Diary Discoveries

In 1953, a fifteen year old boy wrote of his great outdoor summer adventure that took place in the West and it has to be one of the best summers a kid could ever have! Mt Rushmore, Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Vagabond Ranch, girls, whitewater rafting down the "River of No Return", fishing, flying, and eating the best food around the campfire. What a fantastic experience! And oh yes, he d...

Milford W. Howard, an attorney by trade and former United States Congressman, wrote a very interesting feature article for The Birmingham News in 1929. And yes, the article is the one we mentioned in the last episode about our favorite "beehive like structure" dwelling man--Henry Stuart.  Milford sought Henry out to get his thoughts regarding the simple life and wrote an amazing article,...

This episode is additional to our episodes #8 and #9. Henry Stuart built a circular, beehive like, hut in Fairhope Alabama.  We completed a kind of circle by taking his diary first to De Lamar, Idaho (episode 8) where he began writing, and then recently stepping foot into his home in Fairhope with the diary.  Henry was a very interesting man who had an impact on many people including author Sonny...

Bonus Audio - Our interview with author Marvin Barrash who has spent over Thirteen years researching the disappearance of the Naval Collier Ship Cyclops. He has written three books regarding the Cyclops and is  probably the world's foremost expert of this ship's history. His work has helped many families of the lost men gain some closure and understanding.  If you haven't heard our...

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

In 1918 the U.S.S. Cyclops and 309 men vanished without a trace at sea in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. Sally's Great Great Uncle was aboard that ship. Her G.G. Grandmother kept a diary when, 13 years later, she was on a Gold Star pilgrimage with other mothers and wives who had lost sons or husbands in the war. This is the diary that ignited Sally's passion for reading and coll...

In this episode, you will attend the theatre with Mrs. Bram Stoker of Dracula fame, visit the Bridge of No Return in Korea, hear about a suspect in the Jack The Ripper case, and then tour the underground sewers of Paris. You will also hear about the tragic circus fire in 1944 that killed 170 people, and to finish it off, we will tell you about a diary that contained some coded entries which we wer...

The 1891-92 Diary of former sheriff, Frederick D. Schnebly, led us to discover a couple of significant stories we share in this episode--the murder of an innocent newly wed couple and an armed bank robbery in a coal town. You will also hear of "seduction trials", a vigilante mob, a jail break, and regular towns people armed and ready to administer "frontier justice".  All of th...

A 1923 Scrapbook diary led to a mysterious connection between the diarist and the author of Mary Poppins--Pamela L Travers. In this episode, we talk about the woman who wrote the diary and to whom P.L. Travers dedicated a book.  Also a very insightful, and interesting entry regarding their first use of a radio in their home, is discussed. Throw in a little time travel with a spoonful of sugar and...

Mort Jenkins ended his "running log" with an amazing first hand account of the USS Mount Hood exploding in Seeadler Harbor. In this episode, you will hear what Mort wrote after witnessing this "horrible beauty" of an explosion. He wrote so descriptively and honestly about what he saw and how he felt about it--truly wonderful writing and very real. Thank you to our good friend K...

On November 10th, 1944  Mort Jenkins was hard at work on a boat in Seeadler Harbor when a disaster occurred. His eyewitness report of the event is recorded in his diary. In this episode, we are in  the "calm before the storm" as Mort writes about sailing from Norfolk  Virginia, through the Panama Canal, with stops in San Diego and Hawaii, before arriving at Papua New Guinea. His entries...

We first told the story of Hazel Ramsey Koenig in #6- Rocky Mountain Legacy. In this episode we talk about actually setting foot in the Colorado home Hazel lived in when she wrote the diary.  We revisit her story with additional insight acquired from our wonderful visit there. Jess and Lance from Colorado State U's Mountain Campus generously gave us a tour of the historical site now part of t...

Beautifully written entries in this 1884 Diary led to the story of a cold blooded murder in a home invasion type robbery. Our author writes of the case with his mind resolved, yet his  heart in anguish over the killing. The depravity of the bloody work hit close to home as he and the killer share the same last name. Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos...

Spoiler Alert: This episode wraps up the Violet and Vic series. We discuss our thoughts regarding Violet's 1934 diary. Who was Violet? Why was it written? When could it have been written? Finally, Sally reveals her theory of who may have written the diary--a story in itself and one you do not want to miss. Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and...

Violet's 1934 diary concludes with her December entries. She reflects back on the months she experienced with Vic and looks forward as well. A vacation trip, a budding  romance...the diary ends with new possibilities. If only there was a sequel! Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

Violet settles in to a less stressful routine. The money she has hidden, opens up some new thoughts and possibilities and speaking of something new, Violet may have a new love interest! Content Warning: For younger listeners--A few entries in this month's episode are sexual in nature but are not explicit. Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and r...

This episode starts out with a bang--thirty of them to be precise! Violet is told more disturbing news and finds herself feeling very mixed emotions! Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this episode, Violet attempts to put her life in order after deciding to talk to the police. Guns and Cops and second thoughts, all the while Vic is staying away. Where is he and will he make contact with Violet? Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

The last member of our cast of characters enters the story in this episode. Violet reacts to some disturbing news by taking action and altering the course of her life once again! Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

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

Violet's life changes dramatically the first ten days of June! Excitement is followed by worry she is a "kept" woman. Her worry and concerns only increase when Vic gets a mysterious phone call. Thank you to Soundeffectsplus.com for the Doggy sounds. Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

Violet writes of four deaths in May including one member of our cast of characters! Vic moves ahead with a plan that has Violet excited with possibilities but also causes her some worry. Vic also reacts angrily to some news which surprises Violet. Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

Violet erased an entry about the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping case which brought up some questions. In this episode we discuss that case and of course read Violet's April entries. A stranger shows up at her apartment. Who is he and what does he want with Vic? Could this be a sign of a storm brewing? Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and read our b...

Violet has been receiving expensive gifts from Vic and he even paid some of her bills. She is enjoying him and the attention but is asking herself some questions... This episode contains an entry that sheds some light on Vic's mysterious life and occupation. Send us Fan Mail Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com  to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

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