Fri 1. Ruth was sick today. Gerald & his family were all in this AM. The kids stayed here awhile.
Sat 2. Dad worked at the farm today. It has rained hard today. I have been sewing on my black dress. Ruth went to the church to practice for the wedding.
Sun 3. Went to church this AM, then over to the Zion church to see Margaret Sater married to Mort Boeke. Ruth played the wedding march & accompanied Garnet’s solo. It was a pretty scene. Rev. Clegg preached at night. Rev. Wardle had the sacrament in the morning.
Mort was the older brother of Ruth Boeke, one of the “Ruth Gang” (Ruth Boylan and 3 other girls named Ruth who hung around together during high school). Ruth was developing her skills as a professional musician—more on that in the years to come.
According to the Vintage Dancer site, which I consult frequently regarding period fashions, 1930s wedding trends included floor length, bias cut satin dresses; long sleeves & high necklines; tulle floor-length veils; tiara headdresses or small hats; and minimal sparkling white jewelry.
Mon 4. The Glorious Fourth, 1932. Ruth went to Robertsons for dinner & Dad to the farm. Katharine & I stayed at home. Ruth went to a show at night with Cecil.
Although Ruth’s future husband Robert Grooters is now a regular part of the scene, I am not sure when their relationship moved from friendship to romance. In December of 1931 Emma mentioned Ruth exchanging gifts with Cecil Robertson, and it looks like she went out with him this evening.
Tue 5. I got up early and did the washing. Have been sewing on my black dress. Mrs. Culver & Helen called, also Mrs. Mohler & Mrs. Wardle.
Wed 6. We did the ironing today. Also did some dying. Katharine’s dress came out an ugly color when we had it pictured a pretty lavender shade. John and Alice came over this afternoon. Would not stay for supper.
Thu 7. No entry
Fri 8. No entry
Sat 9. No entry
Sun 10. We took the TO [tithe offering] this AM. Bob Grooters sang. It was a nice service. Linnie & her Bob are here. We drove to the farm awhile. Linnie & Ruth went to Grooters to take Bob home.
Bob Grooters was in the early years of his professional music career as well.
Linnie (Muilenberg) was Emma’s older sister, and Bob was her 18-year-old son. At this time they were living in Beresford, SD, about 250 miles west of Hubbard.
Mon 11. Linnie washed & Katharine & Ruth & I canned a hog—one that had its leg broken.
Here’s a guide to home-canning pork.
Tue 12. Chris, Lou, Elaine & Truman Engleking arrived here about 10:30. We were cleaning up after taking care of a hog. Today is Chris’ birthday. I went to a Steward Board meeting tonite.
Tell’s brother Chris and his wife Louisa Boylan lived in Wewoka, OK, about 600 miles south of Hubbard. Their unmarried daughter Elaine, about 34, was a librarian in Oklahoma City. I think Truman Engleking was part of a local family mentioned several times in previous years—based on census data it looks like he would have been about 20, and I found a reference to family in Oklahoma, so he may have hitched a ride with Chris and family when they came up to visit.
Wed 13. Chris, Lou & Elaine are here, also Linnie & Bob. The Boylans will go to Steamboat before dinner. Bob & Ruth stayed at the farm last night. Katharine is talking of going to Aitkin with them. We made a pajama suit for Katharine today.
Thu 14. We went to Eldora today. Katharine got a bathing suit. Elaine brought us home as our car went bad. Chris & Elaine stayed all night. Bob & Ruth went to the farm.
I was interested to learn that prior to the early 1930s, swimsuits were primarily made of wool. Lastex, a thread that combined latex and fiber and was used to create stretch and provide support in swimsuits and undergarments, was patented in 1931. Here are some 1932-era swimsuits.
Fri 15. Chris, Elaine & Katharine started for Aitkin today. It has been a busy week. Linnie, Bob, Ruth & I went to Eldora in the PM. Had a picnic with the Grooters.
In May 1931, Emma talked about a trip to the summer resort Kate (Boylan) and Fred Hicks ran in Aitkin, MN. It sounds like Chris and family were on their way up there.
Sat 16. I fixed Linnie’s dress today so she could have it on Sunday. Also canned 9 qts of apple butter.
Sun 17. We went to church & SS. After dinner we got ice & salt & went out to Gerry’s. He was gone all day. John & Alice were over. We did not have a very good time—we were not welcome.
Mon 18. Today is wash day. I did it while Linnie & Ruth cleaned the house. Made new circular capes on Linnie’s green dress today out of the long sleeves. Also lengthened it.
Tue 19. We got up real early & did a big ironing today. Went to Eldora in the PM. I went in bathing with Ruth & Bob M.
Wed 20. We canned beans today. Bob & Dad were at the farm all day. Bob took Miriam to Iowa Falls. They plan to go home tomorrow. We packed beans, apples & onions for Linnie. Ruth is making her new pajamas.
Thu 21. Bob & Linnie went home today. Ruth was planning to go with them but for our sakes gave it up. Got a card from Katharine.
Fri 22. It has been hot today. I canned 13 qts of apple pulp—also cleaned the kitchen etc. Drove with Dad to the farm & brought in the cream. Went after him tonight.
Apple pulp is what’s left of an apple after pressing it for cider. I wasn’t sure what one would do with it, but it turns out it can be used in muffins and other baked goods. I even found this recipe for what looks like an amazing apple pulp pie—and if you really want to dig a little deeper, here’s a whole page of recipes using pulp left over from juicing just about anything—beets, almonds, spinach, carrots…!!
Sat 23. Dad went to the farm today. Have kept busy with cherries. Gerald & Miriam & the kids came in to the Diamond ball game tonight. Times are getting harder.
I was struck by the fact that although the previous couple of months have brought property and business foreclosure and a bank sale of the farm, this is the only thing Emma mentions about the impact of the Depression.
Sun 24. We went to SS & church. Orin Reep spent the PM with us.
Mon 25. Washed, canned beets, etc.
Tue 26. Washing, ironing done. Thought Miriam would have chickens today but she had them last night for supper. We are home, Ruth & I. It is a little cooler today. Heard from Linnie. Dad is at the farm.
Wed 27. Donald Grooters was here for breakfast, supper & over night. Stella drove down and stayed all night too. I took Ruth & Donald to prayer meeting with me. John, Alice & Ans drove over after supper. The Hardin C Nat bank failed to open today. Alice lost some.
The Hubbard State Bank had closed in August 1931—at that time they apparently had tried to merge with the National but were denied. While I was looking into this, I also found this National Bank Note from the Hardin County National Bank and learned that until 1930, National Banks issued their own currency.
Finally, here’s a story on the economic situation and bank failures in nearby Iowa Falls during 1932.
Thu 28. Ruth went to Iowa Falls with Stella & Donald. I sent my bag of pieces to the old grandmother to piece. It is much cooler today. Cleaned the house, finished my under skirt & sent Linnie’s things to her.
It took a little looking around in the family tree, but I believe the old grandmother was probably Robert Grooters’ maternal grandmother Flora, who was twice-widowed and still alive at age 84 in the Grooters household in Lake City.
Fri 29. Have made pies, cake, salad dressing. Canned 10½ qts apples & am ready to go to Iowa Falls with Mrs. Mohler & Lester.
Sat 30. Bob M. came in today. He drove all night. Went to bed in the evening.
Sun 31. Have been at church & SS. The day is cold and rainy. Invited Orin Reep for dinner. He took us all over to Eldora in the evening. We had no church.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for August 1932.