As this month opens, Emma and Tell are on the farm in Lake City, IA. Ruth and Robert are in Philadelphia and expecting their first baby. Katharine is teaching in Cleveland, OH, and Gerald, alas, is in prison in Missouri for forging checks. There’s a lot of family correspondence going on; I’ve included several excerpts.
Thu 1. We got the basket from Katharine today filled with so many nice things—a lovely scarf, writing paper, apples, candy, can of Boysenberries, can of quince preserves, a Mexican handkerchief, a lovely Mex basket, bath powder & bath salts, two boxes of watermelon seeds—a regular Christmas basket. It was lovely. Mrs. Brassfield brought her dress down for me to re-model. The Robinsons came to call & staid for a pancake supper. Sold $1.10 of cheese today.
I learned that quince preserves are popular in Mexico, often used as a filling for pastries such as empanadas, and am wondering if they were a souvenir of Katharine’s trip. Here’s a recipe that sounds tasty if you want to make your own!
Fri 2. Mrs. Brassfield came down and we studied the S.S. lesson together. Bess was also here. Did not get much of anything done today. Churned this AM. Sent Rev. R. a qt. of buttermilk. Wrote Ruth today and sent her my last chicken money. We will have to sell the corn to pay the rent.
I found this letter in the files. Here’s an excerpt:
Dear Ruth'n'Bob— I am glad you enjoyed the chicken. It went quite a way, didn't it. I am planning now to kill a turkey soon and divide it among you, Katharine, and us. We sold some culls this week and will enclose the check to you. We want you to stop worrying about money. The preachers came to call last night about 5 P.M. Dad had forgotten to get bread but he gleefully invited them in for pancakes which we had, along some fried eggs and the can of Boysenberries. Take the world a day at a time, Ruth—the past is gone, every day is a new beginning, tomorrow never comes so no need to worry about that. Today—"Ain't I fine today?" I am so thankful for this home and a place to earn our living. I am sure Bob will do his best and some time will be able to return all we have done. If not—well—money doesn't seem to have a lot of value where the streets are paved with gold—eh? what? Miriam does not seem bitter. Both she and Gerald wrote that they wanted me to be with you. If she can get a pension she will not be so bad off for she could not go out to earn money & could keep the home. She said she would not go back to him unless he got a good job. He still hopes for a parole, but that would take money and she wants him to have a lesson. With much love to you, Mother & Dad
Sat 3. Cleaned up the house today. Wrote about ten post cards and a letter. Rev. Robinson brought the hospital offering to go through my books. Mrs. Brassfield came after her S.S. Times. Bess was down in the evening. She has to go to the hospital Monday and wanted me to pray with her. She wants me to make a pair of baby shoes for her which I will do—& charge her 75¢. The day has been very, very hard. We got a letter from Gerald. He does not seem to be sorry for what he has done. I am so brokenhearted all the time.
Sun 4. We invited Florence in to eat chicken with us this noon. Betty Brassfield & Mabel Leathers came down in the afternoon to make out the S.B. report. I was in bed. We got that done & then played awhile—picked out nuts & made some candy. They staid for supper and as it began to snow they called Elvis to come after them. We did not go out at night.
Mon 5. It looked quite cloudy this AM but we decided to wash anyway as we dry a lot of things in the house over the hot air register. Dad is working on the wood. He has cut up a lot of it. I drove down town this P.M. to take the missionary money to the bank, get some thread for the baby shoes and the pictures Miss White left for me. Went to call on Bess at the hospital this P.M. She had some lumps removed from her breasts. We got a letter from John Lohr today.
Tue 6. Worked about two hours on Mrs. Brassfield’s dress today. It is some job to make it hang right. I also ironed a little while but am pretty tired after washing. Dad is still working on the wood. Have quite a bit to do on my Monday Club program.
