Sat 1. Dad got the ground corn today—1000 lbs. We mixed the concentrate—wheat, oats & corn and put it in the little house ready for the chickens. I baked a pie, wrote a letter, quilted and then Mrs. Brassfield & I went to call on Mrs. Woolridge and Mrs. Hoff. We got both of them for her milk customers. I tried on coats and bought a tweed one. Dad got his new suit home. It only cost him 3.00 to have it fitted to him. He also had his hat cleaned. We gave a pair of shoes to Mrs. Brassfield for her father out of the box that Berne sent. They were too large for Dad. 80 eggs today. We have 30 doz eggs on hand and two days to go. Besse came in tonight and helped me quilt—threaded needles, etc. She brought me a big roll of meat. We ate our supper at the Pres. church. I got a letter signed “Anna Mae” telling me of the organization of SB [Standard Bearers—a young women’s group within the church] in Ft. Dodge. Rolled the quilt for the first time today—1/10 of it is quilted.
Here are some 1939 coat styles to help you envision Emma’s purchase. And just in case you were wondering, here’s an explanation of what a “reefer” jacket—the basis for the coat style in the middle—is. Hint: it has something to do with sailing.
Sun 2. Early this A.M. I decided to ask Greens to come out and eat dinner with us. Besse gave me so much meat that I wanted to share it. They came & brought a few things. We had a nice visit. After they left I had a sleep. Then I wrote some & we went to church. The preacher showed some slides of famous pictures of Christ, & Mary McCrary read the scripture story. There are to be meetings all this week.
Mon 3. Quilting! Have got a nice lot done today. Did up the work. Got the seed corn & beans ready to go down to Millers to have him sell—and while working listened to the Radio. Dad has been working on the pig stalls. We sold the corn out of the west bin today. Paid for the feed we got and for my Spring coat. We sold the most eggs today we ever have in a week. Got 8.99 for them. Think there are several hens that want to set. We went to church this evening. Went after & took Mrs. Green home. Only eleven there! War looks very imminent. One speaker said “Fighting cocks of France, Anemic Hogs of America → All headed for slaughter house.” Japan is seizing territorial property of England, France etc.
Here’s a page of newspaper headlines from early April 1939 to give you some idea of how things were heating up.
Tue 4. Wrote five missionary cards this A.M. while washing—Mrs. Johnson, De Vaul, DP Smith, Sterrit & Charlotte Bennett. Am washing today. Wrote a sixth card to Mrs. Sanders at Dows. Got a letter from Katharine. Guess she will stay over night with Ruth & get to see Roberta. Talked to Bess this morning. She told of Mrs. Nuendorf’s sudden death. Found her at night. Had been washing the noon dishes when she was taken. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow” etc. Decided to go to Rockwell City with Bess & Mrs. Maple. Met a Mrs. Hoyt & promised to write a jingle for her booth for Achievement Day. Bought me a hat—for $1.98. We went out and ate dinner with Bess & she also had us eat supper. We got in—in time for church.
Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Wed 5. It is cold & windy today. I have written my jingle—and we have got four hens started to set. Now I will iron, quilt etc. Finished the ironing of the unsprinkled clothes. Put the rest away until tomorrow. Dad wanted me to go with him to collect money for the preacher. We called at Greens, Brassfields. Stopped at the store and Louise fixed the fasteners on my coat. Quilted when I got home but did not finish what I had planned. We went to church in the evening. Saw Mrs. Maple down town, also mailed my jingle to Mrs. Ray Hoyt at Rockwell City. It took me a long time to go to sleep because of a pain under my right shoulder.
Thu 6. “Can Europe escape war now?” is to be discussed over the blue network tonight at 8:30. It is snowing now. I wish it would warm up. I got a letter from Margaret today. It is her birthday. Had my hair “permanented” today. Hope it stays. Went to church at night. Bess came home with us and staid till 11:30. She had been to Mrs. Nuendorf’s funeral today. We went to the church service this evening. Had communion.
