C. He is leaving shortly for overseas duty. He is now at Camp Gordon Johnston.

The war situation is much the same as yesterday. Slow but substantial progress all along the line in Europe. Yesterday the Germans blew up a dam on the Rhur [Rhine?] river to flood the river below & slow our crossing. But we crossed the exploded dam.

The Japs. are still giving our men lots of trouble in So. Manila. It’s house to house & room to room fighting.

Monday, February 12, 1945. “The Big Three” conference concluded.

Mostly fair & pleasant. Our division handled the Motion day business this morning. It was heavy. Took us until 1 p.m. Quite a busy day all day.

The Roosevelt-Churchill Conference is over. The decisions arrived at were on the whole wise and satisfactory, and re-assuring. Indeed, this is a historic day. The meeting was on the Crimean peninsula. I haven’t time here to state even the substance of the announced discussions. But they pave the way toward a just settlement of post war problems, and a better & brighter world. The first decision was complete cooperation for the complete defeat of Germany, the extirpation of Nazism and the proper punishment of war criminals.

The Canadians took Kleve today-the Northern anchor of the Siegfried line, and our Third army took Pruem, a hub city which the Germans strongly defended.

The Russians are rolling on & consolidating their gains.

Our air force has been busy in both the Pacific & European theaters. Jap. cities & the Island of Iwo Jima were bombed by the B-29s.

But the Japs. in So. Manila are hard to clear out. Its tough fighting there.

The Conference lasted 8 days. The meetings were held in the Livadia palace, near Yalta, where the Roosevelt was ensconced.

Tuesday, February 13, 1945.

Clear. Fine springlike day.

Worked hard in office all day until 7:30 p.m. except for an hour’s conference at 3 p.m. and some visitors.

Yesterday’s tornados in Miss. & Ala. killed 43 people, 26 of them in S.W. part of Montgomery. In all 200 people were injured, 75 in Montgomery. Too bad!

The country’s reaction to the agreement of the “Big Three” Conference is on the whole very favorable. I am pleased with this report. But it means we must shoulder our part of the responsibility in helping the various small nations establish their governments. Our influence and participation in European affairs makes a new development in the foreign policy of the U.S.A. But it has to come if we are to preserve peace.

Gen. Montgomery’s army has smashed into the German N. flank before the Rhine beyond Kleve, and Gen Patton’s army has broken through the German line at two more points.

The Russians are driving westward through Silesia.

We captured our former Naval base in Manila Bay-Cavite-today, and are slowly mopping up the Japs in So. Manila-They are surrounded on all sides.

Wednesday, February 14, 1945.

Clear & mild. Got in some office work by the hardest. So many visitors. Left at 4:30 and played golf with Judge Chapman. I made a 48—Played the 585 yard hole in par.

The Russians have finally cleaned up all the Germans in Budapest. They have surrounded Breslau and are making headway at various points.

Today 7000 American & British planes attacked various points in Germany. Much of this was in aid of the Russian advance.

Our forces have crossed the Bataan peninsula & our planes are plastering the Japs on Corregidor. And our subs have sunk an additional 52 Jap vessels, making over a 1000 Jap. vessels sunk by the subs.

The Canadian & British continue to gain ground at N. end of Siegfried line and Gen. Patton’s forces to the South. But our Am. 1st army has been slowed down by the flooding of the Ruhr River by the explosion of a dam.

Congress is still battling over the “Work or Fight bill” which is opposed by the labor unions.

Thursday, February 15, 1945. Tokyo bombed.

Another fine day. On bench and in conference most of the morning. Wrote one short opinion this afternoon.

Mrs. (Dr. W.E.) Van Brunt had a cerebral hemorrhage this morning about 8:30 and died about 2 p.m. She was a fine, grand woman. Liz and I called to see Dr. Van Brunt this afternoon.

Tokio was heavily bombed today by fifteen hundred Carrier based planes. For 70 days now our planes have bombed Iwo Jima, a Jap. naval and air base 750 miles south of Tokyo-half way between Tokyo and Guam, now Admiral Nimitz’s head quarters. And today we made a naval attack on Iwo Jima. Evidently our commanders intend to take that Island and use it as an air base.

Gen. MacArthur’s men are gradually killing the fanatical Japs in South Manila but we are having to shell and destroy a large number of buildings to do it. Our forces are also clearing the Japs. out of Bataan.

The Russians are still pushing ahead toward Dresden & Berlin.

Our forces on the Western front are slowed down by water logged land. But some progress is being made.

Friday, February 16, 1945.

Fine day. We had oral arguments all morning. Worked this aft. till 5: Then played golf with Bill Ewing. Judge & Mrs. Chapman left by plane at 4:35 for Miami, Bar Dinner tomorrow night.

Tonight Liz & I & the Cowles went to see a fine thrilling picture “30 Second over Tokyo”, with Spencer Tracy as Col. Doolittle & Van Johnson, and others—Quite appropriate. Good actors. Patriotic.

Our forces-air & land-are active in the Pacific. We have landed troops on the South end of Bataan peninsula while our planes were bombing near-by Corregidor.

I wonder where Pres. Roosevelt has been the past week.

Sec. of State Stettinius has reached Rio de Janiero for a conference with Pres. Vargas.

Congress is considering the drafting of Nurses for overseas duty. There has been a great need for more nurses and nurse’s aids, but appeals for volunteers has not been of much effect.

Saturday, February 17, 1945.

Foggy morning, partly cloudy later. Very good day. Worked in office till 4:45 when Lizzie came by and picked me up, and we went to the funeral of Mrs. Van Brunt. The Church was well filled. Our pastor & Rev. Alfriend [?] conducted the services. When I got home, Jimmie Fain and I walked to the Country Club & back. Such a fine girl.

Corregidor is ours again! Paratroopers landed early this morning, by air, on top of the big rock, and were soon joined by boat loads of G.I.s from nearby Bataan. Whether the capture of the big fortress island is completed or not, we do not know, but Gen. MacArthur says its capture is assured.

The Russians are still busy solidifying their flanks before attacking Berlin. The large German forces in E. Prussia are pocketed in a small area, and to the South fighting is going on in the outskirts of Breslau. Several cities to the N.W. of Breslau have been taken. Frankfurt is surrounded. The big push for Berlin is evidently coming soon.

The Canadians and British have advanced six miles deeper into Germany to the North and our 3rd army has penetrated S. through the Siegfried line at two new points.

In spite of bad weather, several German cities were bombed today.

Sunday, February 18, 1945.

Mostly clear. Lizzie was not feeling very well the morning I went to church by myself. This afternoon however, tho not feeling equal to it she went with me at 2 pm. to see the Passion Play at the High School. We got back home about 5 p.m. and I then took a nap. The Passion Play was very good. Joseph Mier took the part of Jesus—which he played reverently. I did not feel that the play was sacrilegious.

About 6 p.m. I took a long walk on the golf course and saw two bunches of good players. One of the foursomes included Chick Alexander, who was playing great golf.

We are having some tough fighting on Corregidor. The Japs, most of them, have retreated into the underground corridors and rooms, while others are still holding a few of the big gun emplacements. But our men are making good progress, and the big island fortress will be completely in our hands.

The fighting in So. Manila is tough. Our forces have taken the General Hospital where 8,000 were held prisoners, including some Americans.

The Situation on the European front is about the same as yesterday—but some progress in being made at various points.

Weather did not permit very much air activity.

Monday, February 19, 1945. Iwo Jima invaded.

Foggy & hazy & damp morning, overcast sky with N.E. wind all day.

Didn’t get much work done today. Too many interruptions.

Iwo Jima invaded early this morning. It is said that our convoy had as many as 800 ships—some battleships. The island is mostly rock. 5 miles long and 2 miles wide. The Japs. are in caves and tunnels--& gun emplacements & pill boxes sunk in the rock. In spite of 20 days bombardment, the island is still a strong fortress and its cannon and antiaircraft guns are still active. There are some ten to 20,000 Japs supposed to be on the Island. The Marines landed on both sides of the Island, which has 2 airfields & a 3rd in course of completion. It is going to be a tough fight to take it. I fear our losses will be heavy.

The Canadian & Scottish troops have taken about 4/5 of Foch[?] a German city at the North end of the Siegfried line.

The Russians have attacked a big German war plant in Checkoslovakia[sic].

The Am. 3rd army has made some further progress.

We are going well with the work of cleaning the Japs out of Corregidor & So. Manila, but it is a slow job.

Tuesday, February 20, 1945.

Foggy & overcast. Cold & damp morning-warmer in afternoon.

Pres Roosevelt had a conference with Churchill at Alexandria after having the Crimea. They were there for some days. Also had visits from King Farouk, Egypt, Hilae Selassi of Ethiopia and Ibn Saud of Arabia. Then our President invited Gen DeGaull to meet with him at Algiers, but DeGaull, evidently piqued over not being invited to the Crimea Conference, declined, saying official business required him to stay in Paris. The President is supposed to be on his way home.

The fighting in Iwo is about the toughest our men have had. Japs have their best troops there. They were prepared for us. But our men have taken 1/3 of the Island, including one airfield, which was taken sooner than expected.

And the Japs still are fighting hard at Corregidor. It’s slow work.

Gen. Patton’s army made good progress today, pushing forward along a 50 mile front.

The first Army is still held back by the flooded land-caused by exploding the dam.

The Canadians & Scots were stopped at Foch[?] & vicinity by heavy German counter attacks. The Germans have brought up nine Divisions to hold them back.

The Russians apparently are getting ready for a big drive toward Berlin.

Wednesday, February 21, 1945.

Foggy, misty day, with Southerly winds.

Worked in office all day. Long walk in late afternoon.

The Japs have every advantage of our men on Iwo. Our casualties already 3600. Jap. casualties unknown, but we have counted 850 Japs. killed.

Corregidor is almost cleaned up. 1700 Japs. have been buried by our forces. All Japs, on Bataan have been cleaned up. In So. Manila the Japs. have been reduced to 1/10 sq. mile. They hold 7,000 civilians as hostages. So we are doing well in the Philippines.

The weather has been bad on the Western front. Our planes have been of little use to us there for some time. The Canadian & British forces have been practically stopped by 9 German divisions rushed to the Foch[?] area. Our 1st Army is still held back by the water. But Patton’s 3rd army has pushed forward 5 miles into German territory & our 7th Army is making some progress.

The Russians are taking a good many towns & some cities to the S.W. & N.E. of their central front but are not yet ready for an offensive move toward Berlin. They know what they are doing, I’m sure, and will strike with great force in due time. The weather is miserable on all fronts.

Congress has been pulled and hauled by the labor unions & some manufacturers, and are afraid to enact the much needed National Service Act. This is terrible.

Thursday, February 22, 1945. Rain. Washington’s birthday

Dark, overcast, & misty, with rain in late afternoon and tonight. S. & S.W. wind

Iwo is terribly tough. The Japs. are hard to get at and are protected by heavy artillery in the hills and on the sides of the two extinct volcanos at either end of the island. Our casualties are very heavy. I doubt the wisdom of sending our boys into such a hell but the strategic value of the island is great.

Worked hard all day and until 7:30 tonight on tough opinion. Also worked tonight.

Gen. Patton’s men have pressed forward several miles & have crossed the Saar near junction with the Moselle. Not much progress elsewhere, except that the 7th army has made some gains.

The Russians are still extending their right flank towards Danzig, and holding the Germans in E. Prussia, tho a body of German troops left Konigsberg and struck the Russians 9 miles to the South.

The cleaning up of the Japs in Manila is now a house to house & room to room fight. On Corregidor the fighting is almost over. Though some of the Japs in the underground tunnels are hard to get at. Bataan is in our hands & MacArthur has landed troops on an Island So. of Luzon which will make a valuable naval air base.

7,000 Am & British planes from England & Italy bombed German communications today & with accurate results.

Friday, February 23, 1945.

Clear once more, & cooler. Pleasant afternoon.

Worked on opinion today. Finished it at 4:40. Then went out and played golf with Judge Chapman and Lee Wink. I was handicapped by dizziness but managed to make a 52. Enjoyed the game though.

Our allied offensive on the Western front has begun—early this morning, and our troops pushed forward all along the line. Gen’l Hodges 1st army succeeded in crossing the Rache[?] River at two points. The best advances were made by the 9th army and the British who advanced around the north end of the Siegfried line. Gen. Patton’s men continued their advances and also Gen. Patch’s 7th army. The Russians have taken Poznan, and are now fighting in the edge of Breslau to the South.

But the bloodiest fighting of all is going on at Iwo Jima. The whole island is a fortress. The Japs. have been making all sorts of underground fortifications, with plenty of machine guns and artillery. Our progress has been slow and costly in lives. Never have our troops gone up against such a tough and dangerous situation. 73 days of bombing and 7 days of naval bombardment had little effect on the Jap. underground fortifications. But our troops have taken the volcano at the So. end of the island, also the So. air field, and have reached the edge of the main central airfield.

Saturday, February 24, 1945.

Clear & cold-heavy frost.

Worked in office till 6 p.m. then home & a walk on the golf course. Tonight about 10 Liz & I went out to the Walter Richardson’s to meet Mr & Mrs. Ashe of Montgomery, who have recently lost a fine son in the battles of European theatre. Mr. Ashe bought the lot I owned next to Father Dowdell’s place in Montgomery & built a home there & still lives there. This terrible war is costing so many precious lives. But we could not keep out of it.

The radio says our men are making as good headway as cold be expected on the Western front.

The battle of So. Manila is nearly over but our progress on Iwo Jima is slow and costly. MacArthur has taken several small but strategic islands in the San Bernadino Straits So. of Luzon-- The Russians are still taking German towns & cities in Germany & getting ready for the push on Berlin.

Sunday, February 25, 1945.

Warmer and a bit cloudy. Lizzie & I went to church & heard a good sermon by Rev[?] Haynes. Judge Chapman & I played golf this afternoon.

Our invasion of the Ruhr river section is progressing. The river has been bridged & most supplies moving over. The 1st army has taken Duren and are within 15 miles of Cologne.

On Iwo our Marines have taken part of the main airfield, but only by bitter fighting—It will take sometime to take all of this terrible little island. It is the toughest job our marines have ever undertaken. Gen Holland Smith (of Ala.) has been in charge of this awfully hard job.

The Russians are moving an army toward the Baltic, the Danzig area, to protect their flank and isolate the Germans in East Prussia & Pomerania.

Also the Russians are taking Breslau by hard house to house & block to block fighting.

Manila, except for about five small pockets of Japs, is completely won.

Berlin & a number of other German cities bombed last night & today.

Tokyo heavily bombed by ovur 200 B 29s today, with heavy fighter escort.

Monday, February 26, 1945.

Pretty cloudy. Strong South winds.

Our Division handled the Motion day business this morning. 9:30 to 11:30. Worked till 6:30 p.m.

About 1400 planes bombed the three railway stations & yards in Berlin today, & British Mosquito bombers hit that city tonight.

All our American & British forces on the Western front forged ahead several miles today.

Our 1st army took Duren a day or so ago and about 20 towns in the Cologne plain today. and are now within about 10 miles of Cologne and shelling the City.

The Russians are extending their line toward the Russian [he may mean “German”] port of Stettin in the Baltic.

Our troops on Iwo have taken the Southern half of the big central airfield and our engineers have already begun repairing the runway. But bitter fighting continues.

Today was a historic day in Manila. Gen. MacArthur formally installed Pres. Osmena in a ceremony in the big home of Phillipine Presidents. We heard the speeches of MacArthur & Osmena over the radio. Both were good, but MacArthur’s was great.

Tuesday, February 27, 1945.

Warmer. Partly cloudy. Spring is here. The azaleas and red buds are in full bloom and a great many trees are putting out new leaves. My Division was on the bench for about an hour this morning-a whole court case. Then we had a conference. Dr. E. M. Brevard, 73, a fine good man, died today. This afternoon Judge Chapman & I played golf. I won, 1 up. My score was 46.

Our Allied troops on the Western front all made substantial gains today. Our 1st army is within 8 miles of the large City of Cologne. The Russians continue to extend their right flank toward Stettin, so as to seal off the large German forces in E. Prussia and Pomerania.

Our Am. bombing by daylight yesterday of Berlin is reported to have had terrific effect. About 2000 planes were used.

There are signs that the German armies are beginning to crumble.

Gen. MacArthur reports the occupation of more small islands South of Luzon.

Wednesday, February 28

An oppressively warm day, with showers in afternoon. I went to Dr Brevard’s funeral this afternoon. About 6 o’clock I drove out to the Colonial Hotel and picked up my good friend Carl Hiaason, and took him for a drive through Los Robles, the F.S.C.W. grounds, also the Negro College, and then home. Where we with Lizzie & Annie had a cocktail, and at 8 p.m. we went to the Silver Slipper had a fine dinner. Then we drove Carl out to his house. We all had a delightful evening.

Pres. Roosevelt was back in Washington this morning, looking well & fit. He is to speak to Congress tomorrow at 12:30, about the Crimean Conference. He returned on one of our battle cruisers.

Our armies on the Western front are still forging ahead at a rapid rate. Maybe the Germans will make a stand at the Rhine, or on it’s E. bank. Some 5 to 10,000 Germans are surrendering or being taken prisoners every day. The 1st army has reached the outskirts of Cologne, after taking 60 German towns. The 9th army is apparently headed for a junction with the Canadians at the Rhine. The Russians have reached Danzig.

We are still fighting hard on Iwo.

Corregidor battle about over, and Manila Bay has been opened to American shipping.

Thursday, March 1, 1945.

Rather cool morning, but clear.

On bench till 12:30; conference till 1. Got home in time to hear the last 25 minutes of the President’s fine address to Congress. He put the responsibility of our country’s taking it’s part in pressuring world peace squarely up to Congress, & particularly the Senate. Except for a handful of old Republican isolationists, the President’s frank report on the Crimean conference and our country’s foreign policy and his appeal for our government to measure up to its responsibility to make another war impossible, the speech was well received and made a strong impression.

We are making good progress on the Western front, & the Russians are nearly to Stettin. Our air forces are still active.

On Iwo, we hold now 2/3 of the island, but the going is still hard & bitter & costly. It is the best defensive setup we have ever gone up against. Underground fortification & pill boxes all hidden & powerful and placed everywhere.

Tonight Mary Maud & Jeff had us and the Cowles out to supper. The supper was at a new place out on the Quincy Road called “The White Kitchen.” We had a very nice chicken dinner—fried-with a few vegetables-salad-bread & coffee. Jeff drove the car.

Tonight at 12 I heard a rebroadcast of the President’s stirring speech. So I heard it all. He made it plain that this was not a party question, but one for Democrats and Republicans alike, to solve, so that the terrific sacrifices of men and materials which our country is making shall not have been made in vain. The Senate failed us in 1920-1921. But after this speech I feel sure it will not fail us this time. These are days of high destiny. It is good to be living in these momentous days.

Friday, March 2, 1945.

On bench all morning till 12:35 and then in conference till 1 p.m.

Foggy, cool, early morning. Warm & pleasant afternoon. But I was too tired to play golf. Tho invited by Judge Chapman.

Our 9th army has reached the outskirts of the Rhine city of Dusseldorf. Pattons 3rd army is headed toward Coblenz. Hodges 1st army is in the outskirts of Cologne.

MacArthur has taken 18 of the small islands South of Luzon.

The Russians are nearing the Baltic.

Our gallant Marines have taken the main airfield on Iwo and are now attacking the third, a small field to the north.

Saturday, March 3, 1945. State’s 100th birthday

Clear and warmer.

Florida by admitted into the Union as a State (along with Iowa) 100 years ago today. When the President, John Tyler, on last day of his term, approved the Congressional Act. A big celebration had been planned some weeks ago, but was called off on acct. of war time travel regulations issued by War Mobilizer Byrnes.

I worked pretty hard in office all day. Didn’t feel like playing golf this aft.

The Canadian army has joined up with our 9th army, probably trapping some Germans. These two armies are attacking Dusseldorf, while to the South our 1st army is attacking Cologne. The Germans will probably destroy the bridge across the Rhine at both places. We may have to build a bridge before we can get our men & equipment across. Gen. Patton’s army has taken Trier.

No news from Iwo tonight. Which means the terrible fighting is still on there-

Tokio and vicinity were bombed by 150 B-29s today. Also our planes were busy over Germany.

Sunday, March 4, 1945.

Damp, foggy early morning. Clear afternoon.

Not feeling very well. Nuralgia. We did not go to Church. This afternoon Judge Chapman & I played golf. My long game unusually good. Nuralgia headache tonight.

The terrible fighting on Iwo still going on. today the Japs. made a strong counter attack in the open. 700 of them were killed. 13,000 dead Japs. have been counted so far. How many men we have lost is not reported. Only 81 Jap prisoners taken, 55 of them Koreans.

Our forces on Western front have all made gains, but the Germans are fighting to hold Cologne, which is under shell fire. Out troops are fighting in the edge of the city. It is tough. The Germans are using tanks & artillery. Even when they have prepared to blow up what few bridges are left. It will be hard to cross the Rhine.

The Germans in Pomerania & E. Prussia are now cut off, as the Russians have penetrated to the Baltic, tho they have not yet taken the main port, Stettin.

Tokyo & vicinity bombed again—also various points in Germany.

Monday, March 5, 1945.

In conference quite awhile this morning.

Very busy in office all day. A walk on golf course late this aft. and tonight we went to a very good but sad picture “Since You Went Away.” Lasted from 9:30 to 12 p.m. Starring Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple, Joseph Cotton & Monte Woolley. First time I’ve seen dear little Shirley Temple for several years. She is now 16 and a grand young actress.

Our 1st Army has entered Cologne and without finding over a 1000 Germans left. The balance had retreated across the Rhine, over the one bridge left. Probably it was blown up tonight before our men could use it.

The Germans are fighting hard to hold Dusseldorf where our 9th & the British 2nd are attacking.

The Russians are shelling Stettin. They are determined to seal up the 200,000 or more German troops in E. Prussia & Pomerania. When that is done, I think they will move on to Berlin.

The terrible fighting still goes on, on Iwo. 13,000 Jap. dead have been counted. We have lost over 2000 fine men killed and over 5,000 wounded.

The air activity continues on all fronts.

Tuesday, March 6, 1945. Cologne falls

Warm & partly cloudy, with strong S.W. wind. Worked in office today, and left at 5 p.m. for a game of golf with Judge Chapman. I won with a 46. I managed to make the green on the 500 yard up-hill 14th hole in 3 shots, & then 3 putted for a 6.

Lizzie had a nice party late this aft. for about 8 of her lady friends.

Churchill visited the British 2nd army & our 9th army on the Western front today and had an enthusiastic reception.

Cologne is safely in our hands but, as I feared, most all the German army got over the Rhine on the last bridge and then blew it up. Our allied troops are now up to the Rhine in a line of about 100 miles, but now the going will be tougher for on the East bank are the German armies & German artillery and machine guns. With no bridges, how can we land men and guns & supplies on the other side? If we attempt it by boats, I fear our losses will be very heavy. But we will do it somehow.

Although above 15,000 Japs have been killed on Iwo in the 17 terrible days there are probably 5000 more, most of them in the hills in the North end of the island. Our losses have been very heavy, but the Marines on Iwo have immortalized themselves and have written one of the most glorious pages in Am. Military Annals.

Hon. Fred M. Vinson has been appointed and today confirmed as Federal Loan Administrator to succeed Hon. John [?] Jones.

Wednesday, March 7, 1945. Rhine crossed. See next page.

We have had mild weather now since Feb. 10th. Pretty cloudy today, but warm, with S.W. to W. wind.

Pretty busy day. Cleaned up all the cases coming in from the other judges and began working on an important case of my own which I hope to write up tomorrow. Heard a fine address over the radio tonight by Commander Harold Stassen, former Gov’r of Minnesota, who was appointed by the Pres. as one of our U.S. delegation to the San Francisco Conference which meets Apr. 25th, to form a United Nations plan for world peace & cooperation. Stassen is a strong man, a man of vision and courage. His ideas on world organization sound good to me.

Gen. Hodges 1st army has also taken Bonn, a city 20 miles so. of Cologne, where the bridge was apparently intact. Gen. Patton’s 3rd army began on Monday morning at 7 a.m. a sensational drive up the Moselle Valley to the outskirts of Coblenz on the Rhine-65 miles in 60 hours. His armored columns are at the gate of Coblenz tonight. Our 1st army has also extended itself to the North of Cologne to where it connects with our 9th army & the Canadians.

Meanwhile the Russians are consolidating their gains to the North and closing the gap near Stettin & Danzig. Their advance on Berlin is near at hand. Berlin says it has begun.

The agony of Iwo still goes on. Our troops are gradually pushing the Japs back to the North, but at great cost.

Thursday, March 8, 1945.

Clear & cooler. N.W. wind. Very busy day. In conference all morning. Long walk 6:45 to 7:20.

We’ve crossed the Rhine. Soldiers of Gen. Hodges 1st army crossed the Rhine So. of Cologne at 5:35 yesterday evening at an unnamed point, but the news was held back for 24 hours for security reasons. The crossing took the Germans by surprise. Our men quickly penetrated several miles inland to take and silence German observation points, so as to prevent accurate fire from German heavy artillery. Quite a large number of our men and some machine guns & light artillery were gotten across without loss. I’ll bet Patton’s men are going to follow suit quickly. This is the first crossing of the Rhine since napoleon’s day.

But Bonn was not taken yesterday. The Germans are evidently offering stiff resistance there.

The Berlin radio says the Russians have crossed the Oder in force and are within 25 miles of the German capital. But the Russians are busy strengthening their right flank by extending it to the Baltic.

The terrible battle of Iwo continues. The Japs still hold a diminishing area, now rather small, in the North end of the Island.

The Inter-American Conference at Mexico city closed a very successful 10 day meeting today. The U.S. & all Central & So. American countries except fascist Argentina were represented. The Resolutions commit all the countries represented to a mutual guarantee of the territorial integrity and independence of all American Countries.

Friday, March 9, 1945.

Clear & cool. Still N.W. wind. On bench most of the morning. Worked till 5 this aft., & then Judge Chapman & I played golf.

We learn today that our 1st army captured the double track railroad bridge known as the Ludendorf bridge, So. of the captured city of Cologne some 15 or 20 miles, just a few minutes before the time the Germans had planned to blow it up. This accounts for our ability to get large numbers of men and materials across the Rhine so quickly. We have established a bridgehead about 5 miles deep and 10 miles long. There was some German resistance, but not very strong. This bridge we crossed was at Remagen, a place several miles So. of Bonn.

It is reported that a new American Army is moving up to the front—the 15th.

Berlin was heavily bombed tonight—the 15th night—and other points in Germany were bombed during the day. Why don’t the German leaders give up this hopeless fight and save their people further destruction & suffering?

Also Tokyo was bombed again today by a large force of superforts. Many fires resulted. [This refers to a now-famous air raid in which over 100,000 people perished in the firestorms, the greatest loss of life in any air raid of WWII]

The Japs say we have landed troops on the South tip of Mindanao. Japanese troops in Luzon are mostly up in the North in the neighborhood of Baguio, the Summer Capital in the mountains, and to the e. of Manila.

Only a small part at the North end of Iwo is still in Jap. hands, but the fighting goes on.

Saturday, March 10, 1945.

A very fine day. The trees are putting out their buds & small new leaves. Dogwood has brightened up the woods for 10 days now. Our azaleas in the back yard were beautiful for two weeks, and then about 3 or 4 days ago, they suddenly faded & dropped off—some kind of blight. But our small azaleas in the front yard are still blooming. This is Spring, and I hope we don’t have another killing frost.

Our 1st Army’s bridgehead across the Rhine is now 7 miles deep and 15 miles long. But German artillery & some planes are shelling our troops and trying to destroy the bridge. But so far our planes have protected the bridge. The Germans say we have made another landing 5 miles to the North. By boat or a pontoon bridge I suppose.

The bombing of Tokyo yesterday by 300 B-29s was very effective. A new kind of incendiary bomb was used, and a large section of downtown Tokyo was left in flames. Two of our bombers failed to return.

Gen MacArthur is making some headway against the considerable Jap. forces North and E. of Manila.

The terrible battle of Iwo is nearly ended. Our troops have the remaining Japs. confined to about 1/2 sq mile of territory at N. end of Island. But the Japs are fighting as desperately as ever. We are paying dearly for that little Island.

Sunday, March 11, 1945.

Another fine, clear day. Very mild.

Lizzie & I went to church & heard a good sermon by our Pastor and a fine solo by Mrs. H. Caleb Cushing our musical director. This afternoon Judge Chapman & I played golf from 4 to 6. Links crowded. Then I had a very pleasant visit to Judge Whitfield.

The Germans are heavily attacking our bridgehead across the Rhine, but our troops are holding. All efforts by airplane & artillery fire to destroy the bridge have failed so far.

Gen. Patton’s army has reached the outer defenses of Coblenz.

The Russians have taken a lot of territory in the neighborhood of Stettin & Danzig.

Our troops in Italy have made some progress and are still holding 27 German divisions that Von Runsted needs up in Germany.

Yes, the Jap. rumor that we have landed troops on the So. tip of Mindanao is true, and they are making good progress.

The end of the fighting on Iwo is not yet. The japs are fighting desperately to hold three pockets where their defenses are strong.

Nagoya, Japan’s 3rd largest city, was bombed by 300 B-29s tonight. The industrial section was hit hard.

Monday March 12, 1945.

Turning a lot warmer. Slightly cloudy. West to S.W. wind.

Pretty busy in office all day. Got home about 6:30 and took a long walk on golf course. Liz & the Cowles went to a movie: Humphrey Bogart and got home about 8. After a quiet supper the Terrell’s called & brought Bruce Compton & they stayed till 10 p.m. Bruce has been visiting them for past week. Is returning to Phila. Wednesday.

6000 Allied planes plastered Germany today. Every night for past 3 weeks British mosquito bombers have dropped block-busters on Berlin. Hitler issued one of his insane manifestos today trying to get the suffering German people to fight on to the last man.

Our troops which landed on Mindanao have taken a town. Jap. resistance light.

But the Japs on Iwo Jima are still fighting, but the end is not far away now.

In spite of heavy German artillery—long range guns—our beachhead at Remagen across the Rhine is holding and growing on size. One German shell hit an ammunition truck as it was going over the Ludendorf bridge today & caused quite an explosion, but not very much damage to the bridge.

The Russians are going strong in the Baltic area. Gen. Patton’s army is fighting on the outskirts of Coblenz.

Tuesday, March 13, 1945.

Somewhat cloudy at times. Filed a pretty tough 11 p. opinion that I finished yesterday. In conference most of the morning. This aft., I had my hair cut, got a shoe mended, put in and [sic] hour or so of work, and then at 5 Judge Ch. & I went to the links. Theo Brevard came up as we got ready to play—we had a very pleasant game.

Last night, or early this morning, 300 B-29s bombed Japan’s 2nd largest city—Osaka. These planes flew from Saipan & Guam. Soon they’ll be flying from Iwo Jima. The Japs are still fighting desperately, but it won’t be long now. The battle has raged for 24 days.

Gen. Hodges is strengthening his Remagen bridgehead. The Germans have not yet made a full-fledged attack on our men on the other side of the Rhine. May be they cannot do so without weakening their forces facing the British & Canadians and our 9th army at the vitally important Northern sector of the Allied line, where a crossing of the Rhine would be more disastrous to the Germans than our present crossing.

Gen. MacArthur is gradually killing off the Japs on Luzon and is now starting the same process on Mindanao with the seizure of Zamboang yesterday.

The British & Indian troops are attacking the Japs, in Mandalay.

Wednesday, March 14, 1945. Rain—light.

There was some slow, light rain last night and early this morning. getting harder in the middle of the day and stopping at 1 p.m. Then it cleared up. A very pretty afternoon. We didn’t get as much rain as we needed. We had rain on Feb’y 5 and 22nd. Now 20 days later we have another. so we are short, but we’re enjoying the fine weather.

Worked hard in office all day until 6:30. Tonight Jimmy called up & we all talked to him. He was talking from his ship in San Francisco.

The Russians have taken Krustine, a fortress city on the Oder, and their right flank will soon contain Stettin & Danzig. So they are nearly ready for a big push into Germany. They may bypass Berlin or attack it from the West where its defenses are weaker. And our Armies along the Rhine will probably be ready to advance by that time and meet the Russians in Central Germany by May—Of course this is speculation.

Our flag now flies from the hill on the North end of Iwo, although there are a good many Japs. still fighting from the caves and gun emplacements nearby.

Gen. MacArthur has taken several more Jap. islands So. of Luzon, & fighting the Japs. left in N. & E. Luzon.

Thursday, March 15, 1945.

Mostly clear, and quite warm. After a long day in office, Judge C & I played golf, & got pretty hot. I was badly off my game, tho I felt quite well.

Not much change in the war situation—Gen. Hodges bridge head has been widened and deepened about a mile more. The Germans say we now have 150,000 men across the Rhine, but our side is saying nothing.

Gen. Patton has crossed the Moselle and established a bridge head of considerable size 8 miles from Coblenz, and our 7th army has advanced further in the Saar.

It is reported that out of 40,000 Marines we have lost 4199 killed and about 15,308 wounded & 441 missing on Iwo, while the Japs have lost over 21,000 killed. Although there are two or three pockets of Japs left near the N. End of Iwo, our men are taking their time and trying to get rid of them without any further loss of life if possible, and our Sea Bees are rebuilding the air fields and already the big B-29s are using Iwo as an emergency landing base.

Friday, March 16, 1945.

Foggy early morning, soon clearing. A very warm day. In conference all morning. Office work this afternoon. Had my car gone over and put in good shape today by the Chevrolet Co.

Francis Lowrey is dead! I heard the sad news as soon as I got to town, and Lizzie & I have been saddened all day by it. Mrs. Lowrey, his mother, received a telegram from Wash’n last night, saying that Francis was killed on Feby. 20th, the 2nd day of the battle on Iwo Jima. He had come through the battles on Saipan safely, but, like 4,189 other Marines, he was killed on the terrible island of Iwo. He came and spent the evening with us just before he left to join the Marines. Such a brilliant, modest, lovable, grand young man, whom we had known since he was a small boy. I was sorry he joined the Marines. He was so tall, I feared he would be in more danger than the average Marine.

Gen. Patton’s men are fighting in Coblenz. We are advancing on all our fronts—not the big push yet, but getting set for it. The 7th army is striking the Germans hard in the Saar. Our bridgehead at Remagen is steadily growing larger & stronger.

Kobe, one of Japan’s largest industrial cities, was hit hard today by the B-29s.

After 26 days of carnage, the battle of Iwo is over—the bloodiest in the history of the Marines.

Saturday, March 17, 1945.

Clear & warm, but nice So. breeze.

Worked in office all day—studying cases in which the court is split up.

Admiral Nimitz announced the conquest of Iwo Jima as of yesterday and payed a splendid tribute to the valor of our 3rd, 4th, & 5th Marine Divisions. Our killed and missing about 4700. We’ve paid a terrible price in lives-precious lives-for that little Island, but our commanders say that we just had to take it. Some mopping up operations are going on, but the big fight is over-and “old glory” was unfurled on a big flag pole.

The Russians are fighting inside Stettin and Gen. Patton, after taking Coblenz, is advancing swiftly Southward to meet the 7th Army advancing Northward. If they can make the juncture soon enough, they will cut off a lot of Germans in the Saar.

