Mon 1. I have spent the day canning. Put up the meat. 24 pints of meat, 8 qts of soup—not so much after it is divided. Went to a meeting (to finish up the letter) at the school house. Hardly got there till I was called home to put out a fire. Oven gave trouble & the grease ran over from the jars. It made a lot of dirt to clean up. Dad & I figured up our resources after supper.
The Great Depression continues to loom on the horizon. Despite a number of early warning signs, this is the first mention I’ve seen of real concern about finances.
Tue 2. We got a box of candy from Katharine last night. It was supposed to be here for Thanksgiving. Went to the Aid at Mrs. Walker’s this afternoon. Washed in the forenoon.
Wed 3. We did the ironing today. Lived on milk today. Daisey went to the Salem prayer meeting.
Thu 4. Drank milk for dinner and supper. It was dark and foggy today. The streets are icy. Many have fallen. I went to Gus Schnomen’s for club tonight. Gave a talk on France. Ruth went to Ruth Burke’s & to their choir practice.
Two days of milk for meals…wow! Belt-tightening for sure.
Fri 5. Another dark foggy day. It is still very icy.
Sat 6. Gerald took Ruth & me to Iowa Falls today. It was damp and cold. Was glad to have him along as we had a flat tire. Dad got ready for a banquet in about 10 minutes this evening—Future Farmers of America.
Now the National FFA Organization, Future Farmers of America was founded in 1928 to develop new leaders in the field of agriculture.
Sun 7. As Dad did not sleep much last night he made up for it today. I stayed for church & went at night. We are starting to read aloud The Missionary by Edison Marshall.
Here’s a description of Edison Marshall I found, with a list of some of his books.
Plot summary of The Missionary: Scottish minister does penance for his father's sin by heading to the Arctic where he meets a dark beauty.
Mon 8. We washed today. It was so nice that we hung most of the clothes out doors. In the PM I went to Eldora in the truck with Gerald & Miriam. Saw John & Alice but did not get the glasses fitted.
Tue 9. We finished up the ironing today tho Daisey had finished most of it. I had to fix the meat and potatoes for Ruth’s Latin luncheon. I bought pork chops. Made breaded pork chops with apple rings.
Wed 10. A most terrible thing happened yesterday. Ed Lehmeier hung himself—it is hard to understand why all the terrible things of life have to happen. I went to the school house to help open up TB letters. The seal sale is going across better and easier this way. Believe we got the pup for Ruth today. It is part collie.
There was a significant increase in suicides during the Depression.1 I found an obituary for Mr. Lehmeier, who was born in Germany in 1866.
Thu 11. It is not so pleasant today as we have had for the last few days. It is colder & more windy. We have been having a lovely sunny week. We finished reading aloud The Missionary by Edison Marshall. It is quite interesting. I went to the country with Rowleys and got Ruth a dog. It howls.
Fri 12. Today has been pleasant. Only one week more of school. I went to the Lehmeier funeral with Mrs. Baker today. Mrs. Walker called. I called on Mrs. Doering. Her baby has been sick. Ruth went to the Basket ball game with Adolphus. The dog has howled a lot tonight. I have been working on some “Laundry Ladies”—think I’ll give them to Gertie’s girls.
Sat 13. Today Ruth & I went to Eldora. Ruth had her hair curled and her pictures taken. I had my eyes tested and ordered some glasses. We ate dinner at John’s. Gerald got another hog at Mills at NP. In the evening a quartette practiced here. Ruth stayed with Gerald’s children while they went to the Basket ball game.
Sun 14. Did not go out to church & SS this AM as I felt too badly. Went in the evening, however. Heard our new Dist. Supt., Rev. Clegg. Gerald & the family were down a little while. We looked at the family pictures.
Mon 15. Ruth’s proofs came this AM. She sent them over with Gerald—choosing one. Ruth wanted me to go to Iowa Falls with her this evening. We got home about 11 PM.
I believe this is the picture of Ruth that was mentioned here. It was in a photo album titled “My School Chums.” I’ve included the rest of the pictures from the album below.2
Tue 16. No entry.
Wed 17. Attended the WFMS at Lotties this evening. We had a nice crowd and a good program.
Thu 18. I went with Rev & Mrs. Rowley today to Webster City. Lottie went along also. Got home in time for the Community Christmas program on the street by the Christmas tree.
Here’s a nice story I found about small-town Iowa municipal Christmas trees, and an undated photo of one from nearby Story City.
Fri 19. Did a big washing today. Did not finish until after dinner. Daisey is getting ready to go with Johns to Carthage. Daddy & Ruth went to the Basket ball game. Ruth went with the kids to take Miss Burrows to Nevada.
I find that Emma often uses this plural form to refer to someone by first name along with their family.
Sat 20. Have done a little of the ironing today. It was not all ready. We took Daisey to Eldora this PM. She plans to go to Carthage with Johns on Monday. Ruth got her picture taken and I got two pairs of glasses from Leslies’.
Here’s a 1930s optical ad. Round and hexagonal wire glasses were the most common frames at this time.
Sun 21. We went to church in the AM. There was no League & church as the EL [Epworth League] was to go to Alden but as there was no League there, we had none here—nor church either.
Mon 22. We planned to go to Eldora but as Tell got sick we did not go. John & Alice started for Carthage today taking Daisey with them. She wanted to come back here at the last minute but it seemed best for her to go.
Carthage, MO is where Tell’s unmarried siblings Will and Nora lived—sister Daisey, who had lived with them in Eldora earlier, is going down to join them.
Tue 23. Today is Ruth’s 17th birthday. Daddy feels better. I washed and got a 6 o’clock dinner for seven of her girl friends. She seemed to have a nice time. We had breaded pork chops with apple rings, escalloped potatoes with cheese, salad of cranberry, nuts & apples—rolls—coffee—cake & sherbet—jelly & pickles.
Wed 24. Katharine got home today. We had Rev. Rowley go to Iowa Falls after her as our car was not ready. It was too bad for it cost me $2.00 & I needed the money. Of course Rowley’s car was nice & warm. Took all my five books back to the Library. We sat up & talked till late. We went to the Christmas program. Geralds came here after church to give their presents.
Thu 25. Christmas Day! It was a bit cloudy & stormy looking but we drove to Nannie Doggets at Conrad for Christmas dinner. There were 37 there. I am fighting off a cold.
Here are some Christmas cards I found among the family files. I don’t know what year they are from. The one on the left has a note: “Greetings to you and yours and to the Hubbard W.F.M.S. — Carrie M. Bartlett”
Fri 26. We have been sewing today. The vacation is flying by.
Sat 27. Miriam asked us for dinner today. Was planning to have a chicken but that can wait.
Sun 28. Today we went to Jerry’s for dinner. Daddy was not well and he came right home. Katharine went to the Zion church and Ruth to the Salem in the evening.
Mon 29. Daddy has been sick. He has been home all day. Daddy & Katharine have been working on the Telephone books.
Tue 30. Sewing—Sewing—I attended a Steward Board meeting today at the Bank. Mrs. Culver & Helen came down in the evening. Dad went to his Telephone meeting.
Wed 31. This is the last day of 1930. We have been sewing today. Katharine has gone to a party at Gladys S. & Ruth is going to the Zion church party. Mamie Nelson’s baby [born in May] died very unexpectedly today. Minna was down for awhile today.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals! See you next week for January 1931.
Here’s a 1930 newspaper article I found on the subject of suicide. (Newspapers.com subscription required.)
Here are the rest of the photos from Ruth’s school album. If anyone is interested, I’m happy to do a proper scan of any or all of the pictures.