As the month begins, Emma is in Beresford, SD visiting her sister Linnie. She and Tell have just signed a lease on a small farm near Lake City.
Thu 1. Got fooled today. Will not get to go to Sioux Falls till after supper but it will be alright. Got a nice letter from Tell—enclosed was one from Katharine, one from Ruth, one from Mrs. Daggett & a card from Daisey. Think I feel a bit better today. Am so stiff in my knees. The day is pleasant. Gerrit & Linnie drove up to Sioux Falls tonight. We had supper at Harry’s. I had the teeth tried in.
These are her new dentures that nephew Harry, the dentist, has been working on.
Fri 2. We had a snow storm today. Did not get to go to the Cooking school at all. It is raining this evening so we may not go tomorrow to get my teeth. Linnie and I went to Mrs. Carlsons to the WFMS today. Played dominoes after we got home. I have written three letters. I am very tired tonight & my back hurts.
Dominoes were first used in China in the 1100s; the version we play today, with dotted tiles, evolved in 18th-century Italy and spread through Europe, to England, and then to the Americas. Here is a vintage set of tiles from the 1930s.
Sat 3. The weather was so bad that Linnie & I did not go to Soo Falls. We had snow & rain, and we did not want to risk the roads. Did not hear from Tell all day. Am wondering if he is sick or if he went somewhere. We ironed, & I worked on K’s quilt. Harry called. We will go up there tomorrow. I have not been feeling very well.
Sun 4. Sunday AM. Dark and cloudy! Am so enjoying my permanent!!! It froze hard last night. We—Gerrit, Linnie & I drove from Beresford to Sioux Falls today after dinner. Got my teeth. Cost $10. Had to borrow money from Linnie.
It was December 1934 when Harry first started working on Emma’s teeth. I’m sure she was glad to finally get them done!
Mon 5. Decided to go home today. Left Beresford on the Toonerville about noon. Got home 8 PM. Cost me $3.91 fare. Tell met me. I called him from Carroll. I was glad to get home. We will try to move this week.
Tue 6. WFMS Convention meets at Audubon today. Three loads are going but guess there is no place for me. I can keep busy at home. Got a letter from Alice this morning. I went to the evening service at Audubon—to the SB Banquet. Went down with Alsins. Saw Mrs. McBlane. She lives at West Chester. Heard Dr. Stella Dodd speak. Got a letter from John Lohr this PM. Very encouraging.
Dr. Stella Dodd was a medical missionary in India. I’m continually amazed by how many people were involved in the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society.
Although as far as I can tell he never actually set foot in the place, Audubon IA was named after artist and ornithologist John James Audubon. Here is a stained-glass window and clock in his honor in downtown Audubon.
Wed 7. Today we brought our first load to Lake City. Had dinner and supper here & will stay all night. Dad has worked on the closet and done some painting. There is a lot to be done. Think we will like it here very much. It has been rainy today. We will be so glad to get settled. So far we have five hens.
Thu 8. Lake City. We drove back to Glidden today for our second load. Found a lovely letter from Hilma Green inviting us to a potluck dinner at the Lake City church. We came home, unloaded & went. We met a number of the church people. The pastor, Rev. Walker, knew my father. A letter from Ruth says they will be here the 21st. Bob is to sing at Curtis Apr. 28.
Emma’s father, Luther Troutman, was a school superintendent for many years, and then became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Here he is in the 1920 census living with Emma, Tell, and their three children. Emma’s mother, Adella Jameson Troutman, died in 1917.
Fri 9. A beautiful sunny morning. We plan to drive to Glidden after another load of goods today. We made our trip to Glidden today. Couldn’t get all our stuff yet. We had dinner with Rev. & Mrs. Johnson. They want Bob & Ruth to come down when they are here. Got a letter from Berne today. Came to Lake City. One from Chris at Glidden. My mouth is very sore tonight. I am very tired.
Sat 10. We put in a long day. Got up early—Dad set up the mail box and then painted. I put things in order as best I could. Sorted out the boxes & we put down the linoleum rug in the dining room. I drove the car down town and went to a second hand place & bought a rocking chair. There is so much to do and I get terribly tired.
Here’s a 1937 Iowa newspaper item on second-hand stores. In the Depression era, these did not have many items of clothing, as people often made over older garments—it wasn’t until the 1950s that “vintage” clothing became popular.
Sun 11. We went to church & SS in Lake City this AM. Joined the church. Rev. & Mrs. Walker knew my father and mother. We took a ride in the PM out north of town. Did not go out at night as I was so tired.
Another town, another church! Here’s a picture of the Lake City M.E. church.
Mon 12. We have spent a busy day—at least Dad has. Dad pulled up a lot of fence & then finished the ceiling in kitchen. We watched for the mail for a couple hours but I found when I drove to town they had forgotten it. We got a letter from Ruth & a card from Miss Malen. Bob had an accident & ruined their car. Will have to drive Elmer out here.
Elmer was the name of the old Model T Ford that Robert had turned into a truck.
Tue 13. This is a beautiful morning. We expected Mr. Somerfield to haul manure this AM. He just came to say he will be here this PM. Mr. S worked from about 1 PM till 4— then took sick & Dad took him to the hospital. We made our first garden today. Planted onions, radishes, lettuce etc.
The cycle of the seasons in farm life continues! I can only imagine how good it felt to have their own place again and to start a new garden.
Wed 14. We got a letter from John Lohr today. I bought a congoleum rug from Mrs. (Dr.) Fields & we moved the stove and put it down in our kitchen today. It makes the kitchen look so much better than it did. Dad fixed shelves & a place to hang our clothes so I got things in a little better order.
I got curious about the linoleum and congoleum rugs she mentions this month. If you’re curious as well, you can learn more here!
