Emma #28: January 1930
Ruth starts driving and enters a dramatic speaking contest; Tell goes to the Implement Dealers Convention; Emma stays busy
Wed 1. Started a diary in Oct. ’27. Kept it for over two years. January 1930 has arrived The past year brought many changes. What will the New Year bring? It is beautiful out today—a walk down town with the girls, a lovely hand made greeting from Roy Fisher, a fine chicken dinner at Gerald’s, a Steward board meeting at the bank, an afternoon at Minna’s, and a basketball game at the school house made a happy New Year Day.
Thu 2. The girls and I are sewing today. Mrs. R[—?], Leona Blake, and Katharine helped to rip up Katharine’s red dress yesterday. It is a beautiful dark red and matches the new hat she got in Eldora—which goes beautifully with a scarf Adolph gave her for Christmas. She got him a book for snap shots.
I have no idea who Adolph was or what role he played in Katharine’s life.
Fri 3. We four drove to New Providence to attend the funeral of Luther Carter. He was formerly Speaker of the House in Iowa. Gov. Hammil attended the funeral, also the president of Penn College. It was fine to hear the splendid tribute given to him—loyal, honorable, true friend, a leader in his home community. Uncle John came home with us. We had oysters for supper. Minna called. We all spent the evening at Gerald’s. Mrs. Alice Mesch Hoelsher was taken for forgery at Marshalltown today.
Luther Carter, a farmer from Hardin County, served in the Iowa legislature from 1927 to 1929.
Sat 4. Another lovely day! The last one of Katharine’s vacation. The time has flown—I feel like Abby in The Lantern in Her Hand. [Emma read this in November 1929.] Turn back the hands of the clock. Events seem to tumble over themselves to get done. Agness V. said that was a sign of age. Youth looks ahead and times seems long. Guess they haven’t heard how to live. Katharine & Ruth helped me sweep the church. We took K to the Falls—she left at 11 PM. Will get into Cleveland tomorrow night. Did the washing today. It dried lovely outdoors. Chicken for supper.
Sun 5. I had a nice SS class this AM. We are beginning a 6-mo study of Matthew. I learn so much as I teach. Katharine is on the train today. It is warm and sunny out. Am reading John Brown’s Body by Steven Vincent Benét. We drove to Eldora—I mean Ruth did. Dad & I sat in the back seat. She had taken the car alone for the first time today. Ate supper at Will’s. While there Katharine’s telegram came—sent 5:45. Arrived 5:40. Saying she got there safely. Got some cream for Ladies Aid & came home & went to bed.
John Brown’s Body was an epic poem about the Civil War that won the 1929 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
Ruth was 16 at this time. Iowa did not have a driving examination or issue drivers’ licenses in 1930, so it was up to her parents to decide when she was ready.
Mon 6. School started today. The weather changed—it is colder. Wind & snow are blowing. Got a letter from Chicago from Katharine. Finished my ironing. Was so tired in the evening. Had to address over 300 envelopes at night for the telephone notices have to be sent out.
Tue 7. Entertained the Ladies’ Aid today. There were 13 here. Sent Mrs. Knowles her lunch as she wrenched her back and couldn’t come. Miriam entertained the Bridge Club today. Daddy went to the Implement Dealers Convention at Marshalltown with Johnnie Hornung. Ruth went to Iowa Falls for her lesson. She came home with a sick headache. Is better now. Ollie called & wanted to give me some buttermilk. Miriam went after it.
Wed 8. Mrs. Mohler said that Garnett said she would come clear home from Chester every Sunday to attend my SS class—that they didn’t miss their social hour at all. “Bouquets to the Living.” Ruth is not going to school this AM. Ruth feels better—went to school in PM. It has turned so cold. I took the milk pail to Byams & waited over a half hour for him to milk. Nora phoned to Tolbe about music position.
I wasn’t sure what “Bouquets to the Living” referred to, but in looking around it seems to be related to the idea of taking the time to appreciate people who have done good things.
Thu 9. Had a miserable night waiting for a Daddy who did not come. He decided to stay but Gerald came home. I was up time & again. It is cold—snowing and blowing this AM. Went to Mrs. Nelson’s to missionary meeting this AM. Had a nice time—Daddy was home when I got back. In the evening he had a school board meeting. I went to prayer meeting & Ruth to practice her piece. Report says Will Bekemeier is insane.
Fri 10. We took Ruth to Eldora this evening. Took oysters over for supper. John & Alice ate with us. Ruth is getting ready for a Dramatic contest. She will speak Peter & The Angels. Nearly finished her dress today.
Oysters in Iowa! According to this article, oysters were a winter tradition in the midwest because, before refrigerated transport, they could be safely delivered to distant locations.
I found a number of newspaper articles from 1930 about school declamatory/oratory contests, and several of them mentioned people speaking Peter and the Angels, so it must have been a standard piece of the time.
Sat 11. Today has been a busy one. Gerald has not been feeling very well today. Betty & Peggy were here nearly all day. Ate dinner here. We were to go to Conrad but Daddy has such a cold we gave it up. Later it was called off on account of the death of Mr. Stubbs sister. Daddy went to a bank meeting tonight.
Sun 12. Today is Luther’s birthday. I’d like to see him and his little family. Ruth came home from Eldora today. She has been over getting some training on her piece. She shows much improvement. I had a fine SS class this AM.
Emma’s brother Luther lived with his wife and their son in South Dakota.