The NBC Blue Network was a group of radio stations that broadcast from 1927 to 1945, when it became the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The discussion Emma mentions was probably an episode of America’s Town Meeting of the Air, a public affairs discussion broadcast that was one of radio’s first talk shows and included audience participation and listener call-ins. It was produced by the League for Political Education, whose executive director and show moderator George Denny “worried that an uninformed public was bad for democracy; and he believed society had become so polarized that the average person didn’t listen to other points of view.”
Fri 7. It is a little warmer this A.M. Mrs. Brassfield brought my little paddle home this AM. I have been busy today. We have been having trouble with our chickens today. They are becoming cannibals—eating each other. Mrs. Brassfield came down to study this afternoon. We went to church at night. Was so tired did not stay for practice. Margaret was 14 years old today.
Here are excerpts from a letter Emma wrote to Ruth and Bob on this date. Based on the memoir I posted in the “Ruth’s Baby” special edition, Betty was coming to live in with them in Upper Darby, PA that fall, attending high school in nearby Media.
Dear Ones:
Got a permanent yesterday which I expect to pay for with cream & eggs. It takes 1 pint of cream and 2 doz eggs to make 50c...I have a new hat and gloves...they are the new henna shade—quite stunning! My coat is tweed, lined in dark brown taffeta...my new hat is rather large, shaped like a scoop shovel—without a handle, Dad says.
Miriam is so thankful for the opportunity for Betty & Betty is thrilled. I suppose you looked up the school tuition. Since short coats are the thing perhaps you or Betty could use the sheepskin Katharine wants to get rid of.
So glad you and Roberta are so well—kiss her for me. Give Robert two so he can give one back to you for me.
Lovingly,
Mother
Sat 8. Baked some cookies this morning. Have worked at the quilt some today. Florence sent me a piece of brown bread. It was good. She called up today saying she could not come down. Linnie & Gerrit drove in about seven P.M. I had asked them to come but had not really expected them till morning. Besse was here but she went home. We sat up and visited until about ten P.M.
Sun 9. Dad & I went to SS & church. Linnie & Gerrit did not come to church. Linnie had dinner started. We had ham for dinner. Have been busy with the ornery chickens. They would not go out doors but keep pecking each other. We are planning to stay at home tonight. However, we did not stay home. Hilma phoned that I was needed in the choir so Tell & I went to church and left Linnie & Gerrit to listen to the radio in the kitchen.
Mon 10. It is dark & cloudy this AM. Linnie, Gerrit & I went down town this AM to the fire sale—came home. Got an early dinner. They started home about 12 noon. In the afternoon I went to the Monday Club at Mrs. Jensons. Dad took me & Mrs. Till. Afterward we drove to the hatchery with our eggs. Got 71.56 for what we sold them. We brought the seconds back. We now owe them about $39.00 for chickens & feed. Got a card from Katharine and a letter from Gerald. Found we had a bunch of new pigs when we got home. Guess only 7 will live. I worked over three but they passed out.
Here are some excerpts from a letter written to Ruth and family in Philadelphia on this date from Robert’s sister Estella.
Dearest ones in Philadelphia,
Thanks, Ruth, for your sweet letter...to think Roberta is now almost 2½ months old. Oh, my arms just *itch* to hold her. I trust you don't pick her up when she cries. We had such a dear little fellow—5 mo—a model of good training. His mother has always kept up her schedule for him & he had the sweetest disposition and was so healthy!! Such a contrast to all the spoiled babies we get in.
Don't you *love* Easter? Words can't express how much it means to me, with its glorious resurrection story. Sat. afternoon I got to hear part of a recording of Sir John Stainer's "Crucifixion"—it thrilled me.
I'd like you to read "Nurses on Horseback" by Poole (at any library)—a most interesting & vivid description of the work of the Frontier nurses in Ky (my ultimate goal). I will stay around here this next year...then I hope to be accepted for a 6 mo. probation period in Ky—then a course in midwifery in N.Y. city, & back to the Frontier nurses.
Well, I must study.
Much love to each of you, and extra hug & kiss for Roberta Ruth.
Estella
Tue 11. I have been at home all day. Have worked with the chickens. It has been so cold out. I churned & did a number of things today. Have been quilting this P.M. Wrote several letters this A.M. One to Ruth, Katharine & Gerald. Dad took them down after dinner. We put three more hens on their nests. Will give them their eggs tomorrow.
