Emma #128: February 1938
Brown silk gloves, working on Katharine's quilt, and Gerald needs money.
As we begin this month, life on the Lake City farm is moving along with Emma’s usual activities. The radio brings news of the world, including rumblings of war just over the horizon.
Tue 1. It has been cloudy but warmer today. Dad & I spent a couple hours making cookies. Made eight dozen for Mrs. Beulah Townsend—to send to the veterans at Knoxville. She offered me 35¢ per doz. So I have a check for 2.80 this evening. Besse was here a long while this PM. She brought me a little pin cushion on a box containing some spools of mending cotton. I have been working on Mrs. Daggitt’s hooked rug. It is nearly done.
Wed 2. Cloudy & warmer today. I went to Mrs. Robinsons to the Ladies’ Aid—our ward today. I led the Devotions. Wrote to both the girls. Bought them each a pair of brown silk gloves. I am sure Ruth needs hers. She is wearing some that are not mates. Poor kid!! We got nice letters from each of them today. Have a little more to do on Mrs. D’s rug. Will be glad to finish it. We churned this evening. Plan to wash tomorrow if it is at all nice.
According to this post, gloves were a part of daily wear in the 1930s but were not often worn with evening attire. Women matched gloves to other accessories rather than to each outfit, so brown ones would have been a very practical choice.
Thu 3. This has turned out to be lovely day. Dad & I washed. We had to use hard water. Got a postal card from Uncle John. Finished hooking the rug for Mrs. Daggitt. I am disappointed in it. We were just ready to go to town when Mr. & Mrs. Grooters came. We talked about the kids & read their letters. After they left we went to Greens. Took some cottage cheese to them. Sold Mrs. Purington some. Went to Wilsons for the subscription money of SS Times. Gave Green & Grooters some cheese today. Eleven men were killed in a maneuver of army planes off the southern coast of California.
According to this site, two PBY-2 amphibious aircraft (aka Catalinas—large patrol bombers) collided, killing 3 officers and 8 enlisted men.
Fri 4. This has been a dark cloudy day. We made some ice cream today. Dad went to the John Deere Show this afternoon. Mr. Todd came after some cobs. We have plenty to share a few. While eating supper we got a telephone call from Katharine in Cleveland. She wanted to know what to do about a telegram from Miriam asking for $25. No explanation. We could not sleep last night thinking of them but a letter from them today had eased our minds. I suppose Gerald must be in trouble again.
Sat 5. We got two sows from Ed Williams this morning. They cost 49.60. With the hauling they will be over $50. They are nice ones—8¢ per lb. Have cleaned the house, mended, ironed & kept pretty busy. We got a telegram from Gerald asking for 10.00. It cost 70¢ for the telegram & 96¢ to send the 10. He said Miriam was sick. Wish we knew just what to believe about them. Of course they have nothing. Mrs. Brassfield & Vera Seay were here today. We ordered 11 aprons. Mrs. Williams was here. We paid her 25 on the hogs.
It sounds like Gerald and Miriam are pretty desperate, sending pleas to Emma, Tell, and Katharine for money.
Sun 6. Another beautiful Sunday! Dad got up early and went to the church. I got ready for church & Besse Williams came after us. She also brought us home. We had a nice dinner. I made some candy—and was I glad! Mrs. & Mrs. Leonard & Donald drove in to spend the afternoon. We had a nice visit. As there is no church Tell will not have to go back to church tonight. Think I will write to Gertie.
Mon 7. We were disappointed in not hearing from Gerald today. We cannot imagine what the trouble is. Got a card from Miss Malen. I went to Monday club at Mrs. Mighells this PM. It was a lovely day and I enjoyed meeting with the ladies. They asked me to take a meeting at the last of the year. Had my hair waved today. Bought some goods for an apron this PM. Churned this forenoon. Got about 1½ lbs of butter. Wrote John Lohr & sent him the signed note for $100. We now owe him $250.
John Lohr was Tell’s brother-in-law, the widower of his sister Maloa, who died in 1928. He was living in Wahpeton, ND, with his daughter and son-in-law.
Tue 8. We killed a chicken today. Mr. Brassfield hauled gravel for us & was here for dinner. We also called for Mrs. B to come. Before she left Besse came & staid awhile. I went to Brassfields after school to help in the play for SB. We got a special delivery letter from Gerald saying he asked for the ten dollars to pay for tires. Of course we know we are fooled again. Miriam was not sick as he said. Suppose we will never know the truth unless he is converted.
Wed 9. Have sewed for Besse Williams today. Besse was here for dinner & supper. I have made 1.50. Sold her an apron that cost .22 for 35¢. A letter from John Lohr says Gerald telegraphed him for $15 collect. I feel so badly over his actions. He brings us nothing but grief and sorrow. A letter from Ruth—she is talking about coming home next summer. We will be so glad to see them. Bob is to be given a chance to sing for a Woman’s Club they think. Will get $15.
