Welcome to 1929! As an opening treat, here’s a sonnet written in a family journal on New Year’s Day 1880 by Will Boylan, one of Tell’s brothers, who would have been 21 at the time.
Tue 1. We spent the day getting Katharine ready to go back to Chicago. Took her to Iowa Falls at night. We went to a movie Tillie’s Punctured Romance.
This was probably the 1928 silent film starring W.C. Fields, rather than a 1914 one by the same name that starred Charlie Chaplin. The 1928 film is presumed lost with no copy in known existence.
Wed 2. We missed Katharine today. I got a letter from Mrs. Walker. Have been sewing. Was pretty cold last night.
Thu 3. Have been sewing and getting read for Aid tomorrow. I went off to practice in a trio but decided not to sing so stayed home from the Study club tonight. We were glad to get Katharine’s letter telling of her safe arrival in Chicago.
Fri 4. Entertained Ladies Aid today. Only five came. So many are sick.
I wrote about the Ladies Aid Society in this entry from 1928.
Sat 5. We had a severe blizzard today—Cold & windy. I washed—Hung the clothes in the basement & sleeping porch. Gerald brought me over some S.E. Parts to read.
Sun 6. It has been so cold & snappy today. We went to church & SS this AM. Was none tonight.
Mon 7. Did a small washing today—also sewed a while. The furnace fire puffed sending out soot from the kitchen chimney just before we went to bed.
Most home heat at this time was provided by a coal furnace in the basement. These were often called “gravity” furnaces or “octopus” furnaces—they usually had multiple ducts that went up to various parts of the house.
Tue 8. Spent the morning cleaning soot up in the kitchen. Washed my hair. Then in the evening I went to SB at Millers. Had a nice time. Lost the fastener on my new beads. Mrs. Swallum invited me down to quilt tomorrow PM.
Wed 9. Was so glad to find the fastener for my beads. Did not get to go to Swallums as I pressed Daddy’s clothes and Mrs. Walker came down. We got the Missionary lesson ready. Daddy went to Cedar Rapids in the evening.
Thu 10. Went to Mrs. Hoon’s to WFMS today. We had a good meeting. Went to the Contest in the evening. Did not get home until eleven PM. Ruth Beck, Glen Whitney, & Irene W?? were the winners. Got notice & am to be on jury.
Fri 11. Baked a little bread today. Drove to Eldora in the truck after Daddy—He did not like it but Gerald was sick. It was pretty cold today.
Sat 12. Sent my jury card in. Am to appear Feb 11 at 10 AM. This is the third time I have been on the jury. Have cleaned up in the house today.
Service of women on juries has increased over the past 100 years, and generated debate similar to that of the women’s suffrage movement. In Iowa, women were first able to serve on juries in 1920.
Here’s a cartoon from a little earlier in history with a perspective on woman jurors.
Sun 13. It is very cold today. We went to church & SS this AM & evening. Wrote to Katharine. Read an article about Aimee McPherson and one about Bryan. I had to act as SS Sup. Gerald is better today.
I wrote about evangelist Aimee McPherson in this entry from 1928.
William Jennings Bryan was an American orator, politician, and religious figure who argued for the prosecution at the Scopes Trial in 1925.
Mon 14. Another cold day. I washed & then sewed. Mrs. Walker brought me some doughnuts & Miriam sent me a cup of salad dressing.
The first doughnut machine was invented in 1920. Here’s a vintage doughnut recipe from the 1920s.
Tue 15. Mrs. Walker washed here today. Ruth W. came for dinner. We had chicken & noodles. Ruth went to a Basketball game at night. Am making her an oil cloth bag to carry her music. We got another new letter from Katharine.
Traditional oilcloth is a close-woven fabric treated with linseed oil to make it water-resistant.
Wed 16. A pleasant day. We went to a Steward Board meeting at the bank then down to Mrs. Swallum’s to quilt a while—Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Walker & I. In the evening Ruth & I went to a Victory day celebration at the Salem church.
I’m pretty sure this was a celebration of the Volstead Act, which enforced Prohibition when it went into effect on Jan. 17, 1920.
Thu 17. Ruth is home for today and tomorrow as she gets out of all her exams. Tell, Ruth & I drove over to Eldora this AM. Got stuck in the snow twice in Eldora tho’ the highways are good. Ruth is busy on a “Lady of the Lake” booklet.
Fri 18. Ruth is home again today. We have done the usual cleaning. She will work on her booklet & I will sew.
Sat 19. Poor Mr. Hubbard died this morning about 8:10 AM. He seemed to have no thought that he could live. Tell was re-elected on the Telephone board today.
A quick search turned up Mr. Hubbard’s death certificate—prostate cancer. Although I don’t think he was a relative, Tell’s father William Wesley Boylan was one of the founders of the town of Hubbard, and Mr. Hubbard may have been a descendant of a “founding father” as well.
Sun 20. It is a pretty sunny day tho’ cold. John & Alice have phoned they will not be over. Went to church & SS in the morning but stayed at home at night. Mrs. Horning & Mrs. Reece called.
Mon 21. A pretty day! I wash in the AM. Went to Mr. Hubbard’s funeral in PM. Called on Rowley & Mrs. Walker afterwards. In the evening went to PTA. The vote on prayer at PTA was 19 for, 16 against.
Tue 22. Stout Fella is one year old today. It is cold, windy, and stormy. Ruth & I went over to see the boy this evening. I finished my ironing and mending today – also baked bread.
Stout Fella was Emma’s nickname for her youngest grandchild, Gerald’s son (also Gerald).
Wed 23. Spent the day reading and working with some rags. Mrs. Walker came down in the PM.
Thu 24. Another cold blizzardy day.
Fri 25. Another cold and windy day. The roads are drifted full of snow. Ruth is practicing for the operetta these days. Daddy wired two plugs for our lamps today.
Sat 26. John & Alice did not get to come over today because it is so cold. Have been busy cleaning, embroidering, reading, etc. Went down town this PM, the first since last Monday.
Sun 27. We went to church & SS. It is not quite so cold today. Gerald and his family spent the day at Clyde’s. Nora is to read The Servant in the House at church tonight.
This may have been an excerpt from a 1907 play by Charles Rann Kennedy, on the theme of the sins of pride, selfishness and greed, and “a human portrayal of the indwelling of the spirit and the saving ministration of a Godly life.”
Mon 28. Wash day! I went down town this PM. Went to call on Mrs. Walker. Am tired tonight.
Tue 29. We are having more snow today. Daddy is complaining of pain in his side. I got a Christmas card from Mrs. Newcomer—has her picture on it—taken by her pool. Also got a notice from the ME Book concern that our church owes 44.54 for hymnals which was supposed to have been paid.
For all my music-loving friends, family, and readers, here’s a link to a digital copy of the full ME Hymnal of that time.
Wed 30. More snow today. We had a Cemetery Com. Meeting here tonight.
Thu 31. Another month gone. It is very cold—(not in the house) the coldest day of the year—I am told. Did not go to the WCTU meeting today. Was not well. Ruth got a haircut. Got another letter from Katharine today.
I hope you have enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals! See you next week for February 1929.