Wed 12. The old sow had 13 pigs. One by one something has happened, till there are only 6 left. One of them had the skin torn down this A.M. till a place 3 or 4 in. was hanging down. Mrs. Brassfield came up when I called her & we cleaned it out & taped it up. It has gone to feeding OK. We paid for 20 weeks of Successful Farming this A.M. with an old hen. I helped Mrs. Brassfield wash her bottles this A.M. When she brought them home we stopped to look at O’Conner’s stove & decided to buy it. It cost $42.50 if we pay cash. Talked to Mrs. Martin at Aid today about Capons. I am going to try it this year. Mrs. Brassfield came down to have me help her with her dress. News over radio seems to indicate that all of Europe is on the verge of war.
Successful Farming, which began as a magazine to help American farmers in 1902, still exists and has expanded to include podcasts, radio programs, and social media platforms aimed at corn, soybean, wheat, and livestock producers across the U.S.
Thu 13. It is cloudy this morning. SS convention is on at the Pres. church with a pot-luck dinner. I did not go. We decided to get the stove from O’Conners. It will be $42.50—$10 is to be paid the 20th of this mo. & 5.00 every month till the last & then the 2.50. I put my “ad” in the paper to sell cookies. Hope I can pay for it that way. Got a letter from Katharine, a card from Ruth, a letter from Wes Boylan, a card from Mrs. Johnson asking me to meet in Ft. Dodge the 11th. I got it the 13th. We put the new stove in our kitchen today. It looks so nice. It cost 135.00 when new 6 yrs ago. It is all cream enamel.
Here’s an enamel stove that Sears sold in about 1933 to give you an idea of what Emma and Tell’s might have looked like.
Fri 14. Dad painted the kitchen walls today. I worked on the stove top cleaning it off. It is so nice to have it. I went to the WCTU meeting this PM. Dad took me and Mrs. Brassfield came after me & came down here to study. We studied the S.S. lesson. Florence “blew” in tonight rather unexpectedly. Had no answer from my cookie ad. I sent a letter to Florence S. today and she called me up tonight. She says I can have some of her furniture to use this summer. We set 5 hens tonight—or placed them. If they stay I’ll put eggs under them tomorrow night. I got a letter from Lou so wrote her today.
Sat 15. After doing up the work I walked down town—paid the light and electric bills. Got a souvenir from the Cabinet maker—a tiny “what not.” The second sow had nine nice pigs today. Hope they all live. Besse came in to spend the evening.
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Sun 16. Today was Charlie’s birthday. I meant to write him a birthday card but did not get it done. Dad had to stay home from S.S. on account of the “Share Sow.” She had seven and immediately stepped on the best one & killed it. Bess came home with me to spend the day and eat dinner. Bud came in after her. Dad gave her some wire to wire her chicken house. Brassfields gave us some milk which we went after. It is now 5:45 and I have not written my letters. Church is not until 8 tonight.
Mon 17. We have been having a real old fashioned blizzard with snow and wind but not a cyclone as they have had many places this Spring. Grass is green but covered with snow. Dad has been building my work table with flour & sugar bins in the pantry. It is so much better. I wrote Linnie, Katharine and Ruth today.
Tue 18. It is still bad out today—wind & snow & roads blocked in many places. I was supposed to go to Ft. Dodge today but couldn’t find a way and perhaps the others could not come either. Dad has been painting the kitchen—building up here & there— painting the work table etc. Besse was here in the evening. Set a couple more hens.
Wed 19. The sun shone today and nearly finished the snow. We washed and Dad painted the bathroom. We have a lot to do but it is fun to get fixed up. Mrs. Brassfield came after me to take me to Missionary this evening. I got a recipe for a Chiffon pie (lemon). I gave Irene a SB pin & we gave Elvis some rubber boots.
Thu 20. It has been a busy morning. We got a letter from Miriam enclosing one from Fan. I sent it on to K. Wrote Ruth, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Held. Guess my quilting is doomed. Have not done any this week on account of house cleaning, cutting my finger and now Mrs. Wallen wanted her “saw horses” so I have had to roll the quilt till Dad can make me some frames.
