Emma #137: October 1938
Trip to Kansas City, listening to the Radio, family letters & packages, and picking corn
Sat 1. Dad sold the hogs today. Check was for 232.30. Not so much as we expected but they did not weigh as much as we hoped they would. Will get our chickens (50 from Mrs. Foley) today. Also will pay some bills. So glad to have something to pay with. Have a lot to do today to get ready to go to K.C. Tuesday A.M. Am helping with the Monday Club luncheon.
Sun 2. Dad & I drove to Sac City to Conf. Heard Bishop Flint preach in the A.M. Then we were invited to the Strom home with Rev. & Mrs. Muhleman for dinner. Heard Rev. Kamphoefner at 2 PM in the Memorial service, and stayed for the Ordination service at 3. Harvey Walker was one of the six young men who were ordained as elder or deacons. We brought Rev. Wardle home with us. Gave him & the other preacher with him each a chicken when they left. Dad is not quite so busy since the hogs are gone.
Mon 3. Monday Club has taken up most of the day. After breakfast I cleaned two chickens, took the cream to the store—went to Louise Green’s and managed to keep busy all day. We served creamed chicken & biscuit, sweet potatoes, string potatoes, pickles, plum sauce, coffee or tea—sponge cake with a dressing of orange, & a gelatin salad. Am about ready to go to Kansas City in the morning. The news from Miriam is so disheartening. I can scarcely hold up.
Emma included this recipe in the entry: 2 oranges—rind grated, 2 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar. Cook till thick. When cold add whipped cream to it. Serve over cake. It is very similar to this orange crème anglaise recipe.
Tue 4. Hilma came out here early to go to K.C. with the Johnsons. We had a lovely trip. Stopped for breakfast in Maryville, Mo. Had a flat tire in K.C. The meeting was held in Broadway church. We were assigned to the Gobiet home. Took a taxi out there.
Broadway church is now Keystone United Methodist Church. Its sanctuary is home to a number of beautiful stained-glass windows.
Emma also listed the address of their hosts in the journal, and I found this image of the home they stayed in. It was built in 1929.
Wed 5. We went early and staid late at the convention. The big thing of the day was the Sacrificial dinner—the testimonies of answered prayer and the offering of $2900. I gave $1.00. We were so tired and yet Hilma & I talked late before going to sleep.
Thu 6. We went to the church this A.M. After hearing the opening of the service we decided to go down town. We four women went together. Saw the stores and shopped awhile. Ate lunch and walked to the large hall where the Uniting Conference is to be held. Back on the streetcar to the church in time to hear Dan Brummet. The fellowship dinner at night with the missionary speakers was grand. After the service the Johnsons (Hilma’s cousin & her husband) took us for a ride in their car for a few miles. We went to the Plaza. Shop windows were beautiful.
Kansas City, MO’s Country Club Plaza, which opened in 1923, is considered to be the first planned large outdoor suburban shopping center in the US. Covering 14 blocks, it is inspired by the architecture of Seville, Spain, and includes statues, fountains, and sculptures.
Fri 7. We started home from Kansas City this A.M. about 6. Got here about 1 P.M. Ate a lunch at the Johnson Cafe. There were six in our party. Dr. & Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Turner & Mrs. Fowler from Ft. Dodge, Hilma & I. Found a letter from each of the girls. Have heard no more from Gerald but I am sure I will not be tempted above that I am able! Bess came in awhile and after supper Dad and I went to a SS Board meeting. Forgot to say we went down to see Walkers before they left. She gave me a lot of iris. We caught our turkey ready to sell. I will clean it in the morning. Also have to churn.
This is a reference to 1 Corinthians 10:13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (King James Version)
Sat 8. Dressed my first turkey today. It brought me $3.00. Then I churned & sold three lbs of butter. Sold 8½ pints of cream and 3 doz eggs. It seems so good to have some money coming in. After getting the house cleaned up after being away so long, I called Mrs. Brassfield to come up to study. She came & before she left Rev. Robinson came to town—called me and I invited him for supper. I was ready for bed when night came. I want to get Ruth’s cape fixed and sent to her soon.
Sun 9. We went to SS and church as usual this morning. I sang in the choir. Our new pastor Rev. Robinson preached and we liked him. He preached about living in the City of God. Gave its boundaries: Abide in me. Be fruit bearing. Take up your cross. Love one another. It was a good sermon. He helped Mrs. Brassfield in her S.S. when Peterson tried to cow her. After a hurried dinner we rested and read. Went to town to shut the church intending to go to the Pres. church but there was none there. We brought a pint of ice cream home with us.
