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[ARMSTEAD BROWN DIARIES. 1941.]
[Inside cover:]
Armstead Brown
[Title page:]
Diary for 1941.
Wednesday, January 1, 1941.
Clear. Called at hospital to see Dr. Johnson. Traded in my old car for 325.00 and bought a new Chevrolet 2 door coach, to be delivered tomorrow. First new car I’ve bought since 1930.
This afternoon Judge C. & I played golf. I made 49. No bombing of England last night. Hitler said yesterday that England must be destroyed. Well, he has been trying to destroy it since Sept. 7th 1940 and the spirit of the British people is stronger than ever. The old year 1940 was a terrible year in Europe & Asia. Hitler & his gang returned to the methods of barbarism in an effort to enslave all Europe. God grand 1941 will be better.
Thursday, January 2, 1941.
Cloudy. Some slow drizzling rain most of the day. My new car, a dandy 2 door “Town Sedan” Chevrolet was delivered this morning. Cost me $552.50 and my old car at 325.00. Price 877.50 But I believe the price of cars will soon go up and the production of cars restricted. We must concentrate on making planes, tanks, guns & shells & ships. Got in some work today. Started an opinion around. Passed on a number of cases written by other Judges.
Germany is sending more troops into Rumania and also fighting planes to help the Italians. England is expecting an effort at invasion—now or a little later on. The Italians in Bardia still holding out. Bardia is strongly fortified. Will Germany take the Dardanelles, & invade Greece & Turkey: or will they attack Gibraltar, or both—as flank attacks before trying to invade England?
Friday, January 3, 1941.
Raining, dark & cloudy, getting cooler after nightfall. On bench & in conference till 11:30. Got in a little work in afternoon. Wrote some letters. Tonight we went to a little party at the Cowles.
Kemper Moore & her mother; Mrs. Hohne, (Katherine Ruse) and Miss St. Mary (redheaded) and Miss Winslow (the latter two teachers at College) were there. We had a very pleasant time playing games till 12 o’clock. I was not feeling very well. Very fatigued. Mrs. Hohne is as pretty and attractive as ever.
Saturday, January 4, 1941.
Clear. Yesterday the British broke through the line of forts surrounding Bardia, on the S.W. and captured 5,000 or more prisoners-and made further gains today. Total Italians captured 8,000.
Judge Chapman and I played golf this afternoon. I took a miserable 53. Judge C made about 50. First time he has beaten me.
Sunday, January 5, 1941.
Cloudy & cool. Went to Sunday School[.] Heard fine lesson by LeRoy Collins: then to Church, for Communion Service. We met Annie at the Airport this aft. at 4:15. She left N.M. at 8:15 this morning. Her plane arrived about 3 mins. ahead of time at 4:12.
Bardia fell today. Six generals and 25,000 men were made prisoners by the British in the battle of Bardia. Hurrah for the British.
Monday, January 6, 1941.
Cloudy.
On bench and in conference all morning.
At 3 pm. Iheard President Roosevelt[‘]s masterly message to Congress over our radio at home. It was a history-making address. It should stir Congress and our industrialists and working men, and our citizens generally, to buckle down to real work, at top speed, to get the necessary planes, ships, tanks, and guns to Britain and Greece in time. Tonight we heard Senator Conrren R. Austin of Vermont, republican, back up the President in an able and earnest address over the radio. Heard him speak on the Senate several years ago and was very much impressed with him.
Well tomorrow we inaugurate Spessard Holland as Governor—the best fitted man for the job we have had in a generation. Today there was a heavy German daylight raid on London.
Westminster Cathedral badly damaged.
Tuesday, January 7, 1941.
Cold, cloudy morning with light drizzling rain till about 11:20, at which time the inauguration ceremonies began. It was pretty cold out on the platform built infront of the Capitol and a misty drizzle fell for awhile. Outgoing Gov’r. Cone made a very good and appropriately short speech of about 7 minutes.