Thu 15. We bought an old dresser bottom which fits into our closet nicely & holds the linen. Little by little we are getting things done. I wrote John Lohr & Mrs. Daggett today—also sent for some watermelon seed from Mrs. Walthal. The soot rolled out of the bottom of this stove when we moved it today. Had scorched the floor, so we got asbestos paper to put under it.
Asbestos has been used as a building material, insulator, and fire retardant for thousands of years. Concerns about its health impact date back to at least the late 1800s, but it was not until much later that significant regulations and restrictions were placed on its use.
Fri 16. We bought a cow today—$85. We hope she proves to be all the owner claimed for her. Says she tests 5.3 which is very good. Dad made a dining table or rather a breakfast table today. It is certainly fine. Mr. Grooters surprised us by driving in this PM. He will stay for supper. I got a card from Miss M., Bertha J. & a letter from Katharine—sent us an extra $10 as the oil was 37.85 this time.
Rated on a scale of 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese) a cow body condition rating of 5-6 is optimal for reproductive efficiency, according to this article.
Sat 17. Mr. Somerfield worked here today & was here for dinner. They are moving the manure & plowing. Rev. Weekland the Christian minister called this afternoon. Wish I could get more accomplished. We drove to town with some letters & bought some groceries.
Sun 18. A lovely Sunday. Dad got up & milked. I got things ready for dinner. We went to church & SS. Mr. Green taught our class. This afternoon we rested—cracked nuts— walked around awhile & then drove out to the cemetery. Hunted up old Thomas Cloud’s grave. Met Dr. & Mrs. McCrary, who were visiting the grave of their little 8 yr. old daughter who died last January. Looking forward to Ruth’s & Bob’s coming.
Mon 19. A beautiful day! I did a monstrous washing & it all dried so nicely. Dad has painted a couple rooms besides. It takes so long to get things done. Got a nice letter from Linnie. We hope Bob & Ruth have nice weather to make their trip. Called up Brassfields about a truckers job—to see what they paid etc. Found they were trying out a young “Boylan”. Asked if he was our relation. I did not know anything about him.
Tue 20. When we wakened this AM we found it was raining. It has not rained much. We need it badly. I am terribly tired this AM.
Wed 21. Dad & I went to Glidden this AM to get a cot at Miss Malen’s. Got my hair waved. Came home, baked cookies. Made a meat loaf. Bob & Ruth drove in about 6 PM.
Another gem from Katharine’s family cookbook, which I’ve mentioned before…the secret to Emma’s meatloaf!
Thu 22. Bob, Ruth & I came to Ft. Dodge from Lake City today. I bought 100 chickens in Ft. Dodge today. Stopped to see Mrs. Johnson at Alden today. I came on to Iowa Falls & went to the school. Got the first prize—a bag of groceries valued at $1.50. We went to Eldora at night, getting there about 11 PM.
Fri 23. Eldora. Bob & Ruth went to Iowa Falls this AM. After dinner we then took them to Marshalltown. Alice bought a ticket for Bob as far as Cedar Rapids—$1.40. We stopped at Mrs. Daggetts for the corn. She was so lovely to us. She gave me a qt. of canned strawberries. We called Hubbard this evening. Talked to Anna Mae.
Sat 24. I did about all of Alice’s ironing for her today. Talked to several at Hubbard. Alice called up from Cedar Rapids. Ruth took John down town today to get shaved.
Sun 25. We did not go any where all day. It was raining. Got a special delivery letter from Dad. He enclosed a couple from Katharine & one from Gertie. Mrs. & Mrs. Robertson, Anna Mae & Billy & Dorothy Nissen came over to see us. She told us a lot of interesting things about Hubbard people.
Mon 26. Ruth & I went to Hubbard today to get our step ladder and pedestals. Ran out of gas & Ruth had to “hike” back for some. It was funny to see her come driving up in a big truck with the gas. In the afternoon we drove to Marshalltown after Alice. We shopped awhile. Had a nice time. Got two cards from Bob. He is hiking to Philadelphia to have an audition at the Curtis school of Music.
Although Bob hitchhiked regularly, this is the first mention I’ve seen of Ruth doing it.
Tue 27. Ruth & I left Eldora about 7 AM to go to Lake City. We stopped a half hour in Webster City to call on Lucile Gunther & to see her new baby “Mary Elizabeth.” We got home about 11 AM. We were glad to get here & Dad was glad to see us. Ruth had a card from Bob & a letter from K. He had stopped to see her. Dad had made me a fine chicken house in the pasture. I look for Mrs. Grooters to bring my chickens tomorrow. Got $25 more from John Lohr.
Wed 28. We got the chickens from Ft. Dodge today. Mr. Grooters brought them. 100 for $15 & $3 worth of feed. Dad built me a nice little chicken house. Bob had his audition today. We will be so glad to hear he is accepted for Curtis. Raining again tonight.
Thu 29. A telegram from Bob this AM says “Accepted” at Curtis. So that means Ruth & Bob will live in Philadelphia next year. We have been very busy today. I got terribly tired. The chickens are doing fine. Dad went to see about having our road graveled & graded. He plans to go before the Council Monday.
Big news! Curtis is a private music conservatory in Philadelphia. It has a small student body, and all students attend on full scholarship
Fri 30. Ruth & I went to Rockwell City to the Ft. Dodge Dist. WFMS Convention. We did not stay for the banquet as Ruth felt punk. Had a bilious attack. Threw up after we got home. I saw many of my friends and had many compliments on my speech. Was elected Dist. Supt. of Young People. We got stuck in the mud as we started and were delayed an hour or so. Dad fixed the fence today. Put up chicken wire so the chickens would not come to the house. Also fixed the opening to mailbox (in fence).
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for May 1937.