Sat 1. It was lonely to come home without Bob & Ruth. We have had a busy day. Got a letter from Nora. Went to look at a rug in town.
What kind of rugs were people buying in 1936?
Sun 2. We went to church & SS. Robert & Ruth came home with us for dinner. Dad led the class meeting in the evening.
Mon 3. Dad took the car in to have it overhauled. Will cost a lot. Dad stayed in at Ruth’s for dinner. They brought him home about 2 PM & went right back. Am reading my first book on Short Story Writing called “Writing the Short Story” by Esenwein. It is interesting. Am also reading Christ & Japan by Kagahwa who is now in this country.
Toyohiko Kagawa was a Japanese evangelist and social reformer. In 1921 he organized the Friends of Jesus, a Franciscan-like band of young people striving for spiritual discipline, compassion for the poor, and an evangelical life of witness. He wrote over 150 books, and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947 & 1948 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1955. The English translation of Christ and Japan (available to read online here) was published in 1934. It includes an interesting overview of Japanese culture, character, and religion.
Tue 4. Have washed both Ruth’s and my washing this AM. Dad helped me scrub. Mr. Parsons took him to Rogue River to get some feed. Mrs. Smith gave us some tickets for the men’s supper tonight. Robert & Ruth will come out for us. Think they will stay all night. We all went in to the men’s supper. Came home & the kids staid all night.
Wed 5. I went in with Bob & Ruth this AM. We looked at stoves & rugs. Bob bought a stove for $8.00 & will sell the one he has or trade it on a rug. He put his “ad” in the paper today. I went up to Gerties after missionary meeting today. She surely has it in for Bob & Ruth. I have never heard such accusations as she made over nothing. The tongue is a mighty force for good or evil. They sure believe in trying to keep tramping on a poor fellow after he is down. No credit to Bob for trying to keep his head above water. I could not understand the points she was trying to make. “People called him a sap. Found fault with him as a leader…not as good as Barlow. Found fault with Ruth’s playing etc. etc. because Bob asked her to change with Ruth for awhile.” They finally had Bob in tears. Betty as usual had her say. And to what end? I am still wondering what point they were trying to gain. No one tells me. My sister is a sap.
I don’t know any more of this story—it’s not a recurring theme, but I do have the sense that Bob’s job was not a great fit for him.
Thu 6. We kept the kiddies over night. I felt so sorry for them but they are pretty well grounded so they will not be moved. I felt so sorry for Bob—away from home and all. May the words of hate all be forgiven. I called on Mrs. Parsons today. She seems to be quite a psychic. Dad wrote Berne about the proposition Kesterson made him last night.
The Kestersons ran a lumber company in the Grants Pass area; I’m guessing that Tell was looking at working for them.
Fri 7. Dad walked to Rogue River this AM. Mr. Smith (feed man) is out here now waiting to take him to Grants Pass in his truck. He has gone. Am so hoping that his smoking will not keep him out of this job. Nothing seems to be of any influence. I cannot see how he can do it secretly. People can’t help but know it, & I know it will work against him. Honesty may be written on his face—but not on his breath.
It wasn’t until the early 1950s that cigarette smoking began to be implicated as a cause of lung cancer, and in the 1930s and ‘40s cigarette ads often included health claims. Smoking was very common, and a majority of physicians smoked. Yet the temperance movement, in which Emma had been quite active, was actively opposed to smoking, primarily because of its role as a gateway to alcohol and drug use and potentially as a sign of moral weakness.
Sat 8. We were alone all day—a long day. We had no car. I got terribly blue after smelling smoke in the chicken house. We are so anxious over the Star Stove deal. We do hope to get the job. Bob & Ruth brought out the car tonight after their practice. We had a nice day today. Had a lovely letter from Katharine.
Sun 9. We all went to church & SS this AM. Had a good chicken dinner. I am to do a bit of reading at the church tonight. Dad saw Mr. Kesterson again. Says he wants Dad by the first of the month.
Mon 10. Dad & I went to town today. They had changed their stove and got a rug.
Tue 11. Ruth & I each got a $1.50 permanent today. Mine was “supposed” to be $8 flat ??? I do hope it lasts. Bob’s car broke down in front of the Pierce Auto camp so they brought us on home. They came in & spent awhile with us. She is some talker. The kids brought their bedding & staid all night.
This article on auto camps in the Pacific Northwest describes the popularity of outfitting vehicles with camping equipment, and the steps cities such as Grants Pass took to attract auto-camping tourists who would spend money there. Grants Pass opened a municipal auto camp in Riverside Park on the Rogue River in 1915. Soon, private camps began to open and provide additional amenities such as small cabins and bath houses, and eventually space to accommodate trailers. When I looked around a bit, I found a 1940 US Census listing for a Thomas Pearce, the proprietor of an auto camp on the Pacific Highway. What’s more, there were at least four other auto court/auto camp owners listed on the same page of the census, and on the next page is a fishing resort run by a widow named Edna Gibson—remember Rainbow Gibson and the We-Ask-U in from last month’s entry? I also found that there is presently a Tom Pearce park in Grants Pass that is located in the same vicinity—see the map here—and am guessing that the auto camp property ultimately was sold or donated to the city and named after its former owner.
Wed 12. Dad brought me in for the luncheon—also pulled Bobs cars in. We broke down last night—left the car. Ruth & I got our mystery daughters some valentines. Went to choir practice in the evening. Mrs. Millicent & I went to Coans to plan the “Day of Prayer.” Went to see Mrs. Thrasher this evening. Dad brought a chicken in for the doctor.
What were valentines like in 1936? Here’s one example I found.
