Tue 1. Mr. Dunlap finished cultivating. Dad paid him $20. Owe him 13 more. We planted some oats west of the house where the chickens ate the corn off. Canned 15 pints of peas, 6 of them in qt jars with new potatoes, 4 pints of onions to fill the boiler. It took me all day. This evening I have been catching the chickens that got out. We are trying to get them to roost in the barn & run in the corn east of the barn. There were 50 or more out. It is much cooler tonight. Dad may buy 340 more chickens.
Wed 2. Bess came in before I was up. I was so tired I did not get up till nearly 10. Bess lay down on the porch. We had breakfast & dinner. She staid till I went to Silver Tea on Mrs. Wyrick. Had a program by a negro from Carroll—Mr. Bell & his students. Came home and we bought the 340 more White Rocks. Do hope we make good on these chickens.
I wasn’t familiar with the term “Silver Tea,” but found it used quite often in newspaper stories for several decades without explanation; clearly everyone knew what it meant. I learned that these were traditional English-style tea parties that were accompanied by a “silver collection”—contributions to a patriotic or other worthy cause such as the Red Cross, church organizations, etc.
Thu 3. It has been so cool and nice to work out today. I swept the yard and Dad made feed troughs for the chickens. After I was through outside I swept & dusted the front rooms. Some Indian traders camped near the highway last night & two of the women came after water & begged food. I gave them bread, a gallon of milk, a pint of plum butter, a big sack of green beans, and some lettuce. I felt sorry for the poor things. Wrote a letter to John & Alice & one to John Lohr. We got a letter from Ruth today saying Robert was applying for a job in the U of Missouri. I hope he gets it. I plan to can more peas tomorrow. Dad said I ought not to do such heavy work when he was sick but help him more. I did offer to separate tonight. Had it started. I wish I could do the right thing.
Although the term “Indian traders” historically referred to non-Native fur traders who sold and traded goods with Native Americans, by 1941 this form of commerce was rare. My research suggests that the travelers who visited Emma were almost certainly members of the Meskwaki (also known as Fox) tribe, who had a settlement east of Lake City and were active in cultural and economic activities. They apparently often traveled across Iowa during the Great Depression and into the 1940s selling handmade goods—baskets, beadwork, etc.—to supplement their income. Here’s a video I found in which Mary Young Bear demonstrates Meskwaki bead art.
Fri 4. This has been a lovely cool day on our porch at least. I canned peas & new potatoes & onions. Wrote the family letter, listened to Pres. Roosevelt’s broadcast & wrote several cards & a letter to Jerry Jr. Katharine’s letter from Bread Loaf, Vermont came today. She is nicely located for summer school. Got my first copy of “Clear Horizons” which Ruth sent or subscribed to for me. Got the family letter & sent it on today. Took Tell’s picture in the tall corn today. It is above my head in some places. Dad has been fixing an enclosure for the 300 chicks. Bess was here awhile.
There’s a lot going on in this one entry! Here is the text of President Roosevelt’s address, given at Hyde Park, New York. It was in part a response to criticism from the antiwar America First Committee (AFC), whose most prominent voice was Charles Lindbergh.
Clear Horizons was a quarterly magazine modeled after the Reader’s Digest and devoted to the life of the spirit. It was published by Glenn Clark (who was one of Emma’s major spiritual influences) and his sister Helen Clark Wentworth from 1940 to 1962. Here’s a link to a scan of the full magazine Emma received, including an article by Mahatma Gandhi.
And here’s the picture of Tell in the tall corn!
Sat 5. This has been a cool day. Dad worked out doors fixing a fence for the new chickens. It is some job to keep them in & get them trained to go in the house. Bess was in a little while. She had a headache so I offered to make her raspberry jam. We got 6 qts & I made 4 batches out of it. I had an extra qt to eat. Made 15 pints out of 6 qts using Certo. I looked for Mrs. B in again but she did not come. Irene has been asked to sing tomorrow. We will have 1000 chickens to sell this Fall beside the hens we’ll keep—possibly 200.
Sun 6. This has been a hot day. We went to SS and church. The attendance was small. Had a chicken dinner. Lost 4 chickens. Irene sang at church “For you I am praying.” Her voice is sweet. Bess & Ed were here awhile. Am planning to go to Carrol with Bess tomorrow. Wrote a carbon letter to the “keeds” and a card to Linnie.
