Emma #135: August 1938
House full of visitors, lots of corn, Gerald in trouble, and a letter to Ruth
As this month opens, Emma and Tell are living on their rented farm in Lake City, IA. Ruth and Bob are home for the summer, as is Katharine, and Emma’s sister Linnie and her husband Gerrit are visiting. Last month we learned that Ruth is expecting her first child.
Mon 1. After doing up the work this A.M.—churning butter etc., we went to Rockwell City for some poison bran mash for Rev. Walker. I bought some measuring cups and some custard cups that go in a holder. This PM we have been canning apples. Gerrit & Katharine are taking sun baths. Ruth has been feeling punk. I beat Linnie & Gerrit at dominoes.
Poison bran mash is a method of controlling grasshoppers, cutworms, and other insect pests.
I found this image of custard cups in a caddy that date from about 1938.
Tue 2. Altho’ the radio said “Hot” everywhere it is cool and nice this AM & we are washing. I have not felt quite so peppy this AM. Cooked & Et!!! We drove out to Gortons after a card which was put in their box. R.E. Gorton looks much like T.E. Grooters. I wrote Gerald.
Wed 3. We did the ironing today—Linnie, Katharine, Ruth & I. Cooked & Et!!! Seven of us. We went down town to draw the $15.00 but did not get it. Gerald is 37 yrs. old today. Bob is tearing down the Franklin. He is a mass of grease.
With a houseful of people, I’m sure the meal preparation and cooking took some effort!
Thu 4. Gerrit & Linnie, Katharine, Ruth & I went to Carroll this AM to trade. I got three dresses for 50¢ each. Got some stuff for a crocheted pocket book.
Fri 5. It has been so hot today that we have all suffered. It has rained a bit & it is very hot. Linnie has been helping Katharine with some dresses. I have done little but cook and wash dishes. Linnie & Gerrit are planning to go home tomorrow. Bob & Ruth went to the SB picnic for me today. Bob had to take a second load. Mrs. Mighel called this PM. Uncle Gerrit drove her home.
Sat 6. Bernadine went visiting today (second time). Uncle Gerrit & Aunt Linnie went home today. They were here a week. We loaded them up with apples, a chicken & some vegetables. I finished Ruth’s baby quilt tonight. It has been the hottest day of the summer—to me. Had my hair waved today. It is the first time since I got my permanent. I have it (my permanent) all paid for.
Bernadine was their cow. Apparently she had a tendency to wander off.
Sun 7. It was cool this morning after a heavy rain last night. It thundered & lightened—& I thought of my turkeys in the storm but they seem alright this morning. Rev. Walker preached. He looks badly. He will not preach any more this month. I taught my class, sang in the choir. It is Bob & Ruth’s third wedding anniversary. We had ice cream for dinner and they have driven to Ft. Dodge. Miss Malen was here and invited us for dinner on Tuesday. With sewing, washing, ironing and canning on I hardly see how we can go but we shall see.
Mon 8. Katharine, Dad & I did the washing today. It is a big one. We also finished the ironing & Katharine got the jars ready to can corn. I had to phone Miss Malen that we could not come tomorrow as we had to can corn. It is ready. She wants us to come on Saturday which we will try to do. Ruth & Bob got home after dinner. We got some cucumbers of Mrs. Brassfield.
Tue 9. This is a lovely cool morning but Radio said yesterday it would be 100° today. But is has not been so bad. We canned 22 qts of corn. Ate one of them for supper. We are all pretty tired of corn but intend to can more tomorrow.
According to this site, sweet corn should be pressure-canned for food safety. I don’t know if Emma did it that way or used the simpler water-bath method. And the National Center for Home Food Preservation, a very small arm of the USDA located at the University of Georgia, says that one bushel of corn yields 6 to 11 quarts, which suggests that Emma et al. must have processed at least 2 bushels. No wonder they are tired of it! You can find instructions here if you want to try it at home.
Wed 10. We canned corn again today. It was a big job. The day has been quite pleasant.
Thu 11. Today we did not seem to accomplish much. Sold a few dozen cans of corn. Louise came to sew. As it is my birthday we had a chicken and made ice cream. Louise staid for supper. I did not go to choir practice. Katharine is so tired these days.
Fri 12. We sewed all day today. It was so nice & cool that we got a lot accomplished. Robert went to Glidden in the evening. Ruth did not go.
Sat 13. Dad, Florence & I went down to McCauleys office and made out a five year contract for the place. The “glories” began to bloom today. Ruth discovered the first one. We are all ready to go to Miss Malen’s via Carroll. Will be gone for dinner. We had a call from Lake City. It was from Gerald. We did not know he was coming. Got some material to cover the dining room chairs and some black “gimp” to crochet a pocket book.
Here’s a late-1930s pattern book for crocheting with gimp, which is a stiff thread made up of a core fiber with another thread wrapped around it.