The British & Indian forces are fighting in Mandalay- Gen. MacArthur continues to gain ground in Luzon. He reports that the Phillippine campaign has cost the Japs about 280,000 killed, while we have lost less than 4,000.

The Japs report our bombing of two islands off the So. end of the Jap. mainland, and our bombers are busy over Germany. British night bombers hit Berlin for the 26th night.

Sunday, March 18, 1945.

Foggy early morning. Brilliantly clear from 10 a.m. on. Nice breeze; a grand day.

Lizzie & I went to church. An excellent sermon by Bro. Haynes.

This aft. at 3 I went to the exercises at high school. 100 yrs. ago today the territorial Governor, John Branch, officially declared Florida a State. We had two good speeches this aft., one by Governor Caldwell, the other by Sen. Pepper.

Then I paid a long visit to Mr. Lewis Lively, who has been confined to his home for 4 weeks with a broken ankle. He is an interesting talker. He & I & Mrs. Lively had a pleasant time.

Then I went to the office & got stamps & got off a letter from Liz to Jimmy W. Then home.

The Remagen bridge gave way at one end early today & killed a number of our engineers. But tonight we learn that it is being rapidly repaired & may be in use again by tomorrow. Our bridge head is now 7-3/4 miles deep and 16 miles long. We have one or more pontoon bridges. The Allied armies on the Western & Eastern fronts are all making some progress. Coblenz is now safely in our hands & Gen Patton is striking South- Bombing of Berlin by our planes today & by the British tonight. Also, Nagoya, Japan struck again by our super forts.

Monday, March 19, 1945.

Another fine clear day. We need rain.

Worked all day in office till 6:30, except for 1-1/2 hours hearing of motions at 9:30 to 11.

Gen. MacArthur’s forces have invaded the large Phillipine Island of Panay. The Japs were taken by surprise and so far our troops have met very light opposition. But the Japs in E. & N.E. Luzon are resisting fiercely.

the collapse of the Ludendorf bridge was more serious than at first reported. The entire center span, 700 ft. long, collapsed and fell into the River 70 ft. below, carrying down 200 engineers who were trying to repair it and many of them were killed, drowned or injured.

But our bridge head across the River has been deepened to about 8 miles, putting our men over the rugged hills they have been fighting through along the River & in a more advantageous position. We have pontoon bridges but heavy tanks and artillery cannot go over them.

Gen Patton’s forces, & those of the 7th army and the French division are making good & rapid progress. The Germans in the Saar basin are racing for the Rhine. The bombing of Germany & Japan goes on without let up.

Already 52 of our Superfortresses have been saved by being able to land on Iwo.

Tuesday, March 20, 1945. Heavy Damage done to Jap. Navy.

Mostly cloudy. Strong, gusty, S. winds. Some thunder & light showers tonight. On bench about 2 hrs this morning. In conference this aft. for an hour. Judge Chapman & I played golf from 5 to 7 p.m. My wood shots were unusually good, but my approaching & putting bad. Score, 51. Not so hot.

Yesterday & today our Navy carrier based planes struck the Japanese Navy in the Jap. inland sea and damaged some 15 to 17 Jap. naval vessels, one a big warship and some more cargo vessels and destroyed 475 planes, most of them on the ground. We lost only one plane.

Berlin bombed for the 29th straight night.

Our Remagen bridge head has been deepened 1-1/2 miles more. Two German counter attacks repulsed. Gen. Pattton’s & Gen. Patch’s 3rd & 7th armies have made splendid progress. Saarbrucken has been taken. Heavy casualties inflicted on the German army & many prisoners taken. The Saar will soon be in our hands.

Gen. MacArthur reports that our men who landed on Panay have taken the capital city of that Island, & that fine progress has been made by our troops on Mindanao

The bombing of Jap. war plants on Hongshu was very effective today.

The British have captured Mandalay. They been “On the road to Mandalay” a long time, but its capture is important.

Wednesday, March 21, 1945.

Clear & cool. N.W. to N. winds.

On bench in a whole court case 11:15 to 12:45-- In conference again this aft. Worked in office till 6:30.

Things are happening so fast in this war now, it is hard to keep up with.

The last German wedge West of the Rhine has fallen—the industrial Saar Region, after one week’s swift drive by our 3rd army on the North and our 7th army on the South. They have made a junction, and what German soldiers are left are surrendering, or getting across the Rhine on boats & pontoons. 96000 casualties have been inflicted on the Germans by the 3rd army alone in the past week. Many prisoners have been taken. We now have the whole German territory west of the Rhine. tho some fighting may still be going on in Ludwigshaven. The Germans have destroyed all the bridges. Gen. Hodges 1st army bridge head troops have gone several miles further inland and now occupy a considerable territory East of the Rhine. The effort to repair the Ludendorf bridge has been abandoned. We are depending on pontoon bridges & small boats. The failure of the Germans to stop our bridge head forces shows that the German strength is waning. to the North Gen Montgomery has thrown a smoke screen over the Rhine—evidently to prevent shelling of a pontoon bridge or bridges across the Rhine, which is broad there, or to hide the passage of troops & guns by boats.

We are still making rapid headway in the Philippines.

Thursday, March 22, 1945. Patton begins crossing the Rhine.

Clear & cool with N. to N.W. winds.

On bench or in conference nearly all day. Worked in office till 6:40. Then home & a walk on golf course. At 9:30 Liz & I took the Cowles with us, & went to the Reception at the Alumnai Bldg. at F.S.C.W. given to Mr. [blank space never filled in] who is retiring after about 40 years of service as Business Manager of the F.S.C.W. He is a fine man and has rendered splendid service. There was a big crowd present. We got back about 10:45.

We are making progress on all fronts. If the Germans had any sense they would quit now. But they are afraid of the Gestapo.

Patton’s men have taken Mainz & Landau—The Saar & Palatinate area, except for a few small German pockets, is cleared of the enemy.

Hitler has relieved Von Runsted and replaced him with Von Kesselring.

Friday, March 23, 1945. Patton crosses the Rhine.

Cooler this morning, but no frost.

On bench and in conference from 9:30 to 12:15. Warmer in afternoon. Delightful. Judge Chapman & I had a very pleasant game of golf-from 5 to 6:30.

Last night at 10:25 Gen Patton 3rd Army began the crossing of the Rhine about 10 miles So. of Mainz and about 32 miles S.W. of Frankfurt. All night the men were going over presumably in boats, with no opposition on the opposite shore. This morning some shelling, from German guns began, but this was soon stopped by our heavy artillery on the West of the River.

Gen Montgomery has blanketed the Rhine to the North with smoke screens and as this has been done for several days, he is probably preparing either boats or pontoons for crossing the Rhine, & may have already crossed it. His artillery & planes have scorched the earth on the E. side. so he may be crossing now.

East of Berlin the Russians have broken through the German Oder River line.

So the East-West crushing movement of the Allies is on.

Patton has inflicted heavy casualties on the Germans & so has Patch--& taken over 100,000 prisoners in the drive on the Saar-Palatinate area.

The big push is on!

Hodges’ 1st army bridge head is now 31 by 10 miles.

Saturday, March 24, 1945. Montgomery crosses the Rhine.

Partly cloudy. Worked in office all day till nearly 7 p.m. Went to Dr. Brown this afternoon to have ingrowing eyelashes removed. Had to wait quite awhile.

Gen. Patton has strengthened his bridge head across the Rhine--& is within 17 miles of Frankfurt.

Gen Montgomery’s forces have crossed the Rhine in landing boats furnished by the Navy and in 1500 air transports, several of which were shot down by the Germans causing considerable casualties. 40,000 troops were carried over in air transport planes & gliders. The German occupied town of Wesel, near the landing place, was destroyed by airplane precision bombing just before the landing.

Six of our Allied armies are now crossing the Rhine. The beginning of the last great battle has been made. It must have been a tough job to get Naval landing boats over land. And without bridges, how can we get our heavy tanks and artillery across? I wonder. Surely pontoon bridges will not suffice. But I feel sure Gen Eisenhower has figured out this problem in advance.

Sunday, March 25, 1945.

Mostly clear. I went to church, and then home and took Lizzie & Annie to the FSCW dining room where the Cowles were awaiting us and we had a nice lunch. After that, we drove home about 2 p.m. & I left my car out front. About 4 pm I went out to my car, to go to country club & play golf with Judge Ch. but found my car, which I had left tightly closed, full of smoke. After opening the door, I could see the back seat in flames. Must have been caused by a cigarette. I called 4 soldiers & we went in the house and quickly came out with dishpan, bucket, &c. full of water and after two trips the fire was apparently out. Then the fire truck arrived & a fireman ripped out the back seat & the firemen came over and we drenched the car with water. All the upholstery was ruined, tho the front seats not burned much. Otherwise the car was all right & I drove it in back yard.

The British & Canadians, and our 9th & 15th & 1st armies & our 3rd Army, & probably our 7th army are all advancing beyond the Rhine. The big push is on in full swing, and all German efforts to stop it have proven [ ? ] and futile.

Our air force has done much to prepare the way. How we got our tanks & guns across I cannot understand, except at the Remagen bridge head where we used the Ludendorf bridge.

I have been suffering with neuralgia on left side of forehead nearly all day.

The British still bomb Berlin every night.

Monday, March 26, 1945.

Clear, & warm by mid day. Our Division was busy hearing numerous motions till 11:30. Then the whole court was in conference till 12:30.

I drove my car to town this morning, and it runs all right. Had Joe, one of our Court employees, to clean the smoke off the windows—quite a job which I had started but not finished, this aft. I drove to the Alford Chevrolet Co., and they are to fix the car up inside, starting tomorrow morning. Worked in office this aft. till 6:15.

Have not felt well today, but no neuralgia. Felt better tonight.

We now have seven armies across the Rhine, and all making splendid progress. Gen Patton’s army has taken Frankfurt & gone on beyond, now 40 miles from the Rhine. The 1st army, the 9th and the British & Canadians all going strong. Our engineers have thrown good bridges, strong enough to carry heavy equipment across the Rhine at various places. They deserve great credit. The 7th army to the South has also crossed the Rhine. And the Russians are now within 70 miles of Vienna—having come a long way through Hungary.

Likewise the war in the Pacific is going well.

David Lloyd-George 82, died today. He was a strong figure in 1st World War & lived long enough to see Victory ahead in this war.

Our rapid progress in Germany indicates that the German war machine is playing out.

Tuesday, March 27, 1945.

Clear. Rain needed. So. winds.

On bench part of morning & in conference from 3 to 4 this aft. At 5 took Judge C. to Country Club. Lee Wirk [?] and Theo Brevard joined in a foursome. Had a good time. I made a 45, although I started off with a 7 on a par 4 hole. I came within an inch of making a birdie on the long 14th, took a par, and then made a par on the 15th.

German resistance is slackening. Only the 9th army had any hard fighting to do today. All our armies on the Western front made splendid headway. No news from Gen. Patton’s armored force. So the chances are it is making a good long dash ahead. But there is some fighting going on against Patton’s men in Frankfurt. Some pockets of fanatical Nazis have been holding out.

The Jap. reports of attacks on the Kuruko Islands has been partially confirmed.

Heavy bombing of electric plant on Formosa last Friday destroyed 3/4 of the Jap. electric power which runs their war plants.

MacArthur has landed troops on Cibu Island in Philippines with very light opposition so far.

The war is “going our way” on all fronts.

Wednesday, March 28, 1945.

Still clear & fine—and dry. Worked in office all day. I used Liz’s car all day, as she was busy at home. We had the Salleys [?] to lunch with us today—Lawrence & wife Edna, and Lawrence’s mother, and Margaret & her little 2 yr old daughter, Susanne.

Our 7 Allied Armies all made good progress today—Some of them 20 miles. Indeed we have been going so fast that we could not clear out all the Nazi’s, and some of them have been doing sabotage work behind our lines. The Russians are cleaning up lots of German pockets in Pomerania & East Prussia, and in Checkoslovakia, and have one army now within 50 miles of Vienna.

Jno. Lewis’s miners voted today heavily in favor of a strike unless the operators sign a contract by Saturday night. This vote was taken under the Smith-Connely Act, and at government expense. It looks like the government will have to take over & operate the coal mines.

The Japs. say that we have landed troops in Okinawa, an important island in the Ryukus chain about 350 miles from Japan. MacArthur’s troops have occupied the capital of Cebu Island with light Jap. resistance so far. Our bombers are busy over Berlin, Formosa, & various other points.

Ernest D. Thomas, who raised the first flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo, is reported to have been killed on Iwo on Mch. 6th. Sad!

Thursday, March 29, 1945.

Clear. Fine day. One case argued this morning. Then a conference. Finished an opinion I’ve been working on at intervals for 3 days. Worked this aft. till 6:30 passing on cases & petitions for rehearing.

All our armies on the Western European front have continued their rapid progress, and most of them are now within about 190 to 220 miles from Berlin. The City of Mannheim, through its mayor surrendered without a fight, by phone. But about half of Frankfurt is still held by German soldiers who are fighting hard. Everywhere else the German will to fight is ebbing.

We have taken large numbers of prisoners. The collapse of the German armies is not far off. But our armies must not go too fast, or they will get beyond our supply lines.

A British naval task force, comprising a battle ship and cruisers & destroyers and carriers has joined our Naval and air bombardment of the Ryukus.

MacArthur is rapidly driving the Japs. out of the Philippines.

This country of ours will have to furnish enormous food supplies to the liberated areas of Europe, including the conquered part of Germany, for some time to come. We will have to go on short rations ourselves for the next year or so in order to do this.

Friday, March 30, 1945.

Mostly clear. We have had Southerly winds for some days. The barometer has fallen some tonight.

Spent a busy day in office. About 6 o’clock I ran by Judge Chapman’s, but he was busy with yard work, and I played golf by myself for several holes. Then I caught up with a Mr Hinton and a Mr Barber, very nice gentlemen, and played last 5 holes with them.

Our forces on Western front are not giving out much news, but it seems that the British 2nd and our 9th and 3rd armies are turning North and Northwestward to cut off the Germans in Holland and Denmark, and the ports they could use are being bombed from the air. Our Allied armies have advanced so rapidly and have cut the Germans into such separated pockets that no organized line has been able to form yet. Gen. Patton (tho there is still fighting in Frankfurt) has pressed deeply beyond the place and the 7th army & the French Division have advanced well. The situation is very encouraging for us.

The bombing of the Ryuku chain of Islands, running from Japan Southward to near Formosa, goes on apace, and every day our troops in the Philippines gain new ground. The Russians are now on Austrian soil.

Saturday, March 31, 1945.

Mostly clear. Some cloudiness at times. Continued Southerly winds.

Tonight the Governor & Mrs Caldwell entertained the members of the Supreme Court, & the Clerk, Mr. Guyte McCord and his wife, at the Mansion with a delightful dinner. I wasn’t feeling very well & neither was Lizzie, but we went and enjoyed it. Got home about 11:05.

All our Allied Armies have continued their slashing drive into Germany. The rich Ruhr section has been surrounded & cut off and many important towns and cities have been taken, & lots of prisoners.

The Russians captured Danzig yesterday after a 3 day battle in which 50,000 Germans were killed or taken prisoner. They are now within 40 miles of Vienna.

Our 7th army has taken Heidelburg & is pressing on toward the Bavarian Alps.

Our 1st army has penetrated 85 miles E of the Rhine and there’s no telling just how far Gen Patton’s armored columns have gone. Gen. MacArthur invaded Negros Island yesterday—the last of the main islands of the Philippine group & had little serious opposition. And our air forces are busy everywhere.

Sunday, April 1, 1945. Easter Day. Okinawa invaded.

Foggy & damp early morning, but mostly clear by 11 a.m. Lizzie & I went to church. Very large congregation. Good sermon. Good music.

This afternoon Judge C. & I played golf. Both off our games, and yet I made a birdie in 18th hole.

Okinawa, larges island in the Kuryku[?] chain, over 50 miles long, 3 to 20 miles wide, Jap. population of about 430,000 was invaded by our forces—50,000 or more Soldiers & Marines, early this morning. We used some 12 to 1400 ships in all. We protected the landing with a big Naval fleet and carrier based aircraft, also by six days of bombing. The landing was made without any trouble and we established a 4 mile deep bridge head with very little resistance. The Island is to be used mainly as a base for bombing Japan & her ship lines through the China Sea. Doubtless there are plenty of Jap. soldiers on the Island, but so far no organized resistance has appeared.

Allied forces in Europe are still forging ahead. Many additional Cities have been taken or bypassed. Patton is within 162 miles of Berlin.

Troops of the 1st army have joined those from the 3rd army on the E. side of the Ruhr.

The Russians have 2 armies converging on Vienna.

There is a news blackout on the movement of Gen. Montgomery’s troops, but they have undoubtedly gone far.

Monday, April 2, 1945. Rain.

Good rain this morning. Clearing by 1 p.m. First real rain since Mch. 14. Busy in office all day.

The war in Europe is moving so rapidly I cannot keep up with in detail. The 1st army surrounded some 100,000 or more Germans in the Ruhr, but they have been trying by hard fighting to break through our lines.

Likewise the Germans in North Holland are trying hard to break through Gen. Montgomery’s encirclement.

The 9th army has pushed forward past our 1st army and is moving rapidly in the Berlin direction.

Gen. Patton’s 3rd army motored columns have gone far—just how far no one is allowed to report.

The Russians, now about 25 miles from Vienna, have been stopped for the present at least by strong enemy forces. One prong of the Russian army is moving in the directions of Vienna from the N.E.

Russia, contrary to Stalin’s talk at Yalta, is demanding that the Communist Lublin government be given a seat at the San Francisco meeting. Britain & the U.S. say no: they have never recognized the Lublin government. Trouble ahead.

Okinawa is a puzzle. Tho the Japs are supposed to have 60 to 100,000 troops on Okinawa, our forces have met no real resistance so far. Only one brief tank clash & sporadic artillery fire. We have landed 100,000 troops on the island and 1400 ships were used.

We have landed additional troops on Southern Luzon. Over 300,000 Japs. have been killed in the Phillippines since our invasion began. Our casualties 30,000.

James F. Byrnes has resigned as Director of War Mobilization. He has done a grand job. Will be succeeded by Fred M. Vinson. Our seventh army is on the Main River 45 miles from Nuremberg.

Tuesday, April 3, 1945.

Clear & mild. Legislature Convened. Very good address by Gov. Caldwell. A fine start.

Allied armies are advancing as rapidly as could be expected for large bodies of men to advance and be supplied with food, gasoline & ammunition. Patton’s spearhead is within 140 miles of Berlin. Several prison camps have been liberated. Thousands of half starved American, British & Russian prisoners freed. Of course our advancing forces are meeting stiff resistance at some points where fanatical Nazis are in charge. But we are gaining 10 to 15 miles a day on the average. The Russians are within 7 miles of Vienna. About 100,000 German soldiers are surrounded in the Ruhr valley. Gen Eisenhower has warned them to surrender and spare unnecessary loss of life. But I doubt if they do.

We are making rapid progress on Okinawa. No stiff resistance as yet.

War plants in Japan bombed by B-29s.

Gen. MacArthur is clearing the Japs. up in the Phillippines as rapidly as it could be done. He has done all he could to save the lives of our men.

Wednesday, April 4, 1945.

Clear and warm. With a good many interruptions, I worked all day in office. Working on a tough case. Started on the opinion.

Our progress into Germany continues to be quite rapid and also will spread. While the armored columns of the 3rd army are within 138 miles of Berlin at one point. The 1st army is tightening its encirclement of the German armies in the Ruhr. There is still a news black out as to just where Gen’l Montgomery’s armies are. We can be sure they are making good progress. It is reported the he has closed the escape route of the Germans in N. Holland.

Gen. MacArthur has occupied some important small islands to the South of the Philippines and only 25 miles to Burma, thus cutting Japan’s access to the Dutch E. Indies.

Our forces in Okinawa have at last met real resistance when they turned Southward toward the Jap. air fields. We now have occupied a strip of land about 10 or 12 miles long across the middle of the Island.

The Russians are within 1-1/2 miles of the outer edge of Vienna.

Thursday, April 5, 1945.

Cloudy morning. Cool. Clear afternoon.

Office work—still struggling with a hard opinion—hard to work out and write out.

This afternoon I attended—at 6 to 8 p.m.—a very delightful lawn party given by Mr. Sam Teague. A goodly crowd of local men and quite a large number of legislators. I enjoyed it very much.

Steady and satisfactory progress on all fronts—this sums up the fine work our Allied Armies & our Navy & Air force is doing. Our 9th army, which has been under Gen. Montgomery for some time, is now under our Gen. Omar Bradley again, who is now field commander of 4 armies, the 9th, 1st, 34d & 15th—about a million.

The Russians are closing in on Vienna from two directions and are fighting in the outskirts.

Gen. MacArthur’s men are working in a hurry. The Japs will soon be cleaned up.

The Senate defeated the denatured[?] man power bill today. So we will not have any universal service act in this war.

The High Command will recommend that Gen. MacArthur be placed in charge of all army forces in the Pacific. Good.

Jno. Lewis’s miners are threatening to strike & many have quit working.

Friday, April 6, 1945.

Cloudy & quite cool, with some light rain this aft. Worked in office all day. tonight I attended the cocktail party & banquet at Wakulla given by the Tallahassee lawyers in honor of the lawyer members of the legislature. Judge Sebring came by our house ant took me & Julius Parker & Bill O’Bryan down to the Wakulla Springs hotel about 7 p.m. It was a very delightful affair.

On Okinawa our forces have met stiff Jap. resistance in our efforts to extend our control North & South of the strip of land some 5 to 10 miles wide across the island. This we took with little resistance, but our advances, especially toward the air fields to the South, have met with pretty strong resistance. But our men have advanced about 5 miles to the So. & 3 miles to the North.

All allied forces in Europe continue to make as rapid progress as could possibly be expected.

And in the Pacific everything is going grand, tho some Jap planes damaged some of our ships, tho not seriously.

Shake-up in the Jap. cabinet & a new Premier. Following the Russian denunciation of their peace pact with Japan yesterday.

Jap. planes sunk three of our destroyers and damaged several of our warships. Off Okinawa.

Saturday, April 7, 1945.

Mostly cloudy, & cool.

Worked in office all day and until nearly 8 p.m. & then some work tonight.

Lizzie feeling badly yesterday & today.

Our forces in Europe still forging ahead. The Germans are mostly in small armies—regiments and divisions each acting on its own. Some holding out fanatically. The S.S. men are running the show. They uselessly hold troops and cities until we are compelled to shell them into rubble.

Gen. Patton’s men found a hundred million of German gold hidden deep in a big salt mine. Many prisoners have been taken, some 300,000 since the drive began.

I am afraid our armies are running ahead of our supply possibilities.

We are also gaining ground on Okinawa--& some gains in Italy.

We have sunk some 18 Jap ships in past 24 hours—one of them a battleship of the largest Japanese size, 2 light cruisers & several destroyers. This was done by carrier based aircraft. The Japs. were making for Okinawa & were in the E. China Sea.

Large numbers of coal miners are leaving the mines.

Sunday, April 8, 1945.

Brilliantly clear & cool morning, but warmer in afternoon. Liz not at all well. I went to church alone. This afternoon Judge Ch & I played golf from 4 to 6 pm with a Mr. Lyons. Judge C made a 45. I took a bad 51.

Gen. Montgomery’s army now within artillery range of the port of Bremen and our 9th army only 9 miles from Hanover. The Canadians have followed their paratroopers into German held North east Holland. Gen. Patton’s army—or its armored column, 140 miles from Berlin, is having a very tough battle with a concentration of German tank forces. It looks serious. The Germans are bringing up reserves. Not much news from our 7th army to the South.

The Russians have taken 1/3 of Vienna. The population s reported in revolt against the German, whose commander was shot today while giving a pep talk to his troops.

Our 5th army down in Italy are making some small gains. I wonder why the Germans have not withdrawn their 20 divisions down there to help defend Austria & Germany. Gen’ Mark Clark has performed a good holding operation with inferior numbers.

We had taken 1/3 of Okinawa & are near the Capital City—Naha—to the South & have captured two airfields to the North.

Our planes have been busy over Germany today & our carrier planes have inflicted further losses on the Jap. fleet.

Monday, April 9, 1945.

Another beautiful day. But how we need rain! They must have had loads of rain in the West. The Red & Mississippi Rivers have been at flood stage for some days now; & the Ohio a week or so ago. The lower Mississippi endangers Shreveport & New Orleans, tho the latter city is not in much danger. One million acres of land are under water.

In Conference and hearing motions nearly all morning. Worked in office till 6:30 p.m.

Our 1st & 3rd armies are still forging ahead rapidly. Hanover is close at hand. The British are in the edge of Bremen. 3/4 of Vienna is now in Russian hands. Konigsberg was taken by the Russians today after 70 days siege, 45,000 Germans taken prisoner. All our Allied armies are going fine. The Russians found that the Germans had murdered 20,000 persons in Latvia—prisoners, slave workers—Jews & Latvians. We have taken a number German cities, but the Germans either forced us to shell them or set them on fire themselves before retreating—a terrible policy.

Our troops pushing South on Okinawa have run into bitter resistance. Some of our troops were forced to retire. The Japs. had machine guns & artillery planted in the rugged & wooded hills. Tough going!

Ours & the British airforces are very active as usual—on all fronts.

About half the coal miners have quit working.

Tuesday, April 10, 1945. [NOTE: A THUMB-SIZED PORTION OF THE PAGE HAS BEEN TORN OUT OF THE CENTER, RENDERING 6 LINES PARTLY MISSING AND UNREADABLE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW.]

Fine clear day. Busy in office, except for visitors. In conference an hour or so this morning.

Liz & Annie went to the play at the College tonight. Lizzie returned terribly tired, about 11:15.

All our armies are making great progress today.

The British bypassed Bremen and pushed on beyond. Our 9th army took Hannover with very little trouble and pushed on beyond. Our 1st army was almost as rapid. These two armies—the spearheads—are within about 95 and 100 miles of Berlin. In one of the cities they took [ missing text ] limited about 12000 [ missing text ] Americans, all in bad shape [missing text ] from Breslau by a march of [ missing text ] those who fell down were either killed [ missing text ] die. I hope our friend Ham Styron was not among them. Not much news from Gen. Patton’s 3rd army, but they may be waiting for the infantry to catch up with the armored columns.

The Russian capture of Konigsberg resulted in a total loss to the Germans of 134,000 killed or taken prisoner. All except one small section of Vienna is in their hands.

The end of German organized resistance is fast approaching. May come in 3 weeks.

Our troops in the So. side of our beach head on Okinawa are having a very tough battle with the Japs. Have made little progress for 2 days. But in the Philippines we are doing fine.

Wednesday, April 11, 1945.

Fine day—a bit warmer.

Pretty busy in office all day. Tonight at 7:30 I went to a barbecue at the Country Club given by the legislative delegation from Gadsden County—Sen. A. L. Wilson, Kenneth MacGowan & one other. Big crowd. Had to stand up most of 2 hrs, & I got dead tired, but had a good time.

Our allied armies continue making splendid progress in [ text missing ] 7th army to the S[outh] [ text missing ] born resistance [ text missing ]

Vienna was [ text missing ] by the Russians so quick [ text missing ] Germans did not have time to demolish that beautiful city, as they do in most cases. There is still some fighting on the outskirts of the City.

The Japs are putting up a terrific artillery barrage in South Okiniwa [sic]. Our troops there are evidently being held back for awhile to save lives. Meanwhile we are shelling & bombing the Jap. positions in the hills.

Southern Luzon has been cleared of the Japs. But they are strongly entrenched in the hills in N. E. Luzon.

The Jap. battleship was sunk on April 6th was the last of the big 45000 ton class.

Thursday, April 12, 1945. President Roosevelt died this afternoon.

A national and world calamity and sorrow happened today—President Roosevelt’s death. He died his afternoon at 4:35 of a cerebral hemmohage[sic] which struck him at 1:15, and he never regained consciousness. A world tragedy; a battle casualty of the war! He had been under a great strain and heavy responsibilities for over 12 years. He died at Warm Springs, Ga. –(where he called to see me at the hotel when Lizzie & I were stopping back in 1932, in May preceding his nomination in June) In spite of his lameness, he was the picture of vigorous health then, a charming manner and most likable gentleman. He drove his own car. I phoned to his cottage to see if I could call, and Miss Lenad spoke to the then Governor, & phoned me that the Governor would call to see me. We had a grand time. He brought us out of the terrible depression & has made a great war President.

He lived to see the collapse of the German armies, but not to see the establishment of a world organization to preserve peace, for which he has laid the foundations.

Our armies have crossed the Elbe and are within 55 miles of Berlin. The Russians have commenced their advance on Berlin. The end of organized resistance is near. It will probably come within the next week or so, but we will have to clean up the pockets of German fanatics in the Ruhr & in Bavaria, & Denmark, Holland & Norway & Bavaria.

Friday, April 13, 1945.

Clear & warmer. On bench & in conference till 12:30. About same thing yesterday.

The people of our country are still stunned—It is hard to realize that President Roosevelt is no more. His body will reach Washington in the morning. Funeral services in the White House tomorrow afternoon, and the burial at Hyde Park Sunday.

Former Vice President, now President, Harry S. Truman, took the oath of office at 7:09 last night in the White House. Ch. J. Stone administered the oath. but the Trumans will continue to live in his small apartment until the Roosevelt family moves out. This morning Pres Truman in a fine short statement, had a conference with Secy of War & Secy of the Navy and Gen. Marshall & Admiral King, then with the members of the cabinet, & took lunch with his old Congressional friends in the Senate dining room. His modesty & sincerity have made a fine impression. I have long considered him a good man, with plenty of good sound sense. I believe he will make a good President.

Our armies are making good progress in Europe. All that could be expected. But on Okinawa the Japs made a savage attack on the So. end of our line which was thrown back by our men, but with severe losses on both sides.

Tokyo heavily bombed again.

Saturday, April 14, 1945.

Fair. Warmest day so far this year. Worked in office this morning & this aft. Played golf with Judge C. He played well—42. My long game was pretty good, but my putting was bad. I made a bad 50.

The Nation is deeply affected and truly grieved over the death of our great and good President.

Tonight the radio programs were mostly analysis of him and summaries of his brilliant career.

Meanwhile our great armed forces, which he did so much to build, are on the eve of breaking all organized resistance in Germany. Our armies have split Germany in two. We have advanced beyond Leipsic [sic] and are nearing Berlin. the Ruhr pocket is nearly cleaned up. So 70,000 prisoners taken, among them the old fox Von Papen. Gen. Patton is advancing Eastward toward Silesia, and will soon join up with the Russians. The latter have about cleaned up E. Prussia, where they have taken some 150,000 prisoners or more. Berlin was bombed by 800 Lancasters tonight.

Stalin has decide to send Molotoff[sic] to the San Francisco conference, complying with Pres. Roosevelts request.

Still bitter fighting on Okinawa. The Japs. have been attacking our forces there and “suicide” airplanes, some 230 of which have been shot down.

Lizzie has been in severe pain all over today & tonight. But she manages to keep going.

Sunday, April 15, 1945. Burial of Pres Roosevelt.

Clear & warm. Lizzie not at all well. She has been suffering greatly from arthritic pains all over. I went to church & brought some ice cream home. Then Annie & I went with the Cowles to lunch at F.S.C.W. This aft. about 6 p.m. the Cowles came & Annie served Tom Collins drinks & Lizzie fixed up a supper & they stayed until nearly 11 p.m.

This afternoon President Roosevelt was buried in the garden near his house at Hyde Park. Members of the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, former Justice Byrnes & Congressional leaders; also President Truman & family; attended. It was a military funeral. The armed forces were well represented, and the band from West Point played the National anthem.

The Canadians have reached the North Sea & sealed off the Germans in Holland. the Ruhr pocket has been squeezed to about 10 x 15 miles. 143,000 Germans made prisoners & more yet to come. The 9th army crossed the Elbe at Magdeburg, but were thrown back & recrossed 15 miles to the S.E. Units of the First Army pushed ahead to within 30 miles of Berlin. The 3rd army by passed Leipsic[sic] and are going in the direction of Dresden. Berlin reports that the Russians are advancing toward Berlin. Hard fighting down to the South. Our 7th army is approaching Nuernberg.

Tokyo bombed again today & Berlin tonight.

Monday, April 16, 1945. Truman addresses Congress.

Partly cloudy. I got my car back from Alford’s Repair shop at 12:30 today. So glad to have it. I’ve been putting Liz to lots of trouble. They did a good job of upholstering. Car looks fine.

I got home at 1 o’clock for lunch—just in time to hear President Truman’s first address to Congress. It was a great and inspiring speech, and well delivered. It was just the sort of address that we needed. He is alright, and is going to make us an excellent President.

Our forces have about cleaned up the Ruhr pocket. They captured an entire army corps today—3 divisions—a total of about 270,000 prisoners taken in Ruhr are including several generals.

Our first army spearheads are within about 20 miles of Berlin and Patton’s 3rd is nearing Dresden. Leipsic, bypassed, is now being attacked. It is strongly defended and the indications are we are going to have a hard time taking it.

The German radio says the Russians have advanced to within 20 miles of Berlin, and down in Austria they are advancing toward Bavaria.

The British are making good headway, and have liberated 10,000 Allied prisoners near the Baltic coast.

To the South, Gen. Pattons 3rd army is now attacking Nuernberg. I think Munich has been taken.

Over 300 B-29s attacked Tokyo again today. We lost 9 of them—our greatest loss yet.

Tough fighting in So. Okinawa.

Tuesday, April 17, 1945. Rain.

Cloudy. Several fairly good showers.

Pres. Truman has had a busy day. Held his first press conference this morning, & made a good impression on the news men. Made Generals Hodges & Patton full 4-star generals. Good. Made a radio address to our forces overseas tonight. Quieted the rumors of changes in the Cabinet.

Our 9th army has had fierce opposition in their efforts to cross the Elbe for several days. But our other armies have made good progress. Patton is only 4 miles from the Checkoslovak[sic] border. The Russians are moving into Berlin territory over a 180 mile front, and 2 million strong. We have taken 3/4 of a small island close to Okinawa. The Japs are fighting desperately here to hold the balance, as well as on the South end of Okiniwa[sic]. We have destroyed 2500 Jap planes in the air & on the ground in the past week. Jap suicide air attacks on our ships are slowing down.

We went to a party at Mary Maud’s tonight. Honoring Mrs. Hughes of Bartow, and Mrs. Ruby.

Wednesday, April 18, 1945.

Clear and pleasant, strong Southerly breezes. In Conference practically all morning. Worked in office this aft. till 5 pm, then played golf.

As our forces cut deeper into Germany resistance grows stronger and more fanatical. The war seems to be developing into a battle of the cities. The German forces are holing up in the cities. To take city after city in street to street & house to house fighting, would cost heavily in American lives and those of our Allies. And to take cities by air attacks alone would likely prove impractical. Just what Gen. Eisenhower’s plan is or will be, remains to be seen.

Gen. Patton has penetrated into Checkoslovakia. He is within about 45 miles of Russian armies, which, to the North are closing in on Berlin. Our 1st army is likewise getting closer. Down to the South, Gen Patch’s 7th has taken a large part of Nuerrnberg, Nazi shrine.

