The Fourth of July: No work to do except to find ways to pass the day without boredom. Nobody invited me on a picnic or offered me a piece of watermelon. I didn’t mind. Picnics have too many crawling things about them; watermelon is too high for a person to expect a donation like it. Lots of cars parked downtown but not many persons in sight. Visiting golfers came in to get started in the Hazard Country Club’s Invitational Tournament. Bob Mansfield late for his usual breakfast hour. Everybody taking it easy on Independence Day.
Had a dish of ice cream with Jonah Daniel at Don’s. Met Phyllis Rollins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Rollins, whom I hadn’t seen in more than five years when they lived in Harlan: Also Susan Daniel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonah Daniel. Both mighty pretty representatives of Hazard.
In the lobby of the Grand Hotel, a long conversation with Judge Courtney Wells and Dr. K. N. Salyers. Met several of the Harlan baseball players over for a game with the Bombers. Jimmy Polos, of Lynch, one of the finest little fellows to ever mix with a bunch, was looking for a pair of paints in which to play golf. All clothing stores closed.
Ride to Bomber Park for ball game only for the ride. Although only a sprinkle hit most of town, the ball park got a drenching. All hands agreed it was too wet for safe playing. I was disappointed, but I never like to see ball players take a chance in the mud.
Back to the Grand Hotel lobby where I dozed in one of those comfortable chairs. People coming in and out bothered my rest.
Took off for Harlan at 4:30 with Father Anthony Kraff, Father Richard Reimondo, and Herbert Turlich, the latter a fireman for the L & N. and a hot box of a baseball fan. Not a dull moment in that car. We got to the ball park in time. Good game but mighty few Hazard fans there. Back to Hazard with Dick Goodlette and his father-in-law.
A good holiday except for the accidents and shootings in the county. One man shot to death. Too bad things like that happen. Nobody gained, everybody lost. Plenty of persons in trouble after such an incident. Didn’t see a drunk during the whole day, which is unusual on a holiday as far as I’m concerned. Only one person offered me a drink. That’s not so unusual. So, another Fourth of July. 1952
