A new journal—Emma used this book for both 1931 and 1932.
Thu 1. Weather: Warm-Clear. So far I have not made any resolutions that I have kept. As Mamie Nelson’s baby is to be buried today we are going to the funeral. Ruth & Ruth Bogardus are to sing. In speaking of the singing afterwards Katharine remarked how Ruth held up her head—sang right out—had so much poise, etc. She is some girl. Gerald left all the children here and Ruth Bogardus made our 6 PM dinner guests. We had chicken. Played games afterward.
This journal included a section to note the weather. Emma made entries here for a few days, and then skipped it.
Fri 2. Weather: Pleasant. We swept and sewed today. Have had a lot of things to fix up and make for Katharine. In the evening Daddy and Ruth went to the Basketball game. Mrs. Culver & Helen spent the evening with us. We sewed and visited. We were at their home.
Sat 3. Weather: Fine. This is Katharine’s last day of vacation. We have been doing up the odds and ends. Ironed some, sewed some, packed some, etc. Made three batches of candy in the PM. Gerald drove the truck to Iowa Falls in the evening. We waited to see her get on the 11:01 PM train. Katharine sent Ruth a chenille tam (20¢) Hated to see Katharine go.
A tam is a type of hat that is fitted around the forehead with a soft, baggy crown that can be poufed in various ways. Here’s a crocheted version to show you the general shape. Chenille is a soft, fluffy yarn or fabric.
Sun 4. Weather: Warm. It is a warm Spring-like day. I had just Garnet in my class. Mamie Nelson started to SS today. Rev Rowley preached a good sermon today. Am going to write some letters.
Mon 5. It has been a bit blowy & snowy today. Ruth went for her lesson—the first time alone at night. Dad went to Des Moines to Imp. D. Convention. We got to bed about 11 PM. I finished reading Jalna. Did not like it very well. Wrote a poem over to send to a magazine. Did a big washing today. Lottie called in the PM.
Jalna (1927), by Mazo de la Roche, was the novel that launched a very popular 16-book series about the Whiteoak family, and their estate, Jalna, on the shore of Lake Ontario.
This article about the Implement Dealers convention highlights some of the themes in agriculture at this time. I was pleased to see that the speaker mentioned at the end was female!
Tue 6. It is cloudy today but not cold. Have been busy typing, sprinkling clothes, etc. It is almost noon and I have lots to do. Did some cleaning, then went to the Aid meeting at Bogardus’. It is to be with me next time. The club was to be here tonight but it is postponed till tomorrow evening. Ironed a couple hours & Ruth read her History aloud. Mrs. Nymeier invited us out for supper Sat evening. Sent two “pomes” to Good Housekeeping but expect them back.
Emma liked to write, and she enjoyed entering contests, submitting poems to magazines, etc. I haven’t found any that were published, but I’ll keep looking! Here’s the January 1931 issue of Good Housekeeping.
Wed 7. Have finished the ironing. Had such a big one—must have taken me four hours. A letter from Katharine says a freight wreck made her late in Chicago. Missed her train by four minutes which made her four hours late in Cleveland. Had the club meeting here. Every member was present. Treated them to candy.
Thu 8. Mrs. Johnson and I went to Des Moines to the Quarterly meeting. We had a nice time but we both were sick. Attended the meeting at the YW this PM and then went on the street car two miles north to a Mrs. Thorps to stay all night.
Des Moines was one of the earliest cities in the nation to have electric street car service. Buses replaced streetcars in 1951. Here’s a nice article with reminiscences from former conductors, and a 1930 image of a Des Moines streetcar similar to the one Emma would have ridden.
Fri 9. Such wonderful weather—it is warm and sunny. Mrs. J & I are both sick this AM. We left our bags and walked to the church. Had a fine meeting this AM then after dinner we came home. Got here on the 5:35 bus. Ruth has gone to a basket-ball game & Dad to a bank meeting.
Sat 10. Have not felt very well today. Spent the day on the couch—at least most of the time. Dad & Ruth went to see the Hubbard Hounds play the Des Moines team from Register & Leader.
Sun 11. We went to church in the AM, with a short service afterwards. Then drove out the Nymeier’s for dinner. Mr. & Mrs. Baker were there, also Rev. Rowley, Florence & Dorothy. We had a most wonderful dinner—everything one could wish. After dinner we sang awhile & came home. Went out in the truck. I wrote a family letter to my folks & Tell addressed the envelope for his family letter which I wrote yesterday.
The families wrote a lot of letters, often in carbon copies that were sent to different places. Here’s a snippet of a letter from Tell’s brother Will to their brother Chris written in January 1931:
”Nora’s work is moving off finely. Daisey…went with us Sunday to visit our farmer neighbor friends…We had all the popcorn out there we could eat—mixed with sugar and molasses in a big pan. Uhm-um-um!