Mon 7. Did the work up & got ready to go to Carrol with Bess. I drove out there about noon and we picked up “Mable” Fell. Bess dented a fender as she came out of the garage so Ed told her to have it fixed. She had them all fixed & we waited till nearly six for the car to be finished. I bought a pair of shoes here, a slip & some curtains at Carrol. Spent nearly two hours in the porch of the Burke hotel. Finally got Irene’s grip. We got a letter from Gerald & a card from Katharine. Had some ice cream at Bess’ & she sent some home to Dad.
Tue 8. No sugar. This has been “wash day” and a nice one it has been. Cooler than yesterday. The clothes dried nicely. Dad hasn’t felt so well. He paid Gartrell 4.25. We sold about 3.00 worth of pullets. Bess was in a few minutes. Got her purse & aluminum trays she sent in yesterday. Florence got home today!!!! Dad sent cards to the girls but my carbon letter I wrote Sunday I did not send. Think our hens should lay some in August. Am reading “The Upper Room” each night. John Lohr sent it.
The Upper Roomis a publication of daily Christian devotionals that has been around since 1935. It is currently available in over 30 languages in over 100 countries as well as online.
Wed 9. It is so pleasant on the porch this morning. There is a nice cool breeze but think it will get hot today. It has been very hot today. I finished the ironing & went to the Aid at Mrs. Maple’s. Went with Mrs. Reid. It was blistering hot. Wrote the girls this morning. We were disappointed not to hear from Ruth. Found another dead chicken. Dad does not feel like doing anything. Canned two qts of raspberries tonight. Got a letter from Chris today.
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Thu 10. This has been a very cool & pleasant day. Dad got feed, mixed it & helped get the chicken house ready, fixed the roosts etc. I dyed a dress & pressed it, made some apple jelly, canned apples, juice, & pulp for butter. Bess came in this evening and we drove out to Brassfields awhile. The biggest news today was a letter from Ruth saying Bob is going to make a personal application at Columbia, Mo for a job. Dad said he would make two car payments for them so perhaps Ruth will come too. If they drive out & get this job I would like to go back with them & go to the hospital for a checkup. Also see New York. Had a chance to sell our pullets today 300 @ 19¢.
Fri 11. This has been delightfully cool day. We decided to drive to Denison and take the chair & settee to Florence to use. We took her a chicken, some peas & potatoes (canned), cream & strawberry jam. We brought home a looking glass for Dad to frame. Ate dinner with Florence at a café. Got a letter from John Lohr today. He wants me to send him the head of my sewing machine to repair. Some people were here wanting to buy 100 pullets. I asked 90¢ each & they hesitated. I don’t care whether they buy or not. It has turned very cold tonight. Florence is going to Ft. Dodge tomorrow. Mr. Grooters was here for supper.
Sat 12. No sugar. It has been cold today. Have been painting the kitchen linoleum. The Palmers from Lohrville phoned they would want some pullets. They came in the evening & got 54 @ 90¢. That made a check for 48.60. Put up one of the curtains I bought at Carrol. Do not like them so took it down. Will take it back. Flo went to Ft. Dodge today. Bess was here in the PM.
Sun 13. Another cool day. Wore a coat to church. Taught my class. Few at church. After dinner I went to call on Mrs. Whiting, Mrs. Damon & Mrs. Reid. Mrs. Damon was not at home. Put some of the littlest chicks by themselves. Wrote to Katharine, Gerald & Alice. Will write Ruth tomorrow. Bob is starting for Columbia, Mo today to apply for a job. I hope he gets it.
The University of Missouri (aka Mizzou) was founded in 1839 and was the first public university west of the Mississippi. Its Department of Music was founded in 1917. Bob was on the job hunt after graduating from the Curtis Institute of Music.
Mon 14. The mail brought letters from Ruth, Katharine, Charlie, Margaret Manora, & cards from Daisey & Gerald. Ruth wrote that they are driving though. Started about Sunday PM & will get here as soon as possible. Robert may drive to Columbia or he may go on train. We went to Denison after a bed. Bought a rug and we came home with a trailer full of stuff. I stippled the kitchen floor this forenoon. It was dry enough to varnish tonight but I couldn’t see. Florence gave me a light colored handbag. Dad got so tired.
Tue 15. Sat up quite late last night & mended the bag Florence gave me. Couldn’t sleep. About midnight Bob & Ruth drove in. We sat up & visited till 3 AM. Have been extra busy today getting things in order. We had a chicken dinner. Got some medicine for the chickens. Have lost quite a few. Had a chicken for dinner. Bob plans to go alone on the train for an interview. He will need to be in Columbia on Friday. We do so hope he will get the job. Florence got home today.