Sun 14. There was no church in our church today. I did not go to SS as I was so tired. I did not sleep much. We had a chicken dinner today. Gerald, Ruth & Katharine were all here for dinner together. First time for four years. It has been windy today.
A lot has happened in that four years! Emma and Tell lost shop, farm, and home in the Depression, moved to Oregon and back to Iowa, Ruth and Bob got married, and more.
Mon 15. Today we are washing though it is very cloudy. It has proved very hard to get the clothes dry. Am leaving the last ones out all night. I told Mrs. Brassfield she could have sweet corn to can but she had not much more than got here when she was called home. Katharine hemmed or rather bound the new plaid blankets she got for Ruth & me. I went to a SB meeting in the evening and we took some handy hangers home to sell.
Tue 16. It rained nearly all night and is still raining this morning. We have a fire in the cookstove and it feels good. Gerald is still here. Glad I picked the K.W. beans yesterday. They might have been ruined on the vines. Mr. Picht got some sweet corn today. I did not go to WFMS this evening. Mr. Grooters was here for supper. There were seven of us.
In an entry later this month she talks about Kentucky Wonder beans; this is a type of pole bean known for high yields.
Wed 17. I was asked to lead the devotions at Ladies’ Aid and Ruth had to play for Helen Smith to sing. I met Mrs. Herrick—Bess’s sister. She is from St. Louis. A plan is going forward for Ruth & Bob to give a concert next Tues. night. Too tired to go to town tonite for the drawing. We are having a few ripe tomatoes.
Thu 18. Bob, Ruth, Gerald, Katharine & I went to Ft. Dodge today. Katharine & I shopped. Gerald looked up a ride to Des Moines & Ruth went to see the doctor. She is in fine shape. We took our lunch and ate out in the north part of town (Snell Place). Katharine bought me a new dress and hat. Bob & Ruth went to choir practice. A car drove up and the sheriff of the county was after Gerald—but he had gone! None of us got much sleep because of our anxiety over him.
Here’s the entrance to Snell Place, which I believe was a high-end subdivision in Fort Dodge. There is a recreational area called Snell-Crawford Park on Soldier Creek in the northern part of town, which is likely part of this area and where they went to have their lunch.
Fri 19. We got ready for Daggetts today—killed two chickens, made pies & cake etc. etc.—but they did not come. We were so tired out. I made butter & cheese & sold 95¢ worth to Mrs. Purington but Robert needed it for springs for his car. A telegram came from Des Moines. Gerald was asking for money to get home on. Guess he does not know what awaits him there. A letter from Betty tells of Miriam’s starting to work. I wonder when Gerald will go strait. He is always in trouble. He sent the telegram “collect” but we decided not to send money.
Emma and Tell’s oldest child Gerald, his wife Miriam, and their 4 children lived in Mexico, MO. He had some troubles with the law, including charges for check forgery and public intoxication.
Sat 20. Have had Gerald on my mind all day. Things look so bad for him. I can do nothing but pray. My heart is so heavy. Today, Katharine & I covered the three dining room chairs. They look very nice. Ruth has been sewing, too. The days are getting shorter & shorter till it is time for the children to go. It is so hard to see them go. I got a letter from Linnie today. Have picked & dried 6¼ lbs of Kentucky Wonder beans. Will have some Limas, too. Do not think I can teach about Hannah and her baby boy tomorrow. Where is my first born tonight—such sorrow he has brought to me.
In the Old Testament book of 1st Samuel, Hannah, an older, infertile woman prays for a son and promises to dedicate him to God. He goes on to become one of the major Biblical prophets.
Sun 21. Dad took “Lightning” visiting before I got up. It is a lovely cool day. Katharine, Dad & I drove Bob’s car up to Denison today. We saw John & Florence. John does not look very well. He had another stroke and can scarcely walk. Bob did the milking. We started about 10 A.M. & got home about six P.M. We stopped in Glidden on the way home but did not see the Johnsons. Gerald has been on my heart all day. He has strayed so far away.
Mon 22. Today we have been married 38 years. We celebrated by doing the washing. Katharine did most of the ironing. The day was filled with anxiety about Gerald. It looks to us that he may be facing another sentence. How we shrink from it. It is hard to understand why he can not learn his lesson. How can he be this way.
Tue 23. We were surprised this morning to have John Schieferstein drive in on his way home from Lima Ohio—with a school bus. He visited a couple hours and left to stay a little while with Gerrit & Linnie at Orange City. I sent Linnie a few vegetables & apples. We got a card from Betty saying Gerald got home on Sat. P.M. We are so anxious about him. Bob & Ruth put on a fine concert at the church tonite. It was hot—not so big a crowd but they had an offering—17.80. We invited Rev. & Mrs. Johnson out for ice cream.
$17.80 in 1938 would be equivalent to almost $380 in today’s dollars. Meanwhile, in the Mexico, MO paper, an article published on this date mentions Gerald’s arraignment on forgery charges.
