Emma #138: November 1938
Thanksgiving, Ruth's baby coming soon, midterm elections, and Jewish persecution
As we begin this month, Emma and Tell are happy in Lake City, with corn harvesting coming to an end for the year. Ruth and Robert are in Philadelphia and preparing for the baby. Emma is continuing to stay busy with church activities and household work. In the background, World War II is on the horizon.
Tue 1. I went to Paton today with Rev. & Mrs. Johnson from Glidden. We put on a stunt for SB Work. Had a lovely pot luck dinner & I talked a bit in the P.M. Got home a little after five. I had a queer experience this A.M. Had two five dollar bills—found them in the cob basket when I was emptying the cobs into the fire. Left pie, meat pie & kraut for Owen & Tell. It was so warm the church door was left open. Had a driving rain this evening. Sometimes I think I can not stand my sorrow.
The Standard Bearers was the high school girls group in the Methodist Episcopal Church, sponsored by the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society.
Wed 2. It is raining this evening. Bess has just gone back to town walking through the rain. I hated to see her do it. I have been picking up nuts this P.M. Brought up about ten bushel I presume. Have about two bushel hulled. I am thinking of cracking them & picking out the meats to sell. This morning I managed to keep busy with the work— made cheese to sell, sent down cream with Dad. I should have gone, but since Dad was going I had him do the errands. We got the family letter today, also one from Mrs. Johnson at Alden. The corn is slowly piling up. I will be glad when it is done. Got a card from John.
Thu 3. It has rained most of the day. Dad and Owen have been at work in the barn, fixing up a place for the cow, fixing up the chickens etc. I baked cookies, churned, made cottage cheese. Went to town. Wrote the family letter etc. There will not be so much to do after the corn is out but it takes a long while for Dad & Owen to get it done. We got a nice letter from Ruth today. She had been to see a doctor. Had received the rug and box OK. She says the cost of hospital and doctor will be $160.00. She plans to go to a Pres. hospital $77.50 and the doctor (Ford Miller) will charge $75.00 for his fee. It costs to have a family in a city. Sent 3.00 on separator today—9.00 has been sent.
In 1938, medical insurance was not widely available and most health-care costs were paid out of pocket. $160 in 1938 would be the equivalent of about $3500 today.
Fri 4. Went down and had a permanent today. Took her 1 doz. eggs & paid 1.50. Still owe $1.75. Have been getting ready to go to Eldora tomorrow. Sent a letter to Ruth & one to Katharine—also sent K “The Farmer’s Wife” so she could read the story. Sold cream today—also some cheese.
The Farmer’s Wife was a monthly woman’s magazine published from 1897 to 1939 that included fiction along with its advice about farming, housekeeping, and cooking. Here’s a link to the November 1938 edition.
Sat 5. We left home about 10 A.M. to drive to Eldora today. We stopped in Web. City & I bought me a couple suits of under clothes. Got a “nightie” in Iowa Falls. We also stopped in Alden. Saw Dr. J. but missed her. We plan to stop a few minutes tomorrow. Alice is interested in a Rummage sale. Took me down to the church for awhile. I bought an angel food cake pan for a dime. We listened to Herbert Hoover’s speech at night. Decided not to tell them about Gerald.
Hoover’s speech challenged the effectiveness of President Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, and inspired this political cartoon.
And here are some winter nighties from the late 1930s thanks to the ever-informative Vintage Dancer site.
Sun 6. It was so cloudy & threatening that we decided to start home soon after breakfast. Left Eldora about 10 A.M. Stopped for a few minutes in Alden but did not get to see Mrs. Johnson. Did not go to church at all today. Found a letter from Gerald & one from Ruth when we got home. Gerald’s came from Jefferson City. I can not believe this has happened to me. Florence went home with her sister this afternoon. We plan to send a turkey to Will & Nora soon.
Emma and Tell’s son Gerald is in the Missouri State Penitentiary for forging checks.
Mon 7. It was pretty cold this A.M. but I decided to do my washing. It was not so large but I got plenty cold hanging it out. I churned & made doughnuts today. Bess was here awhile & Thelma came to have me help her with some EL [Epworth League] speeches. Have been trying to figure up how much corn we have picked so far.
Tue 8. It has been warmer today. I did the washing yesterday & the ironing today. Mrs. Brassfield was down today to plan our demonstration for tomorrow. I also canned up two squashes. Got a letter from Bertha & a card from Chris. Mrs. Brassfield took me to the Community building to vote. Dad took Owen down to Glidden to vote. Thought I could take the car tomorrow but there is always something wrong with it. Was too tired to wait up for election news. Life is so hard these days.
The 1938 elections came in the middle of Roosevelt’s second term, at the low point of his popularity. They represented a defeat for his New Deal policies, as an alliance of Republicans and Southern Democrats took control of Congress.
Wed 9. I baked two pumpkin pies today, one to leave at home and one to take to a Unit meeting at Lohrville. I went with Rev. Robinson. Not a large attendance but it was a nice meeting. Several women knew me—that I did not remember—a Mrs. Shearer & Mrs. Fowler (elderly woman). Bertha Johnson came home with us to stay over night with Rev. Robinsons. We plan to go to Lake View tomorrow to another Unit meeting. I have the SB girls here on Sat and lead the WFMS lesson next Tuesday.
