Emma #54: March 1932
Gerald's family on the farm, Lindbergh kidnapping, Easter lilies, and finances getting worse
The impact of the Great Depression is starting to take hold on the family. Gerald (Emma and Tell's son), his wife Miriam, who lost a baby in childbirth a few months ago, and their children Peggy, Betty, and Jerry, just gave up their house in town and moved to the family farm near Eldora. A lot of this month’s entries focus on this transition, with the grandkids coming over frequently to Emma and Tell’s house in Hubbard. One of the biggest challenges for Gerald’s family would have been giving up electricity.
Tue 1. This is a stormy day. Rain turning to sleet on the wires. The current will not bake my cherry pie. Dad & I are going to Eldora. The boy will go to the farm with us.
This suggests that Emma had an electric oven, which was a fairly new thing in the 1930s—and that the electric current was variable and not always strong enough to provide the needed power. Here’s a recipe for a cherry pie from this era in Iowa—the writer’s grandmother also moved to a farm during the Depression.
Wed 2. It has been a cloudy day, but warm. Gerald drove the horse & buggy out to the farm. Am hoping little Jerry will not be sick.
This is the first mention of a horse and buggy in the journals, although this was a common form of rural transportation at this time.
Thu 3. I did not get my ironing done as I had a chance to go out to Gerry with Harry Leibenstein & Harry Short. I churned while I was out there.
Fri 4. A busy day. Have put the house in order & gotten ready for Ruth’s company—Robert Grooters, Estelle and Mrs. Peterson from Ft. Dodge. They came for supper. Sang awhile. It looked so stormy out. Did the ironing this forenoon.
Sat 5. Ruth has spent nearly all day making her a house dress. Poor Dad. No business. No prospect. Never such a depression as we are having now all over the world.
Tell’s farm implement business is struggling. This is the first time she’s used the word “depression” and its impact on the world.
Sun 6. A cold & windy day. Church was cold. After church Ona came home with us for dinner. Ruth went down there for awhile in the PM. All went to church at night.
Mon 7. Geralds were in today. Betty & Peggy were at country school. Gerry & Miriam and the boy were here for dinner. After they were gone I did the two washings.
Another impact of moving to the farm was moving from the school in town to the country school, which was probably a one-room schoolhouse.
Tue 8. It is very cold and stormy. Wind is piercing. Lindberg’s baby has been gone a week today. Kidnapped.
The kidnapping of the 20-month-old child of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh was front-page news across the country. Here’s an FBI account of the case.1
Wed 9. Did not go to Katie Cassels to the Seth Parker Githering as it was so cold & stormy.
Oh, my goodness! This was such an interesting trail to follow. Seth Parker was a character created by radio producer Phillips Lord, and his “githerings” were down-home programs of hymns, Yankee witticisms, and prayer. If you have a few minutes, check out this article.
Thu 10. Have not been feeling extra. Will be glad when it warms up.
Fri 11.
Sat 12. Betty, Peggy & Jerry will stay here tonight and go to SS in the morning. They love to come in. Made Ruth a dress today out of one of mine.
Sun 13. Went to church & SS in the morning & to Geralds & Eldora in the PM. Gerald was at Clydes. Drove the horse-buggy!!!! Took the three kiddies home.
Mon 14. Took care of half a hog today.
Tue 15. Did my washing today. Am not going to choir practice.
Wed 16. Washed for Miriam today.
Thu 17. A year ago I lost my pocket book. Have lived without it. Am planning to go to Alden this PM. Went to Mrs. Mohlers yesterday PM.
Here’s the entry about losing her pocket book.
Fri 18. Mrs. Johnson & I went to Ft. Dodge with Supt. Doeringsfeld. Met with Com. Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Swartz, Mrs. [___] President. Had a nice time. Irma gave me some silk pieces & I bot some. Came to Iowa Falls & home on the bus.
Sat 19. A stormy morning. Dad went to Eldora. Robert Grooters hiked down and stayed for supper, over night, breakfast & dinner. I hiked four miles or more with him on Sunday PM. Gerald brought me home in the truck. Ruby Thorson stayed all night too.
The hike from Iowa falls to Hubbard would have been about 18 miles, so I’m thinking he might have hitchhiked—this was a fairly common way of getting around during the Great Depression.
Sun 20. Church—SS—a hike—Church—Bed. It was rather cold walking but Robert is fun.
Ruth’s friend Robert just entered the picture in January, but he’s already feeling like part of the family.
Mon 21. Monday!! An old-fashioned blizzard. Am not washing this morning. Can’t seem to accomplish very much. Must write some letters.
Tue 22. Did both my washing and Miriams. Did not have to go to choir practice.
Wed 23. Did some of the ironing today. Went to the cottage prayer meeting at Mrs. Shaner’s this evening.
Thu 24. Finished Miriam’s ironing and got ready for the meeting here tonight—a celebration of Founder’s Day. Mrs. Mohler & Mrs. Robertson helped me serve refreshments.
Fri 25. Have felt rather tired today but managed to finish my ironing. Guess I’m getting the “Flu.”
Sat 26. A lovely day! Minna called this PM. She is home for her Easter vacation. Betty, Jerry & Peggy came in today. Will stay over night. I bathed them, washed their heads, etc.
Sun 27. Went to church & SS this AM. Took the kiddies. Gerald and Miriam came in for dinner and took baths after dinner. I fixed some “starter” for her so she could bake bread. Katharine sent us a beautiful Easter lily. How I’d love to see her.
Sourdough starter is a live fermented culture of flour and water. It can be used instead of commercial yeast to make bread rise.
I was fascinated to learn that these lilies, which are indigenous to southern Japan, are a uniquely North American Easter tradition that started before 1930. Because they usually bloom in summer, they must be forced to bloom for Easter, which is a bit challenging because the date of Easter Sunday can range from March 22 to April 25.
Mon 28. Worked a little while on the slip for Ruth’s dress today. Katharine was so happy not to be one of the 35 out of 216 teachers who were dismissed. Ruth Beck & Ona R. were here for supper.
The Great Depression took a significant toll on the educational system, including teacher layoffs, school closings, and delayed salary payments.
Tue 29. Did my washing today. Went with Dad to the farm in the PM & to choir practice at night. Rev Wardle called in the PM. Aug. Hoelsher & Miss Justice called at night.
Wed 30. Went to Iowa Falls in the PM with Dad. Was not feeling well. Have been so stiff. Stopped at the farm a little while. Did my ironing this AM.
Thu 31. Washed my curtains over today. Also did a big washing for Miriam. She is not feeling a bit well. Have washed spreads & rug both today.
70 Years Later
Betty went back to Iowa for a visit in 2002—here are pictures of her and son Gerald at the farm.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for April 1932.
A friend who reads this journal (thanks, Fergal!) shared an article by NY Times columnist Peter Coy about his great-grandfather’s depression-era journals, and I was fascinated to see that he also mentioned the Lindbergh kidnapping.