As this month begins, Emma and Tell are winding down the year on their farm in Lake City. Tell is working as a caretaker at the church. The chickens are laying lots of eggs, with Emma keeping a record of daily production in her journal.
Wed 1. A lovely morning! Did my ironing. Made 2 lbs of butter. Went to Mrs. Robinson’s to an Aid Luncheon. Promised to help with the cookbooks our ward is making. We got a letter from Katharine today. Looked for Gerald but he is not here yet. Dad met the train but no word from him. 16 eggs today.
I found this blog post with a picture of a cookbook made in 1937 by a Methodist Episcopal group in nearby Spirit Lake—probably very similar to the one Emma’s group was working on. It included advertising from local businesses, including funeral homes, furniture stores, cafes, and more. I also learned that Iowa State University has an extensive historical cookbook collection. They note that “these cookbooks represent much about whom we are as Iowans and how we have evolved to this point. They provide a mirror to the societal and cultural roots from which they emanate and provide a peek at some aspects of the value systems of their authors and organizations.”
Thu 2. It is cooler this AM. Dad met the morning train but Gerald did not come. I sent about 6 lbs of cheese to town. Wrote Kate, Katharine, Ruth & Mrs. Townsend. Took them to the Star Route Mail. Got some meat & sweet potatoes. A good thing for Mr. Grooters came for supper. Got the family letter today (Troutman). 17 eggs today.
In 1935, the National Star Route Mail Carrier’s Association was founded as a trade association for mail delivery contractors to the US Postal Service. According to their web site, the term “star route” goes back to the mid-1800s, when the nation’s frontiers were rapidly expanding:
“When delivering to far-flung regions, the post office often had to entrust the mail to stagecoaches, sometimes with unreliable results and usually for exorbitant fees.In 1845, Congress passed a law mandating that mail contracts go to the lowest bidder who could give assurances of quick and reliable delivery. They framed this obligation in three words: ‘celerity, certainty and security.’ Postal clerks of the era used those three words to denote contract delivery routes in their ledgers, but quickly tired of the repetition and replaced them with three stars, giving rise to the term ‘star route.’ Star routes were formally renamed Highway Contract Routes in 1970, but the original term is still widely used today.”Here’s a fun, short video showing some of the places served by Star Routes.
Fri 3. Another nice day. We could let the chickens out today. Have been sewing today for Bess Williams. Finished a dress for her. She came in about 9 AM & left about 4 PM with the dress on. Dad met the train again but Gerald did not come. A letter from Ruth tells of anxiety about their job. A letter from Mrs. Johnson told of Mrs. Humphreys death. Was buried Nov. 30. 12 eggs today.
Sat 4. I was surprised to see Gerald get out of the car with Dad. He had been called back to MO as chief witness on a trial. He is out of work and has come to Iowa to see what he can find. Things are not going quite so good with Bob. Mr. & Mrs. Williams were in for a few minutes this evening. He had a flat tire which Gerald helped to fix. 17 eggs today.
Sun 5. A real cold Sunday. Dad went to the church about three AM. Slept this PM for a couple hours or so. Gerald did not go to church. Says he has no clothes. We had a helpful SS lesson. 20 eggs today.
Mon 6. This has been a very pleasant day. Went to the Monday Club for the first time with Mrs. Short. It met at Mrs. Ashfords. Each one gives some current news item for Roll call. Each member gives a paper on some phase of woman’s work this year. Mrs. Wright gave one today on “Women in Art.” Coffee or tea, three tiny sandwiches, two cookies were served. Mrs. Walker asked me to ride home with them. 15 eggs today.
In contrast to many of the groups Emma was part of, this one was apparently a social club with a focus on learning and self-improvement. I have a fun piece to share about the Monday Club in the January 1938 post.
Tue 7. We have been having a blizzard today. Dad has walked to the church a couple times. He has been building a work bench in the basement. Gerald is here. Wants to find a job but just now is sleeping on the cot. 16 eggs.