Wed 7. Bess came here from the hospital this morning. She looked bad & I thought she would want to lie down but she has been peppy all day. Went down and had her hair waved. Went to the church & is going to the school house to “Adult school” this evening. I have ironed and worked on Mrs. Brassfield’s dress. Finished the baby shoes for Bess for which she paid me 75¢. She brought oysters home for supper.
Emma mentioned buying thread for crocheting the shoes—here’s a pattern I found that uses thread instead of the more common yarn.
Thu 8. Today, I have been mending and sewing, working on Mrs. Brassfield’s dress & crocheting. Have been listening to the Radio all evening. Heard Zane Grey interviewed on the Rudy Vallee program. We have 16 doz eggs to sell.
Zane Grey was a complicated character—among other things, he was an author of many novels set in the American frontier west, a big-game fisherman, and a dentist. Rudy Vallée was an American musician and entertainer, who hosted a series of radio shows in the 1930s and ‘40s.
Fri 9. Another beautiful day! Tell has been trimming up the trees & cutting down some old ones. I have been working on some baby shoes, a dress for Mrs. Brassfield, and mending etc. I went to the WCTU this afternoon at the Public Rest Room. It is a lovely place to hold a meeting. We bought a bushel of apples (culls) from Hammonds—40¢. Mrs. Brassfield was down awhile to have her dress fitted—brought us a small piece of pork. We have saved our eggs to send with Mr. Grooters but he hasn’t come & eggs have gone down. I finished a pair of baby shoes today.
It occurred to me that the term Public Rest Room must have meant something different to Emma in 1938 than it does to me in 2024. I found this description of a Ladies’ Rest Room in Tennessee that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It explains that in the 1910s and ‘20s, “there was widespread encouragement in the United States for the establishment of ladies' lounges and rest rooms to accommodate rural women who traveled into county seats and market towns to conduct business. It was suggested that if country women had comfortable in-town accommodations for themselves and their young children, they would visit town more frequently and would buy more consumer products from local stores. Also, agricultural reformers perceived that ladies' rest rooms would provide increased opportunities for agricultural extension workers and home demonstration agents to reach farm women.”
Sat 10. Have baked some cookies this AM & done the Sat. work. Sewed awhile on Mrs. Brassfield’s dress. Went to the church supper & bazaar. We—Bess, Thelma & I studied the SS lesson this afternoon. Sold 18 doz eggs to Mr. G.. 3 doz here. Over 5.00 worth—5.16 to be exact.
Sun 11. We went to S.S. & church as usual. Taught our classes. Bess & Billy were in awhile. Did not get to sleep any. Have my talk & gift ready for Monday club tomorrow. Did not go to church tonight but wrote the children & Linnie.
Here’s an excerpt from that letter:
Dear Ones, Another Sunday evening! I got terribly sleepy in church but I had just got to bed for a nap when Bess came. I do not see why I need to be so wakeful at night. My mind is like a picture gallery and keeps me awake. Dad and I went to church for supper last night. They had a bazaar but I did not furnish anything for it. I gave them 25¢ to buy meat. I intended giving a pair of baby shoes which I have made but decided I'd keep them for Robert, Jr. or will it be Roberta? What is the last decision as to names? I do not cease to be glad that Dad has quit the church job. It is so much better to have it off his mind. Ruth, I am wondering if you do not need the money that it would take for me to come much more than you need me. Did Mr. Grooters tell you that Helen & her husband have gone to work on a farm @ 25.00 per mo—house furnished—milk etc. Mr. G. feels so bad about Helen. He had been married before and did not tell her. He was divorced because his wife was not true to him & she is now dead. Am afraid it will not last. What trouble there is in the world because of sin! Will write some to Katharine. Am so glad you are feeling so well. Do not overdo. With our love—Mother.
Mon 12. The High Spot of the day was the Monday club at which I gave the talk and showed pictures of the “Life of Christ.” For my gift to exchange I took a picture of the Monday Club with a tiny jingle. In the evening Dad & I went to the movie “Golgotha” at the church. The picture is deserving of a better machine.
