Although there are significant world events going on, including the Winter War on the Russia-Finland border, Nazi Germany attacks in Europe, and increased rationing in Britain, it hasn’t begun to touch daily life in rural Iowa. Emma is in poor health, discouraged with finances, but staying involved with daily activities of cooking, sewing, church, and family.
Thu 1. Dad has been working on a walnut lamp for Betty. Hope it turns out OK. We are shelling the corn this afternoon. Have sent over three truck loads & are just finishing up the last end which is to be used for feed. We sold at highest price so far. It will net us 46½¢. Corn check $323.40. We owed 54.03 for coal & feed. We sold 673 bu & 42 lbs. Kept back 145 bu 40 lb. We will not get the check till tomorrow. We will pay Florence 150.00 and for our coal. Will not have enough for our other debts. Mrs. Ripley called this afternoon. She staid a long while. Had a hard night, but felt my recovery started through prayer. Was so much better after this victory. Shelling—12.29. Our final check 257.08.
Most modern corn production is done with combines, which harvest and shell corn in a single pass. Farmers in 1940 either shelled corn by hand or used mechanical shellers, which could be powered by tractors. It sounds like Tell and Emma were sending their corn for mechanical processing. I found some historical images from Iowa in the Library of Congress files, including this 1939 one of workers shelling corn for storage.
Fri 2. Test showed sugar at 9th drop today. Dad paid the bill at the elevator. Paid Florence $150. Will pay John Lohr $25 (& Owen some) which will leave very little. I am praying that there will be money provided for the hospital debt or some way besides using up the corn money.
As Emma monitored her diabetes, she often made entries about her test results. I have generally not included them unless there is something noteworthy.
Sat 3. We got a picture of little Roberta Ruth today. She is so sweet and bright looking. I’d love to see her. I have worked quite a little today and feel pretty tired tonight. Bess was in all afternoon. She helped me bake some cookies. I hope I am able to go to R.C. Monday night. I do not have very much pep. Wish I could be perfectly well.
I don’t have a picture of baby Roberta, but let’s fast forward about 20 years…little Roberta Ruth is a mom, and she is holding baby me!
Sun 4. We are ready for SS waiting for Brassfields. They came & the Greens brought us home. After dinner I read awhile, did dishes, wrote the girls & then went with Hilma to a Com. meeting on “Day of Prayer” which is Feb. 9th at our church. From there I went to Brassfields for a visit and lunch and Elvis took me to church. Saw the pictures of Panama & Costa Rica and Hilma & her mother brought us home. Dad had walked in. They came in awhile and we gave them some cream, cookies and buttermilk. Went to bed.
In previous entries, Emma mentions going to the church to see pictures from a trip that one of the members has taken. I’m not sure who went to Panama and Costa Rica. In 1940s Panama, military forces were beginning to build in the Canal Zone; they played an important role in the defense network in World War II.
Mon 5. It is not cold this morning. I want to get my hair fixed if it is possible. Sold Brassfields our milk & Dad has gone to town with the cream. Have studied this forenoon and rested this afternoon getting ready for the class at Rockwell City this evening. Went to Rockwell and taught. Was not as tired as usual. The school is half over. I did not feel quite equal to the situation last night.
Tue 6. We got a letter from Glenn Clark today enclosing the one from Gerald with his poem. I surely hope Something good happens soon. I did so want to pay the hospital all up today. Besse came in & staid till about 10 P.M. Told me all about Margie Jean’s love affairs. I was very tired.
Wed 7. The family letter came today. It contained the sample of Betty’s announcements. They were very cute. Besse brought in the two SS Times I wanted and staid till after 3 PM. Mrs. Brassfield came after me so I could go down to their place & help the girls pick a song for Sunday. Saw Rev. Robinson. He is disappointed because he wanted the girls to go to the League rally at Rockwell City. Dad has a bad cold & has gone to bed. I feel rather punk too.
Thu 8. I went down to Mrs. B’s awhile to help tie a comforter. Betty brought me home. Stopped in town to buy some apron material. Dad beat me at dominoes.
Here’s a short video on how to tie a comforter. Because these typically have a thicker, warmer middle layer than quilts, making it more difficult to do decorative stitching, knots can be used to connect the top, batting, and backing together.
Fri 9. Mrs. Brassfield came after me this P.M. to go to the World Day of Prayer service at the Methodist church. Hilma had charge of it. I had a small part. I walked home. Stopped awhile at Mrs. Ripley’s. Mrs. Brassfield came down and we studied the SS lesson. Dad again beat me at dominoes.