Wed 24. Katharine bought her ticket & has packed her things ready to go tomorrow. We had a chicken for supper. It was very good.
Thu 25. Today Katharine went back to Cleveland. Dad & I took her to Carroll. We drove our car which Bob has put in fine shape. We stopped at Glidden on our way back, at Mrs. Leonard’s & Rev. Johnson’s, to find Bob’s lost hat but did not find it. We got a phone call from Helen Grooters saying she was to be married at 4 P.M. today. Ruth had planned to go to Carroll but decided to stay home to pack. I went with Bob & Ruth to Helen’s wedding. She married a man she met at the eating joint where she works—Ed Moon. She has given up all her plans for school and missionary work. It looks rather unwise. I got a casserole for Ruth & Bob to give her & a set of measuring cups from us. Mr. Grooters feels so badly about it. We came home via of the cottage. Howard & his father came that far with us.
Robert’s younger sister Helen was 19; Ed was 23. Despite the family’s misgivings, the marriage seems to have worked out well. They had four children and a long life together.
Fri 26. Ruth & Bob packed till nearly noon and drove to the cottage for dinner & the rest of the day. Ruth is tickled over the broadcloth cape which she plans to use for an evening coat. The separator I ordered today came from Sears. Dad got a check for the two old sows—46.14. He is pleased. We bought a few pears & peaches to can. We are invited to Greens for supper tomorrow evening. Began to use the separator this evening.
Sat 27. This has been a busy day—packing, washing, sewing etc. Bob & Ruth are leaving in the morning for Roland. They plan to be there so Robert can sing at church. Bob Boyd is to preach. We were all down at Greens for supper. They had such a lovely supper. About one night more and they will be gone. It is a lonely feeling. We paid Ruth & Bob $20. It will take 40.00 more. Dad took Bernadine.
Sun 28. Bob & Ruth started East this AM. They left at 6:45 for Roland. Plan to stay at Thalmans in Iowa Falls tonight & at Uncle John’s tomorrow night. We cleaned up the house and went to SS. No church so we have been home all day. It is decidedly lonely here today. Are anxious to know what has become of Gerald. Life is so hard.
Mon 29. Today is washday. Have a big one since the kiddies are gone. Mr. Summerfield needed money so Dad paid him 10.00. He still owes him 3.00. We got a letter from the Foote Co. for Ruth saying they would not need her so we phoned her at Thalmans. They may come back. Dad & I went to the ME church to hear a colored man from Carroll—Mr. Bell—give a student’s recital. I went out to the car & slept.
Tue 30. A card from Ruth says they will not be back. Dad decided to sell the corn for 40¢. Our check was for $88. We saved out about 60 bu to feed. Besse came in to see the doctor—staid for dinner & until about 3 P.M. At about 4 P.M. Bob & Ruth, John & Alice drove up. They had decided to follow our suggestion & come back. The special delivery letter got to John’s just as Bob & Ruth were leaving. Another minute would have been too late. They left their car in John’s garage & drove theirs. They will stay till Thursday. Found Gerald had telegraphed them for money saying his pocket had been picked (from Des Moines). Telegram collect. I washed & ironed the church curtains. Finished them but not the ironing.
Wed 31. John & Alice, Bob & Ruth have spent the day with us. We had a chicken dinner. Bob, Ruth & I went down to the church & put up the curtains I had washed. Alice canned some plums & we picked some apples for her to take home. The Greens called this evening. The folks are leaving in the morning.
Special Feature: Letter to Ruth
I found a 1938 letter to Ruth from a friend…here are some excerpts:
I was amused at Betty Kay today. She was all coached of course that when Bob started to sing she should not even *breathe!* So when the time came, she was a real sport. She stood close to the radio and listened as if it were a matter of life and death. Every now and then she’d whisper, “Mother, is this really Bob?”
I was sorry about water-melon seeds for your folks this year. I sent them along with a big, fat letter and a lot of clippings I thought your mother would enjoy, but Milo and I both thought they lived at Lake Mills—we had misplaced their address. Well, weeks later, the letter was returned, much too late to plant melon seeds. Such is life.
Robert, I heard the Plantation Singers sing “Shortnin’ Bread” the other eve, but oh, boy, not like you used to sing it. Bullock has truthfully done lots for those negro boys, however. The one in the quartet now, who sings bass, has one gorgeous voice. I don’t seem to have ever seen him before.
Here’s an article I found about the Plantation Singers, who studied with Artemus Bullock at the Ellsworth Conservatory of Music in Iowa Falls. I dug around a bit on Charles Younger, the bass, and it looks like he was an active opera singer in Baltimore for a number of years.
This is my little prayer for you before I retire tonight:
I would the Good Shepherd Himself should watch o’er thee Should mark out thy path and go ever before thee Should all through your life with His blessing enfold thee And aye, in His love and His wisdom uphold thee.
With a world of love to both of you—Mabel
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for September 1938.