Thu 13. I washed today. It has been a lovely wash day. Did Ruth’s for her. Hung most everything out side. Got a card from Chris today.
Fri 14. After the mail came today Dad & I went to town. I took in some macaroni & cheese and a pudding for dinner. We did not stay long. I went to see Mrs. Douglas about leading the Prayer meeting (Day of Prayer) if I were not here. She said she would. Took Ruth’s washing in.
Kraft macaroni and cheese wasn’t released until 1937, so Emma would have made this from scratch. In a quick search, I found a 1935 newspaper article that had a contest for macaroni recipes and included (I kid you not…) Italian Delight (the winner) that had macaroni, green peppers, fried hamburger, canned tomatoes and corn, lima beans, sliced olives, and grated cheese; other recipe names included Macaroni Fluff, American Chop Suey, and Spaghetti Loaf.
Sat 15. We went to town today. Saw Happy on the way home last night. Took him his halters today. We have not sent the rent nor the money we owe Mrs. Stewart. Dad is surely a puzzle to me. I am tempted to throw all religion to the winds—I cannot understand him. I went to see Gertie & Mrs. Fifield today. Took a chicken in for Ruth to cook for tomorrow.
Sun 16. We ate dinner with the kids today. Had the chicken I took in to them yesterday. We went back in the evening for church.
Mon 17. We were disappointed in the mail today. I sent a letter to Bertha Johnson today with a few violets in. They are having such terrible snow storms back there—the worst in 100 years, it is said. We are anxious about Gerald & his family but do not know what we can do.
1936 brought one of the most intense cold waves in the recorded history of North America. And here’s a violet…
Tue 18. We were delighted to get a check from Katharine for $30 & from the cow for $25. We let Bob & Ruth have $5. We paid Mrs. Stewart—rent, gas bill, etc. Have all settled up except the electric bill. We went to town in the afternoon. I went to the Peace meeting. Read the ceremonial. Thought we might go back in to the evening meeting but we did not. Have been giving milk to Parsons for some time.
Wed 19. It is raining again this morning. Must have rained most of the night. We went in to choir practice and also in to the service afterward. Rev. Burgoyne spoke. He talked on the Holy Land.
Sherman Burgoyne was a Methodist minister in Oregon. In 1942 he challenged World War II actions against Japanese Americans in Hood River, facing discrimination and demotion himself, although he eventually received national recognition for his work.
Thu 20. We stayed at home all day. Did not go in to the the service today. Dad has not been feeling very well.
Fri 21. Well, we killed a chicken and took it in to the Iowa club. After the supper we went over to the church. Ruth & Robert were helping there all day. I took in milk & carrots. Medicine came from Mrs. Johnson, called Oxiphen.
Oxiphen was a “gentle” laxative sold over the counter—49c for 100 tablets.
Sat 22. Cleaned up the house a bit today. Getting ready for John & Alice.
John T. Boylan was Tell’s oldest brother. He and his wife Alice lived in Eldora and played a huge role in providing support to Emma and Tell during the worst of their financial hardships. They were in the middle of a three-month train trip—John wrote an entertaining account in a letter to the family. It will be a special feature for next week’s post.
Sun 23. We went to SS & Church. Did not teach as the young people in the convention were in one class with Mrs. Yadin as teacher. Dad talked at the young peoples’ meeting & also led the class meeting.
Mon 24. We went in to meet John & Alice—9:36 AM. We were so glad to see them. It has snowed terribly here today tho—not very cold. Alice does not look at all well. This evening we had Rev. & Mrs. Coan and children out for dinner. I have a cold in my throat & can not speak aloud. Bob & Ruth are staying all night. We had a nice dinner. Alice is invited to a meeting on Friday.
Tue 25. Another snow fell this AM. Bob & Ruth, Uncle John, Aunt Alice & Dad went to town. I did not feel well enough to go. Alice got her grip back. We have had a nice quiet time today. Drove over to Rogue River with the eggs this afternoon. My cold is some better. We are planning to go to Salem for the week-end.
Grants Pass doesn’t get a lot of snow. Here’s a picture of the downtown area on a snowy day.
Wed 26. Uncle John took Dad to a Rotary meeting for dinner today. Aunt Alice & I went to Ruth. She had a very nice dinner. We took Gertie ten chickens. She paid me $3.50. We came home about 3:30 PM. We are planning to go to Salem on Saturday for a few days.
Thu 27. John & Alice are here. We drove into town today and came home rather early. We wanted to bring Robert & Ruth but they could not come. Robert was fixing his car & Ruth had invited her boys class for an afternoon party. We came in for them after milking. Got supper after we got home. Spent the evening playing Rook. Robert & Ruth staid all night.
Fri 28. Dad & I came to town today. We came in for the Day of Prayer. I had too bad a cold to lead it so got Mrs. Douglas of the Free Methodist church. The Pythian Sisters are giving a party for Alice tonight. We also brought Robert & Ruth in. Ruth is fixing our lunch for tomorrow.
In the May 1932 post there is an excerpt from The Pythian Sister Tidings entitled “Motoring in Mexico” that written by Alice, who was the Supreme Mistress of Finance for the womens’ auxiliary to the Knights of Pythias fraternal organization. Local chapters of the Pythian Sisters threw parties for her throughout the trip with John.
Sat 29. We started from Grants Pass about 9 AM for Salem. Ate our dinner just before we got to Roseberg. We had a lovely drive. Got to Salem for supper. It had been about 8 years since John & Berne had seen each other.
It makes me very happy when people read these journals. If you know someone who might enjoy the stories, please tell them about the project!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for a special report on John and Alice’s big trip.