According this history of 1940s handbags and purses from the ever-wonderful Vintage Dancer site, this was a decade of practicality and make-do-and-mend. Bags became much larger than the small handheld clutches of the ‘30s to accommodate larger cosmetics, a handkerchief, gloves, perfume, and more.
Wed 16. Bob & Ruth, Bobbie & I drove to Ft. Dodge for dinner & got home about midnight. We ate supper at Grooters. Took Stella to her cottage. Were surprised to find Gerrit & Linnie here. They got here about four o’clock in the PM. Mr. Grooters gave me some Everbearing strawberry plants. I bought Dad a shirt & pants to match. Had a blood sugar at St. Joseph’s hospital. Cost 2.00. Was almost normal. 125. Normal 90 to 120.
Thu 17. We got up rather early & got Bob & Ruth off for Columbia. They finally decided to drive as the railroad connections are so poor. I am keeping Bobbie. She is a lot of fun. Gets into the chicken house & drives the chickens out. Plays in the dirt. I gave her a bath tonight. She seems a little homesick. Said “Momma will be home in a few minutes.” I set out the strawberry plants & now it is raining on them. How I hope Bob will get this job. Our little chickens are looking better. I set out the everbearing S.berry plants this evening.
Granddaughter Bobbie was 2½ years old. She’s 86 now and still likes to play in the dirt.
Fri 18. We cleaned up the house this AM. Cleaned a chicken for dinner. Irene wanted Bobbie to come out & got her about 9 AM. She staid till we went after her at 8:15 PM. Grandpa made her a swing today. Bobbie slept from 12:30 till 4:30. Was a good girl. Linnie & I went out to Bess’s about 10 AM & staid for lunch. We stopped at Mrs. Whitings to see her African Violet. We are so anxious for Bob to have this job. Hope they get home tomorrow.
Sat 19. Bob & Ruth got home about 1 PM. Had stopped at Mexico & brought little Jerry with them. He wants to stay till school begins. Bob & Ruth feel hopeful about the job. We are eight in our household. Dad gets so tired. He wants to go to Eldora tomorrow but I dread it. A telegram came today that Mildred has a new baby girl. I sent her a card & also one to Don Williams. We are all so anxious about Bob’s job. I wrote to Katharine & Gerald today. Went to Brassfields this evening. Got her SS Times to take to Mrs. Damon. Mrs. D will take my class tomorrow.
Tell’s brother John and his wife Alice were in Eldora. John was in poor health, and it sounds like it was hard on Emma to be there.
Sun 20. We were all pretty busy this morning with breakfast. Dad & Jerry went to SS. The rest of us went to church. The Rust College students gave a program. We came home, had dinner. Ruth, Bob & Bobbie & Jerry went to Twin Lakes this PM. The rest of us visited most all afternoon.
Mon 21. Linnie & Gerrit got some apples and left for home about 11 PM. After dinner Dad & I drove to Eldora to see John & Alice. We got there about 4 PM. Had supper & a pleasant evening. It was very hot. Ruth, Bob & Jerry staid at home.
Tue 22. We left Eldora about 8:30 this morning. Drove via Alden. Got some slips [plant cuttings]of a lady in Eldora & got some from Mrs. Johnson. Stopped in Webster City & bought a pair of work shoes. Saw Oliver Boylan & his wife. They gave me a Dixie cup & sent Dad a pkg of gum. Alice gave me a hat (black straw). My petunias are beginning to bloom.
Oliver was a cousin of Tell’s. The Dixie Cup reference led me down a curiosity trail…I learned that a company who had invented paraffin-coated paper cups began to market them as a sanitary alternative to shared drinking cups. After the post-WWI flu epidemic, they introduced a packaged line of Dixie Cups for home use. In 1923, they adapted the cups to hold ice cream, and the Ice Cream Dixies became a huge success.
Wed 23. This has been a very hot day. Ruth & I sewed a little. I did a little washing & ironing. Wrote a joke & sent to the Reader’s Digest. Hope I get a fiver. How I want an electric refrigerator. Am afraid there will be none available next year. Still hoping for Bob to get the job. Got a short letter from Katharine today.
Thu 24. This has been a very hot day. We have all suffered with the heat. A rain storm came up late this afternoon & cooled us off a bit. Got a card from Linnie. Jerry mailed his application blank to Scranton, also sent for an ocarina with a cornflake box top. Bobbie is so sweet these days. No word yet from Missouri. Dad does not feel very peppy.