Thu 10. Mrs. Brassfield, Bertha Johnson and I drove to Lake View to a Unit meeting today. We went in Mrs. Brassfield’s truck. It surely has been a full week.
Fri 11. Spent a lot of time out doors today putting the nuts through the grinder. I got pretty tired. It is Armistice day!
Sat 12. This has been a very busy day. I am to have the SB here tonight and have had a lot of extra things to do. Irene Brassfield came down to help me with the work. She is a fine girl. We were glad to get a letter from Ruth today. Twenty people ate here this evening. I was surely tired when I got through. Bess came down but did not stay as I was ready for bed.
Sun 13. It seemed good not to have to hurry so this morning. We had time to get the work done & get to church without so much hustling. Both Tell & I taught our SS classes. Went down to Mrs. Brassfields this P.M. to hear the girls practice “Untouchables” for the WFMS meeting. We did not go to the Union meeting but staid at home to crack some nuts.
Mon 14. We sent off the 8 lb turkey (after dressing) to Carthage, Mo. John & Alice, Chris, Will, Nora & Daisey will have it tomorrow. It cost 63¢ to send it.
It’s been a while since we have heard some of these names. John and Alice, Tell’s brother and sister-in-law, lived in Eldora but were apparently visiting in MO; Tell’s brother Chris lived in Joplin, MO, and his unmarried siblings Will, Nora, and Daisey lived together in Carthage.
Tue 15. It seemed good to have a day at home. I baked a cake, planted tulips, etc. In the evening we went to WFMS at Miss Pratt’s. Five of our SB girls put on a play called Untouchables. Bess came home with me and I gave her a turkey.
I found a number of newspaper references to programs on the “Untouchables of India” being hosted by chapters of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society in November of 1938, so I am guessing this was part of a programmatic course of study for the year. Here is the 1938 yearbook for the WFMS—they had quite a large worldwide operation at this time!
Wed 16. Today, Mrs. Brassfield & I drove to Rolfe to attend a Unit meeting but found the meeting is not to be till Friday. It was a lovely day and we had a good time. I called on Edith Russel Smith & tried to see Mrs. DeVaul but she was out of town. We stopped to ask about prices on turkeys—only 17¢ one place—would not buy at all at another. So I came home and called up the creamery & sold for 18¢. They will come after him tomorrow.
Thu 17. It is cloudy this morning. We hope to get rid of the turkeys and goose today. We also hope to finish picking the corn today. We—Dad, Owen & I have been learning Eph 4: 31,32. My SS class is to learn it this week. Corn all picked—1150 bu.
Ephesians 4: 31—Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; 32—And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (King James Version)
In November 1937, Emma recorded a total corn harvest of 900 bu.; it looks like this year’s yield was even better!
Fri 18. Mrs. Brassfield & I went to Rolfe again today. It was a lovely day and we had a nice meeting. I took Mrs. Lease a bottle of cream and pint of c. cheese. Mrs. B. took her a jar of chicken. Mrs. Fowler was so glad to see us come in. She had not known whether we would be there or not. I paid 1.00 on the gas today.
Sat 19. A busy day! A lovely day! Wash day! Three in one. Dad had corn ground today for the chickens. Spent 5.30 for grinding & oats. Got 24 eggs. Was very tired tonight. Sent Ruth $15.00.
Sun 20. We went to church & SS as usual. Taught our SS classes. Came home. Had a nice beef roast for dinner. Took a short rest, cracked some nuts, wrote a letter. Supper & church, a Union service with Rev. Viets of Baptist faith preaching. Dorothy Robinson led our choir tonight. Word came over the Radio that Germany had banned the Jewish word Jehovah. Any protestant church using it will be destroyed. Got 20 eggs.
Here’s a newspaper story on this ban. Of course, this was just the tip of a very large iceberg. According to this timeline of the Holocaust, November 1938 included Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) in which over 1,400 synagogues were destroyed, 7,500 Jewish shops were looted, and 30,000 male Jews were sent to concentration camps in one night; a decree that forced all Jews to transfer retail businesses to Aryan hands; and the expulsion of all Jewish pupils from German schools.
Mon 21. A busy day! Churned. Made cheese, dressed two chickens, washed dishes & separator. Went to town with my wares and Dad sent the chickens away—one to Ruth, one to Miriam & the nuts to Katharine. After coming home I did up the work, ironed, and this evening we looked over a bushel of walnuts. I have been getting my toast ready for next Monday. Dad & Owen put away the corn which Dad had ground, then moved the manure.
Tue 22. Finished up the ironing today. Canned 7½ pints of pimientos. Straightened the edges of my new dish towels ready to hem. Cooked a pumpkin and managed to keep busy. The persecution of the Jews in Germany continues. Other countries are planning to find places & money to move them to new territory. Dad & Owen went to the market day sale.
Pimientos, aka cherry peppers, are large red heart-shaped chili peppers.