Mon 13. Wash day! Gerald & I went to the Social Service League meeting in Eldora this PM.
Just for fun, you might want to know that on this date in 1930, the Mickey Mouse comic strip made its first appearance.
Tue 14. A snowy, stormy day. About 10 inches of snow has fallen. Now the snow is drifting. Spent a good share of the day helping Daddy on his books. We brought them up to the house. Received a gift of a copper sink shelf from John Sullivan. In the evening Ruth & I waded snow and spent the time while Daddy was at the bank with Walkers. No bank meeting as no notification notices had been sent out.
Wed 15. Mended hose this PM. Was glad to see the pile go down. It has been very cold today. Hard to heat the house. I ironed curtains but it was too cold to put them up. Cleaned the basement & basement stairway too. Ruth went to Orchestra practice this evening.
Thu 16. Ruth is home today as she is excused from all exams. She is writing a toast on the Double Bar for a farewell dinner for Mrs. Granseth. Miss Glass is the new music teacher. A nice letter from Katharine.
In music, the double bar indicates the beginning of a new section of a piece. How clever of Ruth to use this as a metaphor for a toast! There is a family tradition of writing poems, and new words for familiar songs, for occasions like this.
Fri 17. Haven’t done much today. Ruth had vacation but had to help get ready for the party for Mrs. Granseth. She gave a toast—it was fine from all reports. Miss Walker said it was the best thing there. Afterwards she practiced her piece for contest. I fixed her a dish of scalloped potatoes.
Sat 18. Ruth & I cleaned up—got Nora’s room already for her. We learned at noon that Gen Hendrickson would not enter the contest if Aunt Nora coached the finals—so Mrs. Tolbe asked Dad if he would have her give up & they would get some one else. Of course Nora would not insist. Gen entered & won a place. Mrs. Walker went with me to the contest. Ruth & I went up to Marshmans to pay for the butter. We stayed a few minutes.
Margaret Manora, Tell’s sister, was a musician and performer; I have no idea what this drama was about!
Sun 19. Gerald’s have gone to Eldora. He has a heater in the car. We went to church & SS. Gerald & his family were at church. We were home all afternoon and evening. Mrs. Granseth and Miss Reece called in the evening—Mrs. G. leaves on the early train tomorrow. Miss Nelson knew about the fuss over Aunt Nora before the party Friday—did not tell Miss Walker.
Mon 20. Wrote to Lou today.
Tue 21. Today was washday. The ground is covered with snow. We are having pretty cold weather these days.
Wed 22. We drove over to Eldora after school to have Nora hear Ruth. Ruth is to speak in the Final contest next Wed. Today Jerry is two years old. We stopped at Miriam’s to eat some sherbet.
Here are some 1930s-era sherbet dishes.
Thu 23. Finished ironing today. Mrs. Walker called to ask me to go up to Mrs. Mannings to help quilt. We found a quilting party there—but they asked me to stay anyhow. We plan to go to Katie Cassel’s to prayer meeting tonight. Wrote Katharine a letter today.
Fri 24. Wrote several letters today. The Alden women want me to go to Ames with them next week but I will not go. Miss Mahlon comes tomorrow.
We were at New Providence to hear Frances Flood tell of his motorcycle trip through Africa this evening. Took Andrea and Mrs. Byam. He wrote about it in Wallace’s Farmer. It was a pleasant evening.
Frances Flood and James C. Wilson made the first crossing of the African continent on a motorcycle. Wilson’s account of the trip became a best-selling book in 1936. Wallaces Farmer is an Iowa-based agricultural publication that dates back to the 1850s.
Sat 25. It is to be a busy day. / The day has gone—supper work is done. We took Ruth to Eldora for a final drilling for the contest. Got 10¢ worth of cream. Have invited Rowleys for dinner tomorrow. Am ready for Miss Mahlon. She is to come about 10:30 tonight. Ruth is playing. I got a nice letter from Lou tonight.
Sun 26. Had Rev. Rowley and family for dinner. Mrs. R. stayed all PM. We went to prayer meeting & church at night. Miss Malen the evangelist is fine. We like her.
Miss Malen becomes a long-term friend of the family. You’ll see her again!
Mon 27. Have been having a time with sore eyes. They are red and swollen and painful. Spent the PM in bed. It makes me sick all over. Went to prayer meeting and church at night. Read 10 chapters in John.
Tue 28. Went to the 9:10 bus to see Mrs. Johnson but she was not on. Was disappointed. From there Miss Malen & I went to a 9:30 prayer meeting at Mrs. Taber’s. She asked Miss Malen to stay for dinner.
Wed 29. We went to Mrs. Mohler’s to prayer meeting this AM. Miss Malen went back there for dinner. The contest was held at the school house in the evening. We were happy to have Ruth win first place. She did nicely. We had church early & Miss Malen went with us.
Yay, Ruth!
Thu 30. We went to Mrs. Will Smith’s for prayer meeting this morning. We had a good meeting. I hurried home—got dinner & must wash the dishes and go to a Steward’s Board meeting at 2 PM.
Fri 31. We had prayer meeting at my home this AM. With all I have on hand am afraid if they had not I could not have gone. Have half a hog to care for—worked on it all PM & then went to church. Miriam was sick at night & I went there on my way home.
Emma mentions processing a butchered hog in January of 1928 as well.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals! See you next week for February 1930.