Governor Holland then took the oath of office and delivered a very fine and able speech of about 40 minutes. I would have been glad to go down to the reviewing stand and seen the parade, but Lizzie was cold, and we went home to dinner. In the late afternoon Lizzie came to the “open house” at the Mansion. And then tonight we went to the reception at the Capitol but stood in line for about an hour and 20 mins. On our way out we found Mr. Knott in a collapsed condition and called doctors and stayed until they arrived, and he was out of danger. Then we got home about 10 p.m.
Wednesday, January 8, 1941.
Beautiful day. Cool. In Conference nearly all the morning. British have surrounded Tobruk already, cutting off any chance of retreat. Unless help arrives, Tobruk will be another Bardia. The Greeks are progressing slowly, but holding all their gains.
Thursday, January 9, 1941.
Delightful day. On bench and in conference large part of the day. Managed to wind up an opinion and pass on a number of cases. Went to see Dr. Andrews about pain in neighborhood of groin. He said it was a strained ligament. Probably when I was helping get Mr. Knott on the table when he fainted away at the Capitol night before last.
This was Lizzie’s birthday. At Elfreda’s—So we had a little birthday party at home tonight.
London was raided again tonight.
Friday, January 10, 1941.
Clear, but foggy & damp in early morning. Clear and cold most of the day, & temp. down to 38 at 11:30. On bench and in conference nearly all day.
No raids on London tonight but a heavy bombing of a port in Southeast England. Pres. submitted a bill to Congress today giving him power to lease or lend war equipment and to give the English fleet the use of Am. ports and bases—This comes near being an act of war, if enacted.
Saturday, January 11, 1941.
Clear, beautiful day. Got in some work in office today. This afternoon left the office at 4 and played golf with Wm. P[.] Simmons. Having had a grueling walk, I made a 53. Bill made a 43. Tonight the Thomases called to see us. London had a bad bombing raid tonight.
Sunday, January 12, 1941.
Clear. Went to Sunday School & Church and in afternoon Judge Chapman & I played golf from 3:40 to nearly 6 pm—14 holes
Another bombing of London tonight with incendiary bombs. But Britain bombed Turin in Italy very heavily.
A beautiful day here.
Monday, January 13, 1941.
On bench and in conference a large part of the day. Played golf late this aft with Eugene Ellis & Harris Drew of W. P. Beach. [Drew became a Supreme Court justice in August 1952, serving till 1971, an 18.5 year career on the Court]
The Germans sent some dive bombers down to base on Island of Sicily, and from there attacked a British convoy destined for Greece, and seriously damaged the Air Craft Carrier and set the British Carrier Southampton on fire, and it was sunk by the crew, who had to abandon ship.
Tuesday, January 14, 1941.
Clear but slightly cloudy in early morning. We had a conference all morning clearing up tag ends from the previous term which ended yesterday. Then about 12 o’clock, we took up the matter of the election of a Chief Justice for the coming two years. I was nominated by Judge Buford and seconded by Judge C[hapman] and there being no other nominations, I was elected Chief Justice. This aft. at 4:30 Judge C. & I played golf.
Wednesday, January 15, 1941.
Cloudy & hazy. Warmer, with considerable rain in late afternoon, with some thunder & lightning wind. Got in some work today. Good many visitors. Justice Thomas down with flu. Also researched clerk Kit (S.O.) Carson. My first opinion as Chief Justice filed this afternoon. Important case. Campbell et al v. Forrest Chapman, as County Judge, involving clash of jurisdiction of the Potter D’Oraz Palmer estate between two County Judge’s Courts.
Thursday, January 16, 1941.
Dark, cloudy morning.
Spent large part of morning answering messages of congratulations upon my being elected Chief Justice. Called at Judge Thomas’ home to see how he was getting on and found that both he and Mrs. Thomas were down with the flu. Got off a letter this afternoon to Budget Commission as to need of enlarging Sup. Ct. Bldg. Played golf at 5 pm.
Friday, January 17, 1941.
Cloudy.
On bench from 9:30 till 12:40. Heard arguments in four cases. Conference this aft. at 3 pm to 4:30. Worked till 6 pm. Lots of letters of congratulation to answer. Tonight did some work at home. Lizzie & Annie went with the Cowles to hear Miss Jamison sing. Bombings of England comparatively light last night & tonight. England has lost the cruiser Southampton and the Air Craft Carrier Illustrious by bombing during past week.