Ernie Pyle was killed today. He was shot by a concealed Jap. machine gun on the small island to the West of Okiniwa, while standing by the commanding officer. The Island is called Ie. Our men have been fighting there for 3 days. Ernie Pyle’s death brings sadness to all Americans. He was the most loved of all our war correspondents, especially by the Soldiers.

Our air forces have been very active today over Germany & Japan.

And so this terrible war goes on.

MacArthur has begun the invasion of Mindanao.

Thursday, April 19, 1945.

Beautiful day. Cool morning. Mild afternoon. Leipzig captured; also Dusseldorf and two other cities in that area. The 9th army has taken Magdeburg, after hard fighting. All four bridges across the river were blown up by the Germans. One body of Germans with tanks broke through the 9gh army lines, but were stopped & captured 15 miles E. of Madgeburg. Patton is crossing the Western end of Checkoslovakia and has taken several German held cities. At one of these cities, Weimar, I believe, the Germans had killed & burned & butchered some hundreds of prisoners & anti Nazi civilians. Patton compelled 1000 of the German population to go out and see what their friends, the Nazi soldiers had done. The Russians are moving on Berlin.

Gen. MacArthur has occupied a 35 mile bridge head on Mindanao and has moved inland 22 miles.

Tokyo given a low level bombing. 214 Jap planed destroyed on the ground.

Our forces on the Southern part of Okinawa, after a terrific heavy artillery barrage charged the Japs. and drove them back a half mile after bitter[?] fighting.

Tonight Liz & I took the Chapmans[?] to the dinner given by the FSCW to the legislators. On our way back the battery went dead and had to phone to McLouar[?] to come & push us to a filling station where I bought a new battery.

Friday, April 20, 1945

Clear. On bench & in conference practically all morning. Office work this aft.

The Russians, so Berlin reports, are within 7 miles of Berlin, on the East, & 13 miles to the So. After Taking Madgeburg, our 9th army got under way again, & is now 50 miles from Berlin, & to the South our 1st army is about the same distance. Our 3rd army, advancing from Checkoslovakia, seems to be preparing to link up with the Russians. So. of Berlin, which is being pounded by bombs from the air & artillery fire from the Russians to the East.

The last pocket of Germans has been cleaned up & Nurinberg[sic], Nazi shrine, is completely in our hands on this, Hitler’s 56th birthday. Where Hitler is we do not know. Munich is under attack. Important German cities are being captured daily. The end of organized resistance is nearing, except perhaps in the Bavarian Alps.

On Okinawa our troops have advanced another 2000 yards against fanatical Japs. & are now within 3 miles of the Capital City of Naha. The North half of the Island is practically ours.

On little Ie, where Ernie Pyle was buried today, cave to cave fighting continues. Our losses are heavy, I’m sure, on both these islands. The invasion of Mindanao is progressing well. And in North Luzon our forces are within 3 miles of Bagnio.

Saturday, April 21, 1945. Russians entering Berlin

Warmer & partly cloudy. Wrote an opinion this morning. Studied cases this aft. till 4:45. then went to Country Club and played 2nd 9 with Mrs. Bessie Porter, Bessie Martin and Becky DeMilly. Mrs. Porter and I were even at end of 15th hole, 32 each. Then I got in trouble with the short 16th & took an 8; also a 7 on the 17th; then regained my equilibrium and made the 18th in par. I had a 51, Mrs Porter a 47.

The Russians have surrounded Berlin on 3 sides and have penetrated 4-1/2 miles inside “Greater Berlin,” which means they have gone through the suburbs on the E. side. The fall of Germany’s capital is close at hand. We wanted the Russians to enter first. Why? Our troops are not many miles away both to the West and South. To the South Gen. Patton’s army has contacted the Russian Army and to the West our 1st & 9th armies are probably not over 20 or 25 miles from the City, on the Elbe river fronts.

The British are shelling Hamburg, Germany’s largest port. But the British & our armies have taken a number of large towns & small cities.

To the South Gen. Patch is in the process of taking Munich, probably has already done so.

MacArthur’s men have penetrated 32 miles inside Mindanao, and we are slowly but surely killing the Japs. on Okinawa. And the air forces are busy on all fronts.

Sunday, April 22, 1945. Russians in Berlin

Cloudy, with steady rain nearly all day.

We didn’t go to Church today, and this afternoon and tonight I have not been at all well. Don’t know just whats the matter.

Tonight we hear that the Russians have reached the center of Berlin, coming in from the N.E. & N.W. Our 1st & 9th armies are near by—probably within 15 or 20 miles of the City.

Down to the South the French have taken Stuttgart, and our 7th army is penetrating into the Bavarian Alps.

The British have about taken or will soon take Bremen.

And down in Italy we have taken Bologna and our & the British army have pressed on further North after the retreating Germans.

Gen. Patton’s army is supposed to be cooperating with the Russians—just where is not reported, but supposed to be in Checkoslovakia & Austria.

More Americans have been liberated from German prison camps, where many have died from starvation & bad treatment.

Gen. MacArthur’s men have killed nearly 12,000 Japs on Mindanao & taken only 27 prisoners.

The bombing of Japan goes on every day.

Hard fighting going in the neighborhood of Bagnio, in N. Luzon (this summer capital was taken a bit later.) on April 29th)

Why did we stand by and let the Russians take Berlin. We could have done so.

There are rumors that Hitler has been in Berlin for several days.

Monday, April 23, 1945. Rain.

Hard rain this morning. Mostly cloudy aft.

My Division was busy with Motion business this morning. Pretty busy in office this afternoon.

The Russians are in Berlin allright, but it covers about 400 sq. miles. It may take some time to clear out the Nazis. One German report is that Hitler is in Berlin. I do not believe it.

Our 9th & 1st armies are on the way, but they must do some cleaning up as they go. Hitler it is reported has ordered all by-passed German forces to turn guerrillas and cut our communications and kill as many of our Allied soldiers as possible.

The Canadians are trying to picket the Germans, some 75,000, still in Holland.

The British are trying to take Bremen, and advance units are feeling out the defenses of Hamburg. Both cities are being strongly defended.

Reports are that Gen. Patton is headed for the Bavarian Alps. So are the Russians moving east from Vienna. Dresden may be one objective, and Berchtesgaden another

Molotov arrived in Washington a day or so ago. He & Stettinius & Anthony Eden have had several consultations, probably to iron out the differences over allowing the Polish Communist government to have a seat at San Francisco. The British & Am. gov’ts object.

There is still bitter fighting going on in South end of Okinawa.

Tuesday, April 24, 1945.

No oral arguments this week. I got two opinions and one [ ? ] finished & filed today.

Cloudy & humid, but no rain today.

Judge Chapman & I played golf late this aft.

The Russians have taken about 1/4 of Berlin & have penetrated into the heart of the City.

No junction of Russian & American Armies has been officially reported.

The radio commentators tonight were all talking about the great San Francisco Conference which begins tomorrow. 1200 delegates from the Countries making up the United Nations are booked to attend. They meet to frame a plan for a world organization to preserve peace & cooperation among the Nations of the World. A noble objective. It must and will succeed in laying the foundations of this world organization. This may be our last chance to save the world. We must do it. Our boys must not have died in vain!

Gen. Patton’s armored columns are reported within 2-5 miles of the Austrian border and about 95 miles from Berchtesgaden.

We have the Germans on the run in Italy. Our 5th army & the British 8th have made rapid advances the past two days.

Wednesday, April 25, 1945. Conference of United Nations convenes.

Rain. Cloudy, with considerable rain this morning. Worked in office all day, and went to fish fry at Country Club at 6 p.m. given by Senator Perdue of Cedar Key and Rep. Mackenzie of Chiefland. Then at 8:30 tonight I went to hear Sen. Claude Pepper, who delivered an excellent memorial address on our late and much lamented Pres. Roosevelt, before the Senate and House at the Capitol.

The great United Nations Conference to draft the plan for an organization of all the peace loving Nations of the world convened this afternoon in San Francisco. It opened with a most excellent radio address from President Truman. Representative from 46 Nations were there. The 47th, Poland, is not yet represented. The “Big Three” have not been able to agree. Molotov wants the Russian sponsored Polish Cabinet’s representatives seated. Stettinius and Eden object. They want other elements of Poland’s people represented.

The Russians are fighting it out with the Germans in Berlin alone. Our troops are near by, but no junction yet.

Gen. Patton is nearing Austria & now only 72 miles from Berchtesgaden, which was blasted today by British heavy bombers.

Although our men have killed 21,000 Japs. on Okinawa & taken nearly 400 prisoners, the fighting is still bitter.

We are doing well on Mindanao.

Thursday, April 26, 1945. Juncture of Am. & Russian Armies.

Cloudy-humid-warm. Warmest yet.

Tonight Mr. F. A. Mahan gave a big fish fry to some 5 or 600 people in his packing house at his Nursery headquarters in Monticello. All the Members of the legislature in Monticello and State officers and many others were there. Mr. Frank Pilot, our Court Research Clerk, took Justices Chapman & Thomas & Clerk Guyte McCord and myself in his car. We got there about 7 p.m. It’s a beautiful drive from here to Monticello, especially in the Spring. The grand hills & beautiful woods and field gave me quite a thrill.

It was quite an affair. Everything to drink from beer to Scotch—various brands of whiskies. A great many drank a bit too much. The dinner and speeches began at 9 and lasted till about 11 p.m. Judge Waller was toast master. Speeches by the Governor & Senator Pepper and various legislators—including 3 from Georgia. But the loud talking in the rear made it hard to hear. But most of the speeches were short and good.

Standing & talking to various people for 2 hours made me rather tired, but I enjoyed the dinner. The fresh water fish were really fresh, well fried, and good.

So I missed the war news, as it was about 12 o’clock when I got home. I also missed the opening speeches at San Francisco by Stettinius, Eden & Molotov.

Friday, April 27, 1945.

Today at 1 pm we received over the radio the big news of the meeting of our American 1st army patrol unit with the vanguard of the Russian Ukranian army at the little town of Torgau on the Elbe River, 28 miles N.E. of Leipsic and about 45 or 50 miles from Berlin. The meeting was unexpected, in the way it happened, though it was know that contact was near at hand. It took place yesterday afternoon about 4:40 pm, on April 26—our Confederate Memorial Day.

The Russians have now taken about 9/10 of Berlin. Hitler, Goering and Goebbels are said to be in an underground headquarters in Berlin.

Gen. Patton is in Austria & has crossed the Danube, has taken Regensburg, & is nearing Munich, which is being attacked by our 7th army.

The British have taken Bremen & are pushing on toward Hamburg.

Our American troops in Italy have taken Bologna, Verona, & several other cities Northern Italy. The British have done fine too.

Our men on Okinawa have advanced one mile, taking the first line of the Jap. defenses after bitter fighting.

Tonight Lizzie and I went to the Speakers Reception & Dance at the Country Club.

San Francisco Conference refused to seat the delegation from the Lublin Communist government of Poland.

Saturday, April 28, 1945. Rumor of Germany’s surrender.

Warm, muggy day, with very strong N. winds in late afternoon, followed by some slow rain tonight. Judge Chapman & I played golf this afternoon. In spite of the high winds, I managed to make a 48.

In conference quite awhile this morning.

Tonight at 8 o’clock we heard over the radio that the A.P. said a high U.S. official has said that Himmler had offered Germany’s unconditional surrender today. Tonight at 9:30 we heard that President Truman had gotten in touch through Admiral Leahy with Gen. Eisenhower, and the latter had said there was no foundation for the rumor which had spread throughout the country. But, any way, I believe that German organized resistance will collapse very soon—most any day now.

Yesterday our soldiers and the Russians had an opportunity to get together and they had a grand time fraternizing and eating and drinking together at Torgau on the Elbe.

Molotov created quite a row at San Francisco yesterday & today by demanding that each of the big four should have a President of the Conference to sit in rotation. The Conference wanted Stettinius only. But a compromise was agreed on . . Stettinius to remain as permanent chairman of the steering & executive Committee, while the foreign secretaries of the big four “would act as chairman in rotation of the Conference Sessions. So Stettinius really retains the reins. It was also agreed that Russia, White Russia & the Ukraine republics should each have a vote, which means 3 votes for Russia.

We are progressing on all the war fronts but no noteworthy episodes except the capture of Bagnio, in N. Luzon.

Sunday, April 29, 1945. Mussolini captured & shot yesterday.

Dark cloudy & cool morning with some light showers, but clearing and cooler in late afternoon.

Didn’t go to church this morning. It was raining.

This afternoon I called to see my friend Dr. G.W. Brown, who has been down with pneumonia for past week. By way of the super drug, he is about well. Then I went to see Belton Lanier and the Chapmans—Buck Lanier was there. Enjoyed both visits.

Today we learned by radio that Mussolini was captured by Italian partisans in Milan, yesterday—and he and 13 of his [ ? ] were lined up and shot. The partisans had liberated Milan by the time our 5th army got there. The Italian front, which has been held static by mountain fighting for so long, became very active 10 days ago, when our armies started up the Po valley, taking Verona, Bologna, and other cities. The British were also moving up to the East of our forces. Now practically every city in North Italy has been liberated & our troops have reached from Genoa to Swiss border. The German communications had been destroyed by our bombers and the Brenner pass closed. The Germans have been surrendering in droves.

The British have taken about all of Hamburg. Patton has crossed the Danube and is moving in toward Berchtesgaden after taking several Austrian cities and towns. It is reported that Munich has been taken, whether by Patton or Patch’s 7th army I do not know.

Bagnio was taken by MacArthur’s men yesterday, and he is also gaining rapidly in Mindanao. But there is still much fighting going on on Okinawa.

Monday, April 30, 1945.

Quite cool, and clear. Conference this morning. A heavy and destructive hailstorm hit a considerable area of this county, So. of Miccosukee, yesterday afternoon. No sign of it here in town.

No further news of peace offers from Germany today, except that Himmler has gone to Denmark to see the man through whom he made his first offer to surrender to the U.S. & British which was turned down.

The long bloody war in Italy is about over. Our troops took Turin today.

Our 9th army troops contacted the Germans [he means, the Russians, I think] west of Berlin today.

The Russians are still fighting in Berlin[.] Many German troops have surrendered, but the fight for Berlin is not over.

Our 7th Army has taken Munich with very little resistance, and liberated 27,000 prisoners mostly Am airmen, at Dachau beyond Munich.

This was an exciting day at San Francisco. Molotov demanded that Argentina be not admitted, as Poland had not been. The Council turned him down. Then he boldly and forcefully took his fight to the floor of the Convention – and was again heavily voted down. But he seemed to take his defeat without bitterness. He also addressed the newspaper correspondents on the subject before going on the floor of the Conference, and they admitted the ability with which he advanced his arguments.

Tuesday, May 1, 1945. Hitler reported dead. Later information is that Hitler committed suicide on April 29th.

Clear and warmer. Judge C & I had a game of golf. I made a 48 & Judge C. a 50.

The report was sent out by the Nazis on Berlin that Hitler died today, and that on yesterday he had appointed Admiral Doenitz as his successor. Whether or not Hitler is dead is a question. I doubt it but it may be true. Doenitz issued a proclamation calling on the Germans to fight harder than ever. But they have been surrendering to beat the band for the past week, especially in Italy, where 200,000 have surrendered. Some German troops are trying to hold the Brenner pass, but our troops are within 9 miles of it today. The war in Italy is practically over. Gen Marc Clark has done a hard but good job.

Our forces & the British are advancing everywhere, and the Russians have taken most of Berlin. They are close to Hitler’s chancery bldg. But the fanatical Nazis are fighting hard. The Tiergarten is surrounded.

Molotov lost another fight at San Francisco today. He stated that as the U.S. and the South American countries controlled nearly half of the votes, he thought that committee reports should be agreed to by a 2/3 vote rather than by a mere majority. But he did not appear to get mad when his plan was voted down. He is leaving shortly for Moscow, as he is needed there, but the delegation from Russia stays on.

We & the Aussies invaded Borneo today.

The May Day celebration in Moscow today was put on in grand style, Stalin running the show.

Wednesday, May 2, 1945. Berlin Falls.

Partly cloudy-warmer. Clear afternoon.

Berlin’s capture was completed at 3 p.m. today. Tonight Moscow’s 324 big guns reportedly saluted the Victory of Russia over its ancient enemy.

German organized resistance is at an end. About a million German troops in Italy and Austria have surrendered to Allied troops in the past two or three days. Gen. Clark, Gen. Patton & Gen. Patch have more prisoners on their hands than the know what to do with.

Pres. Truman announced today that from the best information available he has reached the conclusion that Hitler is dead. Reports tonight indicate that Hitler & Goebbels committed suicide several days ago, when convinced that Berlin would fall.

The British have reached the Baltic and made it impossible for the German Army in Denmark to escape. It is reported that the large German army in Norway is ready to surrender.

The President has appointed Justice Jackson as chief counsel for prosecution of the German war criminals—a good solution. Rob’t. Hannagan is appointed Post Master General & Jno. W. Snyder appointed head of the R F C. & all gov’t. lending agencies.

Australians & Am. Marines have landed on Borneo. I imagine Jimmy W’s ship was in that convoy.

We are going fine on all fronts.

Thursday, May 3, 1945. Rain & Hail.

Cloudy with hard rain & hail in afternoon.

On bench & in conference most of morning and part of afternoon. Worked till 6:30.

The British have captured Hamburg, Germany’s main port, and have also sent an army into So. Denmark. They have taken 500,000 prisoners in past 2 days. Essen & Emden had already been taken.

Gen Patch is within 10 miles of Berchtesgaden and the French are approaching from the S.W. All Northern Italy is in Allied hands, including Trieste & Gratzia & Venice on the East & Genoa on the West.

The Russians have taken 140,000 prisoners in side Berlin & put them to work cleaning the streets.

The British have flown over to starving Holland 250 tons of food today.

Allied troops are progressing well on Borneo, but the fighting is still bitter on Okinawa.

Our government has had to take over the hard coal mines where 72,000 miners have been on strike for some time.

Friday, May 4, 1945.

Clear and cool. On bench all morning. One of the cases argued was the appeal from the contempt judgment rendered by Circuit Judge Paul D. Barns and Morris Wiseheart against the Miami Herald & Jno. D Pennekamp several months ago. Quite an array of legal talent, including Bob Milam & a Mr. Waslin of N.Y. for appellants and Jim Carson, Giles Patterson and Geo. Powell for the Appellees. Big audience.

Today the German forces in Denmark and Holland surrendered to Gen. Montgomery.

Berchesgarden—Hitler’s supposedly impregnable redoubt—was taken today by Gen. Patch’s 7th Army with very little resistance. It was poorly defended and its strength a myth.

Gen. Patton’s forces, or a part of them, have advanced to near Linz in Chekoslovakia. It is believed that this country, which is held by the most fanatical Nazi troops, may be the scene of some more fighting. But Austria is about won.

The British have taken Rangoon, which I guess means that the long war to retake Burma is over.

The Japs. sent over a big number of suicide planes to attack our ships off Okinawa. A large number of them were shot down but they sank some of our lighter vessels, not very many.

Our men in Okinawa have advanced to within one mile of the capital city of Naha. Our total casualties on that island amount to 16,964, of which 2978 were killed. This is almost as bad as Iwo Jima. But 33,000 Japs killed & 700 taken prisoners.

All of North Germany is now in Allied hands.

Saturday, May 5, 1945.

Still clear & cool. Worked pretty hard in office till 4:30 and then played golf.

Tonight after supper we had a very pleasant visit from Ted Simple and Jack Baldwin of Miami. Fine fellows and good friends of mine.

The Germans in Checkoslovakia are maneuvering to escape the Russians and surrender to Gen. Patton’s army.

Gen Bradley had a conference last night with one of the top Russian commanders. It is thought they are conferring about what should be done with the large Russian [he means, German, I think] armies in Norway & Checkoslovakia: also the territory in Germany to be taken over by the Russians. The Russians, it is believed, want to put a large number of German prisoners to work rebuilding the cities and towns in Russia which they have destroyed. I certainly don’t blame them.

The Japs landed some 600 troops behind our lines in Okinawa yesterday, but most of them were killed and our boys continue to close in on Naha.

We are making good progress in Borneo and on Mindanao. Gen. MacArthur’s forces took the important part of Davao today.

Sunday, May 6, 1945.

A fine, clear day. Still a bit cool.

We were guests of the Cowles today at a luncheon at the FSCW in honor of Dr. & Mrs. Murrah, of Conn. where Dr. Murrah was a congregational pastor for years. Dr Murrah & wife have recently returned from Honolulu where Dr. M. acted as a supply pastor. They have a son at Dale Mabry Airfield.

Gen. Patton’s forces have taken Pilsen and advanced to within 20 miles of Prague with very little opposition. Whether the Germans are going to fight to hold Prague (an open city) is not yet known. Check patriots have been fighting the Germans in the City.

The German armies in Norway have not yet surrendered. The don’t want to surrender to the Russians. This is true also in Checkoslovakia.

However, complete German Surrender is predicted within the next day or so.

Meanwhile the war in the Pacific goes on. We are making progress on all fronts there, but there is still bitter fighting on Okinawa.

The Conference at San Francisco put in a busy week this past week, and on the whole the spirit of the membership was fine. The Polish question is still unsettled, but the Argentine question is a thing of the past but there are many in this country who doubted the wisdom of seating the Argentine delegation to which Molotov so strongly objected. V-E Day is near!

Monday, May 7, 1945. Surrender Day. (Rain early in the morning.)

Warmer, mostly clear Southerly winds.

This is really V-E Day. This morning, 2:41 am. (Paris time) German officers appointed by Admiral Doenitz went to Gen. Eisenhower’s headquarters at Rheims, France, and signed unconditional surrender terms and by the German radio at Flensburg this was announced to the German soldiers and U-boat commanders. The news reached America at 9:35 A.M. through an Associated Press dispatch sent by E. S. Kanady from France. Wild demonstration of joy took place in New York and some other cities. Moseby Collins, Pres. of our Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, ordered all the stores to close at 11 a.m. for the day. An appropriate service was held on the lawn of the Fla. St. College for Women.

But no official announcement came from Washington, London or Moscow. It seems that this had been a agreement at Yalta that V-E Day should be announced simultaneously by the heads of the “Big Three” governments, and Stalin did not want the announcement of unconditional surrender to be made until tomorrow, as preparations were being made for a big demonstration in Moscow at that time. So, Churchill and Truman agreed. Our President is to make the announcement at 9 a.m. tomorrow & Churchill at 3 p.m. London time tomorrow. The A. P. correspondents in Europe were ordered not to send any further dispatches until further orders.

But today was the day of real rejoicing.

Tuesday, May 8, 1945. V-E Day Proclaimed.

Clear, fine, day. On bench this morning.

This morning at 9 President Truman in a fine statement proclaimed (what we already knew) the surrender of the German Armies, and the end of hostilities in Europe in so far as our American & British armies are concerned. Churchill spoke well for Britain.

While Patton was at the gates of Prague he did not attempt to enter the City this morning as fighting was going on between the German sympathizers and the anti-Germans in the City—a sort of Civil War. Doubtless Gen. Patton has occupied the Capital City by tonight.

It is also reported that the anti-Russian Latvian Army of 50,000 and the German army of 250,000 in Latvia have not laid down their arms as yet. The Russians may have some trouble there.

But the War in Europe is virtually over. At least in Western Germany where we are.

A real oil well is reported in Collier County—which will produce[?] 1500 barrels per day.

Tonight I attended the party & dance given by Sen. Walter Rose, Pres. of Senate—at Country Club.

Yesterday & today have been great historic days. What a pity Roosevelt could not have lived to see it. Since Pearl Harbor has was the real leader of the Allies.

Wednesday, May 9, 1945. V-E Day in Russia.

Russia proclaimed the unconditional surrender of Germany early today, based on the ratification in Berlin yesterday of the surrender pact by Wilhelm Keitel, chief of the high command, and Stumpf, chief of the Luftwaffe, in the presence of Marshal Konev and other Russian generals—which came after the Russians took Dresden and cracked through the German lines in the Sudeten Lands, and entered Prague where the German troops were laying down their arms to Check patriots. Gen. Patton evidently refrained from attacking Prague so the Russians could take it.

This was a day of wild celebration in Moscow. Stalin ordered a number of salvos from the big guns of Moscow, and made a stirring speech to the tremendous crowd.

It is reported that the Germans in Norway laid down their arms today and the Norwegians had a big celebration in Oslo. Though our troops had not arrived we had representatives in Oslo. The German soldiers gave no trouble. The long nightmare of German occupation with all its horrors in Norway has at last ended. Quisling has been arrested and jailed.

The Germans have also laid down their arms in Latvia. So this really was the day for the Russians to celebrate. So goes the war in Europe: the most terrible in history.

Thursday, May 10, 1945.

Mostly cloudy and warmer. On bench this morning. Worked in office this aft. till 6:30.

Lizzie has been suffering terribly these past few days. She really ought not to be burdened with house keeping in her condition. We may have to sell our home and either board or rent a small apartment.

It is reported that some Nazi troops are still fighting the Russians in Checkoslovakia, although The Russians have rounded up 189,000 of them

One reason why Gen. Eisenhower resented Adm. Kennedy’s breaking his pledge and sending out the surrender news early Monday morning was that Eisenhower had agreed with the Russians and British commanders that such news should not be given out until a time agreed to by them.

400 B-29s hit Japan today. We lost one bomber.

We underestimated the numbers of Japs on Okinawa by 25,000 Gen. Buckner has been going slow in order to save the lives of our men, who have killed over 33,000 Japs. while we have lost in killed less than 3,000. Hurrah for Gen. Buckner! Let him take his time.

It is reported that we are close on Himmler’s trail & almost caught him today. Quisling will be tried tomorrow. The Germans say Hitler died in Berlin—that he and Eva Braun took their own lives. I am skeptical.

Friday, May 11, 1945.

Mostly cloudy. Warm.

On bench & in conference most of morning. This aft. I played golf with Judge Chapman and Theo Brevard. They each made a 45, I a 49. After Theo & I got to the locker room and just as he, Theo, had stripped and was nearing the bathroom door, he was struck by one of his epileptic spells and fell heavily backward on the floor. I got the colored boy, William, to help me and after bathing his face for awhile, he recovered sufficiently to be placed in a chair, but it was some 20 minutes or more later before he came to.

The War Dept. has announced the plan for returning our men from over seas. It is well worked out. Some will be sent to the Pacific area via Marseilles and the Suez canal. Most of them will be brought to the U.S. and a good portion of these will be sent to the Pacific.

We have gained another half mile on Okinawa. Slowly but surely the large Jap. forces are being killed—the only way we can win, as they never surrender, no matter how hopeless and silly it is to go on fighting. A strange race.

Gen’l Eisenhower will stay on in Germany and have control of that section which will be assigned to American. Gen. Lucius D. Clay will be his chief deputy. Named by Pres. Roosevelt before his death. We must have stern military government of Germany.

Saturday, May 12, 1945.

Mostly cloudy. War S. winds.

The blizzard and heavy snow in New England a few days ago is reported to have done a lot of damage, especially to crops.

Heinrich Himmler is reported captured. I hope this is true. He is one of the arch criminals.

2500 of our soldiers reached New York from Germany today—the first of many shiploads yet to come.

We are making better progress on Okinawa. Fighting now going on in Naha. The Japs. have lots of troops left, although about 35,000 have been killed. No more of our ships have been damaged seriously by Jap. suicide planes the past six days [ ? ] [ ? ] but before that the suicide pilots sank quite a number of our destroyers and other small vessels and severely damaged some of our big war ships. One cruiser may have been sunk.

Liz & Annie went to the movies tonight—“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Liz was really not able to go. It was a long picture. They got back about 11:40 and Lizzie had a terrible night.

Battle still rages in Checkoslovakia East of Prague, between the Russians and the Nazis, who are evidently trying to fight their way through the Russian lines so as to get to the American army & surrender to us. They fear the Russians.

Sunday, May 13, 1945. Rain.

It rained hard for a while about 5 a.m. with stiff wind. Then rained some more about 10:30 to 2 pm. Clear by 4 p.m. While not physically able Lizzie felt that she must call to see Jean Compton Stone, whose father died a day or so ago, age 91. Jean’s little girl was sick with high fever at the time, but is much better today. I went with Lizzie.

The report that Himmler had been captured was a mistake. I’m afraid that slick rascal will never be caught.

Churchill spoke today, but we missed it.

The fighting on Okinawa is as bitter as ever. The Japs managed to land some men behind our lines, but they were shot down. Some of their boats were shot to pieces in the water.

We are making more rapid progress on Mindanao but there too the fighting is bitter.

Australian troops and American Marines have taken most of Tarakan Island, including some of the valuable oil wells & also an airfield. Tarakan is just off of Borneo.

[ ? ] bombed by 400 of our carrier planes & 20 big B 29s. We did not lose a single plane. That was a day or so ago.

Anthony Eden is leaving San Francisco. Will fly to Washington, have a talk with the Pres. & then fly to London.

Monday, May 14, 1945.

Beautiful morning: cloudy afternoon. Worked in office till 4:30. Then drove Annie home on my way to Country Club. Judge C. and I played golf, each making a 48.

Lizzie seems better today, but far from well.

The Russians have about cleaned up the fanatical Nazis in Checkoslovakina and Austria—taking 360,000 additional prisoners. The Russians are going to put them to work in Russia, rebuilding the towns and cities they have destroyed. This makes 2,860,000 prisoners taken by the Russians since their drive began on Jan 12th, making about 12,000,000 killed or captured in 4 yrs. of war.

Gen Eisenhower has issued a stern order stopping the coddling of prominent German war prisoners. Goering & some others had been treated quite royally by some of our officers.

From the synopsis in today’s papers, Churchill made a great speech yesterday—I’m so sorry I did not get to hear it on the radio.

Not much change in the war situation in the Pacific.

Anthony Eden & Clement Attlee had a 40 minute talk with President Truman in Wash’n today.

The raid over Japan yesterday & today was comprised mostly of carrier based planes, 1500 of them. The object was to destroy Jap. air fields and Jap air bases and oil[?] tanks.

Tuesday, May 15, 1945.

A beautiful clear day. Worked in office today until 7:15 p.m.

Yesterday a record raid of 500 superfortresses attacked the industries of Nagoya. No loss of planes reported. (4 reported later.)

Stalin reported that all German officers and men have been rounded up in the areas where the Russians have been operating. Large numbers of them have already been taken to Russia.

400 German prisoners were sent to work by the U.S. or British army in the coal mines in Belgium.

The question of synchronizing the regional peace organizations, such as our Pan American organization for mutual protection, with the World Security Organization, is the uppermost problem right now in San Francisco, and has been for several days. I think this can be worked out.

The large body of German soldiers in the Dunkirk pocket in Belgium are—or most of them—being marched out of Belgium and into Germany today, by British troops I guess. Much to the delight of the Belgians.

Our troops are fighting in Naha, capital of Okinawa, after throwing back a savage Jap. counter attack.

Mindanao is nearly all in our hands now. 90% of the territory—93% of the inhabitants liberated. But the fighting is not over yet.

Wednesday, May 16, 1945.

Partly cloudy. Rain near by in afternoon.

Bobby Jones, & Christianson of Miami, & Sam Sneed and Bobby Walker, played an exhibition golf match in Lakeland yesterday to stimulate the War Bond Drive. The crowd bought $750,000 of bonds. Bobby Jones made a birdie on the 17th and an eagle 3 on the 18th which squared the match. Total scores: Snead 66; Christianson 68; Jones 70 and Walker 75. So good and Bobby can still play fine golf.

Generals Eisenhower, Omar Bradley & Bernard Montgomery were all in London today. First outing Gen’l Ike has had in a long time. He doubtless came to London for a conference but the Londoners gave the general a grand time.

Tito is giving trouble. He is holding Trieste, Italy, & part of near by Austria, against objections by the British, Americans and Italians. I’m afraid Russia is back of this.

The past two days have witnessed the most Savage fighting of the Japanese war on Okinawa. Losses on both sides heavy.

Almost as bad was the fighting in one section of Mindanao.

The House today passed the Justice’s salary bill—making it $9,000. The Senate had passed a bill fixing our salaries at $9,600 It remains to be seen what the outcome will be, but we are thankful for some raise!

Thursday, May 17, 1945.

Partly cloudy; clear & cool late afternoon. This afternoon at 5 Judge C & I played golf. We lost so many balls, it took us 2 hrs. or more to play 9 holes.

Bitter fighting still raging on Okinawa. Our troops have penetrated to center of Naha. We have lost so far 3,781 killed, 17,000 wounded & 165 missing. The Jap losses 47,543 of which 1038 taken prisoners: total killed 46,505.

China port of Foochow, taken by the Chinese a few days ago, has been retaken by the Japs.

The Chinese turned back the Japs some days ago in their offensive on Hunan, which was designed to take our main airfield in NW. China.

We are making progress on Mindanao, but there are some Jap. pockets where the fighting is bitter. Our 31st Div. is closing in on Valencia in the middle of the Island and its large airfield.

The U.S.S. Franklin a large carrier has reached the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It was terribly damaged in the battle of the China Sea last March. The casualties were very heavy some 7 or 800. The Japs. said they had sunk her. After repairs it traveled on its own power 13000 miles to Brooklyn. It needs to be almost rebuilt.

Friday, May 18, 1945. Cool Snap.

Clear and cold early morning; delightful midday & afternoon. N.W. wind.

Worked all day in office till 6:30; then home and a walk on the golf course.

Now that the leader of the plot, hatched during and after the Ardennes offensive last winter, has been captured, Lt. Col. Skorzeny, the manner in which the plot was discovered and was defeated has been disclosed by our Supreme Headquarters, & is outlined in todays newspapers.

The air activity in the Pacific is far flung and unending. Every day some Japanese industrial city and its war plants is bombed, on the Jap Islands, or Formosa, in the Dutch E. Indies, or in Manchuria. Likewise our Navy & undersea craft are gradually destroying the Jap Navy and Merchant fleet. Today a Jap. airfield in China was bombed.

The fighting on Okinawa is not over yet. It is as tough as ever, but is apparently in its final stage. There are about 30,000 Japs. still on the Island.

On Mindanao, Valencia & its airfield have been captured.

Saturday, May 19, 1945.

Clear & cool morning; N.W. wind; warmer in afternoon

Put in a pretty good day’s work in office. Passed on several cases coming in from the other judges & studied two cases coming up Monday. I have disposed of everything in my office except two cases assigned to me to write—hard ones. Got home about 7 pm & took good long walk.

Not much change in the situation on the Pacific area. No let up in the battle for Okinawa.

Russia’s attitude is disappointing. So is Marshall Tito’s. Stalin is not living up to the Yalta agreement, either as to Poland or the use of Berlin as headquarters for a Commission of the big three powers to control the Military occupation & administration of Germany—which is to divide into three zones, one to be controlled by the U.S., one by each of the other two. And Tito has occupied Trieste, an Italian port, & parts of Austria near by. The situation looks bad. I hope our country and Britain will insist on & enforce their just rights.

The Interstate Commerce Commission has made an order which will do away with discriminating in rates against the South.

Sunday, May 20, 1945.