Wed 8. Mrs. Williams was here today for dinner. I helped her make an apron. I did not go to the bazaar. Mrs. Townsend & her sister & Mrs. Williams called here after bazaar. I was working on my rug. Wrote the family (Boylan) letter this evening for Dad. It has been here a couple days. Heard from both Ruth and Katharine today. 17 eggs.
Thu 9. It is cold today. Dad has taken my cottage cheese to town—about 5½ lbs. I will have 5½ doz eggs to sell today I think. It is good to pay for the groceries this way. We got a post card from Ruth. 18 eggs.
Most egg production at this time was done in backyard systems like Emma’s. According to this site, a dozen eggs cost .36 in 1937 (about $7.84 in today’s dollars). I don’t know if Emma got this full amount in trade, but it sounds like she was able to offset at least some of the grocery bill with her dairy products and eggs. I did a little quick math on her daily tallies and found that the daily average was a little over 16 eggs.
Fri 10. This has been an anxious day. Ruth, Linnie, Gerald, Katharine all have their problems—and I make them mine. I made some hominy today. It tastes good. Gerald has some hope for a job. He received a letter from Miriam today. 13 eggs.
Here’s a video on making hominy at home from dried corn.
Sat 11. Dad & Gerald have gone to see Geo. Stanfield about a job—Gerald wants to drive a freight truck for him. It is a little warmer today. Snow predicted for tomorrow. Bess Williams has invited us out for dinner tomorrow. 17 eggs.
Sun 12. A busy day! Dad got up at 3 AM to build the fire at the church. We went to SS & church. After church we went to Bess Williams for dinner. Gerald did not go. After we got there Gerald phoned that Florence and two of the teachers were coming over. They got here about three. We had a nice visit. I got a little lunch for them. They started back about 5:45. Dad & I went to League & church at night. Had a service of song—Christmas Carols. It is raining & freezing tonight. 19 eggs.
Mon 13. Dad had to go to church several times today. We decided to sell half of our corn today. It has not been so cold. Got a letter from Katharine. Wrote letters today to Linnie, Miss Malen, Ruth & Katharine. Gerald, Dad & I played dominoes tonight. Dad beat! 10 eggs.
Tue 14. A dark and dismal day. Rain & sleet. Gerald has been waiting for a call from the truck driver. He is still hoping to get a job. We cleaned a chicken and sent it to Miriam today, also had one for dinner. I sold a pound of cheese. It just paid the postage on the chicken to Mexico, MO. 16 eggs.
Wed 15. Began the day by writing a Christmas verse. Baked cookies and Gerald churned for me. Worked on my rug awhile. Bess was here again, also Mr. Grooters. Guess Gerald will get a job on the truck. I wrote a Christmas letter to Katharine tonight. Gerald is studying to take examination for license (chauffeurs).
Thu 16. A wonderful day. Snow and ice have nearly all melted. The trees in our yard were beautiful—all decorated with frost. They made beautiful Christmas trees. I went to town with Dad. We bought our little Christmas tree. I have it decorated. Wrote a poem! about a Christmas tree. We sent Ruth $2. And a pound of butter. I went down to Mrs. Brassfield’s awhile today. Also wrote a letter to Katharine. 17 eggs.
I found this beautiful image of frosty trees in Iowa by travel photographer Brian Abeling on this site.
Fri 17. We had the one crib of corn shelled today. Saved back 50 bu. of shelled corn to feed. 44½. We sold 440 bu. of corn. Got 196.03. Cost 8.00 to shell. Gerald helped with the shoveling. He took a cold because he got so warm. Bess was in to have me help her with some aprons. Went to the WFMS Christmas party at Mrs. Grantham’s in the evening. Had an exchange of gifts. I got a small bud vase.
This price of 44½ cents per bushel is consistent with this listing of Iowa corn and soybean prices by month and year. This is way down from the previous December, when prices were over $1.00/bu, but they stayed this low for quite—not getting above .50/bu until early 1940.
Sat 18. It is snowing this evening. I went down town this PM with Bess and again tonight with Gerald. We bought 8.75 worth of clothes for Gerald. Got a fine pair of boots for 4.75. Bess brought the four roasters I bought. They cost me 4.42—only market price. I wrote both of the girls today. 20 eggs.