Golgotha was a 1935 French film about the death of Jesus Christ. It is now in the public domain; you can view it here.
I found this picture in the family files, and am guessing it may be the Monday Club one she’s referencing.
Tue 13. Felt almost too tired to get up but after getting up late I feel better. Have listened to another chapter of the story “The Yearling.” Washed the separator, dishes etc. Had Florence in for dinner since her sister called her to be ready to go to Ft. Dodge. I have been sewing. Have Mrs. Brassfield’s dress ready to try on the last time. Bess was here this afternoon and brought me a beef roast. Dad has been cleaning up the orchard. The weather has been ideal for his work.
Published in March 1938, The Yearling, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, was the best-selling novel of the year, and won the 1939 Pulitzer Prize for the Novel. It is a coming-of-age story about a boy who adopts an orphaned fawn, set in 1870s Florida.
Wed 14. We have had another lovely day! Dad has worked out doors in the orchard and I have been sewing. Finally got Mrs. Brassfields dress done. Mr. Grooters was here a little while today. Sold $2.51 eggs today. Cooked the roast Bess gave me today.
Thu 15. Dad & I went out to Williams for dinner. I helped her make mince meat. It was a big job. I took out a half bushel of Jonathan apples which I was afraid would not keep. She had 7 lbs of meat after it was ground. She will probably have 25 or 30 qts of mince meat. The family letter came today. Have read it this evening. Another new baby in the Lohr Turnquist family. Got 53 eggs today which looks good to us. Tell paid the Utilities & bought some oats today.
Although modern mincemeat recipes do not actually include meat, here’s a vintage one that features beef, apples, suet, and spices.
Fri 16. Today has been pleasant enough for Dad to work out in the orchard—cutting wood, raking trash & burning it. We are talking of putting in gas. We will get a gas stove if the company will pipe the gas out here. I have been making an apron today. It is out of an old dress and is not much of a success. Got the family letter yesterday but it is not yet answered.
Sat 17. After doing up the work I decided to wash. The sun came out so pretty and it seemed the thing to do. Dad & I went to town in the P.M. Sold cream & eggs. Bess & Thelma spent the evening here studying the SS lesson.
Sun 18. The calendar says so—and it must be so—but the weather is fine and no snow on the ground, but yes—a week from today is Christmas—Dec. 25. Tell & I attended church & SS this morning. It is so hard for us to go at night. We looked for Linnie & Gerrit down today but they did not come. Bess, Billy & Bud were here awhile. We had popcorn and candy. Florence was in. I wrote to Gerald, Miriam, John Lohr, Mrs. Daggett, and Mrs. Loyal Broch, who is a daughter of Mrs. Guy Stout & is dying of cancer.
Mon 19. Dad and I have been listening to the Radio all evening. I have been crocheting. The Firestone Hour & The Hour of Charm are very fine on Monday night. We heard Dorothy Thompson speak on the Hour of Charm. Got 56 eggs today. Did the ironing. Am not feeling so very well today. Have a cold.
Last month’s post had more information about Dorothy Thompson and the Hour of Charm radio show.
Tue 20. This is WFMS day and I am helping Mrs. Robinson entertain the WFMS. We are having Date pudding & whipped cream & coffee. We used tiny candles stuck in gum drops on the plates and turned out all the lights when we ate. I poured the coffee at the table. We had a Christmas party afterward. Besse was in to get a permanent. Was here for supper and then brought me home. We got such a wonderful Christmas box from Katharine. It had a slip, two pair of hose, a book—The Yearling—and a pair of panties for me. For Dad there was a fine pair of gloves and $10.00. We sent each of the girls a dressed chicken and two eggs and a thimble for Christmas.
Wed 21. Today, I have been bothered with a cold all day. Got up late & did the work up. My nose runs & I feel bad most of the time. Did not go to Aid. Have written a few Christmas cards, dressed a chicken and sent it to Miriam. Put a cup of black walnut meats inside of it. Wrote to Besse Phare, to Mrs. Swallum and to Mrs. Walker.