Begun in 1927, and now celebrated annually on the First Friday in March, the World Day of Prayer is an international Christian women’s initiative. The 1940 theme was “In Quietness and in Confidence shall be Your Strength.”
Sat 10. It was a lovely day. I cleaned up the house, washed the windows etc. Florence went to Glidden today. “Ernest & Cora” came after her—Cora is on the jury. Decided in a hurry I was to have a curl so Ernest took me down to Mrs. Miller’s. It cost me $3.00. Bess was in. Got a wave but would not get it dried. I walked home. Had my hair rolled on the sides. Got a letter from Ruth today. I wish Betty would do better.
Emma’s granddaughter Betty, age 16, was staying with Ruth and Robert in Philadelphia; it sounds as though there were some problems, but I don’t have any details.
Sun 11. I went to SS. Taught both Dad’s & my class. Bess came home with me for dinner and we went to Ft. Dodge with the Standard Bearers for a 4-o’clock service. We had lunch & came home. There were 18 in the bus. Cost me 20¢ to go. Bess paid for my lunch. Saw Mrs. Fowler, but Mrs. Johnson did not come. We enjoyed seeing Katharine Barge. She is very sweet.
Mon 12. It has been quite a pleasant day. We have been so anxious to know what has happened to Gerald. I forgot all about Monday Club till Velasta Fell called me. Vivian Leonard came after me. It was held at Mrs. Ferguson’s. Mrs. Fell & Mrs. Weakland read stories. Mrs. Wright brought me home. I rested awhile, got supper and am ready to go to Rockwell City. I hope it goes off nicely. Wrote the girls today & yesterday. Had a nice time at Rockwell City. Only two more nights yet.
Tue 13. Got up feeling the best I have for some time. No mail! It is always such a disappointment to get “nothing.” We washed today. It has been a nice day tho we dried most every thing in the house. I sewed a little while today on my aprons and helped Bess with a dress. Bess brought me a new kind of a comb. We told Mr. Sherman we would buy tickets for the banquet at the Community building. It is the close of Night School.
Wed 14. I did part of the ironing today and then went to Ladies’ Aid with Mrs. Ripley. It was at Mrs. Walter’s. I had a nice time. Won a prize in a Valentine game. Also in a spelling game I stood up till the last. In the evening we went to the Adult School banquet at the Community building. Ed & Bess came after us and we were glad for the ride. Asked Ed & Harry Fell to come to SS.
This 1940 Agricultural Education magazine illustrates the importance placed on preparing farm workers and families for the business of farming. One part of this involved evening classes on various farming-related topics. I found several newspaper stories about night school banquets from various Iowa towns in February 1940—they were apparently quite a big deal! One from Garner, IA (current population a little over 3,000) said that 197 farmers attended at least one of the 10 sessions in the course. Over 300 people came to the banquet, which included dinner music by the high school swing band, an after-dinner program with singing by a men’s double quartet made up of the Superintendent, County Auditor, County Clerk, Deputy Sheriff and others, and several speeches, including a guest speaker whose talk was broadcast on the radio. The story said that dinner was prepared by mothers of members of the Future Farmers of America.
Thu 15. Have finished the ironing today. Did not get the check, or a letter from Ruth, Katharine or Miriam. Today is Gerald’s & Miriam’s wedding anniversary but I do not even know where he is. I am so blue at not having enough to pay our debts. Owe the hospital for some thing I feel I did not get value received. Guess I am bitter over our financial condition. So much we need. So much we owe. We have always worked pretty hard & have so little. No wonder I want the Lord to return. I got a valentine from Billy Williams today. Mrs. Brassfield came down to study awhile.
Fri 16. This was one of the gloomiest days that I ever experienced—gloomy without and gloomy within. I was so blue over our financial situation. But there will be a way out I am sure. I sewed a little while. Spent several hours on my Rel. Ed. Lesson. In the evening I attended a Monday Club Com. meeting at Mrs. Snow’s and also a SS Board meeting at the church. I brought home two books to read and was given a lesson to report on in “New Trails for Christian Teachers.” Mrs. Brassfield brought us home.
Wow! On a blue day Emma found the energy to sew, study a lesson, attend two meetings, and get some new books and a report assignment.