Sun 19. It snowed last night. Dad got up early as usual to go to the church. We went to SS & church as usual. I taught Dad’s and my class. We had a beef roast for dinner—Gerald had it nearly ready. Louise gave me a book to read “The Souls Sincere Desire.” Dad & I went to the Pres. church in the evening. 15 eggs.
This 1925 book on prayer by Glenn Clark is considered a classic. According to this article it compares effective prayer to an effective golf swing(!) You can find the full document here.
Mon 20. Went to town today to buy me some shoes. Got a pair of Selby shoes for 5.85—5.99 with tax. Got my hair waved. Went to the Monday club this PM. Had a nice time. It was at Mrs. Ferguson’s. We had a Christmas party.
Tue 21. This has been a lovely day. Snow has all melted. We did the washing and scrubbing. Dad & Gerald went to the sale. Dad bought some alfalfa hay. After they came back we went out to Williams for feed (barley). They asked us to stay for supper which we did. I wrote a letter to Billy this AM. 23 eggs today.
Wed 22. This has been a lovely day. I did the ironing, baked cookies, went to the Aid (Christmas party) went with Bess to the country for a gobbler—did some shopping & home. Bess was here for supper.
Thu 23. Snowed some tonight. It is much colder today. Dressed three chickens—one for Miriam & one for Will which we sent. Will send some to the girls next week. Dad has spent most of the day at the church. I wrote several letters.
Fri 24. Bess was here this PM. She did not feel well. Staid for supper. We went to the church program at night. I made ice cream today. Lighted the candles for Bob & Ruth as they requested. Heard Roosevelt speak over Radio.
Here is the text of Roosevelt’s 1937 Christmas greeting to the nation, and you can listen to a recording of it here (the last few words, “…and I saw by his face that once more he heard the voice of the herald angels.” are cut off.)
Sat 25. Gerald, Dad & I ate Christmas dinner together. Chicken, potatoes, corn, fruit salad, fruit cake, ice cream, coffee. We got a nice special delivery from Katharine. Suppose John got ours. Heard the King of England & the Emperor Selassie speak over the Radio. For Christmas I got a bed spread & fruit cake, candles & book, greetings & candy.
Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, was living in exile after Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia. On Christmas Day 1937, he gave a radio address to the American people from his home at Fairfield House in Bath, England. You can find the text of this address here.
Sun 26. A lovely day! Started to feed the hens a hot mash today. Dad & I went to SS & church. Not much inspiration in the service. Talked to Mrs. Nelson a minute about raising turkeys. Gerald is still here. It does not look as tho’ he would get the trucking job. Mrs. Williams came in and went to the candle lighting service with us at Pres. church.
Mon 27. Made cottage cheese & sold it today. Also churned. Wrote a number of letters yesterday.
Tue 28. Spent the day with Bess Williams at a Farm Bureau meeting. Dad took me out and came after me. He staid for supper. Gerald milked in the evening.
Wed 29. A lovely sunshiny morning. Printed “Happy New Year” in frost on the screen. Came back in sunshine. Got a nice letter from Ruth this AM. I went to the SB meeting at Andersons this PM. We had a fine meeting. Had a Christmas Exchange party. Played dominoes tonight.
Thu 30. We washed and churned this morning. Dad went to the church to work. He is now getting the car ready to go to Glidden tomorrow PM. We plan to stay for the Watchnight Service.
Fri 31. We have been hoping for a nice day and we have it. We went to Glidden to Miss Malens. Ate supper with her. We went to see an acreage that Gerrits might want and saw Florence. Then we staid for a watch night service. A quartette of young men from John Fletcher college & Rev. Cooley from Coon Rapids were there. Saw the New Year come in on our knees. Came home to a “bitter rind.”
With Gerald visiting, I am afraid that “coming home to a bitter rind” meant that they found he had been drinking. And here’s a picture of John Fletcher College, a Christian school in Oskaloosa, Iowa that is no longer in existence.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for January 1938.