A milestone! This starts the second year of Emma’s journal entries. Her first entry was October 19, 1927.
Mon 1. Have been busy this AM with many things. Gerald is still in bed. Dr. Brubaker took him a squirell for his dinner. The girls are asleep. A nice letter from Katharine. We are invited to Eldora tonight.
In case you need some squirrel recipes…
Tue 2. We had a lovely supper in Eldora last night—40¢. Alice treated us. Stayed awhile for the auction. Have decided to go to Joplin tomorrow night.
Joplin, in southwest Missouri, was an active hub for the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Emma was very active. I found a story about the WFMS conference they attended.
Wed 3. Have had a busy day. Finished up my house cleaning. Started for Kansas City from Iowa Falls. Mrs. Johnson & I took a sleeper. Got into KC in AM.
Here’s an excerpt from a 1920s map of US railroad routes, and an interesting story with pictures about 1920s Pullman sleeper cars.
Thu 4. We arrived in KC 7:20, left at 9:20. Ate dinner in Nevada, MO. Arrived in Joplin, MO 2:40. Went to our place—Mrs. Robbins to dress. Heard Dr. Stella Dodd. Called up Margery Lou. Ate supper at Christian church.
This is the church mentioned in the article about the conference.
Fri 5. Attended meeting all day long—a banquet at noon and one at night.
Sat 6. Just talked to Margaret. She has invited me out for dinner this evening. Ate dinner at a café with Margaret & her husband. Had a lovely ride around the city of Joplin. Got caught in a heavy rain.
Sun 7. A beautiful Sunday morning. We are planning to leave for home this PM. Heard a wonderful address by Ida Belle Lewis today. Had a ride through the streets of Kansas City this evening.
Ida Belle Lewis was a missionary and educator in China. While on the faculty at Columbia University Teachers’ College, she wrote a scholarly book on the education of girls in China.
Mon 8. Mrs. Johnson and I got home this AM from Kansas City—or rather Joplin. Had a most wonderful time at the convention. Found every thing alright. Miss Reece called in the evening.
Tue 9. Gerald was down town today. I spent the morning at the shop. Forgot a county SS board meeting in the evening.
Wed 10. Am staying at the shop this AM. Have finished typing my speech for the federation meeting next Friday. Spent the PM in bed.
Thu 11. Mildred Miller helped me today with the washing. I attended the WFMS at Mrs. A. Marshman’s. We had a good meeting.
Fri 12. Mr. Strother took me to Eldora this AM. From there I went with Mrs. Needham to Whitten to the Co. Federation. Was offered the presidency but I did not accept. Came home with Mrs. Nissen. Made the “Response” speech.
Sat 13. It is getting cold. Have spent this morning getting in some plants etc. Helped Mrs. Baker write the rest of the names this PM for the WCTU quilt for Mrs. Haas. Had a Stewards’ board meeting this evening.
Sun 14. Had Gerald & his family over for dinner. They (Gerald & Miriam) left the children here while they went for a ride. We are looking for John & Alice this PM.
John T. Boylan was Tell’s brother; Alice (nee Hurley) was his wife. He was an inspector for the Postal Service in Eldora, and served as Hardin County sheriff for several terms.
Mon 15. Spent the forenoon at the shop. Drove to Eldora after supper. Heard Hoover talk from Boston over the Radio. Has fresh raspberries for supper from Libbie Knowles’ bushes.
Herbert Hoover was the Republican candidate for president in 1928. Here’s some newspaper coverage of this speech.
Tue 16. Did not do much today. Spent the evening at Swallums. Heard a tiny bit of South Sedalia speech. Got my new aquarium today.
Al Smith, the Democratic candidate for president, gave a speech in Sedalia, MO.
Wed 17. It has rained all day. Went down town. Wrote to Katharine. Set out a few fall plants.
Thu 18. The sun has been shining a little today. I built some shelves in my closet today—getting ready for a “Frigidaire”. We went to prayer meeting at night.
Fri 19. I drove Mrs. Swallum’s car to Eldora to S.S. Convention. Mrs. Emma Hornung & Mrs. Martha Hornung went along. Heard Sen. Brookhart at night.
Brookhart was a Republican senator from Iowa.
Sat 20. Helped with the Sub. Dist. E.L. supper this evening. Dr. Hillman & his wife from Indianola were there. He spoke in the evening also.
Dr. John Hillman was an evangelist, college president, and president of the Iowa Anti-Saloon League.
Sun 21. John & Alice came over for dinner today. Rev. Mossman will be here for supper.
Mon 22. Have been making some curtains for Katharine today. Ruth stayed at home today. Had a bilious attack.
Tue 23. Tell went to Cedar Falls today. I am staying at the shop.
Wed 24. I have been draining the pool. Ventured out too far on a weak board…& splash! I fell in. It did not take me long to reach the bathroom and don some dry clothes. We drove to Eldora in this evening to eat supper with Will, Daisey & Nora.
Thu 25. Just finished some curtains for Katharine’s room. Went to a WCTU meeting at Rev. Bock’s in the PM. Dr. Brubaker came along and helped me drain my fish pool at night. Went to bed—sick—Daddy is having a time with Corn Pickers.
Fri 26. Have been busy today getting ready for a S.B. meeting tomorrow. Am asked to speak at Radcliffe Sunday AM.
Sat 27. It was cloudy this morning but sunny & much cooler this PM. We organized the S.B. today. Mrs. Leland came up from Ames. Mrs. Walker is to be Counselor. Six girls were here. Ruth went to Iowa Falls today—she is tired out. John and Alice were here for a few minutes today.
Sun 28. Tell, Ruth and I went to Radcliffe to conduct the morning service for Rev Gedye. Tell sang—Ruth played for him and I talked. We then went to Eldora and ate dinner with the folks. Had a birthday dinner without the birthday girl. We sent Katharine 2 handkerchiefs, a $5 bill, and some curtains & pillows for her room.
Happy 23rd birthday to Katharine, born on this day in 1905!
Mon 29. Mrs. Swallum & I went to Iowa Falls to a WCTU meeting today. We both gave a talk. They entertained their public school teachers. Tell went to Cedar Falls in the PM.
Tue 30. John Lohr came for a short visit today. Got there on the early train. Ruth & I went to a S.B. meeting at Mrs. Walkers in the evening. Tell & John Lohr went to Eldora. Mrs. Walker & I went to Mrs. Swallum’s later in the evening.
Wed 31. Haven’t done a great deal today. As it looked like rain I dug the rest of our potatoes with Libbie Knowles’ help. Got over 5 bu. It is raining tonight.
I hope you have enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals! See you next week for November, 1928.