Sat 17. We paid 10.00 to Owen, 5.00 on the machine, and I will try to pay the doctor 15.00 today. Katharine sent us nearly $10.00 extra so it helps us out a little. Brassfields owe us $16.83. They will get milk till Mar. 1st. Paid the doctor $15.00. Don’t know what I got for my money. Just found I had diabetes. It makes me tired. Bess was here awhile this P.M. I went to a SB meeting at the church. Miss Cornett talked to the girls & we had a pot luck supper. I am rather tired. Did not hear from Ruth this week.
Sun 18. Dad & I walked to SS this morning. It tired me pretty much but I taught the class. It was our T.O. and after a rather long opening service in which there was a baptism (Mrs. Day) and several admittances into the church—Mrs. Day, Mrs. Locke, Mr. & Mrs. Martin. Our speaker was Miss Maurine Cavett from Burma. After dinner I wrote letters, rested & read. We did not go out at night. Mr. Brassfield brought us home.
I have become fascinated by the stories of these woman missionaries. Maurine Cavett, who is pictured at the lower right in the image below, was born in 1898 in Iowa and died in 1969.
In Pegu, where intermittently a missionary was appointed, is now a flourishing work under Miss Cavett with five Bible women assistants, five day schools and street Sunday schools...The Burmese are considered the hardest people of the East to win but many are heart hungry. There is no mass movement but by ones and twos they are finding Christ. The harvest waits the reapers.
A 1942-43 Methodist annual report includes this entry, which was precipitated by the Japanese invasion of Burma. I’ve highlighted the references to Maurine Cavett.
On December 9, 1941, all Rangoon schools were ordered closed and boarders sent home. Movement out of the city began at once; many Chinese and some of the wealthier Indians sent their families away. The terrific daytime raids of December 23 and 25 precipitated a general exodus. At the same time refugees came pouring in from the Tenasserim area to the southeast and hordes of frightened people were hurrying down from the north hoping to get away by sea.
In all the confusion, terror, and sudden death, there was constant opportunity for Christian service to people in desperate need. For at least a year missionaries had been preparing for such a time, and until they were obliged to leave, every one of them was engaged in some sort of emergency service. The kind of thing they went through no amount of even the best description could quite make clear; only those who have done it really know. The evacuation was gradual. Grace Stockwell, Ruth Field, Alice Mae Dome, Mary Oppel, and Jeanette Oldfather crossed to India by boat in late January. Stella Ebersole left Rangoon February 18 and made the trip to Calcutta by car, boat, and overland on foot.
At the same time Maurine Cavett evacuated to Kalaw hoping that the Shan States might be permanently safe. But she and the three missionaries in residence at Kingswood School there, the Misses Mellinger, Kintner, and Reid, were forced out on March 13 and went by train to Shwebo, and by plane to Chittagong, to get a Calcutta train there. No one left until it became evident that staying on did more harm than good. Of course most of the belongings of the evacuees had to be left behind. The boats were too crowded to allow much space to be given to goods. Miss Ebersole started out with sixty pounds which was gradually diminished as she walked. Those who flew could take only thirty-three pounds each.
Where it was possible, as in Kalaw, the property and equipment were left in the hands of a responsible person who was staying, but this probably meant little in the long run. We have made to each missionary a special grant of $100 for personal reoutfitting—too little, of course. Nothing can be done about other personal losses or about school properties until the war is over. Careful records are being kept of all financial and property items. On April 22 a cable came from Bishop Rockey, of Lucknow, in charge of Burma Conference, outlining in detail the appointments of all transferred missionaries. Those appointed to Plains stations had a vacation in the hills and began work in July when schools opened. Only one came home, Mary Oppel, who arrived in New York July 8, and has since resigned and gone into other work. Letters have come from all those in India expressing their gladness at being able to serve in places where they are really needed and their eagerness to return to Burma when the way opens. Maurine Cavett is taking over the work of Martha Coy at Hissar, thus relieving Miss Coy for evangelistic work in the district. The school is closely related to village life and emphasizes handcraft as Miss Cavett did during her years in Thongwa. Of course her lack of knowledge of the vernacular is a handicap.
Mon 19. It snowed quite a bit today & it looked as though it might be bad for evening to go to R.C. However the snow has stopped and it has warmed up and the trip will not be bad at all. I did not have so large a class but it seemed to be a very profitable one. Just one more class and it will be over.
Tue 20. I was pretty tired today. Did very little except finish my three aprons. Dad beat me at dominoes in the evening. No letter yet from Ruth.
Here’s a sweet video of a gal making a 1940s-era Christmas apron. I grew up with a bunch of seamstresses in the family, so most of what she demonstrates is at least somewhat familiar. If you’re not a person who sews, you might find it interesting to see the various steps and details in the process.
