As this month opens, Emma and Tell are on their rented farm in Lake City, IA. Robert and Ruth are in Philadelphia with infant Roberta Ruth.
Mon 1. I baked cookies today thinking I might go to Denison tonight but we are to have the SB [Standard Bearers—young women’s group in the Methodist Episcopal Church] May-basket party. Have been having such a fierce cold and cough. Went to the party in the evening. Tell did not feel like going so went to bed—not many there but we had a good time. Took in $3.50. I furnished ½ doz lemons.
Tue 2. Today has been busy as I cleaned the front room. Got it all done and it looks very well. Florence Sullivan called to say they might be over this evening but it didn’t materialize.
Wed 3. Have written several letters today—to Katharine, Ruth, Miriam, Kate & the family letter. It all takes time. It was too cold and windy to wash but have cleaned the bedroom, all but the bed. It was not warm enough to take things out doors—besides it was raining a little. Dad fixed up roosts for the chickens and we moved over 100 of them this evening. Hilma asked me to ride out to see Mrs. Dilovan about leading the Missionary lesson next time. She lives near the gun club. I set two hens today.
Here’s a sweet little video on building chicken roosts. And an explanation on why chicken roosts are important from the (very interesting) blog post that accompanies it: “Animals are happiest when their domesticated environment matches their wild environment. Birds in nature roost, or perch, high up in trees on branches. You’ll find them primarily roosting through the night, but they also do so during the day. Chickens are no different. This innate behavior is how birds keep themselves comfortable and safe from predators, especially while sleeping.”
Thu 4. This has been a lovely washday. Had a big one but got it all pretty well dry before the rain. Dad painted the tables at the church again & cleaned up the yard. There is so much to do. Dad gets so very tired out. He walks a little while and is all in. Could have sold my chicken for 25¢ but I wanted 30. Set two hens on glass eggs tonight. If they stay alright they can have good eggs tomorrow. I have 15 on nests now. Dad found a roll of paper over by the sign. It had been rained on but was not all spoiled. I can have my sign now for Manson.
I always learn something as I work on these journals! Apparently the use of glass eggs to get a hen to start laying in a chicken coop is very common. You can even buy ceramic ones online (here are some from Tractor Supply).
Fri 5. Work, Work, Work. Thought I’d get my ironing finished today but I didn’t. Such a lot to do. We planted more peas tonight, beans, a few cabbage and tomato plants. It all takes time and energy. Dad spaded long and hard. Got word from Wernicks that they would buy no more eggs of us. Found a fat setting hen dead!!! Guess I will be busy tomorrow getting ready for Monday club.
Sat 6. This was cookie day. I baked a batch, and they were good. Besse came in and staid till about 10 P.M. Dad went to bed. He was very tired. Took the quilt down today.
Sun 7. This morning Dad & I went to S.S. & church. We taught our S.S. classes. I sang in the choir. Came home and kept busy at a number of things. Made two large paper signs to use at the Manson convention. Bess brought me in some dishes to us, & she & Mrs. Brassfield came down in the afternoon awhile. We went to church at night.
Mon 8. The day started out cloudy & threatened rain but it turned warm & sunny and there were 20 of us at Monday Club. I enjoyed having the women but am very tired. I got up early, cleaned up the house and baked two angel food cakes. Went down and had my hair waved & have kept busy generally. Florence accepted my invitation to Monday Club. She helped me serve as did Mrs. Fell. Mrs. Fell staid & helped me wash dishes. Dad bought some hybrid seed corn today. I got a lovely piece of dress goods from Katharine today for Mother’s Day.
Tue 9. We had 126 cockerels caponized today by some young men from the Winans Produce Co at Glidden. Had the men for dinner. Took Bess’s dishes home today and she came home with me to stay all night so she can go to the Manson convention. She had her hair done & came home to sleep on the cot. She borrowed Mrs. Fish’s ear phone. Had two hens hatch today. Got a letter containing $2.00 from Katharine to get my dress made.
Caponized cockerels have had their testes removed, which prevents them from turning into tough roosters. Capons are full-breasted, with moist, tender, flavorful meat that is ideal for roasting. Caponizing was once quite common but is much less so today, partly because it requires a surgical procedure and is controversial. This article provides more information.
Wed 10. I went with Rev. Robinson to Manson today. Came home with Mrs. Dilavoux. We had a fine convention. Found there was a group of SB’s in Gilmore City. I am so glad about it. I was on the program at noon and also in the afternoon. We came home and Mrs. Williams helped me put stitches in the bloated chickens. So far we have lost four. Several look like they were pretty hard hit. One hen is hatching today.
Thu 11. We planted some more garden today. It has turned very cold. Have 13 more baby chicks and 11 hens still sitting. Set 2 more last night. Attended choir practice and a choir party for the Waters. For tomorrow evening we have asked them out here. Florence phoned we could take her davenport, chair and other things. We may drive up Sunday.