Mon 10. I ripped Ruth’s cape up and took it to Louise this A.M. I want to get it to her by the 18th when Bob gives his concert. I got the fasteners in Des Moines. We decided to have it cleaned today & it is now being sewed on as I just talked to Louise (7 P.M.) We heard from Miriam today. Gerald is still in Mexico. I am counting on his coming up here to help pick corn. We went to Glidden to see Owen Malen today. He will come up a week from today. He is to have the “kids room” and bring his own bedding. Mrs. Brassfield & Betty came up to pick ground cherries. We must have picked up three bushels this evening. I paid Wernick today—18.97. I am so glad to have it all paid. He may buy hatching eggs of me.
It sounds like Gerald must have gotten a parole from prison if he is potentially available to come up to Iowa from his home in Mexico, MO.
Tue 11. This morning I churned. Got 4 lbs of lovely butter. It is such a joy to have so much to do with. Then I washed the windows on the outside which was quite a job on account of the paint on them. Little by little things are getting done. We gathered in the sweet corn seed. We have sweet potatoes to dig, pumpkins to get, nuts to pick up & kraut to make. It is a lot of fun to garner things in for the winter. Mr. Grooters was here for supper. We paid him in full and gave him a nice hen to take home. Poor Helen. She is at home. Her husband is driving a taxicab.
In the August post, we learned that Robert’s younger sister Helen married (unwisely, in Emma’s opinion) at age 19.
Wed 12. It rained a little last night. I have a few ground cherries to cut & some beans to shell. Dad has gone to the church as it is Ladies’ Aid day. This was to be his last day but they haven’t found anyone to take his place.
Thu 13. Today was washday & I had a big one. Then there were some olive oil pickles and ground cherry preserves to finish & can. I also had to go to town for several things. Baked a cake for the SS party. There was a nice group there & a class was organized with Rev. Robinson as teacher. We were pretty tired when night came. Sent Ruth her cape today. It cost 39¢ to send, 2.00 to Louise, 60 for lining, 50 cents for cleaning, 50 cents for fasteners = 3.99, really $4.00 in all. I surely hope it suits her. The silk lining must have cost $2.00 too.
Fri 14. Bess wants me to come out today so I am taking my work—ground cherries to husk, beans to hull & my fancy work. Am waiting till the mail comes. Sending a grip of clothes to Miriam, curtains & coats. Am taking cream to town. Got 80 cents for my cream & it cost 82¢ to send the grip to Miriam. I took my ground cherries out to Bess’s today. Gave her a lot & we husked 10 qts which I sold for $1.50. We got a letter from Miriam and one from Ruth. Ruth wants her rug. She is anxious over money and clothes. We will send the rug & box soon. I took the silverware to Mrs. Robinson’s today. She has lovely things.
Sat 15. Churning again today! Sold 3 lbs at 30¢ today, also sold a turkey for $2.65, cream for .80, eggs .21. It seems so good to take in a little money. This afternoon I ironed. Had a good sized one. Before I got through Mrs. Brassfield came to study the SS lesson. I took her home & got some bread. Heard from Mrs. Daggitt thanking me for the rug I had made for her. Also got a card from Linnie. They went to Sioux Falls yesterday or were to. They are looking for an acreage to rent. Hope Ruth likes her cape! She should have got it today! Heard from Ruth & Katharine.
Sun 16. SS & Church. It is more interesting since Rev. Robinson is here. He is a bit hard to understand. We were home all day. Hilma Green came for awhile to plan for the WFMS meeting. We had a nice church service tonight. Glad to get into bed. I wrote to Linnie, Gertie, Ruth & Katharine.
Mon 17. A wonderful washday but I did not wash. Instead I picked up ground cherries, got Owen’s room ready and had a lovely day “doing as I pleased.” Took Florence with me when I drove out to see Mrs. Touley about getting more hens. She was not at home. It is not far. We looked for Owen today but he did not arrive. Dad went to the League Rally at the church. I staid at home. Listened to the “Hour of Charm” & several other Radio programs while I looked over ground cherries. Some lovely music comes over the radio. Dorothy Thompson talked.
