Emma #141: January 1939 (part 1)
Emma's trip to Philadelphia, with a visit to Katharine in Cleveland
There is so much going on this month that I couldn’t fit it all into one post! Here are Emma’s adventures in the first half of the month, as she heads to Philadelphia to be with Ruth for the birth of her baby.
Sun 1. It is New Year’s Day again and such a lovely day. So many lovely things happen to me. Besse came after me to take me to church. The Fells brought me home. I had a nice SS class. Mrs. Green, Louise and Hilma called this afternoon. We had a nice visit. Louise brought a lovely gift for me to take to Ruth. I have been writing letters. Have a number to write. Wrote a long letter to Gerald. Have not heard from him for over three weeks.
Mon 2. This has been another lovely day. I wrote a number of letters. Told the girls I would be coming east—leaving next Thursday from Carrol. A letter from Otis Moore invited me to ride but I dreaded the trip this time of year. Went to the Monday Club at Mrs. Gartrells this PM. Have been reading about the Missionary work in the island of Papua, north of Australia. It was discovered by air-plane. Think Dad will review it for Missionary Sunday in February.
Travel writer Rick Steves made a video about his travels in Papua New Guinea—the most populous Pacific island country, and one of the most rural and linguistically diverse countries in the world—on behalf of the Lutheran Church, accompanied by this very interesting article. In his words: “Missionaries don't try to ‘fix’ PNG. They work with locals to find out what they need, then help it happen.” This has not always been the case, as there was a lot of focus in the early 20th century on eradicating cannibalism and headhunting.
Tue 3. Am listening to “John” by Irene Baird over Ames. Besse & Thelma were here. We studied the SS lesson. I went down town to buy a few little things I need—a black slip, a tooth brush, an ornament for my hat etc. Did my ironing today. Am pretty well ready. Mrs. Brassfield came after me to go to the meeting at the church. Dad felt so bad that he went to bed. We sent Gerald $2. Haven’t heard from him for nearly a month.
Irene Todd Baird, a British author living in Vancouver, Canada, published her first novel, John, in 1937. The central figure is John Dorey, a 62 year-old English war veteran who rejects the family wool trade. He settles on a coastal farm in Lisk, a fictional setting evidently somewhere on Vancouver Island. The book was a best-seller and frequently compared to James Hilton's novella, Goodbye, Mr. Chips.
Wed 4. Dad was so sick in the night that I thought my trip was all off but he got much better about 3 A.M. I have spent the morning making doughnuts and cookies for Dad to have while I’m away. We also cleaned a chicken for supper and my lunch. It really looks like I might be going. Bess brought me the 3.00 she owed for the turkeys & Mrs. Brassfield brought a little quilt & pillow for Ruth. Glad I got Mrs. Brassfield paid up. She owes me 82¢. It has been foggy today. It will probably be cold & snowing in the morning. If it is bad we will hire Brassfields to take me. It looks like Japan is to have a Dictator.
Although he was not generally considered to be a dictator, Hiranuma Kiichirō became Prime Minister of Japan on January 5th. He resigned later in the year.
Thu 5. Mr. Brassfield drove to Carrol with Dad & me. I intended taking a train at 11:12 A.M. but it was an hour late so I took the first one. Heard of Vic Gordon’s death just as we left Lake City. He was terribly burned yesterday evening when kerosene exploded as he was building a fire. Also heard of another violent death this morning at Carrol when a man in an auto was struck by the Streamline and instantly killed. It made my starting a bit gloomy. Have enjoyed my lunch. Just mailed my first card to Tell.
Fri 6. Katharine met me at the station & we were soon on our way home. As she & Besse had to be at school, I was left to enjoy the morning alone. Did the dishes, pressed my dresses and after a nice bath went to bed for a nap. I waked in time to dress to go to lunch with Katharine at Mae Waugh’s. Then went to school with Katharine. First time I ever visited her school. After school we went to a tea at Ima’s (Herzog). Then we came home while Katharine changed her dress to go out to dinner with Pearl (Mrs. Paul Stark). I was ready to get into bed when I had a chance. The day has been pleasant tho’ cloudy. Have enjoyed meeting all of Katharine’s friends. So far have written Dad three cards.
Katharine was teaching school in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. Emma would have come into Cleveland Union Terminal, built in the late 1920s as the central station for multiple train lines. Its Terminal Tower remains one of Cleveland’s most familiar landmarks.
Sat 7. Had a good sleep. The weather looks fine. Katharine & I went shopping this morning. Besse drove down & we came home on the Rapid Transit car & walked perhaps ¾ mile. After a lunch we went for a ride with Ray Musque. He drove around the city for 2½ hours showing us all the principal places. The city is built like a fan with the centre near Lake Erie. We skirted the city—saw the City Hall, Courthouse. Saw Admiral Byrd’s boat which was sold secretly at auction for a song. We drove through Lakewood, Berea, Strongville, Royalton, Brecksville, Independence & home. Saw schools, hospitals, lovely homes, etc. It was very enjoyable. We drove through Rocky River. The road has a cement bottom but the water in one place must have been a foot deep. Katharine bought me a lovely dress, bag, gloves and also paid for underwear and the diapers and pads I bought for Ruth. Katharine also gave me several lovely hankies.
You can see the layout of Cleveland and the various towns she mentions on this map. Here’s a little bit of history on Admiral Byrd’s ship.