A beautiful day. Liz & I went to church this morning-Pentecost Sunday. This aft. about 5 I went to the Club & played golf with Mr. Ed. Branchit, or some such name, & a Mr. Lyons.

Tonight I was so interested in an article & was reading that I did not turn on the radio.

Stalin’s explanation of the arrest of the 16 polish leaders is a rather lame one. He says that any explanation of the present Polish(Russian) cabinet must recognize the latter as the basic core.

Tito refuses to take his army out of Trieste and So. Austria. Says he is willing to abide by the territorial settlements of the Peace Conference. Gen Alexander says Tito’s attitude is “reminiscent of Hitler, Mussolini and Japan.”

Tito is hand in glove with the Russians, whose recent attitude is wrong and disappointing.

The Japs on Okinawa are making a desperate attempt to hold the hilly 5 mile line across the So. waist of the Island. Bitter fighting still goes on, but signs of a Jap. crack up begin to appear.

The Chinese army has taken Foochow again from the Japs. after a hard battle.

B-29s blast industrial plants in Tokyo and another industrial City 60 miles So. of Nagoya.

Monday, May 21, 1945.

Clear and warmer. On bench all morning hearing motions, petitions for certiorari &c.

The Yugoslavs are reported to be moving out of Austria in trucks furnished by the British. Also that they are moving their military headquarters out of the City limits of Trieste, but those reports have not been officially confirmed. But the Polish question is as grave as ever.

Today at 1 o’clock, in a joint session of the houses of Congress, the Congressional medal of honor was conferred upon Tech. Sgt. Jake W. Lindsey of Lucidale, Miss. Gen. Marshall read the citation & then Pres. Truman delivered a very fine short address. We heard all this over the radio. Lindsey was the 100th foot soldier to receive such an honor. He deserved it. Our Southern boys have made a grand record.

Our forces took one side of a hill at Shuri on Okinawa today, and rolled barrels of gasoline down into the caves & gulleys where the Japs were hidden & set it on fire. This got a lot of the Japs. and made the others run. This saved the lives of a number of our boys. It is grim but sensible.

The Chinese are making some progress against the Japs. near the Indo China line.

Tuesday, May 22, 1945. James & Emily arrive.

Mostly clear.

In conference quite awhile this morning. At 5, Judge C. & I left for the links & played golf.

When I got back I found Lt. James Dowdell and wife Emily were here—They drove up from Miami on their way to Bainbridge, Maryland, N.C. U.S. Navy Training Center. So glad to see them.

The terrific battle of Okinawa still goes on at a more furious tempo than ever, in spite of heavy rains & mud. Our losses must be terrible.

A telegram from Elizabeth to Annie says Stan Styron, long a prisoner of the Germans, is safe & on his way home

James & Emily are both looking well & happy in spite of their long auto trip at 40 m.pr. hr., during which they had lots of tire trouble—Two new tires put on during trip. They have synthetic war time tires

Wednesday, May 23, 1945.

Somewhat foggy early morning. Clear and warm.

On bench & in conference practically all morning. Worked in office till 6:15, then home. Mr. & Mrs. Hollis Rinehart & Mrs. Whiteside were at home when I got there. James & Emilie had gotten in touch with them. Mr R. is a Miami lawyer & a close friend of Gov’r Caldwell. After they left I took a walk. We had a good dinner tonight. The mangos which Ted Sample sent me came in nicely.

Today 550 big superfortresses bombed Japan’s capital City, the biggest B-29 raid so far. We lost 12 of the big planes, but the havoc they wrought was tremendous.

While the battle still goes on, the island of Okinawa is being reportedly turned into a tremendous air base.

Today Pres Truman appointed Hon. Tom Clark of Texas as Atty General, Biddle having resigned: also appointed Swellenback from [ ? ] as Secretary of Labor in place of Miss Perkins, and C. P. Anderson as Sec’y of Agriculture n place of Wickend, who was appointed Chief of the Rural Electrification Bureau, and [text ends]

Thursday, May 24, 2011.

Mostly clear and warm, but nice breeze.

On bench & in conference most of morning.

Worked till 4:30 pm & then we all went down to Wakulla Springs, in Lizzie’s car. James & Emilie went in bathing. We got back to town about 7:35 p.m. Tonight the Cowles & the Fains came over to see James & Emilie, who are leaving tonight for Atlanta—a night drive—which is better on synthetic tires. We have enjoyed this visit very much.

Himmler was captured by the British three days ago in N.W. Germany, and he committed suicide today, at Lueneburg. A good riddance.

We are making good headway on Okinawa. Our troops have put two bridges over the river which enabled them to get into the larger part of Naha. And we have broken their line at Shuri and now are converging on the Japs from 3 directions.

Churchill resigned yesterday so as to force a general election soon. This action was caused by the Labor Party’s refusal to take any further part in the Gov’t.

Friday, May 25, 1945.

Another clear day—very pleasant.

Wrote an opinion this A.M. & spent afternoon—till 6:30—studying & passing on cases written by other Justices.

James & Emilie left at 12 last night. Expected to spend today & tonight with Cordelia Wolf in Atlanta. They are a fine young couple.

Gen. Courtney Hodges & 46 officers reached Atlanta yesterday and were given a street parade—hilarious crowds—and reception & dinners galore. Atlanta loves that.

Our troops are making steady progress in Okinawa, but the fierce resistance continues. Our total casualties amount to the staggering total of over 35,000 to date.

Jimmie called up Annie tonight. He is O.K. but disappointed. Won’t be able to see his family. His ship is going thru Panama Canal to Europe, then through the Mediterranean to the Pacific area packed with Am troops.

Saturday, May 26. 1945. Tokyo hard hit: almost destroyed.

Mostly clear, but cloudy with a few scattered light showers—not much—in late afternoon, tho plenty of thunder & some wind.

Attended to a good many small personal matters today. Did not do much work. Played golf with Judge C. in late afternoon. He made a 42, I a 48, tho my wood shots were unusually good. Putting bad.

Our troops have taken a part of Okinawa’s Capital and chief port, Naha, and are cracking the defenses of Shuri, one of the strongest points in the Jap. line across Southern Okinawa. Night before last the Japs. sent over a large number of suicide planes. We brought down 166 of them, but they sunk one destroyer and damaged several of our higher craft. Early this morning 500 of our big bombers visited Tokyo again striking the main business section with a fire bomb designed to penetrate the modern brick & steel business buildings. Great damage was done. We lost 19 B-29s, 209 men.

Pretty hard fighting is still going on in the Phillippines, in Northern Luzon and on Mindanao. The Japs. held a good many strong points on both these islands.

Pres. Truman has sent Joseph E. Drain[?] to London and Harry Hopkins to Moscow to arrange a meeting of the “Big Three.”

Sunday, May 27, 1945.

Clear, but somewhat cloudy in late afternoon. A few drops of rain. Rain to the North of us.

Went to church by myself this morning. Lizzie still not at all well

Heavy rains and mud for past week have slowed down our operations on Okiniwa[sic]. Also in the Philippines.

Yesterday the house passed the act giving the President power to lower tariff rates as much as 50% when necessary in reciprocal trade agreements, but there may be a hard fight to get it through the Senate. I hope it passes allright.

Our wonderful Air Transport Command is bringing a lot of our soldiers back from the war theaters of Europe & the East.

Monday, May 28. Warm. Atlantic Sea Lanes Opened

Clear. Warmest day so far this year.

Went to Dr. Brown’s office this a.m. and had ingrowing eyelids[he may mean “eyelashes”] on lower lid of left eye removed. I usually have to go to him every two or three weeks. Now it has been a month. So I’m hoping.

Did some office work this a.m. and this afternoon. Lizzie and I went to Sybil Woal’s[?] marriage at the Episcopal Chapel just off the College Campus. She married a young Australian Airman named Jeffery Linsk, or some such name. Mrs. Woal had asked me to ‘give the bride away” as Mr. W. could not come.

Then I worked in office till 7:30.

B-29’s attacked Yokahama & Shikoku today. Destroyed 40 Jap. planes on the ground as an incident[?]

But the Japs sent over a swarm of suicide planes to attack our ships off Okinawa. They sunk another destroyer and damaged a dozen other ships. 77 of the Jap. planes shot down. Last week we shot down 168 Jap planes.

MacArthur’s men have captured Santa Fe a strong point in N. E. Luzon where 30,000 Japs ware still holding out.

We are making some gains on Okinawa & on Mindanao in spite of very heavy rains.

All the German subs have been rounded up. The Atlantic is now open to all shipping without convoys—and all lighted up.

Tuesday, May 29, 1945.

Warmest Day yet. Clear. No breeze in late afternoon and night. Regular Summer weather.

Yokohama was hit hard today by some 400 superfortresses. So 18 or 20 also visited Tokyo again. The fires in Tokyo a few days ago were spread by the high wind and destroyed some buildings inside the Emperors Palace grounds, but the Palace itself was not damaged.

Our troops have occupied Naha, but some fighting is going on with a pocket of Japs. in center of City. Our troops have also reached the fortress of Shuri, which has been Jap. headquarters. So we are making steady progress on Okinawa.

With arguments & conference till 12:15, I did not get to do much work today. At 5 p.m. Judge C. & I went out and played golf in spite of the heat.

When I got home, I found a cocktail party & supper in full swing. We had the Cowles and the Jeffords[?]. We all had a nice time.

France has raised a rumpus in Syria and Lebanon by reinforcing her garrisons there. She met stiff resistance. The French are reporting as shelling Damascus, capital of Syria Today. I think France has made an untimely move.

Wednesday, May 30. Memorial Day

Still Summer weather. Clear as a bell. We have not had enough rain in North Florida, but in Central & So. W. Florida, there has almost no rain for months. The results have been quite serious to the truck & fruit growers.

The American flag flies over the castle-fortress of Shuri, and in spite of the rain, our troops have cut the Jap. line across the Island in two. But the Japs. are still fighting savagely. The Conquest of Okinawa is not far off.

This has been a quiet Memorial Day here. There should have been some public meeting. Our country has lost so many of its best men.

Some interruptions today, but passed on some hard cases written by other judges.

Lizzie & Annie went with the Cowles to the movies tonight. Were disappointed.

The French have unwisely stirred up serious trouble in Syria & Lebanon, and their shelling of Damascus was apparently unjustified. De Gaulle is not the man I thought he was. If we & the British don’t do something, the whole Arab world will soon be on the war path.

Thursday, May 31, 1945.

Another hot, clear day, but with good breeze most of the day. On bench this morning.

Osaka, large Jap. City, bombed today. Gen Jas. H. Doolittle will soon be one of the head men in our air attacks on Japan, which he was the first to initiate three years & more ago.

Shuri Castle is now firmly in our hands, and most of the City. Our forces estimate that on 20,000 Japs. are left on Okinawa—85,000 having been killed.

Chiang Kai Shek has resigned as Premier of China, succeeded by T.V. Soong, and Chiang retains the Presidency. It is reported that he will devote his time to leading the Chinese armies from now on. The Chinese have been clearing the Japs. out of S.W. China pretty well here lately. The have received some equipment from us.

The Fla. House passed a resolution authorizing each member to be paid $240.00 as reimbursement for estimated expenses incidental to the work of the legislature. the Governor has requested an advisory opinion from our Court as to whether he can constitutionally sign the warrants. I am afraid he cannot. But 6.—per day is ridiculously small pay for member of our lawmaking body. The Constitution should be amended.

Friday, June 1, 1945.

Clear, Dry & Hot.

Pretty busy day in office. Walk on golf course when I go home. Nice chat with Dean Dodd. Also with Mr. McCann, father of Connie (a fine bomber pilot) and sister Martha. Mrs. McCann is fine too. I like the McCann’s very much: also Dean and Mrs. Dodd.

Wrote an advisory opinion to the governor today on constitutionality of House Resolution 27, by which they attempted to pay each member $240. for expenses incurred. Held bad-by 5 to 2.

Tonight we & the Cowles went to a delightful movie. “The Affairs of Susan,” starring Joan Fontaine and George Brent. Whole cast good. First movie I’ve been to in about 6 months.

The raid on Osaka yesterday was a heavy one. Some 600 bombers. Another jap. industrial center put out of business.

Yesterday Churchill demanded of De Gaulle that a ceasefire order be sent to the French troops in Syria & Lebanon. Our government backed Churchill. De Gaulle obeyed. He better had. But I fear this trouble is not entirely over yet.

The Legislature adjourned sine die this afternoon at 4 p.m. and Gov. Caldwell called them into extra session at 12 tomorrow to make the reapportionment commanded by the Constitution.

Saturday, June 2, 1945.

Foggy & cloudy morning, somewhat clearer in afternoon. Still warm.

Worked in office till 4:30, then played golf with Judge C. I am not feeling very well, and was quite tired after game. I made 48, Judge C. a 49. but we enjoyed the game.

Pres. Truman sent a message to Congress yesterday on the State of the war against Japan, and our plans to wage it on a large scale, and bring victory & peace as soon as possible and save as many lives as possible. It was a good & comprehensive message.

The Legislature met today and then adjourned the extra session until Wednesday of next week.

On Okinawa, both Naha and Shuri are now firmly in our hands and the big Jap. airfield just West or So.W. of Naha soon will be. In another 10 days or two weeks the now 63 day battle of Okinawa will probably be over. Let us hope so.

Sunday, June 3, 1945.

Partly cloudy morning, a few scattered drops of rain now and then until 5 p.m., then clear.

Liz & I went to Church. This afternoon about 5 I visited Judge Whitfield and we had a very interesting conversation for an hour or more. He is a remarkable man. Has retained his mental powers apparently as strong as ever.

Our troops have surrounded probably the larges[t] part of the Jap. troops on the Island of Okinawa. And our planes have destroyed most of the Jap. bases from which they have been launching their suicide planes which have damaged so many of our ships. The situation is much improved.

The wide scope of the veto power which the Russians are demanding is giving our representatives at the San Francisco conference much concern. The smaller Nations are with us. I hope the Russians will come around. We should not give in to them.

Well, at last a conference of the representatives of the U.S., Britain, & France are meeting with the Russians in Berlin to iron out plans for the military occupation of Germany. Our representatives are headed by Gen. Eisenhower. Russia has delayed this conference entirely too long.

Monday, June 4, 1945.

Mostly clear and warm. Some humidity this afternoon.

Our Division handled the Motion day business this morning. The only tough case was assigned to me to prepare an opinion. We also had another request from the Gov’r for an advisory opinion, but it did not raise any difficult points. This was assigned to Judge Sebring.

The American troops on Okinawa are closing in on the Japs, but they are still holding out fanatically. It is a just a question of a few days.

But, sad to relate, two more of our destroyers, with crews of about 200 men each off Okinawa were sunk today by Jap. suicide planes I guess. Radio report tonight did not say.

The Russians are still holding out in their demand that any one of the big 5 can veto any decision by the Council of any dispute that may arise.

Tuesday, June 5, 1945.

Clear and warm, but good breeze until late afternoon.

Office work today—Played golf at 5:15.

The large Jap. port of Kobe was bombed today by 300 or more B-29s. The raid was very effective, but we lost 8 bombers—some 80 to 90 of our fine young airmen.

We made an amphibious landing on Okinawa a day or two ago. This blow from an unexpected quarter has helped in splitting and cornering the Japs. and our men are making very substantial gains.

The British have quieted the French in Syria & Lebanon, but De Gaull[e] is mad about it I think the British have prevented a Arab Nations war.

Denmark’s representative took their seat at the United Nations Conference today, making the 50th Nation represented.

Wednesday, June 6, 1945. My 70th birthday. 1st Anniversary of D-Day.

Still clear & warm, but some breeze.

In conference most of the morning. Did not get to do much work today.

One year ago today, our American and British troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. 30 days ago Germany surrendered.

Not much news from Okinawa today. But we do know that we have taken all of the big Naha airfield. Victory in that battle of Okinawa is near at hand.

I am so thankful to the good Lord that he has spared me to reach 3 score & ten! and that I still have a fair measure of health & strength. May He guide me so that I may use wisely and helpfully the time that lies ahead!

This afternoon at 5 to 7 Justice Thomas gave a little party in my honor. Judge Curtis Waller[?] and Mr. Saunders, member of Legislature from Judge Thomas home county, were present. When I got home about 7:15, Annie had planned a dinner in my honor at a place 5 miles N. of town. So we and the Cowles & Mary Maud drove up there and we had a good dinner. Both affairs delightful.

Thursday, June 7, 1945.

Mostly hazy & partly cloudy, but warm and humid. We got out an opinion (by Judge Buford) today upholding the three days notice of application for marriage licenses Act recently adopted by the Legislature. I wrote a short concurrence.

The Legislature is still deadlocked on the re-apportionment matter. North Fla. members, who control the Senate, almost 2 to 1, are determined to hold their advantage over more populous So. Fla.

Well! As I thought they would, the Russian members, on word from Moscow, gave in this afternoon and agreed that none of the Big Five powers should have the right to veto discussion by the Security Council of any controversy that any country or countries should desire to submit. We had already agreed to the right to veto resort to military action. So the conference in San Francisco will be able to get through in 8 to 15 days, Sec’y Stettinius says.

Over 66,000 Japs have been killed on Okinawa, about 4/5 of their entire force, and we are still making gains. The lower House of Congress has authorized our participation in the Betton Woods proposal for a World Bank.

The zones of Occupation in Germany have not yet been agreed on. It is understood that Germany’s East or N.E. half will be occupied by the Russians. The British seem to be on what the French shall occupy.

Friday, June 8, 1945.

Partly cloudy & hazy.

Did considerable law study today, wrote some letters, but accomplished little. This long early hot spell has made me lazy.

The Congress of the United Nations at San Francisco is still working. They have almost finished agreements on all important questions. Russia’s attitude has slowed up the work. The plan of world organization they will complete in a few days is a very good one—the best they could do at this time—but it is not as democratic as the small nations would like. It puts the real control in the hands of the Big Three.”

The Japs, tho cornered, are still fighting hard on Okinawa, and their suicide planes came over today, 67 of them being shot down, but they managed to damage two of our smaller ships.

Saturday, June 9, 1945.

Same as yesterday—the haziness is said to be due to smoke from woods fires. Strong South breeze most of afternoon.

I dictated an opinion today, and played golf with Judge C. this afternoon from 5:15 to 7:30. Am still off my game. I took a 50, Judge C. a 47.

Not much war news tonight.

No rain since May 13th. This long hot dry spell is hard on the farmers. But we are better off in this section than in Central & So. Fla. Fires in the Everglades area has had a large part of the E. coast covered with a heavy haze of smoke for days.

Sunday, June 10, 1945

Clear and warm.

Went to Church this morning. Took a good nap after lunch and read till 4 p.m. Temp. was 90° in my room.

Tonight we had the Sebrings and Judge Thomas to dinner & had a good time from 7 to 11 p.m. They are all fine folks.

Tokyo & two other Jap. cities bombed by our big superforts.

We are gradually killing off the remaining Japs. on Okinawa. Meanwhile we are putting several air fields into good shape for our planes. This island is going to be a very important air base for us. But it is sad to think of what it has cost us. But such is war. May we never have to have another.

Monday, June 11, 1945.

Clear. Quite warm. Fairly good breeze.

Worked in office all day.

Legislature met again today, but did nothing. Still deadlocked on reapportionment.

Tonight the Cowles had us and the Jeffords to a steak dinner over at the Silver Slipper.

We have lost two more destroyers and two smaller vessels off Okinawa. Cause not stated. Probably Jap. suicide planes. Total casualties about 460. Terrible.

The Japs. have been pushed back on Okinawa to the high cliffs next to the sea. but they have dug in and still fight desperately. The Aussies made successful landings at five different points on Borneo. Met little resistance except at one place. Gen MacArthur was in charge & went ashore for awhile. The Chinese have been making some gains against the Japs. in S. E. China.

Tuesday, June 12, 1945.

Weather about the same.

On bench in a banc case for an hour & more. Considerable office work till about 7:15.

We are making gains on Okinawa but the Japs have the advantage of terrain and are making us pay dearly for our gains.

The dead lock in the legislature continues.

Gen’l Eisenhower is being showered with honors in London. He is very popular in Britain.

Gen. Patton had a big reception in his home town of New Bedford, Mass., and now he is going to the West Coast. He is held in high esteem. His is really a great field commander.

Wednesday, June 13, 1945.

Somewhat hazy. A light misty drizzle for a half hour about noon. Not enough to do any good.

On bench again in a banc case this morning. Long conference this afternoon from 3 to nearly 5. Then Judge C. & I played golf. We tied on 7 holes and each wound up with a 45. Pretty hot on the course.

We are gradually killing off the remaining Japs. on Okinawa.

Not much news of importance.

No rain now since May 13. 31 days. It’s pretty serious.

The freedom of the City—London’s highest honor--& the Medal of the Order of Merit—were conferred on Gen. Eisenhower in London—the first by the City & the 2nd by the King. Gen. Eisenhower made a firm but modest speech.

Thursday, June 14, 1945.

We had a hard short shower at 1 p.m. today—harder at Supreme Court Bldg. than out a home. Lasted only about 15 or 20 minutes, but did some good. Cooled off the atmosphere. Tonight is very pleasant. Guess I’ll sleep in my room tonight, instead of on the glider out on our front porch.

The remaining 9 or 10,000 Japs. on Okinawa are practically surrounded except on the hills & cliffs overlooking the sea. The end is in sight. And our bombers hit Japan again today.

We had important cases argued before our Div. today, one before the whole court. Judge Bayard Shields, fine man and able Jacksonville Circuit Judge sat in place of Judge Adams. Two of the three cases are assigned to me, and the banc case to Judge Shields.

Osaka heavily bombed today.

Friday, June 15, 1945.

A light short shower about noon, but not enough to do any good. Cloudy & hazy most of the day. On bench and in conference a large part of the day.

This aft. Judge Chapman & I played golf. I played the first six holes very well, but the last 3 badly. Judge C. made a 44, I a 48.

We lost one bomber out of the several hundred which bombed Osaka yesterday.

Our boys are forging ahead on Okinawa and the Japs. still fighting as fanatically as ever.

Lizzie & Annie went to the movie tonight—“National Velvet” and liked it. I was a bit tired after my golf and took it quietly at home.

Von Ribbentrop was caught yesterday in a boarding house in Hamburg. He had poison in his clothing.

The Aussies have taken Labuan Island off N.W. Borneo. It has airfields—But the Jap. resistance was not very strong.

Saturday, June 16, 1945.

Clear & bright, with nice breezes, but getting more humid in evening. We need rain!

Worked all day till 6:55, but did not seem to accomplish much. Am getting some very complimentary letters about my speech at Miami on Dec. 15/44 which has just come out in the Fla. Law Journal. Published at request of the Miami Bar Ass’n. Speech entitled “the Bench & Bar of Fla.”

Not very much news tonight.

We had the Cowles and Mary Maud Jeffords to a nice dinner tonight.

Gen. Buckner is evidently trying to save as many lives of our forces on Okinawa as possible. Good. But this means a slow and cautions mopping up operation as the Japs. dig into holes & caves in the hills as they retreat from point to point. Our losses are already terrible, but I believe unavoidable.

Sunday, June 17, 1945. Light shower

Clear morning. Lizzie & I went to Church and then home. Walter & Mrs. Cowles took us & Mary Maud Jefferds to the College dining room for lunch. It was good—and only 50¢. The lunch is for members of the faculty & their guests, but we always pay our way--& glad to do so. Catherine Stickney was in the car, but we dropped her at her mother’s home. The Stickneys have only arrived here a day or so ago, from Cuba. Catherine is a fine girl, and quite pretty. Tonight at 7 Mary Maud had the Cowles & Liz, Annie & me to dinner-and a good one. So we are well fed.

Not much change in the war situation—steady progress is being made against the Japs in the Phillipines, Borneo & on Okinawa. On Okinawa, our men have the remaining Japs. confined in a small area. It won’t be long now.

At 1:15 there was a good shower at the College, but practically none at home. Cooler.

Monday, June 18, 1945. Good showers. Gen. Buckner killed on Okinawa.

Clear, bright morning. Clouding up by noon. A good shower to the West of us, and the here at home about 1:45 to 2 and again about 3 p.m.

The battle of Okinawa is drawing to a close but, sad to say, Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, our General in charge, will not see the victory completed. He died today. I did not hear what caused his death.

The Russians are giving trouble in San Francisco again. Their spokesman, Grymeko, says Russia will not stand for full and free discussions by the General Assembly—unless Moscow says so. This is going too far again.

Moscow reports that 12 of the 16 Polish leaders have pled guilty, 3 guilty of some of the charges, one pled not guilty. I wonder what pressure was brought to bear on these men?

Gen Eisenhower was given a tremendous ovation in Washington today. The streets were lined with people. From his plane he first visited Army headquarters; then he addressed Congress. The members of the Supreme Court were present. Great speech.

Tuesday, June 19, 1945. Showers.

Mostly clear morning, but a real good shower for an hour, 1:05 to 2:15. Overcast & cool afternoon.

Very busy day in office, but from 5 to 7 I played golf with Judge C.

Gen. Eisenhower met cheering throngs in N.Y. today, from LaGuardia Field, through Central Park and down Broadway. Big Luncheon. Big Dinner.

Gen. Buckner’s death yesterday was caused by a large splinter from a shell burst while he and several other officers were near the front watching the progress of our troops. His plans were working excellently. When struck in the left breast, he had a smile on his face. He never knew what hit him. And even in death he still had the same smile. Gen. Roy Geiger was appointed to succeed him, as he had wished and took over immediately. One fine general & fine man gone: another like him took his place. The Japs, split in two and crowded into a few square miles, are on their last legs.

Pres Truman flew from Wash’n to Olympia today 2450 miles in 12 hours. There he will take a few days much needed rest before addressing the San Francisco Conference Sat’day.

Congress gave the Pres. his requested power to lower tariffs 50% when necessary. Good!

Two of Japan’s smaller cities were bombed today.

Wednesday, June 20, 1945.

Mostly clear. No showers. Warmer tonight.

The Senate passed the extension of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act today, including the power of the President to lower tariffs 50%. Good!

On bench and in conference a large part of the morning. 2 whole court cases. Passed on several cases from other Judges this afternoon, including reading record & briefs in a murder case.

We lost another General today, killed on Okinawa, a Div. Commander, and also one of our admirals, whose name I do not recall, killed by a Jap. suicide plane.

But the battle of Okinawa is about over. In is now largely a mopping up operation—The Japs. are split into 3 separate pockets.

The Russians have agreed to another compromise at San Francisco. We wanted the assembly to be a sort of world town meeting, free to discuss anything. The compromise is that the Members of the assembly shall be free to discuss anything “within the scope of the charter”—which they hope to complete by Tuesday next. Pres. Truman will probably postpone addressing the Conference until that time.

Thursday, June 21, 1945. Victory in Okinawa announced.

Mostly clear. Rain to the South of us, but only a slight short drizzle in the City or at home.

Official announcement of the conquest of Okinawa was made today. Some mopping up may yet have to be done. After 82 days of bitter fighting (except for the first few days after we landed on Apl. 1st) during which over 90,000 Japs. have been killed or captured, the end of organized resistance has come!

Gen. Buckner, who led the long battle died just 3 days before completion of his work. Gen Roy S. Geiger who succeeded him, is a Florida citizen.

It is announced the Gen. Jos. Stilwell will be put in charge of the 10th Army, which will probably be the one to invade the Japan home islands, or that part of China which they hold.

The question of trusteeships and mandates has been worked out in San Francisco today and the charter of the United Nations is now about complete. But it will take until Tuesday to have it all written out and signed. Then Pres. Truman, now in Olympia, will fly down and address the Conference.

Friday, June 22, 1945. Good Showers.

Mostly clear, clouding up in late afternoon, with a good shower about 8 p.m.

On bench all morning. Conference at 3. Office work from 4 to 7:15.

3000 tons of bombs were dropped by B-29s on Kura naval arsenal and 5 air craft factories today. We lost 4 bombers from anti air craft fire.

Our 10th army forces on Okinawa lost 6,990 killed and 29,598 wounded. We paid a heavy prince in precious lives to win Okinawa. And two more of our smaller war vessels were badly damaged today by “Kamikazi” Jap. planes.

Gen. Eisenhower got off his train to speak to some “Purple Heart” boys on a station platform, today, at some small place in Kansas, on his way from Kansas City to his home town of Abilene, and the train moved off. He ran to catch it, tripped and fell and injured his knee, but got on the train and went on to his home town festivities, and did the best he could not to let on that he had been hurt. Great fellow! But the Germans couldn’t hurt him.

1 of our ships sunk and 54 damaged off Okinawa in 82 days!

Saturday, June 23, 1945. Showers.

Mostly cloudy, with blustery, strong N. to N.E. breezes, with some rain at times, due to storm in Gulf which started in Yuccatan channel, and travelling North at 10 to 12 m.p.hr. and due to hit between Apalachicola & Pensacola tonight. Not a big storm. Wind at center about 40 to 45 m.pr.hr.

Got in some office work today, and played golf with Judge Chapman 5:15 to 7:15. Off my game, & pretty tired afterward. A slight drizzle hit us on the 14th & 15th fairways.

Our air war against Japanese cities continues. The Japs. are still attacking our ships off Okinawa. 120 Jap. planes were shot down today by our planes and anti-aircraft fire. Our planes were mostly based on Iwo Jima.

It is said that the time and place of the Meeting of Pres. Truman, Churchill and Stalin has been agreed on. Probably some time in July and in the neighborhood of Berlin.

The sentences of the convicted Polish leaders were lighter than expected. Moscow says they were encouraged by the exiled Polish government in London to give the Russians all the trouble they could by aiding the Germans.

The legislature is still deadlocked on Senatorial Reapportionment. House reapportionment has been made.

Sunday, June 24, 1945.

Mostly clear. The storm struck from Tampa & St. Petersburg to points about 50 or 60 miles North and then proceeded in the direction of Daytona Beach. Instead of striking the mainland between Apalachicola & Pensacola, it turned eastward. The winds were from 45 to 60 miles pr. hr, accompanied by very heavy rains. These rains covered a large part of the citrus belt where they have had practically no rain since last November. It is estimated the rains were worth $18 to $20,000,000 to the citrus & vegetable growers.

We have had Francis Thompson to dinner tonight. I called for her at Mrs. Ruby Whitfield’s at 6 p.m. & carried her back at 11:10. She is a fine woman & mighty good company.

We are making good progress in the Phillippines. On Luzon our men have been fighting in difficult mountain country.

Monday, June 25, 1945. Rain.

Partly cloudy. Good rain during the day, and clear by late afternoon.

The Conference at San Francisco has finished its important work today. Two months of work. The main points of the charter have been made known. I think it is better than most of us expected—a real improvement on the League of Nations Covenant. Among other things of great import is the creation of a World Court.

The mopping up operations on Okinawa are about over. We killed & captured about 100,000 Japs., more than we thought they had. But they must have killed all American prisoners they captured during the nearly 3 mos. battle. Our men can’t find them.

We have landed paratroopers North of the Japs. in Cugoyen[?] Valley. This large force of Japs. will soon be whipped.

Tuesday, June 26, 1945. United Nations Conference adjourns. Rain.

Mostly cloudy with a hard rain during late afternoon, but cloudy later—warm & humid tonight.

The United Nations Conference at San Francisco finished the signing of the charter today—As all the delegates had to sign, it took some time. China, Britain, Russia, & France signed first. The others signed alphabetically, the U.S. delegates signed last being the host city. Pres Truman arrived in time to see the U.S. sign. There were several addresses, one by that grand old man, Jan Christian Smutz who made a fine address. Then President Truman made a very fine, common sense and inspiring address, & Chairman Edw. Stettinius adjourned the Conference. This day will go down in history.

The Conference convened Apl. 25, 1945.

Wednesday, June 27, 1945. Rain.

Mostly cloudy, with another midday rain. In Conference all morning. Worked in office till 6:30. Then home, and a 30 minute walk on golf course.

Today Pres. Truman, enjoying a wonderful home-coming day at Independence, Mo. announced that he had accepted the resignation of Mr. Edw. Stettinius as Sec’y of State, and had appointed him as the representative of the U.S. on the Committee of 14, provided for at San Francisco, to meet in London and take the necessary steps to set up and organize the machinery of the World Organization, in which when organized Mr. S. will be the U.S. representative on the Security Council. I am glad he did this. Stettinius is a fine, able man, and did a splendid job at Chapultapec and San Francisco.

It is generally believed that Hon. Jas. F. Byrnes of S. Carolina will be appointed Secy of State. I hope so. He would make a fine one.

The Japs. say we have invaded S. Kume, an island between Okinawa & the Jap. mainland. No confirmation from us as yet.

MacArthur’s forces have trapped 20,000 Japs. in Cagayen Valley. Some of them are fleeing into the Mountains surrounding the valley.

Our Navy sank 3 Jap. vessels today west of the Kuriles chain of Islands.

Thursday, June 28, 1945.

Much cloudiness and humidity, but no rain in our immediate vicinity, tho there must have been rain to the North of us this aft. from the dark clouds in that direction.

Got in some work in office today and played golf with Judge Chapman 5:30 to 7:30.

MacArthur reports that our troops have taken the long Cagayen Valley after a long and difficult campaign which lost the lives of about 4000 of our fine men. What Japs are left have fled to the mountains where they will be cut off from all supplies. So Luzon is liberated.

And Mindanao soon will be.

Pres. Truman is having a big time at his old home town and in Kansas City today. Harry Hopkins is being applauded for getting Stalin to compromise on the disputed issues before the San Francisco Conference.

Senator Tom Connally made a stirring report and address to Congress today and was heartily applauded.

[Friday] June 29, 1945. Rain

Pretty hot day. Mostly clear but about 8:15 we had an old fashioned thunder storm, with strong winds & plenty of rain, which lasted for 2 hours or more, and quickly brought the temperature down to 75 and later to 70. It was good to cool off after such a hot day.

Yesterday & today our big superforts dropped 3000 tons of bombs on four of the smaller Jap. industrial cities, and a naval base. The Japs. are radioing to the world the marvelous suicide weapons they are making in big quantities for our expected invasion. Meanwhile our ships and planes are sinking Jap. ships daily, and the Chinese are getting stronger. If we can get the guns & ammunition & supplies to China in sufficient quantities, Chiang says they can do all the fighting in China & clear the Japs. out, leaving us the conquest of Japan itself.

Worked hard today but didn’t seem to accomplish much.

Saturday, June 30, 1945. Byrnes appointed Sec’y of State.

Clear and warm.

Many interruptions this morning, but I managed to pass on two cases from other judges and this afternoon, by working till 7:30, I have nearly finished a difficult opinion.

The legislature, still deadlocked on the reapportionment of the Senate, meets two or three days each week and then adjourns to the next week. Under the present plan, North Florida, with about 1/3 of the population, has about 2/3 of the Senators. The constitutional mandate for a reapportionment as nearly as practicable on the basis of population is being ignored by the N.Fla. Senators. This is causing a serious sectional alignment. So Fla. is “getting its back up.” An organization is being formed to oppose all candidates for State offices who are from N. Fla. Natural, but too bad.

Our total losses in killed & missing on Okinawa were nearly 13,000 & 34,000 wounded. A terrible cost, but it will hasten victory.

Sunday, July 1, 1945. Rain.