Thu 10. Mr. Grooters called early this AM. He is happy over selling a carload of feed. We got a letter with check from Katharine today, also one from Linnie. They have rented an apartment in DC. Mr. Watson Davis is interviewing Mr. Lauriston Taylor—is talking on High powered X-rays. Used to be 300,000 power, now to 1 or 2 million voltage. X-rays are like light waves—1/trillionth of an inch. Have a vacuum tube—one end filament heated, metal tungsten at one end. Electrons are pulled. Faster they are pulled the greater the power. X-ray burns are dangerous. Longline of martyrs in X-Ray discoverers. (Like sunburns.) Important to know how to measure it on patients. National Bureau of Standards have perfected an X-ray meter. High powered rays are safer than low powered. Hidden flaws discovered. Pipes of Boulder Dam where engines go through have every inch X-rayed. Mrs. Brassfield & several of the SB girls were down for awhile after school.
Dr. Lauriston Taylor was a physicist who worked in the field of radiation protection and measurement, and played a major role in setting standards for x-ray radiation exposure. Watson Davis was a science columnist and former engineer who became the director of the Science Service (now the Society for Science) in 1933. He hosted “Adventures in Science,” a weekly radio program that ran from 1938 to 1958, in which he interviewed an expert scientist on a relevant topic. Here’s a recording of one of his shows from 1946.
Fri 11. It has been a cloudy day. I have been working on Katharine’s quilt this AM. Went to Mrs. Weakland’s to WCTU. They asked me to report on the Washington page in Union Signal for six months. Went in to “The Corner Store.” Think perhaps I can sell some cheese there. We got a card from Ruth. She and Bob are to sing in a Special Lenten choir with extra pay & a dinner each week. Her gloves fitted her nicely.
The Union Signal was the newsletter of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. This 1939 edition commemorates the 100th birthday of Frances E. Willard, one of the organization’s founders.
Sat 12. Lincoln’s Birthday. Japan has refused to reveal whether she is building war vessels so US, Britain & France feel they are freed from their contract & will probably start a big building campaign for war. Earthquake near Gary, Ind this AM. Des Moines has a special election today as to whether they will have the manager plan. It is very foggy and cloudy today.
After World War I there were a number of international treaties to prevent a naval construction arms race, including the Second London Naval Treaty of 1936, in which Japan elected not to participate.
Sun 13. The day has not turned out as forecast yesterday. Instead of rain or snow we have had wind and sunshine. Tell got up at 3 AM his usual Sunday AM time. I went to SS and church. Had but three in my class—one a visitor. We had a lesson on Sunday Observance. This PM I have written Ruth, Katharine, Miriam, Mrs. Daggitt & a card to Ames. Have also started a book by Grace Livingston Hill called “Amorelle” which I think is childish. Would rather read in “Christ of Every Road” by Stanley Jones. Heard Bishop Oxnam speak from Omaha. I am suffering from a weepy cold.
Garfield Bromley Oxnam was a social reformer and a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His story is a fascinating one that includes being investigated (and cleared) by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1953 over accusations that he was a Communist. He was one of the founders of Americans United, which supports the separation of church and state and published this biographical profile.
Mon 14. Valentine’s Day! Have been working on Katharine’s appliquéd quilt today. Am only on the second block and there are twelve. It takes a long while. A letter from Mrs. Daggitt today wants my Advocate subscription for their club & Rev. Walker wants it here. Mrs. Brassfield & Betty called this evening to get some Bible helps I had made for her. We got our Bible booklets on Scripture Memorizing today.
Tue 15. It has been snowing today. Bess spent the afternoon with me. Thought I would not go to the WFMS this evening but since Mrs. Brassfield wants me to go and would come after me, I went. Mr. Grooters came about seven—will spend the night here. Am planning to go to Rockwell City tomorrow.
Rockwell City is the county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa. This is the courthouse, built in 1918 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, which features a three-story rotunda with a stained glass skylight.
Wed 16. I went with Rev. & Mrs. Walker to R. City to the Methodist meeting. Mrs. Green, Louise and Mrs. Brassfield also went. Took our dinners & entertained the Walkers. We had a very fine meeting. Felt the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the meeting. It snowed through the day and we were glad to arrive home safely. In the evening we went to Johnson’s to practice for the play the SB girls are to give. I was pretty tired out. Found letters from each of the girls when I got home. Katharine had passed her gloves on to Besse. I hope sometime to give Katharine something she really wants. Maybe the work on the quilt!! I hope to finish it this winter. Two blocks are done. It is very slow work. Of course, I am glad that she wants to share with Besse. She is so unselfish and I am selfish.