Fri 25. Ruth & I took Jerry out to Bess’s this AM. Got some lard. The mail had come when we got home. The position at Columbia had been filled. It has been a hard day. We were all so disappointed. A vacancy in Mitchell & one in Decatur, Ill are to be filled. We went after Jerry tonight but he was already to go to Lake View to swim. Guess Dad did not like it because I said I’d had a hard life, but if all the sorrow we’ve had with Gerald, the loss of property, so poor we can’t consider a refrigerator isn’t hard, what is? Bob & Dad made me a new clothesline today.
Awwww, Emma! She so rarely got down about things, but every now and then she had a moment. At the end of this post, though, you’ll find some inspirational thinking she captured to help her keep her spirits up.
Sat 26. The heat wave was broken today and we are enjoying a cool evening after a rain. Jerry got home from Bess’. We played dominoes a little while tonight—Ruth beat. We had succotash today for the first time. Bess, Margie Jean, Mr. Grooters were here today. We painted my plant box green. Mr. Grooters brought some ice cream. Ruth had made some for dinner. We are all invited to Greens for dinner tomorrow.
Sun 27. No church today at our church. We went to SS & Bob sang. Dad & I went to the Baptist church. We all were at Green’s for dinner. Had a fine dinner & a good time. Heard that Dean Gould got the Missouri job. Ruth wrote a letter to the Drake School & we drove to Lohrville to mail it.
Mon 28. This has been a hot day, especially the afternoon. Ruth & I did a big washing. Dad & Jerry Jr. helped. Bob worked on Dad’s car, then on his own. No letter about jobs today except the one saying the Mo. job was filled. We drove out to Brassfields this evening to get some eggs but they did not have them. They invited Bob & Ruth out for dinner Thursday. Got a letter from Katharine today. Ruth & I made a lemon ice for supper. Asked Florence to eat with us.
Tue 29. We had our first sweet corn from our own garden today. Bob worked on his car again today. Ruth & I did the ironing. Bess came in and got our trailer to take chickens to Ft. Dodge on Thursday. She wants us to go with her. Stella phoned that she would be at Twin Lakes this evening so Bob, Jerry, Ruth, Bobbie & I took our supper and went up about 5. Got home about 9:30. We all went in bathing. Had supper, played croquet, and had a boat ride. Bob took Bobbie a ride on a bicycle. Ruth drove home. Expect I’ll be pretty sore tomorrow. No word from any position today.
Wed 30. The regular house work has kept us busy today. But we got to sewing and have about finished Ruth’s white dress. She wants to wear it to Ft. Dodge tomorrow. They are going with Bess to take her chickens to sell. I plan to take care of Bobbie. It has grown a bit cooler today. We had a nice shower. Bob took us over to see a lovely sunset. The sun had gone down so far it was not so pretty as it had been. Heard that there was no chance for the Dakota job as it had been combined with the band director’s.
Thu 31. Bob & Ruth, Bobbie & I took Bess & Billy to Ft. Dodge today. Took Bess’ car & the trailer filled with chickens. We shopped a little and ate dinner with Grooters. Saw Mr. Thalman in the PM. Came home. Jerry & Dad were at home. Had supper & went to bed. We were all pretty tired. Got a letter from Louisa today. Bought a pair of shoes for a dollar today—2¢ tax.
Mississippi was the first state to enact a sales tax (in 1930), but many states, including Pennsylvania—where Emma and Tell regularly spent time—did not have one in 1941.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for August 1941.
In the empty pages between June, July, and August, Emma captured these notes from “Wake Up and Live! A Formula for Success,” a 1936 inspirational book by Dorothea Brande. You can find the full text online here.
"Act as if it were impossible to fail." — Dorothea Brande
The first exercise is to spend an hour every day without saying anything except in answer to direct questions—without impression that you are sulking.
Learn to think for a half hour a day exclusively on one subject.
Write a letter without once using the following words—I, me, my, mine.
Talk for fifteen minutes a day without using I, me, my or mine.
Write a letter in a successful or placid tone.
Keep a new acquaintance talking about himself without allowing him to become conscious of what you are doing.
Talk exclusively about yourself & your interests without complaining, boasting or if possible boring your companions.
Plan two hours of a day & live according to the plan.
Arrange to put yourself into situations where you must act nonhabitually—where you must adapt yourself. On a number of slips of paper write instructions like these: * Go 20 miles from home using ordinary conveyance * Go 12 hours without food * Eat a meal in the unlikeliest place you can find * Say nothing all day except in answer to questions * Stay up all night and work Put slips in envelope—on a given day each month pick one out and perform its command.