Fri 12. Both Summerfields are here today. We can not go to Denison. I wrote Linnie, Florence & both the girls. I went to the WCTU meeting this afternoon. Had charge of the roll call, devotional & lesson. I asked Rev. Robinson to make a talk. Set three more hens tonight. I have about 85 little chickens I have hatched & 13 more hens are setting. We got a card from Alice today. Got a pretty piece of material for a dress from Katharine, also $2.00 to make it up but I had to give that to Dad to buy corn to plant (hybrid). We have the gas in now.
Here are some excerpts from a postcard Emma wrote to Ruth on this date:
Dear Ruth, We are feeling badly that Earl Waters is leaving Lake City—a promotion—moving to Sheldon. Earl goes ahead and they all go when school is out. Mrs. Waters and I talked about going to Tulip Day, May 18th. Got a letter from Betty. They have moved…counting big on coming this summer. So glad about Bob’s concerts. People ask about when you are coming home. K. says she thinks she will stay in Cleveland for summer school. She sent me goods for a new dress & money to have it made but we need to use it to pay for gas installment. Love, Mother.
Sat 13. Mr. Summerfield & his son planted corn here today but did not get through. Dad bought 2 2/3 bu of seed corn but will use a little of what he has saved. I invited Waters for supper & have killed a hen (she was laying). Mrs. Brassfield came down to study in the P.M. We had a pleasant time. Mr. Waters gave Dad a pole & cross pieces for clothes line. Got a pretty Mother’s day gift from Ruth today. It is a piece of cut work.
Cutwork is a decorative needlework technique in which portions of a fabric are cut away to create an intricate design, often filled in with embroidery or lace. This technique can be used on various textiles, including tablecloths, linens, and clothing. Here’s a basic tutorial on how to do it.
Sun 14. Dad & I went to S.S. & taught our classes and then drove to Denison. Florence had invited the Lehmans for a chicken dinner & there was enough for all. We drove out to the cemetery & then Florence gave & lent us some things. Brought home some chrysanthemums to plant, some plates etc. etc. Went to church at night. Could not sleep I was so tired.
Mon 15. This has been a beautiful day. I have not accomplished much. Set out my chrysanthemums & planted some morning glory seed. Mr. Summerfield finished planting corn, except for the edges. Have lost at least 15 of my caponized chickens & more will die. It will be just too bad to lose them. Got a nice Mother’s Day card from Gerald.
Tue 16. Did the washing today. It has been a beautiful wash day. Dad has spaded some and I planted some watermelon seed. The Winter ones are to the south. The seed K. saved are to the north. My strawberry bed is full of blooms but unless we have rain there will be no crop. Got the corn all planted today. Sold the old corn and will have it shelled tomorrow P.M. Went to Mrs. Brassfields in the evening to a WFMS meeting. I gave a report of Mrs. Moores talk & a talk on Stewardship. Also helped serve & played the piano.
Wed 17. A lovely cool morning. Have written Gerald & John & Alice. Wrote the girls last night. We shelled the corn today. Saved 121 bu—34 lbs. Sold 752 bu—38 lbs. We will get the check tomorrow. The man from Glidden was here to say he would caponize 100 cockerels free for me since I lost 19 of the others. I hope I can make good money on them. We have a nice big pile of cobs to burn. Got a letter from Mrs. Fowler asking me to take the TO in First Church Ft. Dodge. I must write her about it. It looks rather hard but guess I can.
Thu 18. We spent quite a bit of time putting away the cobs. I wanted so much to go to Denison today but Dad thought it might rain on the cobs. I am glad they are all under cover. I paid John Lohr, O’Conner, & tried to find Leathers today but didn’t. Mrs. Brassfield came down to study this afternoon. Believe this was the night Mr. & Mrs. Grooters were here, also Bess. Mrs. G said Helen had not been well. Took the Robinsons ½ bu walnuts.
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Fri 19. We cleaned up the yard and watered the strawberry plants today. We went down to Brassfields to find some pipe but they had none. Found the hogs had eaten 4 nests of setting hens eggs. Was so tired I did not get to go to the play. Bought a dozen pineapples this evening for 10¢ each.
Sat 20. I canned 18 pints of pineapple and 3 pints of juice today. Dressed a hen and made noodles for the SB meeting this evening. Miss Laura Bobenhouse talked to the group. We had a nice supper. I will have the missionary for dinner tomorrow. Mrs. Green told us that Louise will be married on June 1st to her employer Mr. Bronson. She had only known him 10 days or less. He is a Catholic. They will be married in the rectory. It is hard to understand.
I continue to be fascinated by the stories about women missionaries. According to this article, Laura Bobenhouse was born in Iowa, heard a voice calling her to be a missionary, and spent 40 years of service in India, with seven Atlantic Ocean crossings and three trips around the world. “On her 1907 furlough she watched the city of San Francisco recovering from its earthquake and fire. Her return in 1915 was hampered by the naval blockades of the First World War. She lived in colonial India under five British sovereigns.” She lived to be over 100, and a biography, “A Century With Laura Bobenhouse,” was written in her honor. [I tried unsuccessfully to find a copy.]