Thu 17. This has been a cold snowy day. We have staid at home all day. I got a call from Mrs. Wright about Monday club. I am to ask a guest and we are both to wear something suggesting our hobby. I have read a book today by Kathleen Norris called “My Best Girl”. Called Mrs. Fish, Mrs. Wassenier’s mother, to ask her to be my guest.
This novel was adapted into a silent film starring Mary Pickford in 1927. Here’s a poster from the movie, and a summary of the plot. (Short version: A shopgirl finds herself falling in love with her co-worker. Unbeknownst to her, he is the owner's son in disguise.)
Fri 18. Have worked on Katharine’s quilt today. We have done very little else. This afternoon I spent with Mrs. Brassfield. She wanted me to study the SS Lesson with her. We had a nice time. I wrote a little piece for the Brassfield boy for League tonight. A welcome speech for the others.
Sat 19. Today has been busy. I walked down town and had my hair waved. It is quite a long trip. It took so long for me to do the work up this AM and then walk down town and back that I did not get much time to work on the quilt. I bought goods for a new apron.
Sun 20. Dad walked to the church twice. I was going to walk but Bess came after me. I had four in my class. We had a fine dinner today—chicken, ice cream, etc. Heard Bishop Oxnam a little. Tell has no time for him. It has turned much warmer. We did not go out this evening.
Mon 21. Hen should hatch. Today is Monday club. I am taking Mrs. Fish as my guest. It meets at Mrs. Howells. Made cottage cheese. Sold 2 lbs. Have almost 3.00 in my Turkey fund. Had a nice time at Monday Club. Worked till 10:30 on the third block but did not finish it. It takes about a week for a block—working in all my spare time.
Tue 22. This has been Washday at the Boylans. We decided not to wash because it was snowing but after Dad got back from the church, and I had baked cookies and a cherry pie, we did the washing. Then I worked on the quilt and finished the third block and started the fourth. Went to Mrs. Brassfields this evening to help the girls with their play practice.
Yum! Cherry pie! Here’s a traditional recipe I found.
Wed 23. Mrs. Brassfield called to ask me to go to call on Mrs. Lochner this AM as her mother, Mrs. Best, had died. We went. In the PM we went to call on Sarah and Evelyn Richardson—two motherless girls who are having a hard time, then to call on Mrs. Irke who is in bed with flu after having almost recovered from a broken hip. In the evening Besse came & stayed till 12:30. I was pretty tired.
Thu 24. Dad had to spend a lot of time at the church today—a funeral and three practices. He was gone till nearly ten at night. I have ironed some and written to the girls today. Spent quite a little time on Katharine’s quilt and making an apron. Mr. & Mrs. Grooters drove in just as I was frying steak for dinner. Ate dinner with us. We had a nice visit. Mr. Grooters bought me 18 chickens from Wereneck? I am putting them with my old hen who just hatched three. She has taken them all.
Fri 25. It is warmer today. Have finished the ironing. Bess came after me and we called on Mrs. Nelson to talk about turkeys. Learned a lot!! Besse brought me a large veal steak from her locker. She wants me to help her with her house dresses.
I was interested to learn that in the 1930s, because many people had ice boxes but no means to keep food frozen over a period of time, some meat market owners installed rental lockers in which people could keep their meats and vegetables frozen.
Sat 26. It has been a lovely day. I baked two pies, listened to the story over WOL—Judge Priest Turns Detective by Irvin Cobb & then Dad & I drove out to Summerfields to ask about geese. Besse & Mrs. Brassfield were here this PM to study the SS lesson. Mrs. B. brought us a lovely beef roast. Tell went to look at a cow & Mr. Johnson gave him some carrots. People are kind to us. I feel pretty tired tonight. Have a sore mouth. France is going to resist the spread of Fascism. Tomorrow is Margery Jean’s birthday—17 yrs old.
Irvin S. Cobb was an author, humorist, and columnist from Kentucky. His character Old Judge Priest was based on a prominent West Kentucky judge.
Sun 27. Not so cold today but terribly muddy. Dad drove the car to church. I taught a big class—both Mr. Pratts and mine. We had a nice dinner—the roast Mrs. Brassfield gave us, ice cream, mulberry pie, cake etc. In the afternoon I wrote Katharine, Gerald, Ruth, Linnie & started a letter to John Lohr. Miss Sterret & Hilma called in the evening about WFMS program. I worked the cross word puzzle except one word. Wrote a poem for Margy Jean’s birthday this AM also a jingle for Mrs. Brassfield. She came after it in the PM. We talk of going to Eldora tomorrow.
Mon 28. Mrs. McCrary called to ask me to bake an angel food cake this AM. I did—best I could. Hope it was good. Have worked on the quilt the most of the day. Gave up the Eldora trip as we could not get Mr. Todd to do the chores. It has been a lovely day, tho’ a little cloudy.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for March 1938.