The Hour of Charm was a radio program featuring a 22-piece all-female orchestra and choir that ran from 1934 to 1948. Originally conceived as a novelty act, the quality of the musicians and their music kept audiences returning. More information and some recorded episodes here.
Dorothy Thompson was one of the few women news commentators broadcasting in the 1930s. Becoming a foreign correspondent in 1920, she was appointed the head of the New York Evening Post’s Berlin bureau, interviewed Hitler in 1931, and in 1934 became the first American journalist expelled from Nazi Germany. This PBS video tells her story.
Tue 18. Have been listening to the story from Ames by Dorothy Canfield Fisher —“The Bent Twig.” It starts out rather interesting. We went out to Evans to see about chickens. Also went to Touleys but she did not want to sell any more. Got my hair washed & set today. We had a pot luck supper at the church tonight. I gave a short report of the convention.
Dr. Dorothy Canfield Fisher, named by Eleanor Roosevelt as one of the ten most influential women in the United States, was an educational reformer and social activist in the area of adult education. She is known for popularizing the Montessori method of child-rearing/education in the US—The Bent Twig is a novel describing a young woman raised in a home that embodies the Montessori principles. It is in the public domain, and available here.
Wed 19. After doing up the morning work I went to town. As I returned home I saw some men stealing pumpkins from my corn field. I drove down to ask them if they thought it fair to take them. Paid me 25¢ for two. I gathered in 11 today. A lot are still green. Sold $1.00 cream & 90¢ worth of butter today. We are getting Ruth’s rug & box ready to send. I made some kraut today. We caught our pullets today. Had 149 red ones. Put in 155 in the laying house. Have 41 Buff Orp, about 20 white leghorns, some Eng. Cornish & perhaps 30 turkeys. Bess came this evening and helped us with them. We got a letter from Gerald today. He is still in Mexico.
Thu 20. This morning we got Ruth’s rug wrapped up & sent it with her box. It cost $2.43 to send it. Dad has been making a cellutex door for the chicken house. We fixed a chicken for the reception for the preacher tonite. I started cleaning house today. Got part of the woodwork washed. Will try to finish it tomorrow. Had to make a speech welcoming the preacher tonight. Did not know it till I got there. Besse got in awhile tonight. She was anxious about driving as her lights were so dim. We got a letter from Chris today. Am praying that Gerald may be up here to help pick corn. Mr. Seymore is to take the janitor work on Nov. 1st.
Fri 21. This has been house cleaning day. I began yesterday & have been painting the floors. The real event of the day was when Owen drove in bag & baggage. He brought his bedding, mattress & all. He will sleep in the “kiddies” room. It has turned much cooler.
Sat 22. It was raining a little this A.M. and we were afraid there would be no corn picking but it cleared & the first day saw 67 bushels in the crib. I painted the bedroom floor & then went to town with cream and eggs. Got some groceries. It has been a busy day. After cleaning & canning a few pickles & pimentos, baking some bread etc. etc. I feel a bit tired. Mr. Grooters was here awhile. Mrs. Brassfield came to study the SS lesson. Margie Jean Williams came to have me fit her skirt. She had two girls with her—the paper boy—Owen—I feel a bit like a Merry-go-Round. I am so glad the chickens are in the barn. The young ones need to be taken care of some way.
Good grief! It makes me tired just to read about it!!
Sun 23. Dad had to get up early to go to the church. It will soon be over for this is his last month. We went to SS & church. I had both classes. Guess Dad & I will take the class together. Owen spent the Sunday picking up fuel. We studied the “Fourth Commandment.” We did not get time to rest much. Called on Mrs. Dannen. Then Besse came & staid for supper & went to church. She could not hear the preacher. Mr. Mighell died today. It has turned cold. The flies are about gone tho’ our garden is not frosted yet.
The fourth commandment is about observing the Sabbath and keeping it holy. Here’s a nice blog post about some ways to do this that incorporates the Danish concept of “hygge.”
Mon 24. We are planning a box to send to Katharine. I washed today. Dad is picking corn so he could not help. Had to stop & go to town which bothered me. Cleaned a five-pound chicken for Katharine tonite.
In the family files, there is a postcard sent to Ruth on this date from her uncle John J. Lohr (the husband of Tell’s sister Maloa who died in 1928). Ruth’s cousin Gladys wrote a short note on the reverse.