Fri 21. I went to Jolley to the Calhoun Co. Federation meeting today with Mrs. Snow, Hutchison, McCrary & Miss Howell. We had a nice time. Heard a reader give “The Old Maid” a play. Was pretty tired after coming home. Have a lot to do as I am looking for the Lehmans and Florence next Sunday.
According to this article, The Old Maid was a play adapted from a 1924 novella by Edith Wharton, “concerning two women—cousins—who allow rancor over a lost love to become a struggle for the illegitimate daughter of one.” It was adapted into a motion picture starting Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins in 1939.
Sat 22. Summerfield by—disked today—cutting up cornstalks. Baked a batch of cookies this A.M. Sold a dozen to Mrs. Hutchison—my first patron!!! Also baked an angel food cake for the Aid supper. It got me an order for one next Wed. I went to Mrs. Sherman’s to the SB meeting. We planned a May Day party for May 1st to raise some money to go to camp. Dad & I ate supper at the church. Mrs. McVey asked me to bake a cake for her next Wed. Had a phone call while I was away that Florence was coming. I am too tired to get ready tonight. Mrs. Brassfield came down to study. Besse was here awhile.
Sun 23. Dad & I each taught our class today. We killed a hen for dinner. Thought the Lehmans were coming but guess Florence Grey misunderstood, for Florence & Marvin got here after we got home from church. We had a nice visit. Florence brought me a lovely fuchsia from the greenhouse. We staid at home tonight and went to bed early as we were so very tired.
Mon 24. Dad has been to town for some garden seed and has spaded a place for radishes. I have made a big batch of noodles. Mr. Summerfield is here working & I have enough of them for dinner. He is raking up stalks & Dad is burning them. Am planning to go to the Monday Club meeting this evening. I took my gown and other things to Monday Club but did not go to Denison. I gave a report of the speech by Mrs. Wine. Broke my glasses so had to give it from memory. They lasted till now since Richard fixed them in Washington. Took our eggs down this evening.
A letter written to Bob on this date brought back a lot of memories. Rev. Otis Moore was a Methodist minister; he and his wife Alice (the author of the letter), and their three children and families, were long-time family friends of the Grooters.
Tue 25. We got a check for 6.30 for our eggs this A.M. Have kept busy today. Have been pretty tired. Mr. Summerfield worked here today and was here for dinner. I got some steak & had strawberry short cake. Florence went to Glidden today. I gave her & Ernest each a piece of short cake. Planted a few radishes today. Besse came for awhile in the evening. Florence Sullivan sent me 1.00 for some cookies.
Wed 26. Made garden. Raked yard. Had an extra man for dinner. Went to Ladies Aid. Set a hen. Planned the program with Mrs. B for SB. Plan to go to Ft. Dodge on Friday if possible. Wrote Gerald, Ruth, Mrs. Teller, Gladys & Florence. Dad painted the dining room. We plan to paper tomorrow.
Thu 27. Dad went out after Bess & we papered the dining room today. Mrs. Brassfield came down in the afternoon & helped. The Summerfield boy was here today plowing. Dad was so tired he did not want to take Besse home so she staid all night.
Fri 28. After doing up the wash we took Besse home. Stopped at Brassfields a minute coming home. I washed awhile. Had the Summerfield boy for dinner & went to bed about 5 P.M. I did not feel at all well.
Sat 29.Had the Summerfield boy here again for dinner. He finished the plowing. Dad & I are in Webster City on our way to John’s. Got a card they were leaving for the South next Tuesday. We plan to come back tomorrow. Mailed Gerald’s letter here. Got to Eldora about six P.M. in time for supper. We had a nice visit till 10 P.M. Went to bed tired out.
Sun 30. We spent the morning with John and Alice. Staid until about 2 P.M. Alice let me borrow her electric sewing machine for a few weeks. I want to make a white silk dress while I have it. She gave me some dresses, a hat, some woven rugs, egg cases, cans pieplant, etc. John let Tell borrow 30.00 which we had to have or we could not have got home. We visited a half hour with Mrs. Johnson at Alden. Got home about 6 P.M. Found the hogs all out—in the pasture. Guess they had a high time. I was so tired I went to bed very early. Wrote postal cards to the girls.