Saturday, January 18, 1941.
Cloudy & murky, morning: somewhat clearer in afternoon. Put in some work on administration details & answered letters of congratulation.
Judge Chapman & I played golf this afternoon. Was suffering from numbness in left leg, but played fair golf & felt much better afterward. Got in some work tonight.
Sunday, January 19, 1941.
Somewhat cloudy—Cold N.W. wind.
Went to Sunday School. Lizzie suffered terribly last night and today with hemorrhoids. Dr. Dozier prescribed for it. This afternoon I called at hospital and talked with Dean Dodd, who is now making good progress, and then went to see Dr. Johnston at his new home. He is up and about, and quite cheerful.
Monday, January 20, 1941.
Clear, beautiful day, but cold morning. President delivered a very fine inaugural address today—a history making inaugural. I wired the President my congratulations. An appeal to the spirit of America.
I submitted to the Justices a new set of rules for the Internal Gov[‘]t of the Court today. Played golf this aft from 5 to 6. Company tonight. Had planned to work.
Tuesday, January 21, 1941.
Clear, fine day. I submitted rules for Supreme Ct. under new Const. amdmt. yesterday-and in conference today the Court made some changes and then the new rules were adopted. They give the Chief Justice great power & responsibility, and more work. I won’t be able to write many opinions.
The British attacked Tobruk today and penetrated 5 miles inside the defenses.
Wednesday, January 22, 1941.
Mostly clear. Very pretty day. Got in some work in office today. Played golf with Mr Hill from 5:20 to 6:30. About dark when we got in.
Tonight Jim Whitehurst called about 7:30 before we had had supper & stayed till 10:15 pm[.] Meanwhile the Cowles had come over, & stayed till 11 o’clock. I slipped back and ate my supper about 9 pm. which Liz fixed for me. Another British victory in Africa. Tobruk taken today.
Thursday, January 23, 1941.
Quite a busy day. Hearing this morning for 30 min. on application of Fritz Gordon for writ of prohibition. Put in busy day passing on opinions of the other Justices—
Did not feel well tonight—Brought work home, but could not tackle it. Strange numbness in left side of body from head down. Tobruk’s capture gives England more than 100,000 prisoners. They are pushing on towards Italy’s remaining port. Very little bombing of England past 3 days.
Friday, January 24, 1941.
Mostly clear & warm. On bench & in conference all morning. Had hair cut & played golf this afternoon. Feel much better tonight. Suffered with queer numbness in legs & great lethargy this aft., but felt very well after game. Lord Halifax, new British Ambasador arrived on a new British battleship today. The President met in Chesapeke Bay a few miles south of Anapolis & had him & his wife to dine on the Presidential Yacht: then they went to Wash’n. A most unusual reception for any ambassador.
Saturday, January 25, 1941.
Clear. Another delightful day. Felt very well this morning; badly this afternoon. Numbness in left side. Worked till 5 pm. Then went out and in spite of my queer symptoms I played 7 holes of golf unusually well. Made 4 pars out of 7 holes—a total of 34 strokes, or 1 under 5s[?]. I continued, however, to feel badly all evening.
The British have had very little German bombing for 6 nights & days now. They think it means the Germans are resting their airmen for a heavy attack.
Sunday, January 26, 1941.
Missed Sunday School today but Liz & I went to Church. Gov-r. & Mrs. Holland and Mary Groover[?] H. & young son and several other people affiliated with our church and Reverend Thurston[?] Dr. Anderson presented a very good sermon. Hitler has not bombed London for 7 days. He is evidently cooking up some activity. I think he is getting ready for an invasion soon—60 or 90 days. The British continue their gains in Africa. The insurrection of the Iron Guard in Romania has been put down—6000 killed
Felt better today—Played golf this aft. with Judge Chapman & Frank Miller.
Monday, January 27, 1941.
