Folder 11: Oliver's Diaries 1958-1958, 1958 - 1959

1958: A large brown diary with weak binding. The entries in this diary are far more personal, and each page is more densely packed (with two handwritten lines per printed line) than previous diaries. Oliver wrote about his beloved cats, Alaska joining the Union, renovation work on his house (particularly repainting), and his attempt to quit smoking (again). There are clippings pasted throughout the diary, and in the back Oliver kept track of his money, as well as attaching obituaries, and a note with information on his memory loss and how he had stopped driving.

1959: A green large diary. A diary kept in the last year of Oliver’s life, the passages detail a diagnosis of yellow jaundice, as well as memory loss and falling. The last entry was written at the hospital on October 8th, just nine days before Oliver passed away. The handwriting in this diary is a mix of cursive, print, and Masonic symbols. Additionally, there are clippings about Hawaii becoming part of the Union, the space monkey dying, the 50-star flag becoming official, information about Travelers and the Lodge, and a picture of a 49-star flag. The back of the diary has additional clippings bills, an old prescription, and a notes section stapled in.