The appointment of Hon. Jas. F. Byrnes as Secretary of State, late yesterday, was an excellent one.

I became a member of the Supreme Court of Florida twenty years ago today. The work has been hard, but I enjoyed it. I am thankful that my health is about as good as when I came on the Court, largely due to dear Lizzie’s watchful care and good cooking. It is true I’ve had several severe spells of illness during that time, due primarily to our work. But thanks to Lizzie and good doctors I recovered in few weeks and got back to work. The Heavenly Father has been good and merciful to me. I am thankful.

Bright, clear morning. But thunder & rain about 4 to 5 p.m. Then sunshine. Air very clear. I watched some of my friends play golf all the way to the Club house. One of them was Capt. John Teague. After chatting awhile on the porch, I walked home.

Tonight we learn that 600 B-29s attacked 4 Jap. cities and a Naval base today.

All the allies are now occupying Berlin jointly. Not Russia alone. The Potsdam Palace near Berlin is being repaired. It is there that the “Big Three” meeting will probably take place early in July.

Am suffering from a sty on my left eye-lid. First in years.

Monday, July 2, 1945. My little name sake’s birthday—1 yr. old today.

Clear, and warm in afternoon.

Pres. Truman at 1 pm today presented the charter of the United Nations to the Senate and made a fine speech of only 7 or 8 minutes, urging early ratification.

Hon. Jas. F. Byrnes’ appointment as Secretary of State was confirmed by the Senate today. I feel sure he will do a grand job of it.

Gen. MacArthur directed the invasion of the Balikpapan an area in S.E. Burma today and had a narrow escape. Jap. bullets were singing all around him.

Today Jap. casualties in the Philippines are 419,035.

The Chinese are still making some progress against the Japs. in So. China & are advancing toward Kweilin an air field formerly held by the U.S.

Tuesday, July 3, 1945.

Clear and not too warm.

Not much war news.

The Legislature is still deadlocked on the question of Senatorial Reapportionment. An organization is being formed at the suggestion of the Tampa Tribune to retaliate, if the Legislature fails them, by voting against all N. Fla. candidates for State Offices next year. That has Judge C. somewhat worried, as he & I have to run next Spring. I think the feeling will die down by that time. but the N. Fla Senators should do their Constitutional duty.

Rain was threatened from about 4:30 to 5:30 this aft. but did not materialize.

Dana Brown is in town & phoned tonight. He is leaving on plane at 1 p.m. tomorrow but will call to see me & Lizzie & Annie at my office in the Morning.

Wednesday, July 4, 1945. Conquest of Philippines about over

Mostly clear till noon, when it clouded up. By early afternoon there was a rain to the So. of us, and we got a little of it.

This morning Dana came in to see me about 10:45 and Lizzie came up from home & we, Dana, Lizzie & Annie had a good time talking until after 12 when I drove Dana to his hotel, the Cherokee, where he would be picked up in time to catch the 1 o’clock plane to B’ham. [Birmingham, Alabama] Dana was looking fine.

Gen. MacArthur reports that the conquest of the Philippines is virtually complete: 23 Jap. Divisions destroyed. Only mopping up operations remain. He & his men have done a grand job. The officers under him deserve credit. But who are they?

I finally finished a tough opinion today that I’ve been working on at intervals for ten days. Started on another case this afternoon. I have passed promptly on the case written by the other judges, all along, as usual. Our planes have sunk two Jap. destroyers in their home waters.

Thursday, July 5, 1945. Shower.

Clear morning, cloudy aft., with one quick hard shower, about 15 to 20 min.

On bench all morning. In conference this aft. from 3 to 4.

More Japs. than usual have been surrendering lately. 9,498 on Okinawa in all.

“Old Glory” was unfurled over American headquarters in Berlin yesterday. Gen. Omar Bradley was in charge. At last, all of the Big 3 Powers are represented in the occupation of Berlin.

The British elections closed yesterday. Churchill made a vigorous stumping campaign. Results will not be officially announced until July 26, by which time the soldier votes will all be in.

Not feeling so well tonight. Not enough exercise. No golf for nearly a week. And the humidity is bad.

Some 450,000 Japs destroyed in the Phillippines Campaign.

33 Japs. who have been hiding in the jungle on Guam, lead by an officer, surrendered.

Friday, July 6, 1945.

Our Div. (B.) was on the bench again all morning. Last regular oral arguments until after the Summer recess, which begins Aug. 1st and runs till Sept 3rd.

Of course there will be motions and perhaps some emergency cases argued during July.

Justice Roberts has sent in his resignation as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court to take effect at an early date. He recently passed his 70th birthday (as I did) and is eligible for retirement. I regret to see him go. He is one of the very few conservative members of the Court, who believes in standing by the Constitution,--he & Chief Justice Stone & Justice Frankfurter.

Judge Chapman & I played golf this afternoon & his nephew, Wendell Conlie, just back from the Air Service in Europe, walked around with us. He’s flown 61 missions, and is a fine, clean young fellow.

Secy of Treasury Morgenthau has resigned.

Saturday, July 7, 1945. Showers.

Clear morning, but long slow showers from 4:30 to 8:30. I worked hard in office all day till 7:30 p.m. in spite of trouble with my left eye. Guess it must be ingrowing eyelashes again.

Secretary Morgenthau’s resignation was unexpected. The President asked him to hold on till the Pres. returns from the Big Three meeting. The President announced today that he would appoint Hon. Fred M. Vinson of Ky. to succeed Morganthau. The latter is a fine man & has made a fine record. Vinson is also a fine and able man.

The non stop air blitz against Japan marked its 32nd day yesterday by a 600 B-29 raid on 5 Jap. cities.

Yesterday was the end of the 8th year of Chinese resistance to Jap. aggression. The President sent a good telegram to Chiang Kai Shek and Sec’y Byrnes sent one to Pres. T.V. Soong.

Wake Island was taken by the Japs. on Dec. 24/41 after one small garrison’s heroic resistance. Yesterday it was announced that our Navy has permitted a Jap. hospital ship to remove 974 sick & starving Japs. from the Island. We have never made any effort to take it. Left it to wither on the vine, as it were.

Cool tonight. So I’ll sleep in my room.

Sunday, July 8, 1945.

Clear morning. Cloudy aft. mostly raining not far away, but no rain here. Heavy humidity. Warm this aft. & tonight.

Liz & I went to Church this morning.

This aft. I did not feel equal to playing golf but from 6 to 7:30 I walked around the golf course watching others play.

Tho our troops marched into Berlin 3 days ago, the Russians insist on retaining control of most of Berlin, as they say they are feeding the inhabitants. It may take the Big 3 Conf. to straighten this out.

Not much change in the situation in the Pacific. We are continuing our bombing of Japanese industries & the Aussies are making some headway in Borneo. They have captured most of the airfields and refineries.

Nomura says the Japs. will never come to “unconditional surrender.”

Monday, July 9, 1945.

Very pleasant, partly cloudy, rain near by in afternoon, but pretty humid.

Mr. Joseph Wheeler Pepper, father of Senator Claude Pepper, died last night. Uremic poisoning.

Only taken down about a week ago. Claude came down. Got here last Friday night. His father (72) was very fond of Claude and Claude was a good, affectionate son. Claude has done all he could for his father & mother and all the members of his family. He deserves credit.

It has been a busy day, but late this afternoon Lizzie & I called to see the Pepper family. I was very fond of Claude’s father, & his mother, in fact of all the family.

G. Pierce Wood also died in Tampa yesterday. I liked him very much. He used to be the manager of the Dupont interests at Port St. Joe, and Speaker of the House [1939]. Only 49. A big, fine looking man.

Our subs are moving in on the Jap Home islands which were subjected to heavy bombardment today.

Tuesday, July 10, 1945. Light Rain

Mostly fair early morning. Slow light rain by 11 a.m. to 1 pm.

1000 planes from our 3rd fleet carrier-based air force struck Tokyo today, and other Jap. cities. The main object was the destruction of airfields. 154 planes were destroyed on the ground. Bombers from Okinawa & Iwo struck air fields at Kobe, to the South. 500 superforts dumped fire & explosive bombs on 5 Jap cities. A bad day for Japan. Strange that they do not surrender now.

We had a long Court Conference this morning and handed down 20 cases. Some interesting discussions, as there was differences of opinion in most of the cases.

At 5 oclock Judge Chapman & I went out and played golf. Mr. McCall joined us. We had a good time but didn’t play so well—We were threatened with rain all the time.

Pres. Truman & Secy of State Burns and a large party of experts are on their way to England. On two cruisers. The President & Secy Byrnes are on the Augusta. Most of the party will go from England to Potsdam near Berlin by air. There the meeting of the “Big Three will take place.

After Balikpapan harbors & air fields were taken, Gen. MacArthur flew to Manila & delivered a stirring address to the Filipino Congress.

Wednesday, July 11, 1945. Rain.

Clear morning. Cloudy afternoon with a good hard rain from 7 to 8 p.m.

About 70 airfields in Japan were struck by bombs from our carrier based planes yesterday. These carriers were accompanied by a large task force from our 3rd fleet under Admiral Halsey. No report yet made as to damage inflicted on the fields, but 154 Jap. planes were destroyed or damaged.

An agreement has been reached as to the occupation of Berlin. Russia, Britain, the U.S. & France will each have a specific zone, but under a rotation of an over-all commandant selected in turn from each of the four.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has been conducting hearings on the United Nations Charter for a second day.

Spent a busy day in office. Got one opinion written and started on another.

Thursday, July 12, 1945. Big Rain.

Mostly cloudy, with rain from 3:15 to 8 pm. Then a drizzle for sometine.

Mr. J.W. Pepper’s funeral was set for 5 p.m. It began about 5:20. The rain slowed up some. I went to the church services and then to the cemetery. I carried Lt. Com. B. K. Roberts and Mr. Keith with me. After the service at the cemetery I went to Claude’s car and spoke to him and his wife and sister & sister-in law. The services at the Baptist church were well carried out. I went back to office & worked till 7:30.

It’s a pity the Japs. haven’t sense enough to give up their hopeless war. It’s a pity we have to bomb Jap. cities & industries & naval & air bases every day. But I guess we’ll have to keep it up until the Japs. rise up and make their rulers surrender.

Friday, July 13, 1945.

Mostly cloudy, but no rains.

The Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate reported the United Nations charter favorably today by a vote of 20 to nothing. So evidently even Sen. Hiram Johnson voted for it or did not vote at all.

The bombing of Japan goes on apace.

Final reports on the raid by carrier based planes on Tuesday is that 342 Jap. planes were destroyed.

We learn today that on June 5th, a terrific typhoon storm hit our fleet near Japan and damaged 20 of our ships, including 3 cruisers & 2 battleships. The prow of one of our battle ships was blown off. Some of the ships have been repaired and all soon will be. No loss of life—for which we are thankful.

Tonight Gen’l Eisenhower wound up and disbanded SHEAF. It’s grand big job was victoriously finished weeks ago.

Saturday, July 14, 1945. Light rain.

Cloudy with some light rain.

Not much news tonight. Our 3rd fleet is bombarding Japan.. 1000 carrier planes.

The Balikpapan area of Borneo is firmly held by the Aussies, & Gen. MacArthur reports a new landing 14 miles of the shore.

The recent 7th War Loan drive for $14,000,000,000 netted about 10 Billion more than was called for.

Two delayed votes reached the Foreign Relations Committee—one for approval of the Charter and one—old Sen. Hiram Johnson, remaining true to form, against. So the vote is 21 to 1 in favor of the charter.

We have had an epidemic of strikes of all kinds during the past month. Some in vital war plants. Even the delivery boys and men, 1200, struck in N.Y. about 10 days ago and deprived the people of their daily papers. And in B’ham the printers and linotype operators have caused the three daily papers to shut down because of their strike. The unions had better look out. The Am. people may rise up yet.

Sunday, July 15, 1945. Hard rain. Pres Truman & party reach Berlin for “Big Three” Meeting.

Cloudy. Began raining about 11 a.m. and rained good and hard for several hours, dwindling to a drizzle by 5, and stopped about 6:30.

Pres. Truman & Mr. Byrnes, traveling from Antwerp by separate planes and their assistants, reached Berlin and Potsdam today. Stalin & Molotov, and Prime Minister Churchill & Anthony Eden with their assistants, are expected to arrive tomorrow.

I went to the office for awhile this afternoon and then called to see Judge & Mrs. Ellis, who arrived at their home here a week or ten days ago. The Judge looks much older and thinner, but was otherwise much the same, and, as usual, an interesting conversationalist. I enjoyed my visit. Judge Ellis’s oldest child, Mrs._____, of Orlando, was there part of the time.

Gen. Claire Chenault has resigned the Command of the U.S. 14th Airforce. He has made a grand record. I think he resented the appointment of an other cmdr[?] of all air forces in China.

Monday, July 16, 1945. Rain.

Cloudy & cool with some rain this morning-& a light, misty, rain a large part of the afternoon. Sun broke through to clouds for awhile about 8 p.m.

Our Division had some Motion day business, and a conference that kept us going till noon. Then busy this afternoon passing on petitions for rehearings and cases written by the other Justices. But at 5, Judge Chapman & I played golf. Mr. McCall joined us. The course was wet & heavy. I took a 50.

Pres Truman & Mr. Churchill are in Potsdam but “old Joe” Stalin did not arrive today. Pres. T. has wired Adm. Land to come. So he thinks shipping agreements--&c—will come up, I guess.

Our Navy & air planes are still pounding Japan.

The legislators are in session again. Hope they solve the reapportionment problem this week, or disband & go home.

Tuesday, July 17, 1945. Rain.

Cloudy, with hard rain—1 to 3, and then a drizzle for an hour or so. I cleaned up all cases in my office this morning, but one, a hard one, Cone v. Benjamin; hard questions, big record. Got to work on it this afternoon. It will take some time. There are 29 cases undisposed of and in the hands of the other judges. I have already passed on most of them. Started two opinions around yesterday that I dictated Saturday.

Several British battle ships have joined our fleet and have taken part the past few days in the bombardment of Japan. The Japanese Navy has not yet showed itself. Also, the B-29s and carrier based aircraft and those based on Iwo & Okinawa have been hitting hard.

Hon. Fred M. Vinson, of Ky., was approved by the Senate & sworn in as Sec’y of the Treasury today.

Stalin had lunch with Pres. Truman today. He & Churchill & Truman have been visiting each other. Stalin was slow in putting in his appearance, but socially the Big Three seem to be getting along nicely.

My left eye has been giving me a lot of trouble the past week. Have been to see Dr. Brown 3 times. I fear it is something more than just ingrowing eyelashes.

The legislature still as badly deadlocked as ever.

Wednesday, July 18, 1945. Light Rain.

Quite foggy early morning. I felt sure it would clear up. And it did. The sky was a brilliant blue. Judge Chapman & I went to play golf at 5. Clouds had gathered to the North, and we played the last hole in a light rain, which continued for several hours.

Glenn Terrell, Jr. was on the course. He got back home several days ago. Is a bit thin, but looks quite well when all he went through in Normandy and Germany is considered. He’s a fine young man.

The news men are guessing at what is going on at the Big Three meeting in Berlin.

Our Navy, supplemented by the British battleship King Geo. V, & other battleships, big carriers, and several smaller war ships, and our air force, are still pounding Japan daily in spite of the typhoon season.

Hitler & Eva Braun are reported to be alive and safely ensconced on a large German estate in Patagonia. A few days ago a large German submarine went onto an Argentinian port, and was interned. Wonder if this report is true? I think not.

Thursday, July 19. Rain.

Cloudy, with heavy rain in afternoon.

Office work at odd times till 7 p.m. Visitors & a visit to see Judge Whitfield with reference to sending Joe to Dr. Randolph’s place in Jax or to Dr. Allen’s place near Milledgeville, Ga. Then this aft. I went to get a hair cut and had to stay at the barber shop till about 5 on acct. of hard rain.

The terrific air & Naval bombardment of Japan goes on. Today our planes from Okinawa bombed the Jap. held bases at Shanghai, China and Formosa.

There are still 30,000 Japs in the Philippines and the mopping up operations are very difficult and dangerous. Hard on our boys.

The round of dinners among the “Big Three” & their lieutenants still goes on. I should think they could do better work if they didn’t eat so much. But the Russians seem to like it.

The job of transporting our troops from the East to the Pacific and our cattle & food crops from the West to the East is overtaxing our R.R.s.

Friday, July 20, 1945. Rain.

Cloudy & continued cool. Heavy afternoon rain.

In conference on disputed cases nearly all morning. Most of them disposed of but there are some cases still going the rounds of the Court.

Congress approved the Bretton Woods monetary plan, with a few changes, today. Also increased the capital of the Export & Import bank.

The War Labor Board stated today that its orders were superior to Florida’s “Right to Work” constitutional amendment. Upon the theory, I presume, that it is exercising the war powers of the President & Congress in time of war. But the Courts have the last say on that question.

The Spanish Cabinet has resigned & Franco announces that the Monarchy will be restored and that he will act as regent for 10 years, until the boy King becomes of legal age. He may have a dem. uprising to deal with soon.

Belgium’s Congress has called a national election to determine whether King Leopold shall be allowed to resume the throne.

Japan pounded again today: also Shanghai where the Japs have a big Naval and air base.

Allied troops have taken another air field on Borneo.

Saturday, July 21, 1945. Rain.

Mostly cloudy. Rained most of afternoon.

Spent the morning studying cases coming in for the other members of the Court, and put in this afternoon studying the difficult Cone v. Benjamin case.

We are worrying over what to do about Joe. Mabel wants to go to work. If So, somebody will have to stay with Joe or we’ll have to send him to a Sanitarium. Dr. Randolph of Jax says he has no room.

Newsmen are guessing as to what the “Big Three” are doing, but no official statement has been made yet.

The air attacks on Japan & Formosa somewhat slowed up today on account of bad weather.

MacArthur says that almost 5,000 Japs. have been killed on Borneo, while Allied forces had lost 1700 in killed and wounded.

An American officer or some broadcaster authorized by the government is reported as broadcasting in Japanese to the people of Japan telling them that they had better surrender now, before we land troops and before Russia gets into the war; that surrender does not mean extermination or enslavement of the Japanese people. I hope this will get some sense into the heads of the Japs. Why should they wait until our Navy & air forces destroy all their industries?

Sunday, July 22, 1945. Rain nearby.

Partly cloudy, with clear, hot weather from 4:30 to 7, while Judge Ch. & I were playing golf. But clouds and a nearby rain and breezes made the playing of the last 2 holes very pleasant. We had a few scattering drops of rain. Clear by 8 pm.

Except for the continued pummeling of Japan by our warships and planes, there is not much news. The Chinese are nearing the former big Am. airbase at Kwalein.

There is widespread regret over the resignation of Gen. Claire Chennault. He gave as his reason that Jap. air power in China had been destroyed: that his job had been done. But the appointment of another as over-all commander for air of the Burma & E. Asia area was probably the real reason. Chennault was our greatest air strategist; or so he was regarded by his men.

Liz & I went to church this morning. Gov. Holland’s youngest son was married this aft. to Miss Croy. He 18, & she 16 or 17.

Monday, July 23, 1945. Rain.

Warm & humid today & tonight. Rain from 4 o’c to 7 p.m., slow rain. Didn’t cool off the air.

600 of our big bombers struck Japan today.

I had a busy day in office.

Not much news tonight.

The legislature was in session today. The prospect of getting together on a compromise bill seems brighter.

[rest of this page written in pencil with a penciled line across the page below the sentence above]

July 24. Later: About 8:45 on the night of July 24th, the Senate passed a bill which eliminated several N. & W. Fla. districts and correspondingly increased So. Fla’s districts, which was a victory for S. Fla, to which it was entitled. So South Florida will have two more votes in the Senate and North Fla. two less. Everybody is glad that the long nearly two months tug of war has ended. Senator Henry Bayners of St. Petersburg had the So. Fla. members in the Senate & Judge Arron Lewis of Marianna was the leader for N. & W. Florida.

Tuesday, July 24, 1945.

Partly cloudy, rain threatened, but did not reach us. Very pleasant late afternoon.

We handed down some 8 or 10 cases today-- One, the Quigg case and another the contempt case against the Miami Herald and its editor. We affirmed the trial court in this case. The paper will probably appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Our decision in this case will probably cause considerable newspaper criticism.

Marshall Petain went on trial in Paris yesterday. Paul Reynaud testified against him today. Renaud’s testimony was damaging.

2000 planes blasted Japan today.

This aft. I got home at 6:30 and had a long walk on golf course.

Annie is to leave on the 6:35 Eastern Airlines plane tomorrow morning for Miami to see Joe & what the situation is.

[in pencil:] So. Fla. wins reapportionment battle. See preceding page.

Wednesday, July 25, 1945. (must have left my pen at office) Hard Rain in aft.

Lizzie got up at 5 this morning and cooked breakfast and got Annie to the airport in plenty of time for the 6:35 E. Airlines plane to Miami. I had dressed & ate a light breakfast with them and offered to drive Annie to the airport, but Liz insisted on doing so, and I went back to bed & to sleep & ate a second breakfast about 9. Liz having returned around 7:15. So I had two breakfasts.

This morning I heard the news of So. Florida’s victory last night in the reapportionment battle. Good!

When I got to town I called on Mr. Ireland, Chairman of the Gas Rationing Board, and applied for enough gas coupons to go to Baltimore & return, but he didn’t hold out much hope.

Didn’t do much work today.

Admiral Nimitz reports that a couple of days ago our Carrier based planes seriously damaged 20 Jap. war ships, including battleships & cruisers, and sunk several of them.

Thursday, July 26, 1945. Churchill’s Conservative Party defeated. Clement Atlee becomes Prime Minister.

Mostly clear. Rain threatened about 1:30, but only a few drops fell.

Winston Churchill, the greatest man of this age, went down in defeat politically today, much to my regret. The final count of the votes in the British election of July 4th showed that Mr. Churchill’s Conservative party was defeated by the British Labor Party by a majority of almost 2 to 1, giving the latter party more members in Commons than all the other parties combined—more than they expected. So, for awhile at least, Britain has turned to the left. Mr. Churchill handed in his resignation to the King and now Major Clement Atlee becomes Prime Minister.

There was made public today a document signed by Pres. Truman & Mr. Churchill and approved by Chiang Kai Shek, defining to the Japanese government and people the terms which will be imposed when “unconditional surrender” takes place. This was a wise move. The terms are just, & rigorous.

Japan heavily bombed today.

Friday, July 27, 1945. Rain.

Mostly fair morning. Cloudy with very heavy rain in afternoon. I left the office at 6:10 and went to Mrs. Ruby Whitefield’s and carried her and Francis Thompson home with me. Liz had prepared a nice dinner, and we had Manhattan cocktails before dinner.

I brought home with me a letter from Annie to Lizzie—which was quite a blow to poor Liz, but she never let on, and I knew nothing about it till we carried the ladies home. Then we went to the telegraph office and Lizzie sent Annie a wire. Her letter said she found Joe in a bad way—very weak, thin & nervous. Liz urged her to get him in a hospital at once. Annie wrote that she would have to give up her trip.

The Jap. Domei news service said that our ultimatum to Japan would be rejected.

Our Navy and planes have inflicted further damage on Jap warships, and our B-29s bombed seven Japanese cities. Early today 6 B 29s scattered copies of our ultimatum over various Jap. cities.

Saturday, July 28, 1945. Fair. United Nations Charter approved.

Our first really clear day.

Had to do quite a lot of errands today—

Got in some work this aft. Wrote a 3 page opinion.

This aft. the U.S. Senate approved the United Nations charter to preserve peace, as Pres. Truman had urged them to do. The vote was 89 to 2. 5 senators were absent on acct. of illness. I am glad, but not surprised. I was a strong believer in our joining the League of Nations back in 1919. Wilson finally vindicated. Pres. Roosevelt laid the plans for present victory.

The Jap. Premier, Suzuki, says Japan rejects our ultimatum. So their hopeless fight goes on. They got a lot of bombs today.

The Empire State Bldg was struck by an army bombing plane this morning about 8:30 It hit high up the 79th floor. The plane penetrated the building. Several floors caught on fire. 13 people killed. Collision due to fog.

Senators Langer & Shipstead were the two who voted “No.”

Sunday, July 29, 1945. Rain

Cloudy morning with considerable rain in afternoon.

We didn’t go to church this morning. Lizzie has been so upset by the bad news from Annie about Joseph it has made her sick, but she has kept going as usual.

The bombing of Japan goes on day by day. The [ ? ], large Jap battle ship, sunk.

The Japanese Navy has been whittled down a lot during the past week. Also a number of Merchant ships sunk—

I read Senator George’s speech tonight in the Atlanta Journal. It was made late Friday afternoon in behalf of the acceptance of the charter and was strong & thoughtful. He predicted the growing strength of the Assembly & World Court. He received a great ovation from his fellow Senators.

Monday, July 30, 1945. Showers.

Partly clear. Showers at midday. Yet a high barometer, and heavy humidity.

Our Div. B, with Judge Buford taking Judge Sebring’s place, had a busy morning.

This aft. I passed on petitions for rehearing and read a record in a murder case.

Got home about 6:40 & took a walk.

Our Navy & air forces, both land based B-29s & carrier based planes, & planes based on Iwo Jima & Okinawa have blasted Jap. cities, ports, naval bases, R.R. centers, & munition and industrial plants with tremendous destructive effect during the past week. The Jap Navy is no longer a threat, except their submarines, and none of these have done any damage for the past two weeks. How long can the Japs. stand this terrific bombing & shelling & why do they hesitate to surrender?

Tuesday, July 31, 1945. Rain near by.

Partly cloudy. Rain nearby in late af.

We had the last oral arguments of this [ ? ] period today—Justices Sebring, Thomas & Adams absent. We disposed of the two cases argued before the day was gone We have disposed of all cases submitted at this time, up to the recess beginning tomorrow, except three—an unusual record. I have one of the three—a very hard case.

We have inflicted very heavy shipping losses on the Japs during the past week—about 250 ships sunk. The Jap. Navy has been put out of business. all their battleships & cruisers have been sunk or seriously damaged.

Stalin has been ill for past two or three days, but is back on the job. The Big Three Conference will soon be over.

The terrific bombing by our air forces on Japan go on daily.

Wednesday, August 1, 1945. Rain near by. The Conference of the “Big Three” closes.

Mostly cloudy, but only a few drips of rain his us from showers near by.

The “Big Three” Conference at Potsdam came to an end today. It is understood that a report of the results will be announced shortly, probably Friday. It is said that the conference closed with the utmost cordiality and good feeling on the part of all participants.

Pres. Truman will lunch with King George on the Renown tomorrow at Plymouth, after which he and his party will board the Augusta for his return trip to the U.S.

850 super fortresses attacked Japanese targets today, dropping over 6,000 tons of bombs. The biggest raid so far in this war.

1546 Jap. Vessels, from warships down to small craft were knocked out by our forces during July, also 1330 Jap. planes. Our losses were few.

Did some office work today.

Thursday, August 2, 1945. Rain. “Big 3” Agreements made public.

Pretty good rain just before daylight this morning and another in the late afternoon.

Outside of a few errands, put in the day studying a case—a hard one.

Last night the Army’s first jet-propelled plane flew from Wright’s Field, Dayton, O., to New York, 589 miles in 1 hr & 2 minutes. it is named appropriately—“The Shooting Star.”

As planned Pres. Truman flew to Plymouth, Eng. and had lunch with King George VI, on the battle ship Renown, and then boarded the Augusta for his return trip. He left this country about July 9th.

The raid on Japan yesterday was very effective. There are many thousands of Japs left on New Guinea, Bougainville, Borneo, and other islands. The Aussies have a hard job on their hands.

This afternoon the agreements reached by Pres. Truman, Stalin & Atlee at Potsdam were made public—a 6000 word document. Over the radio tonight we heard that most of the London papers commended it highly.

Friday, August 3, 1945.

Clear morning. Rain from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Clear late afternoon.

The trial of Marshal Petain was in its 11th day today. Pierre Laval testified, or rather made a statement, sometimes oratorical, all day. I presume he will be cross examined tomorrow.

The pressure on Japan never relaxes. Our Navy has blocked all Japanese harbors with mines.

I called at the War Rationing board headquarters today and got my allowance of gasoline coupons—130 gallons—to go to Johns Hopkins Hospital & return—to get Dr. Alan C. Wards, or his associate, Dr. McPherson to examine my eyes. In need a change of glasses badly. But on account of Joseph’s condition I fear I cannot—or rather Lizzie & I—cannot make the trip. I have an appointment for Aug. 10th.

Saturday, August 4, 1945.

Mostly clear but rather humid.

Wrote some letters and did some studying on a case the court is split up on.

Pres. Truman has stated that there were no secret pacts at Potsdam. Good. Maybe the Nations will come or are coming to act on Wilson’s principle of “open covenants openly arrived at.

Lizzie & I went to a rather sad but interesting movie tonight—the first I’ve been to in months. It was “Waterloo Bridge” staring Vivian Lee and Robert Taylor. Also C. Aubry Smith took a prominent part. All fine actors. I think it is an old picture, but we had never seen it before.

Sunday, August 5, 1945.

Clear morning. Cloudy afternoon. No rain yesterday or today but very sultry and uncomfortably warm.

We took it quietly at home today—All I did was to run up to the office for the mail. No letters. This afternoon I walked over to the Country Club and back. Heard that Mr. George Whiteside had died from heart attack after playing 14 holes and after driving on the 15th hole, down in front of Pick Green’s house about 150 yards So. of our house. He was only about 50 years old. Wonder if I, at 70 should give up golf!

Japan was bombed again today. Not much news-otherwise.

Monday, August 6, 1945. This day will go down in history. The Atomic Bomb Use for first time

Mostly clear and warm, but less humid[.] Worked in office. Played golf this aft. Judge C. made a 42, I a 47.

This morning Pres Truman announced from the ship Augusta by Radio at 11 a.m. the surprise weapon of this war—the Atomic Bomb—had been used yesterday. It was dropped by a B-29 on the City of Hiroshima on the Japanese coast-an ordnance and Naval base where air craft & other war plants are located. Reconnaissance photographs had not been able to show the results as the island was obscured by what appeared to be dust and mist. Probably we will know by tomorrow. Pres. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill started research work and factory work on a large scale three years ago. Many assistants were put to work. Buildings by the hundred were erected near Knoxville, Tenn., Albuquerque, N.Mex., & somewhere in Washington State. 120,000 people were employed, but they did not know what the object of the work was. Germany was working on the same problem, but we stopped them before they solved it—happily for us and for the world. It was tested in New Mexico this past July—and it worked. It is the most powerful and devastating explosive, by far, that has yet been discovered. Canada participated. Cost two billion dollars. A power for war or peace.

(Liz got 5 letters from Jimmy today mailed Aug. 3)

Tuesday, August 7, 1945. The Atomic Bomb destroyed Hiroshima. Pres. Truman back in Wash’n tonight.

Mostly clear; warm and sultry.

Worked all day in office. Got home about 7 p.m. & took a walk on the golf course.

Lizzie and I have spent an interesting evening listening to the radio commentators, most of whose talks were about the Atomic Bomb, the history of its discovery, etc., and the effect of its use on Hiroshima, a city of 340,000 people yesterday. It was dropped on the morning of August 5th (7:15 p.m.) N.Y. time, and while the dust has not entirely cleared away, photographs taken today indicated that the city was practically totally destroyed by this one bomb—small in size compared with the ordinary bomb. The B-29 which dropped this devastating bomb was in charge of Capt. Tibbets of Miami, Fla. He said the men in the plane felt the shock tho they were 10 miles away when the bomb hit and exploded, causing a great flash of light and a column of vari-colored smoke which went up 40,000 ft. Surely Japan will surrender now.

Pres. Truman’s Ship reached Norfolk early this evening, and he immediately left for Washington, after an absence of about a month.

Wednesday August 8, 1945. Rain. Atomic bomb on Nagasiki. Russia declares war on Japan.

Mostly cloudy and very oppressive & humidity winding up with a good rain at 8:20 p.m.

Doris Terrell and her fiancé Robt. Johnson arrived by plane at 3 o’clock last night from St. Louis. “Bob” applied for marriage license at 11 Am. and the County Judge’s office told him that he could not marry until 11 A.M. Saturday. They first said Sunday but under pressure made it as stated. So they will have the marriage at 11 a.m. Sat’y and have to hurry and take the 11:50 plane for St. Louis, Bob’s home, and then to the West Coast. We are glad. Doris is fine.

This afternoon about 3 p.m. Pres. Truman called in the newspaper men and announced that Russia had just declared war on Japan. That, with the atomic bomb, ought to make the Japs. agree to our surrender terms as set forth by the Pres. on July 26th, and do it promptly. But who can fathom the Japanese mind?

Army Air force photographs show that the City of Hiroshima was 60% destroyed by the one 400 lb atomic bomb.

I wired Dow today to see Dr. M N. Owensby and see if he can get Joseph admitted to the Brookhaven Sanitarium at Stone Mountain.

Pres. Truman signed the U.N. charter today, already ratified by the Senate.

Thursday, August 9, 1945. Rain Nagasaki Bombed Address to Nation by the President.

Clear early morning; cloudy afternoon with rain

With some interruptions I worked in office writing an opinion in a hard case yesterday and today.

Another Atomic bomb was dropped this time on Nagasaki yesterday, a war plant city, and we will know tomorrow the results. Later City 30% destroyed

Pres. Truman made a radio report to the Nation at 10 p.m. tonight, with reference especially to the Berlin Conference and the conditions in Europe, Russia’s entry into the war, our discovery and use of the atomic bomb. Splendid talk. He very properly held out no overtures to Japan. The terms of surrender stated on July 26 stand.

Dow phoned me about 5 p.m. that he had talked with Dr. Owensby, and he said he had one room available for Joseph at $100.00 per week for first week and 75.00 per week thereafter. I phoned Liz and she phoned Annie, and Annie wired us tonight that she could not get an airplane reservation earlier than the 19th but would see the priority board tomorrow & wire us. So we phoned Dow tonight to tell Dr. Owensby that we would take the room & wire him later.

Dow’s home telephone Hemlock 1937.

Friday, August 10, 1945. Rain. Japan makes conditional offer to Surrender.

Cloudy, cool morning. Some rain this aft. & tonight.

Annie called Liz over phone this morning. She thinks she can get a priority for plane reservation today or tomorrow so that she can take Joe to Atlanta tomorrow or Sunday. Dow will meet her at Candler[?] field Airport and take her & Joe to Brookhaven Sanitarium near Stone Mountain in his car. We plan to drive to Atlanta Sunday, & Liz has been working hard to get ready. From Atlanta we will go to see James & Emily near Bainbridge Naval base & then to see Francis & her family at Centerville, Md.

This morning at 7:37 news reached this country by radio that Japan has offered to accept the terms of surrender as stated by the U.S., Britain, China & Russia in the Potsdam Declaration of July 26,--provided that the Emperor Hirohito be allowed to retain his throne and imperial prerogatives. In London & many places in this country many thought this meant the end of the war and there was some celebrations. The Jap. offer reached Pres. Truman through Switzerland this afternoon and there was a cabinet meeting and a statement prepared which will be taken up with our Allies. The Majority sentiment in this country seems to be that unconditional acceptance of our Potsdam declaration should be required. That is my view. We hear that Russia & China are strongly in favor of throwing Hirohito overboard. We ought to know something definite within the next two or three days.

