Emma was born on Aug. 11, 1879—143 years ago today. Happy Birthday, Emma!
Thu 1. Celebrated May Day by washing—blankets, etc. Sold 3 water lilies for $5.00. Planted my glad bulbs today. Burnt[?] a door to the coal room today.
That’s over $80.00 in today’s money. Must have been some fancy water lilies!
Fri 2. A nice rain last night. I cleaned the basement today—did not get quite done. We went to the school house in the evening to the exhibit & program. Dr. Reed died today as the result of an auto accident. He & Gord Marshman ran together.
Sat 3. Went to KH’s this PM at Elmer Hines. Then went to a demonstration of silverware cleaner at Bakers.
KH = King’s Heralds, one of the many church organizations Emma was involved with. Silverware styles in the 1920s and 30s were influenced by the Art Deco movement
Sun 4. Dr. Reed was buried today. A new baby girl came to Mamie Nelson today.
Mon 5. Went to Alden with Daddy on business. Got to see Mrs. Johnson a little while. She gave me some starts of some plants. I must get her recipe for cement & aqua-proof ink. Had a nice time. Bought four Rosy morn petunia plants in Iowa Falls—15¢ each.
Tue 6. Aid met at Mrs. Walker. 20 there. It was so rainy they thought no one might come.
Wed 7. Another rainy day. I got some phlox—some I had given her the start of. Also some black eyed Susans, blue bells, and some lilies. She is so lovely. I cleaned the sleeping porch this afternoon.
Thu 8. Gerald was just here to say that Pete Nelson’s mother died last night. Miriam and I went to Eldora in the afternoon. Bought me a white silk pique dress. It is tailored style.
Fri 9. Canned a few pineapples today. Got ten @ 15¢ each—#30. Went to the timber with Rowleys. Found a lady slipper.
Sat 10. Spent the afternoon getting the church decorated for Mother’s Day.
Sun 11. Mother’s Day! I had the responsibility of a program at church. We had rather a nice one—Mrs. Mohler & I decorated in white Bridal Wreath & Pink tulips. It was beautiful. We went to Eldora in the PM. Ruth & Daddy got me some lovely carnations. Katharine sent me some lovely note paper & Gerald & Miriam got me a box of chocolates.
Mon 12. A Busy day. I did a two weeks washing. Washed the basement windows, worked in the garden, etc. Set out some pansies Mrs. Byam gave me.
Tue 13. Just got back from taking Mr. Caylor to the Cemetery. Ruth has gone to Waterloo to take exams. Went to Eldora & had another permanent. Hope this does better this time.
Wed 14. We cleaned the church today. Had a pot-luck dinner. I was so tired when I got home. Had to get ready for Miss Manning who came at 5 PM. She stayed all night.
Thu 15. WFMS met with Mrs. Mohler today. We had a nice time. Gerald, Miriam & Ruth took Miss Manning to Alden. I went to a com. meeting at Mrs. Cox’ in the evening to plan for the Alumni banquet.
Fri 16. Will came over today to plant the hill. Jr.-Sr. banquet tonight. Ruth is a waitress dressed as a pirate—I do not like the costumes. I went to Mrs. Van Patter’s today to a Point Pleasant Cemetery meeting. Had a most wonderful dinner. We went to the cooking school in the PM. I drew a box of marshmallows.
I found this 1930 cookbook of marshmallow recipes by famous cooks (put out by Campfire Marshmallows!) and a memoir about old-style marshmallows.
Sat 17. Ruth & I went to the cooking school this PM. Did not draw anything. It is cold today.
Sun 18. Another cold, dreary rainy Sunday. Ruth had Louise Engleking for dinner & Ruth Bocke for lunch. Mrs. Pierce called today. Ruth is to play at the Baccalaureate service tonight.
Mon 19. Did not get up till late this AM as I was not feeling extra well. Called on Mrs. Walker & Mrs. Campbell today. Went to see Mrs. C’s flowers. Did not feel equal to the SS board meeting or the Alumni Com meeting.
Tue 20. Worked at the shop awhile this forenoon. Cold & cloudy today.
Wed 21. Spent the day cleaning house. Had Hazel Nehring help. Margaret Manora came over to stay all night. Daddy went to Cedar Falls. She came over with him. A nice sunny day, but windy! My tulips are all spoiled now. Pink ones I mean. Have a few yellow ones out.
Thu 22. Hazel helped me this forenoon. Washed & cleaned house. We are all through but the kitchen. We are going to the Commencement exercises tonight. Daddy took Aunt Nora to Garden City early this AM. We got word that Katharine was re-elected—$150.00 raise. We are glad. It has rained hard this PM.
Fri 23. We got a letter from Elizabeth that Uncle Freem had passed away. He had been in bed seven months—had had a stroke. I wired Linnie. Finished the house cleaning today.
Freeman Jameson was Emma’s uncle on her mother’s side. He was 71.
Sat 24. I planted some peas today. Linnie & Robert came today. I had not really expected them as they had not wired. I had been to the woods with Mr. Strother and Mrs. Byam.
Sun 25. Daddy, Linnie, Robert, Ruth and I drove to Vinton today to Uncle Freem’s funeral. We ate dinner with Elizabeth. Uncle Will, Addie, and Billy were there from Chicago. The funeral was short. Just a sermon and a prayer at a funeral home. Uncle Freem looked well.
Mon 26. We were so tired from our trip yesterday. Drove to Eldora in the evening. Got a beautiful bag from Katharine this week.
Tue 27. Linnie & Robert are here. Robert is not feeling well. Tell & I took the Byams in Linnie’s car to Mary Austin’s funeral at Zearing. T.E. & D.E. were pall bearers. Saw Rev. Muhleman who preached the sermon. We drove over to Eldora in the evening.
Wed 28. Today is Wed. Robert still not very well. Better by noon. We went down town in the PM.
Thu 29. We drove to M-town today. Took our dinner along. Ate in the park. Bought a new dress for $6.50. Katharine writes she will be home a week earlier—school is out there by order of board.
I’m guessing this was Marshalltown. Here’s an image from the era:
Fri 30. It was so cold last night. It did not freeze tho—there was a frost. I am looking for John and Mrs. Rath today also for Will, Daisey and Nora. John & Mrs. Rath came in time for dinner. Daisey did not come. We all went out to the Boylan cemetery then went to Eldora park for a picnic supper. Geralds were with us. Ruth had to sing and play at the program. Mrs. Rath, Linnie & Robert, Ruth & I stayed for a show in Eldora.
Sat 31. Linnie & Robert left about six this AM for home. We hated to see them go. I gave Linnie a pieced quilt, also a few other things. John & Mrs. Rath went to Eldora—Were here for supper.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s Journal. See you next week for June 1930.
Just for Fun
A little historical diversion…in this month of history, the US state department officially began using the preferred name “Istanbul” for what was formerly “Constantinople”. Here’s the original Four Lads recording of the famous song: Istanbul (not Constantinople).