Sat 1. Betty, Peggy & Jerry came in for the candy hunt at 10 & stayed all night. They are having a good time. Along with the others they decided to be Christians.
In last month’s entry, Emma mentioned Eugene Palmer, an evangelist who was holding revival meetings in the area. It sounds like the grandkids (ages 10, 8, and 5), responded to the altar call.
Sun 2. Ruth went home at 5 PM. She hated to go. I have not been able to sew any for her. We had Eugene Palmer the evangelist for dinner. Gerald came after the kiddies.
Mon 3. Have spent the day doctoring my eye & doing a jigsaw puzzle. My left eye is so blood shot. Gerald gave me about 3 qts of cream. Got Dad interested finally in the jig-saw puzzle. Katharine plans to go to New York.
Tue 4. Have been at the prayer meeting this Am at Freeze’s. Dad & I went. Have not felt well. Did not go to the night service when Mr. Palmer told his life story. Mrs. Johnson & Irma Adams were here in the PM. We worked on the Missionary program. Got it ready to mimeograph. The Akron went down last night.
The USS Akron was a helium-filled US Navy airship that crashed off the New Jersey coast, killing 73 of 76 crew—it remains the worst airship accident in history.
Wed 5. Did not get the programs done today. I have not been well enough. The prayermeeting was at Eldon Reeds today. Mrs. Spillers came after me—I am tired out. Must make some places for my chickens. Gerald is going to get me 100.
Thu 6. We have had a day of fasting & prayer at the church. We went without dinner. Dad has gone to the service tonight. I have been having such serious trouble with my eye that I have stayed at home. Have not been at all well. Tonight the beer begins to flow in many states.
The Cullen-Harrison Act legalized the sale of low-alcohol beer and wine (3.2% or less). When FDR signed it he remarked, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.” April 7 is now National Beer Day. I’m guessing the fasting & prayer at the church was related to this as well, since this group was very involved in the temperance movement.
Fri 7. Robert brought Ruth home. Went back after he had had a “whoop snack” as he was going to Waterloo. Church in the evening. It was “amusement night.” Went to Eldora today to give Joe Stage a contract—he gets the house for his $2800 mortgage.
Well, it appears they lost the house in Hubbard, although it doesn’t look like they had to move out immediately. I found Joe Stage in a couple of census records; he was a local farmer and mail carrier.
I’m pretty sure the “whoop snack” was a version of a whoopie pie, a sandwich made of two cakes filled with a frosting-type filling. These were popular in the Amish and German communities, and were first commercially produced and branded in the 1920s. Here’s a recipe.
Sat 8. Ruth & I have tried to sew a bit altho she had to finish a theme. Robert came down in the PM. Stayed for church & all night. Went home on the morning bus Sunday. Katharine is having her vacation this coming week. Wish I might see her.
Sun 9. We had a full day. SS, church at 11 AM, dinner at the church together, church at 2 PM & again at night. Robert came back in the afternoon and Mr. Grooters came for church. They all went to Iowa Falls after church.
Mon 10. Gerald was in awhile. He is wanting to sell some corn to buy seeds. It is a cloudy day. I have been sewing & reading. My eyes have begun to bother me. We have 26¢.
Yikes!
Tue 11. Dad & I washed today. It has been windy—cool & sunny. I have taken cold as I washed on the board—a two weeks washing. Have washed that way three times. Went down to Robertsons. Phoned Eldora about Garden seeds for the poor. No word from Katharine—as I went down the alley Mrs. Shade threw dish water all over me.
A washboard is a tool for hand-washing clothing. It’s a lot more work than a washing machine! Here’s an article that provides instructions, and also has video of a zydeco musician playing one as a musical instrument.
Wed 12. Went to prayer meeting this evening at the church. There were 16 there—had an old fashioned love feast.
A love feast, also called an agape feast, is a simple communal meal shared among Christians.
Thu 13. I went to Iowa Falls with Miriam and Mamie. Fitted Ruth’s dress.
Fri 14. Ruth came home on the PM bus. I have been busy sewing today. Dad & Vic have been working on a brooder house at the farm.
A brooder house is an enclosure to provide shelter and warmth for raising baby chickens and other birds. Here are some tips on building and using them.
Sat 15. I finished making a dress for Ruth today & making one over that Katharine sent here. Have been very busy today—cleaned up the house. Ruth went to a class party at Lorene Englekings. Daddy planted a little garden today.
Sun 16. Today is Easter. I was too sick to go to SS. My! I was disappointed. Ruth sang a solo at church. I did not get to hear her. I am feeling better now. It is a lovely day. Today is Charlie’s birthday.
Mon 17. Daddy & Vic Knowles are working on a brooder house at the farm—I am making my dress.
Tue 18. Daddy & I went to the farm—I helped him with the brooder house. Miriam washed today. She has the Polson girl helping her.
Wed 19. Daddy did not go to the farm today. We had the garden plowed and I helped plant potatoes—also planted some onions which had started to grow.
Thu 20. Daddy went to the farm and finished the brooder house. We planted some peas this AM—also onion seed. We heard from Katharine today.
Onions are biennial plants—this means they seed every two years. Here’s some information on growing and saving onion seeds and peas for planting.
Fri 21. John & Alice came over today. Ate dinner with us. We had the young people’s choir here—made candy. Ruth got home on the late bus—had stayed for a surprise on Thalman.
Sat 22. Did a little sewing in the evening after doing the washing. Ruth ironed. Was too tired for any thing—Dad took the cow out to Kaippens.
Sun 23. The day is so lovely. One longs for a car. The church & SS were as usual. Ruth came into my class today. The Gospel team took charge at night. It is fine to see DeLoss on the job.
Mon 24. Dad has been making garden. I have churned & done up the other work. Sewed a little. It looks like rain. Wrote three letters this morning.
Tue 25. I did the ironing today—also did some sewing. Think the chickens came today—102 baby chicks from Gerald.
Wed 26. Dad & I did not go to prayer meeting tonight as I have a bad eye & Dad is too tired. Ora Reep was here a little while.
Thu 27. I went to Iowa Falls on the morning bus. Ate dinner at Grooters. Went to Alden with Dr. Johnson. Stayed all night there—Ruth came over with Robert to go to Webster City with us as she has no school tomorrow.
Fri 28. Mrs. Johnson, Townsend, Ruth, Dorothy Williams & I went to Webster City to the Convention. Mrs. J was sick all day—I was none too well. Was elected president again. Came back to Alden after evening session.
I’m guessing this was the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, in which Emma was very active.
Sat 29. I & Ruth phoned Gerald to come after us. We are at Mrs. Johnson’s. He came. Found John & Alice here. We did not get much done. Ruth went to a shower for Ruth Taber this evening.
Sun 30. Dad stayed at home this AM. We went to church in the evening—Ruth went on the bus to Iowa Falls. Gospel team had charge at night. The Bible Study class met in the PM. We had a nice time.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for May 1933.