Saturday, August 11, 1945. Doris Terrell marries.

Cloudy morning clearing by 10:30, and clouding in afternoon with some rain.

Quite a nice crowd went to see Doris Terrell married to Sgt. Robt. Johnson. We were at the Presbyterian Church before 11 o’clock, but the ceremonies did not begin till about 11:20, when Glenn Terrell sang very well indeed 3 beautiful songs. The marriage ceremony began at 11:30. It was quite impressive. Glenn Jr. was best man and Ruth T. was the bridesmaid. The church beautifully decorated. They had intended to leave by plane, but could not get a reservation for the 11:50 plane. So they had lunch at home and Glenn drove them over to Jacksonville.

It is understood that our government rejected the Jap. peace offer providing that the Emperor should be retained with all his prerogatives, but made a counter proposition, which is to be acted on by our Allies, to the effect that the Emperor be retained for the time being but to be subject to the orders of our Military command. We will probably know by tomorrow or next day the exact terms to be agreed on by our Allies & the U.S. Meanwhile the war goes on. Our Navy and air-forces are still busy, but no more atomic bombs dropped. Russia has gone 105 miles in Manchuria.

No further word from Miami today. I afraid Annie could not get the plane reservations.

Sunday, August, 12, 1945. Rain.

Cool last night & cool murky early morning. Clouding after lunch and heavy rain in early aft.

Wire from Annie saying she had engaged a drawing room on train leaving Atlanta [he may mean “Miami”] 11 a.m. Thurs. morning arriving Atlanta 9 a.m. Fri. Still trying for plane space.

Lizzie and I have been taking it easy today-but Liz could not rest so much as she is so worried about Joseph, & also about Annie who has had such a difficult situation to deal with in Miami.

Our country has been on the qui vive all day awaiting news of Japan’s acceptance of our surrender terms.

But the war goes on. Our carrier based planes & those from Okinawa have been plastering military objectives in parts of Tokyo and other Jap. cities. The Russians are pushing deep into Manchuria and N.E. Korea, and have made two amphibious landings the Jap. held South part of Sakhalin Island.

One of our warships damaged by a Jap. aerial torpedo as it sailed off Okinawa.

Monday, August 13, 1945.

Mostly clear. No rain. Pleasant.

Spent some time today studying a problem posed by gov’r’s request for an advisory opinion. Also writing letters.

The war goes on. We are holding back our B-29s but our carrier and Okinawa based planes have been busy.

Pres. Truman had a conference of Dept. heads this morning to work out plans for reconversion to peace time economy.

Up to now—12 p.m.—nothing has been heard from Japan. Our terms stand as yet unaccepted.

Tuesday, August 14, 1945. The War is Over! Japan Surrenders.

Mostly clear. No rain.

At 7 pm. E.S.T. Pres. Truman announced to an office full of newspaper men that Japan had surrendered and agreed to the terms of the Potsdam declaration unconditionally. It was a little later announced that Emperor Hirohito would read over the Tokyo radio at 11 p.m. E.S.T. a rescript to the Japanese people telling them about his surrender. This he did but in a peculiar Jap. way. but acknowledged defeat which he said was due to the atomic bomb.

Pres. Truman announced that all our allies were fully informed and had agreed to the accept the Jap. surrender, and that Gen. Mac Arthur would be appointed Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied occupation forces. Good!

Wildly happy celebrations in New York, Washin. and all the American cities tonight. Radio talks filled the air till after midnight. Pres. Truman has declared tomorrow and next day National Holidays. We heard a fine speech by Admiral Halsey to the men of our Third Fleet radioed from his flag ship off Japan. today it is 3 yrs. 8 mos. & 7 days since Pearl harbor.

So ends a day that will go down in history.

Wednesday, August 15, 1945. Rain Holiday, & stores closed.

Mostly cloudy and humid. Rain in the evening. I worked in office all day, writing letters and writing a opinion, not yet finished.

We are planning to drive to Atlanta Friday. I guess I need a change. I have no energy.

Today was a holiday. All stores closed. The Pres. declared today & tomorrow holiday for all government employees. But most people thought it applied to practically everybody.

Gen. MacArthur radioed from Manila to the Jap. government to send by a plane painted white duly authorized officers to sign the surrender document at his headquarters—the password to be Bataan. Perhaps the Japs. understand the irony of this. No official radio acknowledgement yet rec’d from Jap. Government

It was announced yesterday that the cruiser Indianapolis was sunk by a Jap. submarine in the Phillippine Sea several days ago with the loss of nearly all the crew.

Thursday, August 16, 1945.

Mostly clear. No rain. Still humid.

Put in a hard days work on a hard opinion. Sorry I was not quite able to finish it.

The Japs are stalling. They radioed to Gen. MacArthur saying they couldn’t send a delegation in such a short time & asking for further clarification etc. of Gen. MacArthur’s order. To my surprise Gen. Mac humored them. But I guess he knows what he’s doing, or had orders from Washington. But the Russians are driving ahead in Manchuria & say they will continue to shoot Japs. until they lay down their arms & surrender. Strange to say, the Jap. head general in China has notified Chung King that he is ready to surrender at any time & place the Chinese name. Our government is being severely criticized by radio commentators & newspapers for our lenient and easy-going attitude toward Japan.

Now must stop & pack for our trip.

Friday, August 17, 1945. Trip to Atlanta

Weather about the same, Cloudy most of the time but no rain.

Lizzie & I left Tallahassee at 9:45 and drove up to Atlanta by about 5:30 pm. arriving at Atlanta-Biltmore Hotel about 6:00. Atlanta time was about 5 p.m. We phoned Annie & Dow and found that Jim’s train had arrived a bit late but Dow got there to Stone Mountain in his car: that neither Jim nor Annie liked Brookhaven Sanitorium or Dr. Owensby, but for the time being left Joe there. Tonight after dinner Liz & I went out to Dow’s home, & Annie was there, worried sick. Soon Cordilia Wolf and Shep arrived and we had a long discussion and all but Annie were convinced that we should try out Dr. Owensby. In spite of the long drive, Lizzie held up fine.—We left Dow’s home and got to the Hotel about 1 pm-12 Atlanta time—both pretty well worn out.

Saturday, August 18, 1945.

Liz & I had breakfast in the Grill, after a pretty good night’s sleep. Our room on 9th floor of West side of Biltmore Hotel is delightfully cool—nice breeze. I went down to Dow’s office & visited with him & Gene Ransom till about 1 p.m. Then Dow took me to Capital City Club where we had a grand lunch preceded by a scotch high ball.

Then I went to the hotel & Lizzie had arrived from lunch with Annie at Cordeila Wolf’s & we both took a nap. Lizzie was relieved that Annie had decided to let Joe stay on at Brookhaven. Dow & Hilda Called for us at 5 and Laura & Dowdell Brown, Jr. came in the car & I met my 13 month old name sake for the first time. Laura prettier than ever & little Dowdell & little Armstead are two fine specimens. Then we visited little Hilda & her four fine youngsters, and then at 6 Liz & I were put out by Dow at the Huntington [ ? ] where we & Annie had a grand dinner with Cordelia & Shep & one of their young soldier friends. We had a grand time.

Sunday, August 19, 1945.

Mostly cloudy but pleasantly cool. Got a very good night’s sleep, but my breakfast disagreed with me. Felt pretty let down all day. We took it quietly here at the hotel during the day.

Dow arranged to have us out to dinner tonight. We all met at Cordelia’s apartment on Hundingdon [ ? ] at 6 pm and had some helpful imbibements, and then Dow & Hilde, Lizzie & I and Annie, and Shep and Cordelia drove in two cars, ours & Shep’s, to the Capital City Country Club, about 9 miles N.E., through a beautiful country, full of grand homes. We had a splendid dinner and a grand time & got back about 11 p.m. all feeling better. Dow very much impressed with Cordelia, whom he only met since we came up her. She is a splendid woman, & Shep is a fine fellow. So we had a grand time.

Monday, August 20, 1945.

Partly cloudy but cool & Pleasant.

Dow had invited me to attend the Rotary Club luncheon with him at 12:30. I got to his office at 11:45 and found that he had been trying to get the San. at Stone Mountain, but without results. We continued to try- But not until we returned about 2:15. Then Mrs. Daniel[?] phoned him that Dr. Owensby had given Joe a shock treatment but that he had stood it very well, the only bad effect being that he was suffering from pains in his muscles all over. Then Dow phoned Dr. Owensby at his office & he said that he could not tell the full reaction to the treatment till tomorrow and to phone him about 12 to 12:30 tomorrow. Then we phoned Liz at our hotel room and she phoned Annie. Of course we are all worried, but hoping for the best.

Dow and I had a good time at the Rotary Meeting. Mr. J. A. Sibley went with us. We had a grand talk by Wright Bryan, ed. of the Atlanta Journal about his experiences in Europe.

Tonight we had dinner with Cordelia & Shep & Annie & got back to our room at 9 p.m.

Tuesday, August 21, 1945. Trip to Northeast Maryland begins.

This morning I called on Judge Arthur G. Powell, & also on Hughes Spalding (son of my old employer, Mr. Jack J. Spaulding) and his partner Mr. J. A. Sibly at their respective offices. Enjoyable-all fine men.

About 12 I went to Dow’s office and about 12:30 he, Dow, got Dr. Owensby, over the phone. The Doctor said Joe had stood the shock treatment very well, but complained of muscular pains afterward, especially on his legs. Dow and I had lunch at the Capital City Club, and called to see Dr. Owensby in person in his office at Medical Arts Bldg. We had a very satisfactory talk. I was favorably impressed with Dr. O. He is a strong personality. Then we went to Dow’s office & phoned Lizzie & Annie- This was about 3 pm. Liz said she would pack up & we would leave at once- Also Cordelia [ ? ] a reservation for Annie to New York at 6:15 p.m. So Dow & I went to the Atlanta Biltmore at once, & we left about 3.30 Atlanta time in our car for Northeast, Md. to visit James & Emily. Dow showed us how to get out of town & got out at Georgia Terrace Hotel. At his suggestion we took Road 78 to Athens, and from there we followed Road 29 all the way to Washington[.] We reached Greenville, S.C. about 7:30 p.m. E.S.T. All the hotels were full. We got supper at a Café and then spent the night-a hot night-at Mrs. Hillhouses’s Tourist home—a very poor room. Two small windows in wall[?]—so we didn’t get much sleep. Hot & close.

Wednesday, August 22, 1945. Clear. On our way.

We left Greenville about 9:15 A.M. and went by Spartanburg & Charlotte to Greensboro, where we had a nice lunch at Hotel Barringer. I wired to Hotel Virginia, Lynchburg, Va., for a reservation, and so reached Lynchburg about 7:30, found that they had held a room for us at the Virginia, and we spent a pretty hot night there. Lizzie was tired & made her supper on snacks, but I went to a good café and had a square meal. We had to sleep with an overhead fan going all the time, over our large single bed. But I slept very well. Lizzie not so good. Lynchburg is built on the side of a pretty steep hill and has narrow streets. The business section is not pretty. We did not get to see the residential section. It is an old town and I am sure it has a fine citizenship. The Randolph-Macon Women’s College is located somewhere in this old city. Lizzie went to college there, but she did not remember how to get to it.

Thursday, August 23, 1945. Cooler, and cloudy. We reach White Point farm at last.

While we were eating breakfast this morning, Lewis Twyman came up—my former young law partner in Miami. Glad to see him. Lewis got in our car with us & showed us how to get out of town. After we had crossed the bridge over the James River, Lewis got out and walked back to the hotel. We got started about 9:15 and went via Charlottesville & Culpepper to Washington, arriving in Washington about 12:40, and after some trouble found our way through the City and took Road No. 1 to Baltimore; then after finding our way with some difficulty through Baltimore, we took Road No. 40 and reached Havre de Grace about 3:30, but we had a time of it finding our way from Northeast to James & Emily’s home at White Point farm. We got there at last about 5 p.m. Emily was there to greet us. The little boys in the neighborhood, Jackie Barnes, 12, and the two younger Trainer boys, Tommy & Robert—eagerly helped us get out things into the house.

James & Emily have a nice home facing the North end of Chesapeke Bay, an ideal summer place. James arrived pretty soon & we had a grand dinner and a fine time talking till pretty late.

Friday, August 24, 1945. Rainy. Visit to Johns Hopkins.

This morning James drove me down to Baltimore. We got Johns Hopkins Hospital at a little after 11 A.M. My appointment with Dr. S. D. McPherson, who is handling Dr. Alan C. Woods’ work for him during the latter’s vacation, was 11:30, but it was about noon he took me on. His examination of my eye took about an hour. Then I took his prescription to Bowen & King’s, and we started on our way back. About 3 or 4 miles No. of Baltimore, we stopped for lunch at Howard Johnson’s beautiful roadside café. Before going to James’ home, we went by the Bainbridge Naval Training base, and James put in some work in his office (the door of his suite is labeled “Public Relations”). Then he drove me around the enormous base, where some 32,000 young men are being trained (last week there were 33,500 there) and then we put out in the rain for White Point Farm. After getting home, James made a big wood fire in the living room, as it was cool, and we had a fine dinner. Emily is a fine cook. We had a very pleasant evening talking & listening to the radio. The have a fine Navy radio.

This afternoon Emily & Lizzie took her father, Mr. Eppels, who has been with them a day or two, to Washington, D.C., where he entrained for Miami. They went in our car. I like Mr. E.

Saturday, August 25, 1945. Raining & cool. News of Aunt “Bess’s” death reaches us.

Hard rainstorm and strong wind in the evening

After breakfast this morning. James put in an hour or two cutting and sawing and splitting drift wood logs down on the beach about 200 yards from the house, vigorously aided by Jackie Barnes, 12 and Tommy Trainer, about 11. They are fine energetic youngsters. Dear little Robert Trainer, 3-1/2 years old, and I were interested onlookers. James’ skill with the axe and saw amazed me: also his strength in lifting big logs. Then came the job of taking the wood to the house, on a frame put on two long poles. I helped a little in the sawing—not much, but Jackie and Tommy did a lot of the sawing, and the carrying of the wood.

Tonight we had a very pleasant visit from Mr. & Mrs. Tom Trainer. Mr. T. is a small hard[?] man, who owns White Point Farm and the several cottages, but who is a very heavy drinker, but who runs his farm successfully. Mrs. Trainer is a very fine woman, who was a Miss Price, and quite pretty. They have 4 boys.

This afternoon we received a telegram by phone from Cordelia telling of Aunt Bessie’s (Mrs. Ch. H. Davis) death at Auburn, & an [ ? ] Hardwell. This is sad and wholly unexpected news. She was a grand, [ ? ] woman.

Sunday, August 26, 1945.

Clear, early morning & quite cool with strong S.W. & West Winds. Some white clouds floating around, but no threat of rain.

We had a quiet restful Sunday. Mostly sitting and chatting and listening occasionally to the radio. James did some more cutting and sawing & splitting drift wood, and with the help of Jackie and Tommy & Emily—and a bit of help from me—bringing it up to the house.

James also drove us up to Red Point, a pretty high promontory overlooking the Bay about 1/2 of a mile So. of the house. There is a beautiful expansive view from there.

The typhoons have delayed somewhat our landing of a large air borne division at a large airfield about 18 miles South of Tokyo. Just when the plans for the surrender and official signing of documents can be carried out is somewhat uncertain. Gen. MacArthur is taking every precaution against Jap. treachery.

Monday, August 27, 1945. Clear, cool and beautiful Trip to Centerville

Cool & clear early morning, getting rapidly warmer.

Airborne landing of American troops at Atsugi airfield, 18 miles S. of Tokyo accomplished, today by Tokyo—tomorrow by our time.

Lizzie & I left at 3:15 for Centreville about 80 miles from here. We stopped at Northeast to have our car serviced, then drove on Rd 40 to Elkton then So. over curvy road #213 to Centerville, arriving about 6 p.m. We found Francis & Wilson and their three fine daughters—pretty & attractive & highly intelligent—all well. We had a good dinner and a delightful evening, except for one thing: Lizzie had a attack of asthma beginning at 9 p.m., tho she stayed up till 11 p.m. She had a bad night: only her spray[?] gave any relief. but she was bright the next morning and what a delightful time we had. Left at 4 p.m. and arrived back at James about 6:45. There’s so much ragweed around Centerville. That always starts Lizzie’s asthma.

Tuesday, August 28, 1945. Summer weather.

On our return from Centerville yesterday aft., we stopped by Schaffer’s Sea Food place, just after crossing the ferry over the “Cheasapeke” Canal, and bought 8 stuffed crabs, and what a grand supper we had when they were cooked! When we arrived yesterday afternoon we found that James & Emily had a visitor-a nurse from the Bainbridge base-a nice Pensacola girl, a Miss Micky Beard. About 11 p.m. Mr. Trainer came over and invited us over to his home, 100 yards away, as he wanted us to meet a friend, Mr. Frank Mathews, who move over his way from his Camp. James had to get up early, & was tired, & so was Lizzie, but Emily & I went over, & had a very pleasant time till 12:30. Mrs. Trainer is such a fine young woman. I enjoyed our visit to Mr. Trainer, who owns White Point Farm and the several cottages along the bay front, is quite an unusual character. He and Mrs. T., who was a Miss Price, are both from Pennsylvania, came from wealthy & prominent families, & both under 40. Mr. T. has some sort of chronic trouble, & is a very heavy drinker.

Wednesday, August 29, 1945. A bit warm. Clear. Occupation of Japan begins.

This has been a delightful day—a bit too warm in afternoon—but just right for a swim. James and “Micky” and I went down to the beach and the water was just the right temperature—cool enough to be invigorating. After wading out about 40 yards , it was 3 or 4 ft. deep, and I swam out some distance and I was about 5 ft. deep. James had a cold & didn’t stay in long. Emily had a cold too, and lay on the beach & took a sun bath. But Micky & I swam out some distance, & back. I felt very much refreshed, but tonight “Micky” developed a bad cold too. She had a beau from the Base who came out yesterday and spent the evening. A very nice young man-a Lieutenant named Rubin, from Miami. He drove over in his car. James is to go back to the base with him early in the morning.

Our airborne troops are cleaning up and improving Atsugi Air Field near Tokyo.

Thursday, August 30, 1945.

Clear, but murky & misty morning. Still warm. Very warm afternoon Occupation of Japan proceeding satisfactorily.

This morning James & Lt. Rubin left at 7:30 for Bainbridge Base, and Emily & Micky left about 11 a.m. for Wilmington in our car, returning about 1 p.m.

After lunch we drove “Micky” over to the station where she took the train for Miami, her new location. (Filled my pen with a different ink, which I don’t like.) Then Emily, Lizzie & I drove to Bainbridge base, while the girls were shopping at the Comissary, I stepped in James’ office until about 4 p.m. or later, and then James & I went to the base-ball field to see the game between the Bainbridge team and the Philadelphia Athletics. We had seats in the Press gallery, next to Commodore Russell, the Base Commander, and Connie Mack the “grand old man of base-ball,” a fine old gentleman. It was a very fine game. How I did enjoy it! The players were all good. The Athletics won 3 to 2. Then we joined Lizzie & Emilie at the Officers Club, and had Scotch & Sodas. then we drove home, arriving about dark, and soon had a fine dinner. to bed at 11 p.m. The afternoon had been hot, and about 1 o’clock we had a terrific thunder and lightning storm for 30 or 40 minutes, which cooled things off & made sleeping easy.

Considerable American troops are being landed North & South of Tokyo, and Yokohama occupied. Gen. MacArthur and many other generals & troops are there.

Friday, August 31, 1945. Clear and slightly cool morning. Warm afternoon

A very pleasant day, which we spent quietly here at James & Emily’s place. James as usual got up, made himself a quick breakfast, and left by 7:30 for his office at Bainbridge base. This afternoon both Emily & I took a swim in the bay. When James came home about 6 p.m. he brought with him a Mr. Levine (or Leveen) of N.Y., and ex-service man whom he knew, a very pleasant gentleman. We all went to bed by 11 p.m. but I read till 12 or after.

The occupation of Japan goes on apace. Tomorrow the formal surrender papers will be signed. The Japanese civilians show a strange reaction to our occupation forces—They are a strange race of people.

Saturday, September 1, 1945. Fair & Mild. V-J Day set for tomorrow, surrender documents signed.

Tonight about 9:30 our time, being about 11:30 a.m. Japanese time, the representative of the Jap. Emperor signed the surrender documents in duplicate, on the Battleship Missouri in Tokyo harbor, and then the representatives of the U.S., Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Netherlands also signed. The[n] the President spoke from the White House; then Gen. MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz spoke from the Battleship Missouri. Gen MacArthur presided over the surrender ceremonies. All the speeches were fine.

The President proclaimed tomorrow, Sept. 2nd here, as V-J Day. Today was September 2nd in Japan.

This afternoon James & Emily & I took a nice swim—Then James and Mr. Levine & I walked up to Red Point, & Jackie Barnes went with us. James & Mr. L. ran into a yellow jackets nest and got badly stung. Jackie & I took a different path back to the house & escaped the yellow jackets.

Sunday, September 2, 1945. V.J. Day. Trip to Philadelphia & Stanford.

Today James & Emilie and Mr. Levine drove up with Lizzie and me in our car to Philadelphia to see the Friends’ Hospital and determine whether it would be a good place for Joe to convalesce and regain his strength after Dr. Owensby had furnished his treatments. After some time we located the Friends hospital way out on Roosevelt Boulevard. After James & Emily & Lizzie had talked with Dr. Cadbury we drove back to the business section and had lunch at (Book) Binders Restaurant. Most ordered Lobster. I devilled crab.

Then Lizzie & I took the train to Stamford & James & Emily & Mr L. returned home in our car. Liz & I arrived in Stamford at 5:30 Bob & little Jim met us in Bob’s car & we arrived at 22d Sycamore Terrace where we were greeted by Elizabeth & Bob & Francie Shepard & many others. Had a grand dinner & evening. Dr Rogers & Terry came over.

Monday, September 3, 1945. Stamford.

Lizzie & I were up late last night—Bob & Elizabeth had quite a dinner and a gay party. “Little Betty” Robinson drank more than anybody, I think, but we all drank more than we should. Young Mr. & Mrs. Mustard (Musty & Buffy) came in from Pittsburg—nice young couple—So we had a big crowd.

This afternoon about 3 or 4 o’clock Walter Cowles & Elfrida and Catherine Stickney came in from New Haven & stayed until about 9 p.m. when they drove back to New Haven.

Liz & I have the same room we had when we were here last X-mas was a year ago.

I have enjoyed talking to Dr. Rogers.

Little Jim is the finest looking and the most attractive little fellow, and little “Ricky” (Henry) Washington, now 14 months old, is the image of his father and like him has a fine disposition. His mother & little sister are away, but Florence is here.

Tuesday, September 4, 1945. Northeast, Md. again.

Beautiful morning. We were lucky in having a ride down to New York with “Musti” & “Buffy” this morning. “Little Betty” Robinson went too. It was a beautiful ride. They got us to the Penn. Sta. at 1 p.m. and we took the 1:30 train and arrived at Perryville, Md., near the Naval Base, at about 4:30 and shortly after 5, James & Emily came by from the Base and took us to their home. It was good to be back with this dear young couple in this pretty cottage on the Bay. After dinner, we called on the Trainers, & Mr. T. gave us moving pictures of his family when Tommy was a little fellow.

We told James goodbye tonight, as he gets off to the base before we get up in the morning. We were up till 12 o’clock. Had a nice time.

Wednesday, September 5, 1945. Return trip home begins. Clear day. From Northeast, Md. to Charlottesville.

After a nice breakfast we told Emily, and the little boys in the neighborhood goodbye about 9:30, and left for home. We stopped at Northeast for gasoline, water in radia., etc. and got off for Baltimore at 10 A.M. We did not have much trouble in finding our way through Baltimore this time, but we did have trouble in going through Washington and finding our way to road 29 again after we had gone over the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Washington has always been a puzzle to me.

We reached Charlottesville, Va., about 6 or 6:30 pm and drove in front of the impressive main group of buildings of the University of Va., then down through the main street to about the end of the business district, turned left two block, to the Monticello Hotel. We enjoyed a good dinner, had a very good night’s rest. We liked the Monticello. I wired for reservations at the Poinsett for tomorrow night.

Thursday, September 6, 1945. Rainy morning. Charlottesville, Va. to Greenville, S.C.

After a very nice breakfast, we left the good old Monticello Hotel in Charlottesville and drove via Lynchburg, Danville, Greensboro (where we had lunch at the Barringer Hotel) Charlotte, and Spartanburg to Greenville, S.C., where we spent the night at the Poinsett Hotel, reaching there about 9 P.M., all worn out. I had wired for reservations ahead of time. From Spartanburg to Greenville, it was very dark. Lizzie did the driving. She is a fine driver, and has done most of the driving on our entire trip. She insisted on doing so. We liked the Monticello Hotel at Charlottesville very much, and also the Poinsett. We drove about 300 miles today. Had our only car trouble, as we were approaching Alta Vista, a few miles South of Lynchburg. The hose to our radiator burst. Over heated radiator. Got it fixed at Alta Vista.

Friday, September 7, 1945. MacArthur Enters Tokyo.

We left Greenville about 9 A.M. and drove to Atlanta via Anderson and Athens, and reached the Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta in time for lunch about 1:30. After lunch I read a little and then about 3:30 I went to see Dr. N.M. Owensby, in the Medical Arts Bldg. Had a very satisfactory talk with him. He said Joseph had shown real improvement the past two days. That he had found that Joe had a bad case of trench mouth which poisoned his system and made him hate to take food. Then he had cured the trench mouth with penicillin, and Joe had eaten his first square meal, solid foods included, yesterday and fed himself, and then he gave him his 4th shock treatment this morning and he stood it well—Fine. Liz & I had Cordelia and Shep to dinner with us on the terrace back of the Biltmore tonight.

Saturday, September, 8, 1945. Home Again! And glad of it!

We left Atlanta at 9:30 and arrived here in Tallahassee at 5:30-- Liz bought groceries & we went home and unpacked—a big job. Liz fixed a nice supper. Then she called on Mrs. Fain & family and saw pictures of Jimmie Fain’s wedding. She married during our absence, about 2 wks. ago. We had a bright clear day for our drive home. And how glad we were to be back!

I contracted a bad sore throat in Atlanta last night, after our evening with Cordelia and Shep, who had dinner with us on the Terrace, but my hoarseness was much better tonight.

On our way down we had a very good lunch at the Arindson Hotel in Americus.

Sunday, September 9, 1945. Warm.

Lizzie and I spent a quiet restful day. The morning was bright and clear, but this afternoon it was cloudy and humid till very late afternoon.

This morning about 11:45, I was about over my cold and sore throat, so I went to the office and ran through a big pile of mail, mostly newspapers and magazines, and brought home the magazines and the letters, about 8 of which were from Jimmy, somewhere in the Pacific. They were very interesting. Such a grand lovable young man is Jimmy!

This aft. late, I took a walk on the golf course. Tonight after supper, Lizzie went to see Mary Maud. My cold is almost gone.

Monday September 10, 1945.

A very hot day, but a busy and interesting one.

When I got to my office I found the courtroom full of lawyers. Div. A was having motions—first motion day in a month or more. I put in the day entertaining lawyers, paying our various bills, having my car cleaned and serviced, etc.

At noon we had the big feature of the day. Dr. John J. Tigert, Pres. of our State University [President of the University of Florida from 1928-1947] conferred the degree of LL.D. on Judge Jas. Bryan Whitfield, who served on our court for 39 years. A large crowd filled the Court room. Judge Ellis was there. Many ladies, including Lizzie attended. I was delighted to see Judge W. thus honored. He richly deserved it.

Tuesday September 11, 1945.

Last night was very cool and pleasant, and this morning bright & clear and not too warm, but by late afternoon it was quite warm and humid.

Spent a busy day in office. Plenty of work piled up. Several visits from lawyer friends. Went to Dr. Brown and had my ingrowing eyelashes taken out.

This aft. late we had quite a pleasant visit from Mary Maud.

When our soldiers went to Tojo’s home today to take him in charge, he shot himself. Our doctors are trying to save him so we can condemn and execute him as a war criminal. His name is the first on MacArthur’s list.

Wednesday, September 12, 1945.

A very nice day. My hoarseness about gone. Felt much better this afternoon. A busy day in office. Wrote a short opinion this morning. Took a long walk on golf course from 7 to 8 watching some of the best golfers play—

We expected Annie to arrive by plane at 10:15 tonight, but about 10 p.m. she phoned that she had been prioritied out at Jacksonville, and would take the 1:30 plane & arrive home about 3 a.m.

Thursday, September 13, 1945. Rain.

Cloudy, with rain and wind from 11:30 to 1:30, looked like pre-hurricane weather, but it cleared up this aft. and was cool & nice.

On bench all morning. 5 cases argued. Office work this afternoon.

Went home at 6:15 and took a long walk on golf course-while Annie & Lizzie were calling on Mary Maud.

Annie left LaGuardia field at 3:40 and arrived in Jacksonville about 9 p.m. Got here about 3 a.m.

The news tonight is that a big hurricane is moving toward the Bahamas and will probably reach there early tomorrow. Hope it does not hit Miami—or any part of Fla.

Friday, September 14, 1945. Light rain.

Mostly cloudy with light rains at times. Later on tonight the rain is a bit heavier with some thunder. Late afternoon was almost clear.

We were (Div. B) on the bench all morning and in conference of whole court until time to go to lunch.

Several more of the Jap. war lords have committed suicide.

Spent the afternoon studying and passing on cases written by other Judges. Hope to catch up with the accumulation tomorrow & get busy on cases assigned to me by Monday.

This aft. I came home at 6:30 & took long walk, watching some of my friends play golf.

The hurricane has hit the lower Bahamas, and it is believed will strike the S.E. Florida Coast by tomorrow. Do hope it does not do our people any harm.

Saturday, September 15, 1945. Hurricane hits just So. of Miami.

Overcast sky—Some light rain and about 9:30 strong wind for awhile, and then hard rain for an hour.

The hurricane swept in across the Fla. Keys, then turned Northward, going close to Miami, causing winds of 99 m.p.h. in the City—A good many houses unroofed. Fires that broke out in some houses could not be put out. The water mains were cut. And later the electric lights went out. But no casualties reported so far. High water in Miami & Miami Beach. The storm seems to have turned right up the Peninsula—It may hit Tallahassee tomorrow evening for all we know. But hurricanes are unpredictable.

Worked hard in office all day and until 7 p.m.

Sunday, September 16, 1945.

Overcast early morning, but some sunshine by 11:30 A.M., and mostly clear in afternoon.

The hurricane did considerable damage to Miami & Miami Beach, and especially to the Coconut Grove section, and to Goulds, Perrine, Homstead & Fla. City. Then it turned Northward, its fierceness reduced, and struck Lakeland & Orlando and went out to the Atlantic again North of but near Daytona Beach. Weather Bureau says it will probably gain in strength and hit the Coast of So. Carolina.

I had a very pleasant call on Judge Ellis this afternoon for 5:15 to 7:30. He is an interesting talker. Mr. Arant was there—a very nice gentleman who has come here from Pensacola.

Monday, September 17, 1945.

Clear, pleasant day.

Our division had a busy morning hearing arguments on motions, petitions for writs, etc. This afternoon I studied cases written by the other judges until 5:30, when I drove Annie home and then I drove over to the Club house, and got out my clubs and played six or seven holes of golf by myself—my first game in 5 weeks. I was pretty wild and lost two balls. And was pretty tired afterward.

Tonight Jeanne, Tom Lovejoy, Jr.’s wife, who has been on vacation over at Ponte Vedra, on the Coast opposite, tho a bit So. of Jacksonville, for past ten days in two cars, called us up and said that hurricane winds of about 90 miles per hour hit Ponte Vedra last night. She wants us to come over and spend the week and Saturday after next, when we can get a room.

Tuesday, September 18, 1945.

Clear, fine day. The hurricanes petered out on the S. Carollina coast.

Pretty hard days work in office. Home by 7 p.m. and a long walk on the links.

Tonight about 10:15 Liz rec’d a wire from Walter Cowles sent from Savannah at 8:04 saying: “Arriving late Place Key under mat. Phone Stickney.” It looks like they will miss their connection in Jacksonville unless they come by bus tonight.

The big auto workers C.I. O. Unions have threatened to strike in a few days unless they are give a 30% increase in wages, and tonight we hear that the Union employs of the oil industry are making the same threat. What a fine contribution the patriotic (?) union men are making to our efforts to return to peace time economy!

Gen. MacArthur’s reported statement that after six months he thought it probable that we could get along with an army of 200,000 in occupation of Japan has caused a lot of unfavorable comment. But Pres. Truman says he hope MacA. is right. Our news men and commentators think they know more than our Army & Navy leaders.

Wednesday, September 19, 1945.

Clear. Rather warm.

The Cowles & Catherine Stickney arrived in Tallahassee about 5:30 this morning by bus. We had the Cowles & Mary Maude to dinner with us tonight.

Yesterday the Pres. appointed Senator Harold H. Burton of Ohio a Republican to succeed Justice Roberts as a member of the Supreme Court, and Rob t P. Paterson, pres. Asst., to succeed Henry L. Stimson as Sec’y of War. Both good appointments.

There is a big outcry in Congress and the papers & on the radio about the slowness of demobilization, but it is a tremendous job & much of the criticism is unjustified. The problem of transportation is enormous.

Put in about 1/2 day entertaining lawyer visitors & the other half writing an opinion.

Thursday, September 20, 1945.

Mostly cloudy & warm with a little rain. Clear in late aft.

Our Division was on the bench all morning. I had plenty of work to do this aft., but had visitors most all afternoon.

Gen. Marshall appeared before Congress today and his explanation of demobilization plans satisfied them and he was cheered. Lots of pressure has been put on the members by the folks back home, but Gen. Marshall’s explanation and plans ought to satisfy the country, and also stop the needless criticism of MacArthur.

The strikes in the auto & Oil industries are a real threat to post war progress & prosperity. The labor leaders are overplaying their hand.

Friday, September 21, 1945.

Cloudy part of the day; warm & humid.

On bench and in conference practically until lunch time. Worked in office this afternoon till 7:15.

Liz & Annie & the Cowles went to the movies tonight, but I was too tired.

Henry L. Stimson retired as Sec’y of War today—his 78th birthday. I think he has conducted that important office with ability and integrity throughout this historic world war period. He, like Pres Roosevelt saw far in advance that this Country could not keep out of the War, and he did his best to get the Army prepared for it.

They are getting out stories now that Pres. Roosevelt had advance information of the Pearl Harbor attack, but kept it to himself and allowed our men to be killed & ships sunk on purpose. I don’t believe it.

Saturday, September 22, 1945.

Mostly clear and quite warm in afternoon, but fairly pleasant in evening.

Pretty busy day in office. Finished 17 page opinion.

