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STELLA MAE WHITE : 1940s ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF A 30-YR OLD HOT SPRINGS ARKANSAS WOMAN WHO ENDS UP IN WILMINGTON CALIFORNIA

24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall. On offer is an interesting diary written during WWII in California. This five-year diary contains 365 pages and is about 10% complete. The diary measures 5.5 inches by 4 inches. The leather cover shows signs of wear but is intact, as are the pages within. The handwriting is in ink and is legible. Stella Mae White was born in Strong, Arkansas in 1913. She was 30 years old when she began this diary in January 1944. She moved to Wilmington, CA in June, 1944 to be near her fiance, Gilbert Salmon. They were married in January, 1945. She and her husband had 2 children. She passed away in June of 1968 at 54 years of age. Her husband passed away six months later. Casual research did not uncover any additional biographical date. There are very few entries for 1944. All of her entries are very brief. She notes on January 1st that Gilbert had called her. The next entry is June 5th: "Well I am leaving today at 5 P.M. for Calif but I don't want to go without Billy but he won't go so Ina, Faye and I will go."[June 5, 1944]. She returns home in August until September, when she leaves for good for Wilmington where Gilbert is working in war industry: "I left for Wilmington Calif today. At 5 A.M. I sure hate to go in a way and in a way I don't." [Sept 11, 1944]. In December, they take a day trip to Mexico. The remaining entries are for Christmas where she notes that although her husband had the day off she did not. The entries for 1945 are more extensive. January 13th, 1945 was certainly important: "Gilbert and I were married tonight at 8 P.M. by the Rev. John C. Derfelt. Mrs. Jack Sweet went with Gilbert and I". [Jan 13, 1945]. Although there are many gaps in her entries, she notes that they secured a small apartment and that she sets about furnishing it. Many of the entries record working times for her and Gilbert. They both work 10-11 hour night shifts. She notes that she misses hearing from her mother: "... Wish I could hear from mama or sis". [May 27, 1945]. Although the entries are sparse and brief, they give a researcher a brief glimpse into what life was like for millions of working-class Americans in those years.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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