Some rain last night. Cloudy this morning. About 45 to 65. Cleared up about 11 Am. B.30.10 to 30.16. Very busy morning with Motion docket. Played 7 holes of golf this aft. from 5:35 to 6:20. Felt pretty bad, both before & after game. Tonight put in some work.
The British are pushing toward Bengase—Derna seems to have been abandoned. Congressional Committees had Hull before them today—on the lease-lend bill.
Tuesday, January 28, 1941.
Colder 32 to 54. 30.15 to 30.12. Clear. Fine Day. On bench and in conference from 9:30 to 4:30[.] Went home & rested and then dressed for the party given by the Justices & their wives to the Gov.r. and his cabinet & their wives which Lizzie had engineered and worked so hard on. It was given at the Lodge at Wakulla Springs and went off beautifully. The Gov’r sat on Lizzie right—I sat opposite Lizzie with Mrs. Holland on my right and Mrs. Larson on my left. We had a grand dinner & everybody had a grand time. Judge & Mrs. Thomas took Liz & me down there and back.
Wednesday, January 29, 1941.
Clear & cool. On bench all morning. Div A. Had 4 rather important cases. Had[?] them down & got through by 1 pm[.]
In conference at 3. Worked till 6:15 pm. Wendell Wilkie receiving enthusiastic reception in England. Incendiary bomb raid over London tonight. Not much damage.
British pushing westward toward Bengasi.
Premier John Mitaxos[?] died this morning. Next[?] door[?] to Greece.
Thursday, January 30, 1941.
Clear & cold. Got in some work today passing on opinions of other judges. Played golf with Judge Chapman this aft. 5 to 6:20. Tonight I had intended to work but had a long visit from Rodney Durrana[?] which I enjoyed. Liz & Annie had gone to picture show.
British captured Derna today. No air raid on London for 10 days until last night. Pretty heavy raid.
Friday, January 31, 1941.
Mostly clear. Took large dose of Sal Hepatica 2 heaping teaspoons—about 4 pm last night, & it was too much for me. When I awaked about 7:15 a.m., I felt very badly. Bowels moved freely, but if felt so weak & knocked out, I breakfasted in bed. Got to office about 10 A.m. Had hard day’s work in office. Ben Bridges, fine man, devoted public servant, clerk of City of Tallahassee for 24 yrs., died at 1:30 today—I went around to the home & visited the family tonight.
Saturday, February 1, 1941.
Hazy, cool, searching[?] Put in a hard day’s work. This aft at 5 Liz & I attended the funeral of Ben Bridges. I put in some work tonight on the Mandel case[.] And then listened to the radio. England’s 12th night without an air raid. Hitler must be up to some devilment. May be getting ready for invasion. Or for a blitzkrieg of air raids and poison gas. The greatest threat is the continued sinking of British merchant ships—the submarine campaign. We cannot afford to see England starved out.
Sunday, February 2, 1941.
Hazy morning. Cloudy afternoon with some light rain in late afternoon and early evening. Went to Sunday School this morning and instead of going to church, I called on Judge Ellis. He was fairly cheerful and interesting in conversation, but not looking very well. Not over his spell of flu I guess. I have been feeling very badly today—A depressed, uncomfortable feeling in the region of my heart. Don’t know what’s the matter.
Monday, February 3, 1941.
Cloudy—damp—cool.
Busy morning. Hearing motions to 11 Am. Conference till 1 o’clock. Handed down a number of decisions. Busy this afternoon with correspondence and various administrative details.
Bob & Elizabeth came in at 9 p.m. So glad to see them---especially my dear Elizabeth whom I love devotedly. Such a fine, sweet girl.
West to N.W. wind. Cooler at night.
Tuesday, February 4, 1941.
Cold & clear. Very pretty day. On bench or in conference from 9:30 to 1 pm. Did some work in office this aft. Liz & I went to Legionaire’s Banquet to Gv’r Holland at F.S.C.W. Dining hall. Returned home tired at 10:00 and went to bed.
Willkie visited DeValera today. The debate on the Lease-Lend bill still drags on. England has had very little air raids for 13 days now. Hitler is up to something.