Got home about 6:30 and walked over to Club house and back On way over I saw a man & his wife, about 45 & 40, playing the last 3 holes. I watched them. They were good players. Found they were a Mr. & Mrs Gallitan of Tampa. [Note by transcriber, Erik Robinson: This would have been Tom and Sallie Gallatin. They had just moved to Tallahassee from Tampa. Sallie had been one of the top amateur women golfers in Tampa in the late 1930s. When I knew her she was a widow, living alone in her home in my Indian Head Acres neighborhood in Tallahassee, and a member of my church, Epiphany Lutheran. She lived to be over 100 and was always a very interesting person to visit and listen to her stories.]

Returning I ran into Dean Dodd, taking his evening walk on his crutches. We had quite a long confab, on the control of the atomic bomb, etc, & so on. I like Dean Dodd. He’s a fine, well educated gentleman.

Tonight the Cowles came over from about 9 to 11.

Sunday, September 23, 1945.

Clear & pleasant. Some white clouds floating around, as has been the case for several days, but no sign of rain.

Liz & I went to Church this morning. Bro. Haynes preached a very fine sermon and Mrs. H. Caleb Cushing, our Musical Director, sang a splendid solo “Jesus, Lover of My Soul.” Very impressive.

This aft. I took it easy till about 5:30. Then I drove uptown and called on Judge Whitfield—such a fine & friendly old gentleman. About 6 I drove to the golf club and played 5 holes of golf & did pretty well—played by myself & played two balls—I enjoyed it & felt better afterwards. Met and talked to a lot of the young people who form the Country Club Set. A really fine bunch.

Monday, September 24, 1945.

Clear and rather warm in afternoon.

Did not get much work done today. Some personal business and visitors interrupted. Filed an opinion I finished Saturday-17 pages.

This afternoon Judge Chapman and I went out at 5 p.m. and played golf. I got some of the longest wood shots I have made in quiet awhile, but fell down on the iron shots—took a 50. I was near the green on #13 in two shots and made a par 4. Judge C. beat me badly. He made a 42 or 43.

There was some opposition to Dean Achison’s confirmation as Under Secretary of State, on account of his criticism of Gen. Mac Arthur’s statement that in six months he thought our occupation force in Japan could be reduced to 200,000, but the fight on Acheson petered out and he was confirmed 69 to 1.

Tuesday September 25, 1945.

Clear and mostly very pleasant.

Had to go to Dr. Brown’s office first thing this morning. Yesterday ingrowing eyelashes gave me fits. Dr. Brown not in, but Mrs. Benton removed the offending lashes for me.

Lizzie is--& has been for 2 days—suffering greatly from something like a boil near the top of her head. Slept very little last night. Very painful tonight. But she has promised Mrs. Fred Elliott to attend a meeting of the City Commissioners tonight, to hear the pros and cons of those who were against or for the proposition of cutting down the trees on N. Calhoun St. to widen that street N. to Tenn. St. for a business district. Most of those who attended were opposed to cutting down those grand oaks. I wrote a letter, which was read, opposing it.

Annie & I drove down to the “County Line” this aft. with very good results.

Wednesday, September 26, 1945.

Partly cloudy.

Lizzie went to Dr. Rhodes office this morning—after a very bad night from the pain caused by the swollen place on her head—and Dr. Rhodes said it was a carbuncle. He lanced it and scraped out as much of the virus as possible—all very painful—then put an anesthetic in the wound which gave Lizzie some relief for several hours, but she is suffering considerably tonight.

Passed on a lot of cases today. Worked till 7 p.m. Also wrote an important special concurring opinion.

Had the two negroes, Lonnie and another, who work for Henry Palmer at his filling station, to take the bumps out of my car and then simonize it—first time I’ve had it done since I bought the car. They worked hard on it from 12:30 till 5 p.m., as the station closed at 12:30 Looks like a new car.

Thursday, September 27, 1945.

Mostly clear.

Except for one visit to the bank, I spent the day on work in office. No oral arguments this week.

Lizzie still suffering from that carbuncle. She has another appointment with the Doctor in the morning.

I am also worried about Judge Buford. He doesn’t look well, and his eyesight is bad. Due, he thinks, to the diabetes & the insulin injections which he has to take for it. Too bad. Both his sons have been back home for a few days the past week also.

Emperor Hirohito called on Gen. MacArthur yesterday, & he says he was not responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is reported he will resign as Emperor.

Friday, September 28, 1945. Rain.

Partly cloudy with some rain in the late afternoon.

In conference a large part of this morning. Worked hard in office till 5 p.m. Then Judge Chapman & I played golf. The rain caught us on the 12th fairway and we had to go to a shelter house & stay for quite awhile. It was pretty misty from then on.

Lizzie went to Dr. Rhodes office this morning and he removed the packing and applied an anaesthetic, and she has felt so much better since.

The wave of strikes is still spreading. The Navy & Army are nearly out of gasoline. Sec’y Sullenbach says the oil strike must end. He is holding a conference of oil men and union leaders tomorrow.

Down in Argentina, Peron, head of the army, is trying to put down the democratic uprising by Hitlerian methods. He has had some two or three thousand prominent leaders arrested and jailed, including the editors of “La Prensa.”

Saturday, September 29, 1945.

Partly cloudy—

Worked hard in office all day till 7 p.m.

We go back to pre-war time tonight at 2 a.m. I’m glad of it. We are in the Eastern edge of the Eastern time zone, and to put us an hour ahead of normal E S. Time was entirely unnecessary except to conform with the change in time of the balance of the Country. It gave us an unnatural time, nearly 2 hours off sun time.

Gov’r Dewey stepped into the elevator union strike in N.Y. a couple of days ago, and proposed settlement of wage dispute by arbitration to which today both the union and the owners agreed. So the men agreed to go back to work Monday morning, Oct. 1st Why didn’t the unions & managers agree to this to begin with? The strike cost the garment workers 25 million per day.

Sunday, September 30, 1945.

Clear, fine day.

I had a pretty bad skip in my heartbeat soon after breakfast this morning. Must have been gas from indigestion. I lay down for awhile and then went to church. Had a good service. Good sermon by our Dist Supt. Rev. Pendergrass. Lizzie went to the doctor’s, and he removed the bands from her head. The carbuncle is cured.

Our church service began as usual at 11:30, but we return to 11 o’clock next Sunday.

Took a good walk on course this aft. late and watched some of my golf friends play. Godfrey Smith & I were the audience. He has just ret’d from the service.

Monday, October 1, 1945.

Clear morning. Two hard rains in afternoon.

Our Div. B had the Motion business this morning. We began at 9:30 by the new pre-war time. Got through about 11:30. Worked balance of day in office.

Tonight we took Mrs. Ruby Whitfield and Frances Thompson to see a real good movie—“Captain Eddie”—a moving story of the life of a fine able and brave man. He has escaped death by inches & minutes so many times

MacArthur has taken possession of all the large Jap. tanks. An unexpected move.

The strikes continue to break out. Today—or last night it was—the employees of the Colorado River Authority struck, throwing 24 towns and cities, & veterans hospitals in darkness.

Tuesday, October 2, 1945.

Clear, fine day.

We had a court conference this morning endeavoring to get some disputed cases settled—and with some results. Got in considerable office work during the day.

This aft. at 4:30 Judge Chapman and [I] drove to the links and had a game. He made a 45, I a 50. I enjoyed the game, but we were both cast with perspiration when it was over. But we felt better.

Wednesday, October 3, 1945.

Clear and fine.

On bench in one case this morning, and then in conference on several cases.

Dictated an opinion this afternoon.

Sec’y of Labor Sullenbach had hoped to be able to settle the oil workers strike by today, but was not able to do so. It is reported that the Government will proceed at once to take over and operate the refineries and oil businesses held up by the strikes.

The telephone operators say they will stop work for 4 hours Friday to take a strike vote.

General Motors issues an ultimatum to the strikers. And so the war between labor and management goes on and gets worse. We are threatened also with a coal miners strike and a shortage of coal for the coming Winter is in prospect. The innocent public is the main sufferer from this unreasonable strike business.

Thursday, October 4, 1945.

Mostly clear.

On bench this morning.

This aft. from 4:30 to 7 Judge Chapman & Theo Brevard & I played golf.

Tonight about 10 p.m. Tom Lovejoy, Jr. called me up from Ponte Vedra and told me of the attack on and robbery of his wife Jeanne at the Ponte Vedra Inn by a negro employee of the hotel, the negro’s arrest & incarceration in the jail at St. Augustine, and the strange conduct of the St. John’s County Sheriff in swearing out of a warrant for Jim also & her making cash bond for $1000—and he’s to appear in St. Augustine Friday morning. That he has employed Hon. Frank D. Upchurch. I tried unsuccessfully to phone Mr. Upchurch, and then at midnight I drove up to the telegraph office and sent Mr. Upchurch a night letter telling him that Tom was my nephew and asking that he do all he could for him & Jeanne.

Friday, October 5, 1945. Trip to Jacksonville. Clear.

I worried about Tom & Jeanne last night and so Lizzie & I drove over to Jacksonville & then to the Atlantic Beach Hotel. Tho the season was over and the hotel closed, Gerry Adams kindly gave us a room. Then about 5 p.m. we went down to the Ponte Vedra Hotel & found Tom & Jeanne. Tom told me that my telegram has reached Mr. Upchurch in time and had been helpful to him in handling the situation, but that the Manager of the hotel feared negro help reprisals & wanted Jeanne to check out. So we took them & their baggage to Atl. Bch Hotel, where Tom did some phoning. Then we all decided to spend the night at the Mayflower in Jax. Phoned & secured reservation; drove down the Beach & got dinner, & then drove to the Mayflower, and by that time it was pretty late—So we went to our rooms Arthur Driver was confined to his room from dental operation this morning—but was up to breakfast next morning.

Saturday, October 6, 1945. Trip back home

Somewhat cloudy today with rain in the afternoon.

Tom & Jeanne & Liz & I had breakfast together about 9 a.m. & Arthur Driver came in about time we were through. He was as usual very cordial and helpful. Tom with his help secured a reservation for Jeanne down at the Deauville Hotel at Miami Beach and Arthur secured R.R. tickets & reservations on the Sunday morning train. Her N.Y. doctor told Tom over the phone he would advise that Jeanne go to some place if that suit for awhile longer, where she could have sunshine & bathing & swimming. Arthur Driver is a grand fellow. Then Tom & Lizzie went back to Ponte Vedra to get all of Jeanne’s numerous clothing—It took them over 2 hours to straighten out Jeanne’s overgrown & very expensive wardrobe. Jeanne’s shocking experience seems to have snapped her back to near normal—if she was ever normal—poor child.

Then about 2:30 we had dinner and a hour’s nap—At 4:30 Lizzie & I left in Lizzie’s car for home. Lizzie did all the driving. Our trip home was made somewhat difficult by frequent showers & mist & fog, but we got home safely at 9:30 p.m. We got dinner at Live Oak. So thankful to be home again. After 2 very strenuous days.

Sunday, October 6, 1945.

This morning Dana Brown called me up. He had written he was coming & wants to have a game of golf with me this afternoon. But when he called me from the Cherokee this morning he said he has had a recurrence of bronchitis and would not be able to play. I told him we had no court today but would have him to dine with us at the Cherokee. Which he did. We had a very nice dinner. Dana was looking very well and was excellent company as usual. Such a fine young man. We had a good time. Lizzie had to go to the doctor for awhile before getting to the Cherokee. After dinner I went by my office for a hour or so. Then home and a good nap—

At about 5:30 Jimmy phoned Annie—He is still at San Pedro, Cal., & it will take him till Oct 26th to finish getting the shop in good running order.

At 6:45 we all went to a buffet dinner at Mrs. Stickney’s residence. Catherine was beautiful & charming. Lt. Perry and Miss Blanchard were there. Also Jimmy Stickney and his father Ward Stickney, & his fine wife, & Mrs Harrison & Mrs Steele. We had a good time & a fine dinner.

Monday, October 8, 1945.

Busy with correspondence and visitors this morning. Got in some work on a case this aft.

Tonight at 6:15 Lizzie gave a cocktail party to the Stickneys—Mrs Stickney and daughters “Bobbie” & Catherine & son Ward, & his son Jimmie, and a friend Lt. Perry, and Mrs. Jane Stickney, Frank Stickney’s wife (Frank is still away in the Army), and the Cowles. A very nice party. I enjoyed talking to “Bobbie”, a highly intelligent and charming widow, about 35 I imagine, and young Mrs. Jan Stickney, who was a Mississippi girl, very intelligent and refined; also Lt. Perry—a member of the air force, a quiet and modest and very likable young man.

The strikes are still spreading.

I am afraid we are in for a rather hard winter, with our plans for a quick reconversion of industry to a peace time basis thwarted.

Tuesday, October 9, 1945.

Clear and cool.

Some visitors this morning—among them my old friend Luther Mirshow.

Worked this aft. till nearly dark. Got home in time to take a short walk.

We received a wire from Jeanne, down at Miami Beach today, saying everything was fine and “thanks a million.” I presume she is at the Deauville Hotel. Hope the poor child gets well down there.

Yesterday, in the World Series, the Chicago Cubs won 9 to 8, in the 12th inning. Present standing 3 to 3. The deciding game will be played tomorrow. Pretty cold up there for baseball. I’m betting on Detroit.

Ernest Bevin, in Commons today, said that the recent Conference of Foreign Secretaries has to adjourn without finishing their work because Molotov, on orders from Stalin, would not agree to China or France taking part in the discussions.

Wednesday October 10, 1945.

Mostly cloudy and uncomfortably cool. Had to turn on my electric heater in the office, and at home.

On bench for about an hour this morning in a whole court case.

Well – The Detroit Tigers won today over the Chicago Team 9 to 3, thus winning the World Series – 4 out of 7 games. And I won my 25 cent bet with Ward Stickney –

Gen’l Marshall has handed in a report to the Secretary of War which is an interesting comment on the recent war and a strong plea for preparedness. He says that if we maintain ourselves as a strong Nation we can have more influence in maintaining the peace of the World. True –

Thursday, October 11, 1945.

Mostly clear and a bit warmer.

On bench and in conference all morning.

Worked on a case written by one of the other judges till about 4:30 and then drove to the golf course where Judge Chapman was awaiting me. When we started to play Theo Brevard invited himself to join us. After we had driven off on the 13th fairway and were walking to our balls, poor Theo had one of his epileptic spells and fell to the ground. It was about 25 minutes before he was able to proceed. Darkness caught us at the end of the 16th hole, and we had to walk to the Club House. Spoiled our game.

Nice letter from Tom L. today.

Friday, October 12, 1945.

Clear and quite cool, but very pleasant from midday on.

On bench and in conference all morning till time to go to lunch. Among the cases argued was one involving a construction of a 33-year lease of the Macfadden Deauville Hotel—a controversy between the owner and Mr. Macfadden’s company, in which the latter company was represented by Gov. Spessard Holland, who made a very clear-cut and able argument. He is a fine man and a very fine lawyer.

Peron, the recent dictator of Argentina who resigned several days ago as head of the Army, has been arrested and imprisoned, and also Pres. Farrell it is reported tonight.

Under the Argentine Constitution the Supreme Court has to set up and select a new government until elections are held.

Saturday, October 13, 1945.

Cool early morning. Warm and clear afternoon.

Put in a good day’s work in office. This afternoon late I played 5 holes of golf by myself—playing two balls. Best score, 25 for 5 holes. Felt better afterward.

The strike situation gets worse instead of better. Boston is tied down with a transportation strike. After a week of conferences, Jno. Lewis has not budged. He wants to organize all the 25,000 foremen into his United Mine Workers union. The operators naturally don’t want this, as they consider the foremen as a part of the management machinery. The country’s supply of coal is nearing the vanishing point. Already train service is crippled. But the strikers care nothing for the public.

The natives of Java have declared war on the Dutch, the French are having troubles in Indo-China.

Sunday, October 14, 1945.

Clear and warmer.

Slept later than usual. After late breakfast, it was a bit late to go to church. Nor did Lizzie and I feel well enough to go. I don’t know what’s the matter with me. Don’t feel well; no energy: no desire to do anything. Forced myself to take a walk about noon. To a long nap after dinner; then went to the office & got the mail. Got home about 4:30. There followed a fine golf match for quite awhile. Felt a bit better.

Read a little & listened to the radio with Liz & Annie tonight.

The Javanese revolt against the return of the Dutch is being put down, the revolt is not without cause. The same is true of the revolt against the French in Indo China. The nations have had little consideration from the French.

Monday October 15, 1945.

Cloudy and warm until mid afternoon, when a strong N.W. wind came out and by night it was quite cool. We had a film in the living room tonight.

Put in some study this morning and dictated a rather long opinion this aft. Have felt some better today. Took a long walk in late afternoon.

The world is in quite a turmoil, the aftermath of the terrible war. It will take quite awhile to get going again.

The effort to force the British and Arabs to permit a large number of Jews admitted to already crowded Palestine—an unwise move—is stirring up the entire Arab world—even Moslems in India.

Laval was executed this morning.

The strike situation remains as bad as ever. The coal situation is acute—only a few of the longshoremen back at work.

Tuesday, October 16, 1945.

Partly cloudy and quite cool.

Busy all day in office. Got home about dark. Took a short walk.

Tonight Lizzie & Annie & Mrs. Cowles and I went to a pretty good picture, “Lady & Cowboy” starring Gary Cooper & Merle Oberon. In the news reel, Washington’s ovation to Admiral Nimitz was shown. The admiral is a modest man, and really showed some embarrassment by the honors and attention showered upon him. He has a good strong face, & high forehead. and deserved the appreciation he has received.

Russia is certainly throwing her weight around mightily these days. Gen. Eisenhower has informed the War Dept. about Russia’s practical supreme political powers in the Berlin area where the Communist Party is in the ascendancy. Now she is demanding a part in gov’t of Japan.

Wednesday, October 17, 1945.

Clear, fine & delightful day.

After a busy morning and a bit of work in the afternoon, about 4:10 Judge C & I played golf. A club tournament was on and the links were so crowded it interfered with our game. But we enjoyed it, & I felt better afterward. Our golfers are coming back from the war. Robert and Gwynne Parker and Connie McCann were playing on at the club house--& one or two others. It’s fine to see these young men home again.

John Lewis announces that the miners will go back to work Monday—As terms have not been agreed on. This was a surprise. He gave no reason. Rising public indignation probably had something to do with it.

Russia demands that MacArthur be relieved and Japan governed by a 4-Power Commission with Russia on it. What nerve!

Thursday, October 18, 1945.

Pretty, fine day, & very mild.

Worked in office today, rewriting the opinion I wrote or dictated yesterday, and passing on cases. Had a haircut this afternoon and drove down to the County line. On getting home about 6:15 I took a good walk on golf course. Tonight Lizzie & Annie & I went to the picture—Deanna Durbin in “Lady on a Train.” No much picture, but Deanna was fine. First time I’ve seen her in quite awhile. She is beautiful and sang several songs well.

The Argentine political situation is most peculiar. The laborites want Peron back. Pres. Ferrell will not call on the Supreme Court to set up a new government. The elections have been set for April. Meanwhile anything may happen. Peron’s friends are resorting to violent demonstrations.

Friday, October 19, 1945.

Clear and rather warm.

In conference about all morning. Worked till 6 pm. Then home and a short walk. Then at 7:45 we & the Cowles went to the Students Alumnae Bldg. hall and heard a brilliant lecture by Dr. Harold Richards, Dean of the Physics Dept. on “Atomic Energy in Peace and War.” Dr. R. is a very fine and learned man, with a keen sense of humor—but a real scientist.

Peron is on his way back to power in Argentina and will be a candidate for Pres. they say. With the military and the labor unions behind him, he may win. The big land owners may fall in line.

Venezuela is having a revolution. An organization of young military men—who say they are fighting for democracy in Venezuela have seized the President and the State Dept., temporarily at least.

The food situation in Germany is terrible. The Germans are on half rations, and there is a shortage of coal & wood. It really is bad.

Saturday, October 20, 1945.

Another fine, clear day.

A good days work in office. Worked till nearly dark. Wish I could have played golf this ideal afternoon.

It seems that the revolutionists in Venezuela do not intend to remove the President, who sympathizes with their objectives.

The strike situation continues bad. Now the ports of Galveston & Houston are closed.

The country is aroused over what to do about the atomic bomb, whether to try and keep back what we know for the rest of the world—which we cannot do for long—or set up a world control organization, pledged not to use atomic energy for war purposes & share our knowledge with other nations.

Sunday October 21, 1945.

A gorgeous Indian Summer day—the 5th day of the same sort. But the barometer has fallen some since nightfall, and we may have a change in the weather.

Liz & I went to Church this morning. About 400 girls from the College affiliated with our church today. Fine service: fine sermon.

This afternoon I played golf with Judge Chapman & Glenn Terrell, Jr. who has rec’d his discharge from the Army and is back home. Wants to study law. He’s a fine young man and had a good game. With practice Glenn will make a good golfer. He hits a long ball, but lacks control & direction, which will come with practice.

Gen. Eisenhower has seized the 45 plants of I.G. Farben Industries, & is destroying the 3 devoted to making war machines. Good.

Monday, October 22, 1945. Cyclone.

Heavy Motion day business before our division B this morning. Then a conference till 12. Busy in office the balance of the day.

Tonight we heard that a cyclone hit just 3 miles So. of Tallahassee. We had low barometer and lots of rain from dark untill 10 p.m. The cyclone is reported to have killed one woman and inflicted heavy destruction to property in the Woodville area. We did not get all the news tonight.

The report is that the revolution is over in Venezuela.

Tuesday, October 23, 1945.

Clear and cool.

This was Div. A’s day, but one case was a whole court case, and I was on the bench for 11:30 till 1 pm.

This afternoon I am so busy entertaining visitors, I did not get a chance to do any work except from 5 to 6.

Tonight we went to a great movie—“Woodrow Wilson.,” a splendid review of Woodrow Wilson’s life and his home fight for the League of Nations which the Republicans deflected. Woodrow Wilson was a great man and I [entire section is difficult to make out: may be continued movie or political commentary]

Wednesday, October 24, 1945.

Clear and cool. On bench in a whole court case for quite awhile this morning. Got some work done in office, and this afternoon at 4:15 I went out and played golf by myself, as Judge Ch. could not play.

The president delivered a strong address to Congress yesterday in favor of 1 yrs. military training for all our boys from 17 to 21. He’s right, but Congress is skittish about it.

The revolution in Venezuela is by the younger military men, who want to get the military out of politics. Every Pres. for many years including the one who has just been put out—was an army officer, and usually a dictator. These young men want to establish real Democratic experiment in Venezuela. Here’s hoping they can do it.

Thursday, October 25, 1945.

Cloudy—rain in late afternoon & evening.

On bench all morning. In conference from 3 to 4 p.m. Worked in office till 6:15, and drove home in the rain.

The Cowles spent the evening with us.

Friday, October 26, 1945.

Fine & clear.

On bench & in conference all morning.

Tried to work this afternoon, but had several visitors, including Judge Ross Williams of Miami, and so I didn’t get much work done.

Late in afternoon I drove down to where the tornado struck a few days ago, 5 miles So. of Miami [he may mean Woodville]. It struck a large brick dwelling and some 7 or 8 small houses, fronting the highway. Most of them including some large trees were destroyed, except the brick house which was only partially destroyed. It is remarkable that only one person was killed.

Senator Bryan McMahon of Conn was selected as Chairman of the Senate Committee to study the use and control of Atomic Power—a most important Committee. He believes that atomic energy can be made a blessing to the world, & that we should have some form of International Use Control. He is on the right line.

Russia has finally ratified the United Nations Charter. So now 29 countries have joined up and the World Organization has come into legal being. Others will come in later.

Saturday, October 27, 1945.

Clear & cool. A fine day.

Didn’t feel well this morning, but got in some hard work this afternoon until after dark. Home about 6:45

At about 1:30 today the President made an important speech on our Country’s foreign policy. It was a good sound speech and ought to do a lot of good. Our relations with Russia ought to be improved. At least, they know where we stand--& why. The Pres. said this country would not recognize any nation which was being in reality governed by another nation. He no doubt refered to Poland, Checkoslovakia, and the Balkan countries. This a return to the Wilson doctrine of self determination. He also came out for international agreement to outlaw the use of the atomic bomb, but said we ought to keep knowledge of how to manufacture them to ourselves. That atomic energy should be used for peace—not war.

Sunday, October 28, 1945.

Fine clear day. Very high barometer.

Lizzie could not go to church. She has been suffering for three days with a carbuncle on her lower left jaw, near her chin.

I went to church, and after the service was over, I saw Wm A Lane, one of my best Miami Lawyer friends—and we had a nice chat. He is to argue a case Tuesday. His wife and he drove up ahead of time so that they could see their daughter Sarah who is in College here for her first year.

This afternoon Judge Chapman and Glenn Terrell & I had an engagement to play golf at 4 p.m. I phoned Bill Lane and invited him to join us—which he did and I drove to the Cherokee Hotel and got him. We had a very enjoyable game.

It looks like Argentina is going to be governed by a really Nazi government led by Peron. Farrell is a figurehead. There are a lot of German and Nazi minded Argentines who, lead by Peron, with his army and labor support, will be, or continue to be, the dictator of that country, although a large majority of the people are opposed. We may have to break off relations and quit trading with Argentina.

Monday, October 29, 1945.

Somewhat cloudy and warm.

Pretty busy in office. A good many visitors. But managed to write an important advisory opinion to the Governor this morning, and made some headway on another opinion this afternoon which I started last week.

Later this aft. I drove out to the airport and bought tickets to Tampa and return, as I am to speak to the Bar Assn there on Nov. 9th.

The Cowles spent the evening with us.

Vargas is out as President of Brazil. A new crowd has seized [,] by constitutional means [,] power—they say to return Democracy in Brazil: That Vargas was a dictator, which he was, but in many respects his long Presidency was marked by some progress and patriotism. He was a very intelligent man and had his good points. Let us hope the change is for the best.

Tuesday October 30, 1945.

Warmer, a bit cloudy—barometer down some.

The advisory opinion to the Governor which I wrote yesterday was signed by all the Justices and delivered today. It involved an interpretation of Sec. 12 of Art. IV of our Const., which has never been done before—new points.

What with visitors this morning and being on the bench from 11:30 to 1 pm and playing golf this afternoon, I didn’t get much work done today.

Pres. Truman made a pretty good talk on his policy with reference to wages and prices, tonight at 10 p.m. He did not come out for a 30% increase in wages as the Unions are demanding. On the whole he was more conservative than was anticipated.

Wednesday, October 31, 1945.

Clear and mild. A few clouds.

Worked in office, except a trip to town to deposit my salary check and pay a note at the bank, $300, for borrowed money. The second time in two months that I’ve had to borrow.

Worked in office till good dark—on a tough opinion.

The Presidents speech last night not satisfactory to management and disappointing to labor.

More strikes are on or are threatened.

The two Congressional Committees the Pres criticized last night for not acting on his unemployment compensation bill and another bill for full employment are mad, or some of them are. Well, the President has a hard situation to deal with.

Thursday, November 1, 1945.

Another fine, mild day.

On bench this morning.

Judge Ch, Bill Ewing and I played golf – 4:20 to 6:15.

The British are resorting to considerable force---troops, tanks & planes—to quell the uprising against the Dutch in Java.

For the past few days the communist government in N. China has been making war on Chiang Kai Shek’s troops, & burning bridges and tearing up China’s railway leading to Chungking—Chiang has fought back and the situation is reported better today.

The British government says that after an exhaustive investigation there is no doubt about the fact that Hitler shot himself & Eva Braun took poison and both died on the night of April 30th and their remains were burned up.

Friday, November 2, 1945.

A beautiful day. Delightful.

On bench and in conference all morning. Spent the afternoon studying cases the court is split up on, none of which I heard argued. Hope to get back to my own work by tomorrow.

It looks like there is a real war on in China between the Central Gov’t and the Communists.

I heard Harry Bridges, C.I.O., Head of the Longshoremen’s Union, questioned over the radio by several newspaper men. He admitted that his Union would not load any of our ships carrying war supplies to the Dutch East Indies. The object being to force our government to adopt a new policy of refusing shipment from this country to the Dutch or British in the East Indies. Thus his Union tries to enter the political field and dictate the foreign policy of the United States. Bridges is a dangerous man.

Saturday, November 3, 1945.

Clear early morning. Clouds and rain in afternoon, with considerable wind.

I finished a hard opinion this morning, then cleaned up the cases coming in from the other judges, and this afternoon I went to work on one of my own cases. And tonight I worked on four motions assigned to me that are set for hearing Monday. And reached conclusions on all of them

Lizzie has been feeling very bad all the week and nervous and unable to shop much, caused by the anti-carbuncle injections which Dr. Rhodes has been giving her every other day. But the pain is diminishing.

Gen. Eisenhower has a hard job. The Germans are short of food and fuel and are beginning to give trouble. Russia has dumped a lot of penniless people on to our zone and have removed from their zone, marching to Russia.

Sunday, November 4, 1945.

Clear and cold morning. Stiff N.W. wind. Quite cold tonight. Stiff N.W wind.

Went to church this morning. This aft., Judge Chapman & I played golf. The stiff cold wind affected our game. The wind died down considerably on the last three or 4 holes and we did better. I made a par on the last hole.

The 4 zone occupation of Germany was a mistake, economically & otherwise. The conditions are bad and getting worse as winter comes. It looks like starvation wholesale and wide spread disease will wipe out a large part of the population.

And in our own country, the spreading strikes are threatening our own economic reconversion and recovery. Selfishness seems to be rampant.

I hope the Conference beginning tomorrow between Management and Labor will make some contribution toward a solution. If this thing goes on, the government will have to step in.

Monday, November 5, 1945.

Our coldest morning so far this fall. The gov’t report said 33 [degrees]. Clear. The wind changed to N.E. and slowed down.

We were busy with Motion day business before my Div. and Court Conference afterward, till nearly time to go to lunch.

I managed to finish one opinion, and this afternoon disposed of another one by an affirmance without opinion. Also passed on some cases from other judges.

The Labor Management Conference began today. Pres Truman gave the some plain talk. He made no threats, but the tenor of his forthright statements showed that if they could not agree on some plan of compensation, the wartime government controls would be imposed again.

It is estimated that from 7 to 10 million Japs would die this winter from hunger and cold. Germany and Japs will suffer severely for their unwarranted and cruel aggressions. They brought this about.

Tuesday, November 6, 1945.

Clear and warmer. Fine day.

Office work this morning. Dictated a speech this afternoon to be made Friday before the Tampa Bar Association.

Had a talk with Mr. Frank Upchurch last night about the case against the negro who robbed Jeanne’s room at Ponte Vedra. Jeanne is in no condition mentally or physically to be examined as a witness, and Tom of course doesn’t want her to do so. Mr. Upchurch suggests that I call Judge Jackson and tell him about Jeanne’s condition and the background of the case. I called up Judge Jackson today and had a very satisfactory talk with him. He is, by the way, an able & fine man.

John Lewis cause a row in the Labor Management conference today and demanded that he be given a seat for his Mine workers Union on the Executive Committee. He won out. after some high words with Philip Murray.

Wednesday, November 7, 1945.

Clear & warmer—an ideal day.

Pretty busy morning, and after lunch we had a pretty long session with the architects, Mr. Yonge of Pensacola and Mr. Rogers of Winter Haven, who brought with them the plans and the drawings for our New Supreme Court Bldg., which were very satisfactory. The drawing of the building is very imposing and dignified. But these plans must be submitted to the Supr. Ct. Bldg. Commission of which the Gov’r. the Ch. J. and 5 others, including several lawyers, are members. I imagine it will cost nearly a million dollars. We hope to get work started by Spring.

We are drawing our Marines out of China, but are furnishing the Chinese Gov’t with arms & ammunition and helping to transport & train their troops—The war with the Communists is on.

Thursday, November 8, 1945.

Clear. Worked hard this morning. Lizzie & Annie and the Cowles took me to the Airport to catch the 5:15 E.A.L plane to Tampa. It was 45 mins. late. We left Tallahassee at about 6:10 & reached Tampa about 7:45. Judge Sandler & a Committee of lawyers were awaiting. They took me to the Tampa Terrace Hotel where I was photographed by news photographers and registered and left my bag. Then to a fine dinner at the Colonial Restaurant; then Edmond Worth took me to the football game, which was about over. Hillsborough High won 26 to 0 over Duval High. I got back to the hotel about 11:15. I went to bed but not to sleep till 2:30 or 3 o’clock. Not used to the street car & other noises of the City. Woke up by the phone ringing at 9 A.M., -- photographers wanting to take my picture for the newspapers. I enjoyed my plane trip and the whole evening very much.

Friday, November 9. Clear. In Tampa.

Woke up about 9. After breakfast I went to the Court house and chatted with Judges Sandler and Parks, and some lawyers. We left about noon and went to the Bar Association luncheon at Maas Bros. dining room. The meeting began at 12:15. Very fine crowd and a nice lunch. After a little business, I was introduced and spoke about 20 to 25 minutes. Of the 96 lawyers present, I found that I knew most of them. They said it was the best attendance in years.

After lunch Judge Sandler took me and Judge Grayson and Chester Ferguson up to Mr. J. Wm. Dupre’s place about 20 miles N. of Tampa, where we had some good Scotch & Sodas, a long walk through his 25 acres of beautiful gardens, and after chatting in the porch for an hour or so, we had a grand dinner. Mr. Dupree is a fine host. Mrs. Dupre had to leave before dinner. Then Judge Sandler drove us back to Tampa. Going by my hotel, and then to the airport where I took the 8:05 plane-- Got to Tallahassee at 9:35, Walter C. met me. When I got home, Elizabeth & Bob and little Jim were there and we talked till 12 o’clock

Saturday, November 10.

Worked in office all morning and some this afternoon. I felt fine when I got home last night, but not so well today. Little Jim was up early and I had a good time with him before I left for work. He’s just about the dearest and finest little fellow I have ever known.

We had a good time this evening.

Elizabeth is such a fine dear girl and Bob is a fine young man. The Cowles came over & we talked till nearly 12 o’clock.

Sunday, November 11.

I have not been feeling at all well today. Reaction from past two strenuous days. Spent a good part of the day lying down. Had to cancel an engagement to make an Armistice day radio talk at 7 pm. tonight and had supper with the Cowles, the Stickneys were there, including Mr. Stickney just up from Cuba. Had to lie down quite awhile tonight. Feeling some better now at 11p .m.

Am enjoying little Jim. He’s a peach.

Clement Attlee, British Prime Minister and Wm McKenzie King, Premier of Canada, or rather Prime Minister reached Washington yesterday to confer with Pres. Truman about the atomic bomb and what to do about it.

Monday, November 12.

Partly cloudy.

Stores closed. Armistice Day Parade.

Worked in office, but not feeling very well and did not accomplish much. Liz & Annie & Bob & Elizabeth & little Jim drove down to Wakulla Springs this aft. Tonight we had a quiet evening at home. The Cowles came over about 9 to 11.

Strikes on the West Coast are causing an acute shortage of milk, butter & eggs –

Strikes in the auto industry. Strikes in the shipping industry—the longshoremen and dock workers—mostly on W. Coast.

The Higgins Shipbuilding plant near New Orleans is closing for good on account of strikes.

We are working for a lasting peace among nations while allowing industrial warfare to go on here in our own country.

Tuesday, November 13, 1945.

Partly cloudy.