Tue 25. I got the Troutman family letter today. We had another busy day. I packed a box for Katharine. It had a chicken, some sweet corn, a pint of ground cherries, 6 hangers and a few cookies. It cost 70¢ postage and 35¢ special delivery. I hope the chicken keeps. We have 211 bu. of corn picked. It was really too warm today to pick corn.
Wed 26. This was Ladies’ Aid Day—the last one at which Tell is janitor. I am glad. While I was away & Tell in the corn field Rev. Johnson called. He left a note asking me to go with them to a meeting at Paton. I wrote that I would. Mrs. Brassfield & Joyce spent the evening with me. The days are so full.
Thu 27. Did part of my ironing last night and finished this P.M. Bess was in & helped me with the dishes. Mrs. Brassfield came down in the P.M. & we studied the S.S. lesson. In the evening I went to choir practice. Am too tired to do much more tonight.
Fri 28. Today is Katharine’s birthday. She sent us an airmail letter saying it arrived on Wed. night. It left here Tues. at 2 P.M. Also got a letter from Ruth. She is feeling a bit blue about not having seen a doctor. I went out to Bess’ for the corn sheller. She gave me some pork chops for dinner. I did not go to Ripleys, nor to the school program but went to bed and slept till five. Missed a man from Ft. Dodge who might have bought my turkeys.
We learned in July that Ruth was pregnant. She’s now about six months along, but she and Robert are living on a very tight budget, and it sounds like they haven’t been able to afford a checkup with the doctor.
Sat 29. Dad & Owen did not pick corn today as they stopped to build a crib. So far they have picked 410 bushels. I traded a few of the English Cornish hens off today. I want to get rid of everything but the R.I. Reds. I wish they would hurry up and lay. We got 19 yesterday. This afternoon we picked up some nuts. There are yet a lot more to get—some are quite small. I am going to try to sell some. Had my hair waved today. Dad took a load to Rockwell City this evening to a Hallow’een party at the church. We had a lovely time. Mrs. Engel went to such a lot of work.
Sun 30. This is Dad’s last Sunday at the church as janitor and I am glad. He says he is getting a thrill over quitting. It is foggy and much cooler this morning. Dad’s chicken got away so we will eat eggs for dinner. Florence has a girl from Glidden here visiting—Stella Hazelton. Time for me to get ready for SS.
In the family files, I found a letter from Katharine to Ruth sent on this date. I’ve included it below.
Mon 31. The morning was busy. It takes about two hours to wash dishes & separator. Dad got meat for a meat loaf. I got dinner almost ready and then went down to pick up nuts. There must be 6 or 8 bushels yet to bring up. Some are quite small. But I am going to try to shell them and pick them out to sell. A long letter came today from Miriam with the sad news that Gerald had been taken to Jefferson City. It seems that I can’t take it but I will have to go right on. How could he do as he has—I tried to train him right. The Monday Club met at Mrs. Wrights. I went with Mr. & Mrs. Bruce. She has a lovely home in the country. Paid the SO Station. Got Dad’s last check for janitor work.
It sounds like Gerald must have done something to violate his parole, and that he has gone back to the Missouri State Penitentiary.
Special Feature: Letter from Katharine to Ruth
Dear Ruth and Bob, Here it is Sunday again. They do roll around quickly when one is busy. Bob, I'm sorry I didn't hear you sing the other day. Strange as it may seem, I had to teach school. Besse heard you—and enjoyed it very much. She has a radio in her car—was on the way to the hospital. Her father has been very ill—gangrene in his foot. Had to have his leg amputated a little below the hip. He has been getting along quite well until today. Besse said he was not so well this afternoon. She is going back to the hospital this evening. Mother and dad sent me a chicken, ground cherries, and cookies for my birthday. We had the chicken Friday night and this noon. It surely tasted fine. Ruth, I mailed you a package yesterday of some things which I thought you might like. The jackets, hood, and shirts Besse got at school. Thought you wouldn't object. I was a bit disappointed in the blanket even after I had it stretched, but at least it will be warm. Have had a headache today. Did some school work last night. Guess I can't stand the gaff. Guess I'd be better off if I wore my glasses oftener. Hope everything is going all right with you two—and that you are feeling well, Ruth. Wish it didn't cost so much to come see you. Hope I can hear Bob the next time he sings over the radio. Love always, Katharine 1938. Oct. 30
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for November 1938.