Sun 8. Going to bed at midnight made me sleep late, so as soon as breakfast was over Katharine, Besse and I went to Bess’s church to SS and service. We had a communion service. Drove around a bit before coming home. Had a lovely roast beef dinner. After dinner Velma Sebley and Ruhamah Blue called. Velma brought me a couple of lovely handkerchiefs. After dinner I finished a letter to Daddy. Katharine took me for a lovely ride through Shaker Heights. We saw so many beautiful homes, saw the string of lakes, University of John Carrol which is a Catholic College. Stopped to call on the Bromleys. Mrs. Hughs kissed me. Came home & had supper. In the evening Mr. & Mrs. Barnes and their three charming daughters called. Two of the daughters are married. One lives in Columbus.
Mon 9. I decided to spend the day at home alone and so far have been able to keep busy. I washed the few dishes, washed some “unawares”—worked on K’s quilt & managed to keep busy. The post man brought me a letter from Dad with several enclosures. So glad he is feeling well and contented. The package we bought for Ruth was delivered this A.M. We had steak and mushrooms for supper. Good. Martha Monroe called. She brought us a vase.
Tue 10. I left Cleveland about 10:30 A.M. Paul Stark (Pearl’s husband) took me to the train. Came on the Pennsylvania line through Pittsburg, Harrisburg etc. Saw the capitol at Harrisburg. Saw the W.P.A. project at Johnstown where cement work is being put in for flood prevention. Also saw the Bethlehem Steel works there. Extends for eight miles. Saw lot of coal mining district—Beaver River was yellow & muddy. Saw the street cars go up & down a high mountain on a very sharp angle. Am going through a county where the houses are old & unpainted. Went around the horse shoe bend at Altoona. Had such a lovely time at Katherine’s. My lunch, and gardenias have been so lovely. Arrived safely in Philadelphia. Bob & Ruth met me at the train. I unpacked my bags and delivered all the things sent to Ruth. She is so happy with everything. It has been a perfectly lovely day.
Here’s the approximate route Emma would have taken from Cleveland to Philadelphia.
Wed 11. It is almost unbelievable to have such a fine day. Ruth has been showing me all her lovely baby things. We took a long walk over to pay the light bill. It took us an hour. Just before we went Otis Moore called that they would be here but Alison called later that they could not come. They are to be in NJ for three weeks. After supper we sat and visited & I worked on Katharine’s quilt till 12 P.M. We met a Mrs. Marsden today. She is the one who lent Ruth the bassinet.
Thu 12. Another lovely day! The sun has been shining so bright. We decided to go to see Independence Square. Robert drove down town to school so we went along. Went to the Wanamaker store and listened to the big pipe organ. A concert is given every day at noon. Then we ate our lunch there. Got us a bowl of beef broth. We ate some candy & then bought some kashu nuts which were good. Ruth said we had everything from soup to nuts. We did a lot of window shopping. Bought Dad some ties & socks & Katharine a towel. We went to Independence Square, saw the old Liberty Bell, the Museum of old relics etc. We came home on the Subway and the bus. One can walk from the stores to the subway train. There are many stores along the subway—a city underground. I sent Katharine a letter today. Must write Dad tonight. Got a letter from Charlie today about my coming there.
Wanamaker’s was one of the first department stores in the US; its flagship building in Philadelphia became a national landmark in 1978. Macy’s Center City now occupies this location, and its Grand Court is the location of the Wanamaker Organ, considered the largest functioning pipe organ in the world.
Fri 13. Got a nice letter from Dad this A.M. and Ruth got a sweet one from John Lohr. It has started to snow this morning. We staid at home all day. It snowed all day but was not so very cold. I shortened Ruth’s slip and house coat. Worked on the quilt and we played dominoes awhile. Robert got home about 11 P.M. The S.S. Times came today.
Sat 14. The snow has stopped falling. Robert, Ruth & I went to the Giant Tiger which is a large Self Serve Store. We got some groceries. Then we came home. Ruth had such a crying spell this morning. Things look pretty hopeless sometimes. I bought a ton of “Pea” coal for 7.75. It has turned much colder. Bob made a pusher to clean his walk as he has no shovel. I am so glad to be able to help them some. It seemed good to hear from Dad this morning.
Sun 15. Ruth & I walked to East Lansdowne to church this morning—about 5 blocks. We heard Dr. McWilliams preach. He has a real message. Robert went down town to sing at the Episcopalian church. He sings at Second Pres. this P.M. We were going along but Ruth does not feel peppy enough. I have written a long letter on the typewriter to Dad. I lay down for a sleep. Ruth was lying down upstairs when the doorbell rang. I went to the door & there was Mr. & Mrs. Ellsworth. They staid for a short while. We spent the evening writing letters. It was late when Robert got home.
Part of how Robert earned his living while a student at the Curtis Institute of Music was as a paid soloist at various houses of worship in the Philadelphia area.
Mon 16. I got up early and finished the washing which we had left to soak. Ruth had to be down to see her doctor by 10 A.M. That meant we needed to start at 9:15. The doctor said he thought Feb. 15 would be near the delivery date. After seeing the doctor we went to see Christ Church, Betsy Ross house and the graveyard where Benjamin Franklin is buried which is but a short way from Christ Church. We took the Subway to 69th St. & stopped at a cookery school for a couple hours at the Penn Fruit Co. After it was over we came home on a bus. I did not hear from Dad today. Ruth says I will not hear tomorrow as a letter cannot be mailed on Sunday. Robert has not been home since morning. He went to Wilmington on the bus.
The Penn Fruit Company was an innovative regional grocery chain in the Philadelphia area. Here’s a picture of the 69th street location in about 1933, complete with Easter bunny!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for the second half of January 1939.