Wed 23. Since Linnie writes that none of them can come for Thanksgiving we are not having a turkey. I dressed a fine Cornish rooster. Sold 18 chickens to Harry Pitman today for $9.00. Some were quite small. I took my missionary money to the bank—bought the draft to pay for the towels and cashed my 9.00 check. I bought me 4 pairs of hose and a pair of gloves. 3 pairs were cotton & one silk. Then I went to the Aid at the church.
Thu 24. Today is Thanksgiving. I suppose we will eat many T. dinners alone. Only Owen Malen was here. We had roast chicken, dressing, apple & cranberry salad, baked sweet potatoes, gravy & pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream. It all was good, but when I think of Gerald I find myself in tears. Have been working on a Monday Club toast. Hope it takes. We drove out west of town to look at a cook stove today.
In the family files, I found a letter written to Ruth & Robert on this date from Robert’s sister Estella. I’ve included some excerpts below.
Fri 25. Have been busy today baking cookies and cleaning up the house. Bought some new shoes today. They are suede—Selby—ties. We got a ton of coal today—Owen hauled it. Cost 10.29. 2070 lbs. I went down to study awhile with Mrs. Brassfield.
From a 1938 newspaper ad, here is an image of what her new shoes might have looked like.
Sat 26. I have not felt very well today. Hope I am not going to be sick. I have kept busy most of the day. Went to bed in the afternoon but did not feel like going to the SB meeting. I wrote a couple letters. We heard from Gerald, Miriam and Ruth today. Besse was here till 9:30 this evening. Young Werneck was here. He will test our chickens on Wed. Owen sold his wagon to Harry Pitman who got it today. They moved the chicken house today. Owen will have Brassfield take him home.
Sun 27. It seems good that Dad does not have the church to look after. It was not so very warm this morning and so dusty. Both Dad & I taught our classes. Invited Florence in for dinner. She and Owen seemed to enjoy visiting with each other. Had a good dinner—pork roast & gravy, baked sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie, ground cherry preserves, dill pickles & coffee. Just ran three chickens in so now they are all under cover. Have my toast ready for Monday club tomorrow.
Mon 28. Today I attended an anniversary luncheon of the Monday Club. The toast given me was the Modernist Design of the present. A toast to the present day members. I did it in rhyme and was very highly complimented on it—several people wanted it & one member proposed putting it in the Sec. book. It was a lovely day—so warm and nice, but I walked home in my new suede shoes with higher heels than usual which was hard on me and hard on them. Owen & Dad built a door to keep the cow warm & finished covering the corn.
At this time, the Art Deco movement of the early 20th century was giving way to the more functional and unadorned styles of Modernist arts and architecture. The emphasis shifted toward clean lines, open floor plans and furniture designed for mass production. Artists such as Schoenberg (composer), Picasso (painter), and Joyce (author) were some of the modernist influencers of mainstream culture. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s later career incorporated key elements of modernism, including the design of the iconic Fallingwater, built in 1937.
Tue 29. Today Owen plans to go home. After dinner the Brassfields will take him in the truck. Dad went to the sale. Sold the old cookstove we paid 50¢ for—for 50¢. Owen left about 2 P.M. Was glad to see him off. He had Brassfield “truck” him home as he sold his wagon.
Wed 30. I have sewed today. Made an apron for myself. I should have liked to go to the schoolhouse tonight but as usual the car would not work. We spend as much on it as we spend for chickens & it never is ready to go. Had my chickens tested today. Have 125 hens & 10 roosters left.
Special Feature: Letter from Estella to Ruth & Robert
Dear Ruth & Robert, I've thought of you two (three) often enuf. I do hope your letters will come rather frequently, for I certainly am more than interested in your family. I liked what you said about your Dr. & his plans for you. They give a good impression, and I'm sure you are—and will be—well taken care of. I hope Robert's teaching will pick up now, for this is the time of year for serious study. I wish I could help you financially just now in your time of need. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride, as the old saying goes. It is nice you can keep up your public activities until Christmas, isn't it? For the Christmas music, programs, & services all mean so much to a person. Then after Christmas the weather will probably be such, you won't mind it so much to be shut in more or less. I enjoyed being lazy at home—Howard [Robert and Estella's brother] & I played Rook, & chinker check, piano, & sang some. Then I fixed our supper, which we ate in candle light. It was kind of fun. Howard works at the store Saturdays, so I went with him yesterday and helped pick out an overcoat, which he sorely needed. He paid 2# down & will pay 1.50 weekly. I think it will be mighty fine education—rather—discipline for him, for his money slips through his fingers rather foolishly otherwise. Have been very busy, not much time off, barely enuf to get my lessons & mending done. We sort of have to stick to business you see. I repaired the lining to my fur coat & put it in myself. It was quite a job. I also shortened it, as I did 2 skirts & 3 dresses. There sure is a lot of difference in lengths from last yr. Please don't spend your money on us this Christmas...a Christmas letter will be a highly prized and most sufficient gift. We all know you love us, but we also know you need your every penny. I love each of you—much, mucher, muchest. —E.G.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for December 1938.