Thu 22. Another “do nothing day”. I have read and slept & listened to the Radio. Dad walked to town. Brought home a cyclamen which Florence had ordered for me. It was lovely of her. Mr. Grooters was just here. We had 18 doz. for him to take. We get 5¢ more per doz. It amounted to 90¢. We bought a sack of concentrate.
Fri 23. We got a letter from Linnie saying they might possibly be down on Sat & stay till Monday. There is not much I can do to get ready for them as I feel so punk. Did not feel like going to the church for practice. We drew a turkey at Ray Hammond’s. Mrs. Brassfield came down to study and we went over the lesson. She drove down to the store. Took Tell to get it. I have three turkeys now.
Sat 24. Have been trying to clean up the house and get ready for the folks for they may come. We are not sure but if they should we would want to be ready. It snows and then the sun shines, but I will not know until they drive up. Besse came in to help me today. She cleaned a chicken and helped me with some date cookies. The Chevy car is to be given away. How I’d like to get it! Linnie & Gerrit drove up about 4:30. Tell came back from town without the car. Santa Claus got it. We did not go to the program.
Date pinwheel cookies are one of the recipes Katharine included in her cookbook tribute to Emma that I described in this special post.
Sun 25. It is a nice day. Tell does not feel like going. I went to SS. Gerrit took me down. There were so few there that we were all in one class & Rev. Robinson taught us. Bess brought me home after SS. The preacher came after a pint of cream I promised him. We had a simple chicken dinner. Have spent the day visiting and listening to the Radio. We are so glad that they came. They are planning to go home tomorrow.
Mon 26. It was so stormy that Linnie & Gerrit decided to go home this morning. It seems lonely without them.
Tue 27. I have spent my spare time working on Katharine’s quilt. Tell has had the same sort of cold that I had. Linnie left her dress.
Wed 28. Worked on the quilt again. Bess was here at noon. I was baking a pie. She came in for the evening. Staid till 10:30. I went to Mrs. Brassfields to the SB meeting in the PM.
Thu 29. The Ames reader is reading “John.” I try to listen at nine. This morning I decided to dress a turkey, cook the bones and can the meat. I have it ready to put in the cooker in the morning. Mrs. Brassfield came down to study the SS lesson about 4. Staid till almost six. We had turkey for supper. Had letters from Ruth and Katharine today. Think I will go east about Jan 10.
Apparently, canning turkey is a very good way to preserve it. According to this site, “…canned turkey is actually better than roasted turkey. It is tender, moist, and full of slow-cooked flavor. If you need a quick protein choice for dinner, just open a can of turkey, serve with mashed potatoes and a can of vegetables. If you want to make a soup or pot pie, just pop open a can of turkey.” The author says that raw or par-cooked turkey is best for canning, as the heat and pressure of the canning process will cook it. Here are some more detailed instructions if you want to try it at home.
Fri 30. Finished basting the piece on the second piece of Katharine’s quilt. Have worked all week on this. Several pieces were lost. Had to be made. Glad I saved the scraps.
Sat 31. The last day of 1938. It is Sat night and I am tired. Have decided to go to Ruth’s this week, or rather to Katharine’s first. Have washed, scrubbed, cleaned up the house, etc. etc. Churned 5½ lbs butter. Besse came in and took me to the beauty parlor. I got some things down town. We got a load of straw from Summerfield today. Cost 1.50. I took cream down. It has been so warm today that water stood in the streets. A sad year in many ways. I have not heard from Gerald for three weeks! I sent him a dollar via Miriam. Perhaps he did not get it. My poor, poor boy! How I long for his conversion!
Emma’s plans continue to evolve from here. There is so much correspondence flying around this month that I can’t fit it all in! So the next post will be a special feature with excerpts from several of the letters and a special treat at the end.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for the special feature, and then we’ll jump into 1939.