Wed 21. We cleaned five chickens today ready to can tomorrow. They are in seven quarts, with some for noodles. We got a letter from Miriam today saying Gerald had been taken back to J.C. It is so heart breaking. I went to the ward (Ladies’ Aid) farewell party for Mrs. Fell this P.M. Gave her a gift of a pottery vase. Dad & I have been playing a game of dominoes. Thought I had him beat but he finished me. Got a picture of Margie Jean today. Got a short letter from Gertie containing one from Linnie.
Thu 22. Snow covers the ground but the sun is shining and it is pretty to look out. I wonder why we long for things so much and often when they finally arrive the conditions are so changed that we are not able to enjoy them. Dad walked to town and brought a letter from Ruth & one from Gerald. We were so glad to get them. It had been so long. I wrote Nora, Charlie, and Miriam & Gerald today. We canned 7 qts of chicken. Had noodles & chicken for dinner. Asked Mr. & Mrs. Brassfield for dinner as he helped Dad fix the car. It is now ready to drive except for license for it & the trailer. Mrs. Brassfield came down to study the SS lesson this afternoon. I beat Dad two games of dominoes this evening.
I found this recipe for “Grandma’s Homemade Noodles,” which I’m guessing were similar to what Emma would have made. I believe store-bought noodles were available, but with homemade ones so simple to make it’s hard to imagine her using them.
Fri 23. We have had a snowstorm today. It is much colder tonight. We were invited down to Brassfields for dinner. Had oyster soup. Helped Bess get ready for her party. Bud brought me home. Dad got feed today. Got his trailer license today—3.00. Florence G. got home today. Guess Wernick does not want our eggs. We have some here that want to set.
Sat 24. Have been busy doing the usual Sat. work. It is still pretty cold. The train was over four hours late. It will be three before we get the mail. We plan to set five hens today in the basement. We wrote Nora yesterday—rather sent it today, enclosing Gerald’s letter, also Miriam’s.
Sun 25. It has been cold and disagreeable today. My face is swelled and I have felt punk this afternoon tho’ I went to SS and taught my class and staid for church. I have had two callers—Margie Jean and Thelma Brassfield. Tomorrow I should be well if I get my duties done but guess Life could go on without me. Am going to try to write my Sunday letters.
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Mon 26. I got up feeling so punk I thought I would not be able to go either to club or to Rockwell City but I went to both. Mr. Wilson came after me and brought me home from club. I was not of much use except to pay my share of expenses—$1.10. Dad went with me to Rockwell. We had a nice supper and a nice time at the sessions. Had many lovely things said to me. Came home pretty much exhausted. My face is swollen & I am pretty tired.
Tue 27. Have spent most of the day in bed. My face & mouth are still sore and I am pretty blue tonight. I have decided to give up the different things I belong to. I do not seem equal to keeping things up. Am terribly blue tonight over it all—ill health, no money to pay bills, Gerald’s condition, Miriam with little work & the family to support, Betty’s dependence on Ruth, and many other things. It is hard to see the silver lining tonight, & I did want to live till Christ came back.
Wed 28. Have felt a little better today. Made three pies today—two for the church and one for Tell. Bess took them down and brought one back which I gave to her. My, she has a terrible cold. I have been making out my report to send in to SS Council. Am glad I was able to finish my class work but did not go to WFMS last night nor to Aid today. I wrote a card to Linnie, and one to Edna Mae Holland & Mrs. Ben Cox. Also to Mrs. Kester who has lost both her parents during our school. Bess was here awhile this P.M. Gave her the pie she brought back.
Thu 29. I have felt a little better today. Started to take gelatine for a week. If I do not feel better I will try to take insulin. Have tried so hard to avoid it. Got my class report made out and part of the books returned. Rev. Seaverson told Dad he thought I was a good teacher. Eggs went down again. Got only 15¢ in trade today. Things look pretty black to us financially. I sent in an Oxydol box top and sentence today. It surely would solve some problems to get $100—or more—dollars. Life can be hard!
In 1940, Knox Gelatine had a huge campaign touting it as a cure for fatigue—apparently based on a sketchy research study. Their ads suggested drinking 4 envelopes daily for 2 weeks, then 2 a day for 2 weeks.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for March 1940.
If you enjoy Emma, you might want to check out my new project, Travels with K, that tells of my great-aunt Katharine’s world travels in the 1960s and beyond.