Looks like a change in the weather, but as Uncle Jim used to say, ‘Let it come—we were here first.’
A happy New Year!!!!!! Thine, W.M.B.”
Mon 12. Today is a bit windy & cold. Ruth went to the Older Boys & Girls Conf today at Ackley. She will take her lesson this evening. School Board meeting tonight to discuss Miss Justice’s discipline.
Tue 13. Ruth was elected secretary for O.B. & G. Conf this year. It is sunny & not so cold. Gerald & Miriam have gone to Eldora. I will have the girls for dinner.
Wed 14. Today has been a busy one. I have been canning pork, taking care of lard etc. In the evening we went to the church for a pot-luck supper.
Here’s a how-to article on rendering lard. Lots of work! And I learned that pig breeds were traditionally classified into bacon pigs and lard pigs.
Thu 15. Have canned soup & some sausage today. Put in a few jars of beans to cook in the oven too. In the evening I went to the Missionary society at Leibensteins.
Fri 16. Have almost made two nightgowns today. It is a lovely warm day. Ruth & I took a short walk after school.
Sat 17. The children have been here today. Miriam had a sick headache. Daddy was elected on the telephone board this PM. He & Ruth are going to the Basketball game tonight. I am too tired to go.
At this time, telephone service in most rural communities was provided by local farmer cooperatives. This started to change with the establishment of the FCC in 1934. Here’s an interesting article on the history of rural telecommunications if you’d like to learn more, and a phone from the era.
Sun 18. The ground was covered with snow this AM & it has snowed practically all day. We went to SS & church & then to Bogardus’ for dinner. Ruth was invited to a farewell supper at the Zion church for Rev. Rodenbecks. She had a tract & response to the address of welcome. No church in the evening. Old Mr. Buchan hanged himself this AM. Wrote Katharine & John today.
Mon 19. The sun is shining beautifully on the snow this AM. Went calling in the PM.
Tue 20. Ironed—cut out quilt blocks.
Wed 21. Talked with Mrs. Swallum. Bonnie was down in the evening. Rodenbecks left this AM. It is lovely out.
Thu 22. Jerry’s birthday. Three years old today. We had him down for supper. Made cakes with little candles on them. Dad & I made him a jumping jack. Gave him a sack of candy.
A jumping jack is a toy that is a cross between a paper doll and a puppet. Here’s a fun article on how to make them.
Fri 23. It is a lovely day. Have been piecing a quilt. Went down to Mrs. Bogardus to help quilt today. It tired me out.
Sat 24. Spent the morning cutting out quilt pieces. Went to sleep after dinner. Got The Galaxy by Susan Ertz today. Started reading it.
Susan Ertz was an English-American author of sentimental tales of life in the country. The Galaxy was on the US best seller list in 1929. Plot summary: Follows the life of a young woman through her "unhappy childhood, her romantic marriage, the disillusionment that followed it, and then her second love."
Sun 25. Neither Ruth nor I felt very well this AM, so we have been home all day. I have finished The Galaxy. Do not care much for it. Wrote to John today.
Mon 26. Another lovely day. The snow has almost gone. Took a nap after the washing I was so tired. In the evening I went to Van Patters to an Aid meeting & to quilt. The committee meeting was to decide about soliciting for the Ladies’ Home Journal etc for the Aid. We decided to have Rev. Rowley accompany the agent to introduce him. Ruth went to Iowa Falls in the evening.
Tue 27. Today Clydes will be over to kill the calf. It is Minna Reece’s birthday. Tomorrow is Miriam’s. Had Mrs. & Mr. Stoff (she was Mildred Hiserodt) from Baker, Montana for dinner today. We visited awhile there. I & Mrs. Bogardus went to see Miss Justice about leading the Easter Cantata. She will do it. She, Andrea & Mrs. Bogardus met here in the evening to plan whom to ask. Dad & Ruth went to the Basket Ball Game.
Wed 28. Have canned meat all day. Am tired tonight. Also finished my ironing. Gave Mrs. Walker, Hull, & Culver some liver (my callers today). Dad & Ruth have gone to a Hound game.
Thu 29. Canned my mince meat this AM. Finished putting meat away. Was so tired from it all. In the PM I did not do much. Wrote a card to Katharine thanking her for the hose she sent me. It is so nice to have some one remember you.
Traditional mincemeat is a blend of meat, suet, fruits, and spices that is typically used to make savory/sweet pies. More modern mincemeat omits the meat and suet. Here’s an old-school recipe.
Fri 30. Have been piecing my quilt.
Sat 31. Ruth went to Eldora today to have her hair fixed. She is not feeling very well. I made a valentine box today for the Ladies’ Aid.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for February 1931.