Sun 21. We got up early this A.M. and I cleaned up my house, fixed a pie and then we went out to bring Bess in to attend SS & church & for dinner. We brought Miss Bobenhouse home for dinner & Hilma took her to Glidden to take a four o’clock bus. We took Bess home about five. She bought some ice cream to take home. Got back, did the chores, & spent some little time getting the sows & pigs fenced in. Dad had to fix the places they got out. He wants to go to Dows with the preacher tomorrow.
Mon 22. Dad left about 8:45 to go with the Robinsons to Dows. I see Mr. Jones is going too. I am not decided what I will do. Wrote a card to Linnie & sent the letters to the girls that I wrote last night.
Here’s the opening paragraph of the letter from Emma to Ruth (you never write!!):
Most of the news in the letter reflects things Emma has already written in her journal, but at one point she mentions that Tell’s trip to Dows with the preacher was for “a conference which is a report of the Uniting Conference.” On April 26, 1939, the Uniting Conference began the process of reuniting the Methodist Episcopal Church with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, which had broken away in 1844 over the issue of slavery, and the Methodist Protestant Church, which had broken away in 1830. Unfortunately, the resulting governance structure segregated African-American members and clergy into a separate jurisdiction. It wasn’t until 1968 that another conference dissolved this jurisdiction and today’s United Methodist Church was formed.
Tue 23. Bess and I drove to Denison this afternoon with the trailer. We had a hot old drive. The dust was fierce. Had a good bath & went to bed. We went up town. Bought a 2.00 buffet & had it delivered. Florence got some lime sherbet for supper which was good. She went with Lehman’s to the class play.
Wed 24. Clarence & Mrs. Lehman helped to load the trailer this A.M. We had it & the car full. Brought the buffet, davenport, big chair, bed stand, rug, rug pad, board, windows, screen window, small rugs, some little junk. I was pretty nervous driving till we got to Carrol—then it was easier as the road was straighter. We took Bess home. Got the furniture in place, etc. Mr. Grooters was here tonight. I traded my 10 roosters for 3 bags of baby chick feed. Bess came down in the evening. Got a card for John & a letter from Ruth. It is very hot. We need rain badly. We were notified of a Board meeting at 8 P.M. but Dad went to bed.
Thu 25. Have had a little shower of rain this evening. We needed it badly. Hope we get a soaker tonight. Dad has been carrying water to my strawberry bed. Got a letter from Miriam saying Betty & Jerry would be here about June 10 or soon after. Got a letter from John Lohr saying he got the money and we could have more.
Fri 26. We had our first fried chicken today. It weighed 3 lbs. They are only worth about 15¢ per lb. We wrote to John Lohr for $50. He offered money to us. We are happy over a good rain today. We needed it badly. Dad is putting a floor in the old chicken house. I am so glad to have it. I planted a lot of squash seed today, also a few beans. My sweet corn seed 15 lbs brought $1.80.
According to this Saturday Evening Post article on 100 years of fried chicken, the typical recipe around 1940 was something like this: “Roll pieces of young chicken in seasoned flour. Fry in deep hot fat (350°F) until brown, turning frequently. Finish cooking in covered pan in slow oven (325° F) — about 25 minutes. Spread out chicken and uncover for last 10 minutes’ baking for that crispy coating!”
Sat 27. Everything looks much better after a good rain. I set out 20 ground cherry plants. We got two cans of buttermilk today—one for tomorrow. I have sewed awhile on my dress. It goes slowly. Mrs. Brassfield came down to study the S.S. lesson in the evening. Bess came also.
Sun 28. Dad & I taught our S.S. classes and staid for church. The young new chiropractor joined church this A.M. I asked him out for dinner but he had planned to go to his brother’s in Rockwell. Had a talk with Louise. She seems to feel her marriage to Mr. Bronson—after a nine day or less courtship—will be OK. I hope so. Bess was walking on air because she drove their new car alone to town. I worked on my SB plans this evening & wrote a lot of postal cards about it. Wrote the girls this P.M.
Mon 29. Dad could not get any buttermilk this A.M. I have the washing done and have helped drive the little pigs in. They can squeeze through the smallest places imaginable. I wrote Grooters Sat. that I would buy the 126 chickens he had for 10¢ each. Hope Dad gets the place ready today.
Tue 30. This has been a hot day. We spent it at home. Had a chicken for dinner. Found it was a capon. Daddy worked on my chicken house. I sewed and ironed. We were invited down to eat ice cream at Brassfields in the evening. Got home a little before ten. Wrote Mrs. Fowler today that I would speak June 11th at Ft. Dodge.
Wed 31. I had Mr. Ripley for dinner today. I drove out to Bess’ to see about getting some chickens—stopped to get some sweet potato plants & some meat for dinner. Mr. Grooters phoned about some White Giant chickens which I bought. We will go after them in the morning. Bess came in the evening. It is now 12 P.M. I have not yet been able to sleep. Got $50 from John Lohr today. We sent John B 30. Got a letter from Ruth.
Here are some White Jersey Giant chicks. According to this site, “this breed grows slowly but eventually are a third larger than most other heavy breeds…an impressive hen that lays about 240 extra-large eggs annually…tend to reach marketable meat weight slower than other breeds.”