On bench and in conference from 11 to 1 pm and from 2:30 to 3:30 in afternoon

We are enjoying Elizabeth & Bob and dear little Jim immensely. Little Jim seems to like me very much, and that tickles me very much –

Tonight all our crowd but me went to a party at the Stickneys—I stayed and looked after little Jim, who soon went to sleep.

Clement Attlee addressed Congress today at 12:30. His speech was broadcast but I did not get to hear it.

Am not feeling very well.

The Nobel Peace Prize has been justly bestowed upon Hon. Cordell Hull. Good!

Wednesday, November 14, 1945.

Looks like rain this morning—Falling barometer & cloudy. But strong East winds sprung up and tonight the winds are somewhat N.W. and it is getting cooler.

We had a long court conference today, discussing cases the court is divided on, this morning. This afternoon I was busy working on cases written by the other judges, till nearly dark.

Tonight we had Jeff & Mary Maude over to cocktails, and after dinner Liz & Annie & Bob & Elizabeth went to a wine and cake party at Lawrence & Edna Sculley’s. I stayed and looked after little Jim. He and I had lots of fun singing “Bull dog—bull dog—bow—wow—wow—Eli—Oh.” He laughed heartily at the way I sang it: the[n] he would sing it to show me how. He is some boy! God bless his soul!

Thursday, November 15, 1945.

Cold & clear. N.W. Winds.

Elizabeth & Bob left this morning sometime after breakfast for Port St. Joe—where they will spend a day or so, and then drive to New Orleans where they will stay for about 2 days, & then drive back here. Sorry they are having such cold weather, but it will be [ ? ] in a day or so, & its warmer on the coast.

On bench and in conference till 4:30. Don’t get to do much work in office.

Poor Lizzie looks tired and worn out today, but keeps going.

Letter from Dow today. He & Shep Wolf visited Joe at Stone Mountain. His report is not very encouraging, tho he says Joe looks some better. But his mental attitude is the same—no desire to get well, and no effort on his part to get well. A strange case.

We are enjoying little Jim, who is as bright and happy as ever.

Friday, November 16, 1945.

Cold morning, clear, delightful afternoon.

On bench and in conference nearly all day. Judge Ch. and I left about 4 p.m. however, and played golf—my first game in 12 days. I enjoyed it. My long shots were as good as they were 10 or 20 yrs. ago, but I was badly off on approaching and putting, & took a 50.

As the result of the 5 day conference between Pres. Truman & Prime Ministers Attlee and MacKenzie King, it was agreed today that the U.S.A., Canada & Britain would share secrets of atomic energy with Russia and all the other United Nations when and if they share their scientific secrets, fully support the United Nations organization and agree to out-law the atomic bomb as an instrument of war and set up an international inspection service. Until then, the three powers will keep the secret of how to make this, the most destructive weapon ever devised. This I think was a very wise decision.

Saturday, November 17, 1945.

Clear and warmer.

Got a considerable amount of office work done today-- Lost an hour trying to see Dr. Rhodes about a small, painful lump on the edge of my left armpit, and left without seeing him. It’s a terrible time killing business to get to see a doctor these days. Will try and see him tomorrow.

Little Jim is still as lively and interesting as ever, but he’s asked when his mother & father will be getting back. Homer, Annie, & Lizzie keep him as happy as a lark, and I am powerfully puffed up because he has taken quite a fancy for me. He is as lovable and attractive as he can be—full of life and fun. A remarkable child. I am devoted to him.

Sunday, November 18, 1945.

Mostly clear and mild.

Went to church this morning, and after church went to Dr. Rhodes’ office and had to wait till 1 o’clock before he came. He examined the lump near my left armpit, which has been rather painful for some days, and lanced it and got quite a lot of pus out.

Lizzie was not able to get out today. She has another carbuncle, on her thigh this time.

I was very much shocked to hear from Mrs. Cope, of Union Springs, that her mother, my dear and good friend of my earlier years, Mrs. Anna Mae Hollingsworth was in Emory Hospital in Atlanta, suffering from cancer, and that the doctors said her chances of recovery were very slight. She is one of the finest and best women I have ever known, and I hope & pray that she will recover.

Monday, November 19, 1945.

Mostly clear.

Busy with Motion day business till 11:30, and then On bench and in conference until 1 p.m.

Busy this afternoon in office—writing letters, & tonight I examined an opinion record and briefs in a case in which Div. A is divided. Had my hair cut this afternoon.

Also wrote a P.C. affiirmance in a case which was agreed to by all of Div. B & handed down.

This aft. I wrote letters of sympathy to Mrs. R. E. L. Cope, and to her mother, Mrs. Annie Mae Hollingsworth and one to David. The first two were hard to write.

Admiral Nimitz addressed the Am Legion in Conv.[?] today—against a merger of the Army and Navy, but suggested instead a Council of Defense made up of the Sec’y of War, Sec. of Navy, and the President, & other representative of the two services appointed by them. This might be a Solution to the problem.

Lizzie still suffering with the boil on her thigh and I with the packed boil that the doctor opened & packed yesterday.

Tuesday, November 20, 1945.

Another clear day. We’ve had 2-1/2 weeks of delightful Indian Summer weather.

Lizzie not all well today and yet had so much to do. She and I both had little sleep last night on account of our boils.

Went to Doctor Rhodes office about 11 Am and he fixed me up about 12:15; found that more pus had formed, and had to clean out and pack the place on my arm, & strapped it up. He gave Lizzie similar treatment later. I have felt very much better this aft. & worked till dark. But poor Liz has so many things to do, she is almost a wreck tonight.

I called up Effie Gay this morning and was relieved to find that Annie Mae was feeling very much better, but realizes the seriousness of her condition—and knows that the chances of recovery are very slim. Cancer is a terrible thing, but while there is life there is always hope—and I hope & pray she gets well.

Gen. Eisenhower is a great man as well as a great soldier, and a fine speaker. He was appointed Chief of Staff & Gen. of the Army this morning and made a great speech tonight at the Am. Legion Convention in Chicago.

The trial of the Nazi war criminals began today.

Wednesday, November 21, 1945.

Warmer. So. winds, cloudy by afternoon, with a short rain about 10:30

This is our 44th wedding anniversary. I gave Liz a present of money—at her suggestion: What a grand girl and splendid wife she has been! And such a dear one. I owe her more than I can ever repay. but she is still a sick girl. the carbuncle trouble, added to her arthritis & asthma has been mighty hard on her.

The Unions have struck against General Motors today—a complete shut down of production in all plants of our biggest auto mfg. Company. The President has had to take over the transportation company in Washington today, as the strike was severely affecting government business. So Pres. Truman exercised his war Powers.

And Congress is moving to pass a law imposing some responsibility on Unions & which should have been done long ago.

Thursday, November 22, 1945. Thanksgiving Day.

Cold & clear. N.W. wind.

I went to office and worked till noon.

Elizabeth & Bob were at a dance in Port St. Joe last night and did not wake up till 12 o’clock. They left at 12:35 and drove the 100 miles in 95 minutes—mighty fast driving and got to our home about 2:15. We had a great dinner—a fine Vermont Turkey—and everything that goes with it. After dinner they went to sleep, & slept till dark. I took a nap & then a long walk on golf course. About 7 pm the Cowles came in and stayed. So we all had supper about 9:30 to 10.

Justice Jackson made a great speech in outlining the prosecution against the Nazi war criminals. It may become a historic document.

Bob and Elizabeth spent 3 days in New Orleans, but it was raining most of the time. But they enjoyed their trip—especially at Port St. Joe.

I hope Annie Mae has had some happiness on this day in spite of everything.

Friday, November 23, 1945.

Cold and clear. Some ice.

I went to office this morning, but there was no heat in the building. So I took the mail & a record home. There were 8 or 10 letters from Jimmy. The last two or three talk of his visit to Yokohama and Tokyo.

At 12 o’clock I joined Lizzie and Elizabeth at the Doctor’s office. It was nearly 1 o’clock when he got through opening up and repacking the carbuncle in my arm.

This afternoon I got in some work and again tonight while all our crowd except little Jim & me went to the movies.

Liz & Annie & Elizabeth & little Jim took an auto ride this aft. intending to go to the Light House, but the road beyond Newport was so bad that they turned back and drove home.

Chiang’s forces are beginning to make some progress against the Communists in Manchuria. The revolt in Indonesia is getting bad again—Also a bad uprising against the British also Americans in Calcutta. Several among our soldiers hurt.

Saturday, November 24, 1945.

Clear & cold—same as yesterday—but not much wind.

Worked in office all day—Dictated a few letters and one opinion this morning.

This evening at 6 p.m. we had Mrs. Rubin Whitfield, & Mr. (Cap’t) Don D’Alemberte, and of course the Cowles, to a little cocktail party in honor of Elizabeth and Bob. Little Jim made a big hit with our visitors.

Domoskinos[?] has been reinstated as Regent of Greece, from which he had recent been forced to resign by a political cabal.

Also the Premier of Italy has been compelled to resign. Prince Umberto is attempting to form a new cabinet.

Nationalist (Chiang) troops are still gaining ground in Manchuria.

The telephone operators’ strike in Illinois has been settled by the Bell Company’s agreement to a [$]6.00 pr. wk. raise in wages.

Sunday, November 25, 1945.

Clear and some warmer.

We were late getting up this morning. My sleep was broken by terrible itching last night & the night before. Cold dry weather usually brings that on. It was too late to go to church-- I went to the office and got the mail, went to P.O. & mailed some letters. Then by Fains for ice cream.

This aft. I took a long walk on golf course. Then went to a party with Elizabeth & Bob & Annie given by Mary Maud & Jeff-- Then the Cowles had them & the Stickneys to dinner. I came home about 7:45 and found that little Jim had a cold—in fact had a running nose most of the day-- Hope he is well by morning, as Bob & Elizabeth plan to leave tomorrow morning.

Monday November 26, 1945.

Mild and beautiful day.

Elizabeth & Bob and dear little Jim left at 8:30. We have enjoyed their visit very much, but Lizzie had to over exert herself in order to properly entertain them, and she suffering with carbuncles & having to go to the doctor’s office so frequently.

We had a long court conference this morning. This afternoon I got in some work and then went out about 4:15 to se Jan Kirkwaud[?], the great trick golf shot artist who gave a splendid performance out in front of the Club House. He is not only a great golfer, but I think a fine man.

I am worried about poor Annie Mae. In spite of my letters to Effie Gay, her sister, who is in Atlanta, I have not heard how she is getting on for about a week.

Cordell Hull’s testimony last Friday and today gives the true history of pre-Pearl Harbor days. He is a grand old man.

Tuesday, November 27, 1945.

Partly cloudy early morning and getting more cloudy in afternoon, with some light rain in late afternoon and evening.

Hon. Patrick Hurley resigned as ambassador to China and gave out a strong criticism of “career diplomats” in the State Dept. & in Chinese consulate as having encouraged the Communist uprising against the Nationalists.

The Pres. appointed Gen. Geo. Marshall as special envoy to China with rank of ambassador—a good appointment.

Tried to work in office today but on acct. of various things & visits to two doctors’ offices, I didn’t get very much done. So I worked tonight while Liz & Annie went to the picture show. On their way back Walter Cowles ran his car into a bank & nearly turned it over.

Effie Gay wrote me in letter rec’d today that Annie Mae was improving. Good.

Wednesday November 28, 1945.

Mostly cloudy—getting cooler in late afternoon.

Pretty busy day in office.

Have not been able to get plane reservations for trip to Atlanta.

Lizzie called up Dow tonight and talked with him over phone. Dow thinks no good will be accomplished by keeping Joseph in Dr. Owensby’s place at Stone Mountain, which is very expensive. Advises that he be placed in a nursing home or sent back to his home in Miami.

Thursday, November 29, 1945.

Clear and quite cold. Strong N.W. wind.

Did quite a lot of office work today. Passing on petitions for rehearing and cases written by the other Judges.

Lizzie developed a bad cold this afternoon and could not go with me to the Governor’s dinner party tonight. All the Justices were there, and most of them had their wives with them: also all the cabinet officers except Atty-Gen’l Watson. Gov. Meadows of West Va. & his wife were there. Gov. Caldwell and wife handled the crowd [ ? ]. We had moving pictures. A nice party and a grand dinner.

I rec’d a letter from Effie Gay this morning saying that Annie Mae would probably be able to return to Lafayette tomorrow. I hope that means she is better and that there is some hope for her recovery.

The President made some good sensible statements at the Press Conf. this morning.

Friday, November 30, 1945.

Clear and cold.

Busy day in office.

Lizzie still suffering from that cold, but keeps going. If she has to go to bed, which she ought to do, I don’t know how we could get along.

Some 260,000 General Motors employees are out on strike, and are even picketing the plants so as to keep the office workers and managerial staff from getting to their offices. Now, day before yesterday the U.S. Union of Steel employees took a strike vote, and by a large majority voted to authorize their officers to call a strike for a $2.00 per day wage increase. If they do strike, that would make about a million men on strike in the two industries.

The Labor-Management Conference adjourned today without accomplishing very much. So the industrial picture is a pretty dark one. Congress may have to step in and pass some strong regulatory laws. Just at the time when we should have full production and the wheels of industry turning, we are faced with paralysis. The public welfare is being sacrificed on the altar of selfishness. Then too, Russia is giving trouble in Manchuria, and in northern Iran.

Saturday, December 1, 1945. Cold

Clear & cold and dry. No rain to amount to anything since Nov. 3rd.

Busy paying bills & writing letters—

Drove down to the County Line this afternoon late.

Annie & Lizzie received a lot of letters from Jimmy yesterday & today written on his trip from Japan to Seattle. I read them all tonight. Very interesting & had some rough weather on the way. He leads a strenuous life and it is wonderful how he gets time to write every day.

The Army beat the Navy in football at Philadelphia 32 to 13. Today—about as expected.

Sunday, December 2, 1945.

Clear and somewhat warmer.

This afternoon Judge Chapman and I had a very pleasant game of golf. We played the inside nine. My long game was good but my putting unusually bad. I, as usual during wartimes, caddies being still hard to get, carried only four clubs. I made a 48, Judge C. about 53. Tonight we had a very pleasant visit from John Dismuke & wife, the former Edna Pickett. They are trying to find a place to live here, as John can make this his headquarters as an insurance adjuster, though his territory is a large one. Hope they find a place, but it is some job. They left their 12 yr. old son in Montgomery.

Monday, December 3, 1945.

Somewhat hazy and overcast with light drizzle from dusk on, then rain.

Our Division was on for Motion day business this morning. We got through about 11 A.M. Worked in office the balance of day till nearly dark.

Pres. Truman gave Congress a fine statement and recommendations with reference to the labor situation, one of which was the creation of a fact finding board as to labor disputes. And a law requiring 30 days of continued operations until the board had made its report and recommendations, the board to have access to the books of both the employer & the union; the law only to apply where the public welfare was threatened. He has appointed such board to investigate the Auto and Steel strikes-- The labor leaders were quick to condemn the President’s plan, even though neither side are compelled to accept the recommendations of the board.

Tuesday, December 4, 1945. Cold

There was a light, slow rain practically all night last night, and overcast sky most of today, with blustery West & N.W. winds, getting much colder in afternoon & night. Unusually low barometer.

On bench in two en banc cases from 10:30 to 1 p.m. My friends Luther Mershow and Carl Hiassen were in those cases. Carl gave me a book on Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone & the Sup. Court, which he bought in New York.

Tonight we had John Dismuke & Edna to a little cocktail party from 6 to 8 p.m. Had a nice time.

Wednesday, December 5, 1945. Cold.

Cloudy & cold & somewhat blustery morning—W. to N.W. wind—looked like it might snow, and it was reported that a few flakes of snow and a little fine sleet fell in some part of the City this morning. Cold all day.

The whole court had to sit in two cases again this morning. I spent the rest of the day passing on cases written by the other judges. It is hard to get time to work on my own cases, of which I have 3 on hand—and hard ones.

Tonight I’ve been suffering from cold weather itch—a terrible nuisance.

Philip Murray, Pres. of C.I.O., made a disgraceful attack on Pres Truman and his recent mild proposals for Congressional action with reference to strikes.

Thursday, December 6, 1945.

Clear & cold. Warmer in afternoon.

On bench and in conference all morning. Put in the whole afternoon studying a close case in which Div. A was divided.

Our government agreed today to loan Great Britain about four billion dollars for 50 years at 2%. Most of this money will be spent in purchases of materials and goods in the U.S. to rebuild Britain’s homes & factories, and I think it is a good thing all round. Whether Congress will make the necessary appropriation remains to be seen.

The Stabilization Administrator announced today that the cost of living is 33% higher than it was before the war.

Gen. Motors has offered an increase of 13-1/2 cents an hour. This offer will probably be rejected tomorrow by the Union.

The situation in China, Iran and the Dutch East Indies continues to give our government a difficult time.

Friday, December 7, 1945.

Warmer. Very clear & mild afternoon.

On bench & in conference all morning.

This afternoon Judge C. & I played golf and I felt better afterward.

Dow phoned tonight that he had had a talk with Dr. Owensby, and that he said he would like to keep Joseph on awhile longer; that he hoped he could yet get him back to normal, & that he was willing to reduce his rate to 50.00 per week. He apologized for not answering my letter of a week ago, but had had no secretary for two weeks & his work was heavy because he had to examine for the Army so many veterans. No nursing home in Atlanta will take Joe. So we will keep him at Dr. O’s place for awhile longer.

5 Navy bombers & one sent to search further—27 men in all- were on a practice flight in the late afternoon of Dec. 5th. None have returned. An enormous force of planes & ships have been searching the waters off the East Fla Coast with out results. It is thought they were caught in a severe wind storm at a fairly high altitude. The search goes on.

Saturday, December 8, 1945.

Clear and mild.

In office all day. Passed on all cases coming from the other judges but did very little work on my own.

Feeling fairly well, but have some symptoms of a cold tonight. Have drunk two glasses of soda water and feel better—now at bed time.

It is reported that there will be a conference in Moscow on De. 15th between the Secretaries of State of the U.S., Britain, & Russia—Byrnes, Bevin & Molotov. Hope they accomplish something worth while this time. France & China not invited to this conference.

Sunday, December 9, 1945.

Mostly clear.

Didn’t feel very well, so I got up late. Had a good nights rest. My incipient cold gone. Went to the office about 12:40 and got the mail. Found a very bright and cheerful letter from brave Annie Mae. First I had heard from her or Effie, or Annie Mae’s daughter, since she left Atlanta about Nov. 29. Effie is with her.

Played golf with Judge Ch. this aft. & have felt better since.

We had a visit tonight from Edna Sally—a fine young woman.

Monday, December 10, 1945. Rain.

Fairly warm this morning, with a pretty heavy rain from 11:30 to 12:30. The wind changed from S. S.W. to W. & N.W. and by night it was pretty cold and gradually getting colder.

The 27 men, on the 5 Navy bombers and the big plane that went in search of them last Wednesday evening cannot be found. The long search failed, and they have been given up as lost. The prevailing opinion is that they were caught in a severe storm and their planes were wrecked, somewhere far out in the ocean off the coast in the neighborhood of Boca Raton & Cocoa. This was terribly sad and tragic.

Managed, in spite of many visitors, to write one opinion and pass on several more today.

Tuesday, December 11, 1945.

Pretty cold day, steady N.W. wind, with promise of colder weather tomorrow.

Annie went to a concert at the High School last night and lost her pearl necklace. It was picked up by some employee and put in the office. First thing this morning on way to office I drove over to the High School & we searched the grounds. Then we phoned from office & found that some pearls had been found in the auditorium and turned in to the High School office. So we drove out there again and Annie was happy—She got her pearls.

Tonight, after many interruptions during the day, I hoped to do some work at home & brought out a case file, but Liz had the Cowles to supper & I did not get hardly any work done. I can’t do much work at home.

Tonight Jimmy W. called up Annie from Seattle. He is leaving for Korea tomorrow or next day. Probably he could be let out of the Navy when he gets back in January. We all had a talk with him. Hope he has good weather and a pleasant voyage and that when he returns he can go home.

Wednesday, December, 12, 1945.

Cold and windy morning. But clear—getting warmer this afternoon, the wind, N.W., having died down considerably.

Yesterday I received a letter from Dow. He and Virginia had gone to see Joseph Sunday afternoon, He, Joe, looked better, but didn’t want to stay at Brookhaven Manor, was very unhappy there, and wanted to return to Miami if Mabel wanted him to. I wrote Dow this morning that Joe has been unhappy and dissatisfied wherever we’ve taken him, and we thought he had better stay on awhile where he was. Dr. Owensby still thinks he can bring him around. I doubt it, tho I have great confidence in Dr. O.

General Paton, who was seriously injured 2 or 3 days ago in an auto collision, is some better but the fractured neck vertebra make it a very serious case.

The Steel Union has voted to strike Jan. 14th in violation of their contract with the Companies not to strike during the life of the contracts—i.e.—not before October 1946.

Thursday, December 13, 1945.

Partly cloudy—very cloudy from 4 P.M. on. Much warmer.

On bench—4 cases—this morning. This aft. Judge Ch. & I left at 4 pm and played golf.

Tried to work some tonight, but the Cowles came in. It is almost impossible for me to work at night at home.

Gen. Patton is perfectly conscious, but is paralyzed from his broken neck down. His wife, who flew to him 2 days ago, says she feels sure he will recover.

Strong opposition in Congress to the President’s recommendations for creation of a fact finding board & arbitration in labor disputes—before strikes are resorted to.

The Russians are cooperating with Chiang Kai Shek on the occupation of Manchuria—Doubtless the Russians have required economic concessions.

Friday, December 14, 1945. Rain

Cloudy all day with considerable slow rain last night and this aft. & evening.

On bench & in conference all morning. Judge Buford sat in Judge Sebring’s place. Judge S. has gone to Jacksonville to attend the Conv. of Bar Association Delegates & Judge Chapman drove over there this afternoon. Judge Terrell is there too.

Judge Buford did not look at all well today. Indeed, he has not been well for several weeks. He is going up to Atlanta for examination by a doctor’s clinic. I wish he had done so sooner. I am worried about him.

The Republican members of the Pearl harbor investigating Committee have prolonged the investigation by long drawn out questioning, trying to show that President Roosevelt, or Sec’y Hull or Gen. Marshall, were responsible. Wm Mitchell, the leading counsel for the Committee, & his staff resigned today. They had some 67 witnesses but after weeks of questioning by Senators Brewster[?] & Ferguson, & Rep. Gearhart, only 7 witnesses were examined.

Sec’y Byrnes arrived safely in Moscow today after a stormy trip.

Saturday, December 15, 1945. Colder.

Partly cloudy, but clearing and getting colder in late aft. & evening. N.W. wind.

Been busy all day—wrote an opinion—passed on one case & put all of tonight up to 11:30 studying another.

The United Nations Preparatory Committee had decided that the U.N.O. headquarters shall be in the U.S. The vote was by a majority of 30 to 14. I guess it will be largely up to this country to select the City. The British favor Boston, it is said.

Claude Pepper returned from his 4-mos. tour of Europe and the Middle East yesterday. This ought to make him a more valuable member of the Foreign Relations Committee.

Lizzie is feeling mighty bad tonight. The doctor thinks the place which has been troubling her is a fistula. She has had more than her share of suffering.

Konoyi, former Jap. Premier, committed suicide today.

Sunday, December 16, 1945. Cold.

Clear and cold. N.W. wind.

Didn’t get up till 9:20 this morning. Did not feel like going to church.

Had intended to play golf this aft. but it was too cold & windy. About 4, I took an hours walk and watched other men play. They were too cold to play as well as usual.

Bad train wreck on the Seaboard in So. Carolina. In the darkness and fog of early morning the Silver Meteor passenger train collided with the Sunbeam, which was just starting into a siding. Six or 7 persons killed & 60 injured, 50 taken to hospitals.

Gen. MacArthur has ordered a separation of the Shinto church or religious organization from the Jap. government and barred the teaching of Shintoism in the schools.

Monday, December 17, 1945. Cold.

Clear and real cold. Thought I’d play golf this aft. but too cold.

Gen. Patton much better.

Had a busy day in office-and read record & briefs in a case tonight.

Stalin reported back in Moscow tonight.

Lizzie did not go to see Dr. Rhodes today. He is at home sick. The nurse took care of Lizzie today.

Tuesday, December 18, 1945. Rain

Rain off and on all day. Practically no sunshine-Dark & disagreeable.

Worked in office till 5:30 p.m. and brought a record home to study tonight. Found John Dismuke and the Cowles here. We did not have supper till about 8:30. Then I lay down awhile. But I didn’t feel like work. My program was upset.

The British Parliament has finally approved our loan of $4,400,000,000, but there was considerable opposition to it, strange to say. They didn’t like the terms—the 2% interest, and the requirements as to purchase of U.S. goods. They thought we ought to have been more liberal. Some of them said England’s losses were so great, that England was left poor while America had grown rich. but the fact is our National debt went up from about 43 billion to 280 billion. But the Majority of Parliament, of both houses, were well pleased with our loan and its terms. They ought to be grateful.

Wednesday, December 19, 1945. Cold

Clear. Getting colder in late afternoon and evening.

Snow 10 inches deep in N.Y. City and 4 to 5 ft. deep in buffalo.

Cold wave has been sweeping the entire Eastern half of the country.

Pres. Truman in a message to Congress of over 5,000 words, recommended a unification of the armed forces today, which I think is fine.

Worked in office all day.

Still too cold for golf.

Leonard Cowles has returned home. Haven’t seen him yet.

Buppy Fain returned home last night arriving about 3 a.m. & they talked until nearly 5 am.

Thursday, December 20, 1945. Cold.

Cold & clear. Strong N.W. wind.

A busy day in office.

Tonight Lizzie prepared a birthday party in honor of Annie’s & Elfreda Cowles birthday. We had Mary Maude & Allen Jones and the Cowles & Leonart in his beautiful well fitting uniform, & Catherine Stickney, and Mr. & Mrs. L. Fain and Angel, and “Buppy” in his handsome Navy blue uniform. A delightful party.

Early today, about 2 a.m. Nellie Fain Bradley’s baby arrived—an 8 lb. girl, born in a hospital in Bainbridge. Nellie getting on O.K. So with their son back home from the So. Pacific and their first grandchild arriving all within 24 hours, the Fain family are happy.

Friday, December 21, 1945. Not quite so cold. Gen. Patton dies.

Clear and a little warmer.

Worked in office today

Discussed with several of the Justices my inclination to announce after Christmas that I would not be a candidate to succeed myself in the coming Spring primary election. I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with my share of the work of the court, and I am about resolved on my course.

My present term does not expire until Jan’y 1947.

Gen’ Patton took a sudden turn for the worse and died this morning about 11:30 our time at the hospital in Heidelberg, Germany. The Nation mourns the death of a great commander, one whom the Germans feared about all others. He was also a good fine man.

Annie got off this morning early, Walter Cowles drove her to the bus station.

Saturday, December, 22, 1945.

A clear, fine day. Warmer.

Spent most of the morning answering and writing Christmas letters.

This afternoon Mr. Bluestein gave Lizzie a pair of nylon stockings—first since the war began. And Walter Richardson brought her a fine Christmas turkey nicely cleaned.

Had a nice game of golf with Judge Chapman this afternoon to which Theo Brevard attached himself. Poor Theo had an epilectic[sic] fit just after he drove off on the 16th hole. Judge Chapman’s nephew, Wendell Chapman, went around with us, a fine young man of whom I am very fond. He was in the air service during the war and is now a student in the University of Fla. law school.

Sunday, December 23, 1945.

Foggy early morning and cloudy most of the day, but very pleasant.

Lizzie had a bad night and a bad day—suffering from that place on her leg. Do wish the doctor was well enough to examine and do something for her.

I went up and got some ointment for her that Dr. R. recommended by phone. Also got the mail. Still lots of Christmas cards.

This afternoon Judge Ch. & I played golf from 4 to 5:45. I felt better afterwards. I’ve been feeling under the weather for several days. Couldn’t get out & take any golf or other exercise on acct of the cold. But golf yesterday & today has made me feel better.

Monday, December 24, 1945. Rain.

Warmer, with lots of slow misty rain—sometimes pretty hard showers.

Got up late, went to the office and got the mail, then to see Dr. Brown about my eyes. Then got a box of candy for Mary Whitfield: took a box of oranges that was sent to me and expressed it to the Pickett girls & Edna Dismuke: then called on Judge Whitfield.

Lizzie has had another terrible day with that strange place on her thigh, and so I went by myself to a nice party given by Mr. & Mrs. Harrison at their home on Jefferson St.

We had a quiet evening, reading and listening to the radio. Also had a visit of some children from nearby Manlo Park who were going around in the rain singing Christmas carols. Liz gave them some cookies. We invited them in & talked to them for quite awhile—very nice children. Gen. Patton was buried today in the American Army Cemetery near Luxemburg where 6000 of his soldiers are buried.

Tuesday, December 25, 1945. Rain at night. Mostly clear and warm day Christmas.

We had quite a lot of strong winds and rain last night. Then by 10 o’clock, it cleared up and the balance of the day was mostly clear and warm.

After breakfast, about 10 a.m., Liz and I enjoyed opening the presents. We both received lots of nice ones.

Lizzie had a bad night and all of today & tonight, suffering excruciating pain from that place on her thigh. I don’t see how she has been able to get our meals. This aft. I walked over to see Dr. Rhodes, but he was not at home. So I guess he will be at his office tomorrow—if so, maybe Lizzie can get some relief.

Pres. Truman flew to Independence Mo. to see his mother and be with his family, but he took a great risk. The weather conditions were so bad that all commercial planes were grounded. He should not have done it.

Wednesday, December 26, 1945.

Clear & cool morning. Delightful afternoon. Getting a bit cooler tonight.

Lizzie had a bad night. As Dr. Rhodes is up and back at his office, I went there at 9 a.m. and registered Lizzie’s name. The nurse said for her to come at 11:30. So I came by the office and wrote a few letters and then drove home and took Liz up to the doctor’s office at 11:30, be she had to wait until about 12:30 before the doctor could treat her. And I fear the treatment did very little good. I brought her home about 1:15, and sick and suffering, she got dinner for us and for Negro Ben who is working for us today—bringing in wood, cleaning the floors, raking the leaves, etc.

This afternoon at 5 p.m. Lizzie thought I should go out to the party given by Mr. & Mrs. Walter Richardson, which I did. It was like last year’s party, a delightful affair—except it would have been more enjoyable to me if Liz could have been there. Sen. Claude Pepper & his wife & mother & sister in law were there, and Claude is looking better than he has for a long time. His 4 mos [month] European trip agreed with him.

Thursday, December 27, 1945. Rain.

Pretty cool and lots of rain & wind & some thunder- Rained last night and today & tonight.

Lizzie had a hard time of it last night and today—but seems some better tonight. I spent the day at home with her except for a trip to town to get medicine, and then to get dinner. I tried to fix our supper tonight and wash up afterwards but did not do so well

The Cowles came over to see Lizzie tonight and stayed till 10— Walter smoked his pipe in Lizzie’s bedroom and after they left we had to air the room.

Friday, December 28, 1945. Rain

A rather warm but very rainy day.

I went up town and got the mail and a lot of other things including bandage gause [sic] &c. Spent all the rest of the day doing what I could for Lizzie. She has had another very painful day, but got a good nap for about an hour in late afternoon. We had the good luck to get Lilly, Mary Maude’s servant, to clean up the house this afternoon. Liz is a lot better.

About 4 p.m. Malcolm Johnson, the A.P. representative came out to see me expecting to get an announcement of my candidacy to succeed myself in the coming Spring Primary. He was very much suprised [sic] when I handed him a written statement announcing that I would not run: that my present term does not expire till Jan. 1947 and I at my age thought it best not to hold longer.

My announcement that I handed to the reporter that I would not run was written nearly a week ago.

Tonight Leonard Cowles & Catherine called at 8 p.m. and when they left Walter & Elfrida called.

Saturday, December 29, 1945.

Foggy & murky early morning. Partly clear the balance of the day. Pleasant afternoon.

Lizzie a little better today.

I went to office a short while this morning and got off some checks. Found three presents in my desk without any cards—one fruit cake, 1 box of fine cigars, one bottle of whiskey-

Had to go to town for various things this afternoon. About 5 p.m. I took a walk on the golf course & felt better afterward.

Hope Lizzie’s improvement continues.

Wrote a letter to “Little Tom” Lovejoy tonight in regard to his pending separation agreement with Jeanne. In answer to letter from him. I hope it is worked out.

Sunday, December 30, 1945. (My announcement published.)

Mostly fair & pleasant. Nice golf weather. Low barometer. Some pretty strong bursts of So. winds about 9 to 9:30--&12.

Liz had a bad night. Dr. Rhodes came to see her this morning about 11:30 while I was up to get the mail and mail some letters. He thought the infection was subsiding.

Mr. & Mrs. Fryer came over & brought us a grand dinner with dessert, about 7:30. We had plenty for dinner & supper too. The Cowles & Mr. L.D. Fain called late in afternoon. Mrs. Stickney called earlier.

My announcement that I would not run, in the coming spring primary, to succeed myself in Jan. 1947, with comments & brief story of my career, appeared in the Democrat & other A.P. papers this A.M.

Sec’y of State Byrnes made a radio address tonight, 10 to 10:30, on the agreements of the “Big Three” foreign ministers at Moscow. While he did not get all he wanted to, he showed the on the whole the meeting made considerable progress, but with too many concessions to Russia.

Hitler’s last will & message has been secured by our agents. It gives some leads for evidence in the trials.

Monday December 31, 1945.

Clear early morning. West to N.W. winds. Getting cooler in afternoon and evening.

Last night there was for about 5 minutes a gusty 60 m.p.hr. wind out at the airport which damaged to some extent an Eastern Air Line plane, So. bound, which had just discharged its passengers, & further flight was canceled. Also damaged a privately owned plane slightly. We felt the wind here at our house at same time, & it sounded pretty bad, but did no damage to our place.

This morning Lizzie felt better and our cook, Mary, showed up; so I went to the office and wrote a few Christmas thank-you letters, and did same thing for a short while this afternoon. Mrs. Fryer brought us over a nice supper about 6:30. They are good neighbors & Mrs. F. a fine cook.

The Japanese Emperor Hirohito made a statement or “rescript” to the Japanese people today that is very significant—and in absolute defiance of Shintoism. He said that the old idea that he was descended from the Sun Goddess and was divine was all a mistake and that the real bond between Emperor and people was mutual respect and affection; that he was merely a ruler and not a god. This may be a turning point in Japanese history.

So ends the historic year of 1945. May God bless us & lead us to Peace.

[2nd “memorandum” page:]

Dow’s home phone in Atlanta

Hemlock 1937

Dow’s office:

Jackson 1861

Cordelia Wolf’s home phone Atlanta

Vernon 4867

Office Main 2521

Dr. N. M. Owensby

Office: Jackson-1076

Brookhaven Manor (San.)

(at Stone Mt.) Main 2511

[calendar page for 1945, 1946:]

To call James & Emilie,

Call Elkton, Md. 3003 Northeast

If no answer, call 3500

[calendar page for 1947, 1948:]

Lt. James Dowdell

[ ? ] Command

US Naval [ ? ]

Bainbridge, Md.

Phone 3003 Northwest

To call, Call Elkton, Md

If no answer, call 3500 [END]

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download