If you’ve read the past few entries, you know that Emma and Tell are continuing to struggle financially, and are losing their house. What I find fascinating as I read this month’s journal is how much life seems to continue as normal, including church activities, household chores, and Emma setting up her fish pond. No commentary on the economy, no hand-wringing over their situation…just keeping on going, one day at a time.
Mon 1. As it is cold & raining I did not wash today. Did not get much of anything done. Sent Katharine $2.00 today. Poor girlie! Living on a borrowed dollar. Wish I could send her $200.00.
Tue 2. Dad & I made ice cream today. It was still cold. I swept and dusted, and we made cookies. Looked as tho’ we might be going to have company. I went to Swallums to the B. Study on book of Revelation. Vic & Swallum called on Tell.
Wed 3. Dad & I washed this AM. In the afternoon Rev. Hawkins & John came after us to go to Iowa Falls. They came in time for dinner. We had noodles. Our chickens are making a lot of noise. Went to prayer meeting at night.
Thu 4. I went to Tabers to a prayer meeting this AM. Katie, Mrs. Taber, Mrs. Moon, Mrs. Robertson & I were there.
Fri 5. Did my ironing today. Went down to Robertsons & waited for the bus—Ona & Louise Buchan were here awhile. Glad to have Ruth at home.
Sat 6. Was almost sick over losing seven chickens. We put them upstairs to keep them warm. Gerald came in & took Dad to the country. He is finding judges for the coming election. Robert came down for dinner. Louise Beatty started music lessons. The kiddies are in to stay all night.
Sun 7. The children are still here. It is a rainy bad day. We all went to church and SS both morning & evening. Had my Bible class here in the afternoon.
Mon 8. Dad & I went to the Dry convention at Eldora. Ate dinner at John’s. John was elected Dry delegate for the June 20 convention. Had our Bible study on Revelation at night. The children went home today. Mrs. Hoff went with us.
Here’s a postcard (1 cent postage!) from Tell’s brother John to their sister Daisey telling her about being elected as the candidate against repealing the 18th amendment (prohibition).
Tue 9. This is the day we rested. Dad says.
Wed 10. Betty came in today to visit school. Another wash day. So rainy did not get my clothes dry. We went to prayer meeting at night. Ora led. Afterwards Ora & Louie came down here to practice singing.
Thu 11. Tonight we are having our Mystery Mother Banquet. We had a nice time. It was at Mrs. Huffs. There were 26 of us altogether. The girls were all “dolled” up. I helped her in the afternoon.
I believe this was a mother/daughter banquet related to Mother’s Day, which is the coming Sunday. Based on other accounts I found, the “mystery” part probably had to do with a party game where mothers and daughters got some sort of clue they had to match up to find a partner.
Fri 12. Betty is still here—Ruth came down with a group from Thalman’s and gave a program at the school house. Betty and I went. Ruth had to go back & come home at 8.55 on bus as she is practicing for the Recital next Tuesday night.
Sat 13. The sun is shining this AM after another week of clouds & rainy weather. Corn is not planted yet.
Sun 14. The children stayed till evening when Betty called for them to come after her. Mother’s day! Ruth brought me flowers, Katharine a nice love letter, Miriam some eggs. They did not come in for dinner.
I found this note from Katharine among the files.
Mon 15. Went to Lottie’s to study Revelation—Mrs. Swallum, Hoff & I were there. Tell & Vic put the roof on the shop today.
Tue 16. Went to Iowa Falls to a Recital. Ruth played in a two piano duet. Robert, Ruth & Stella brought me home.
I found a newspaper clipping about the recital—here are some excerpts.
Wed 17. Tell was too tired to go with me to prayer meeting. I had to lead. Heard Ben Hill is at home with a baby.
Thu 18. Tell is planting some peas. It surely is hard to get anything done. Put our chickens out doors today. They are three weeks old.
This is the age when chickens start getting their feathers and are able to play and forage.
Fri 19. Ruth came home on the bus. Oh! how it poured. I went to meet her. The bus was late.
Sat 20. Robert hiked down this PM. Will stay till tomorrow. Dad has made a fine lawn chair.
One of the most common patterns for lawn chairs is this Adirondack style. Here is a pattern and guide to building one.
Sun 21. Day of Rest! It has surely been a full day. Last meeting of the B. study class—6 boys here. They want another one. I talked on “Giving” or Tithing at the Gospel Team service. Ruth & Robert went home. Gerald took them.
Mon 22. Monday! The sun is shining this PM after a cloudy morning. Dad is making a lawn settee. I will sell 80 qts of milk to Derkmans to finish up my $5 on stove. Went to Lottie’s at night.
Tue 23. Dad is working on a settee now. The chair & settee are so nice.
Wed 24. Ruth, Robert and Stella stopped here for lunch on the way to Ft. Dodge. They will be gone until Sunday.
Thu 25. John & Alice came over for dinner. We went to the cemetery—Alice & I fished.
The Boylan Cemetery is one of the oldest in Hardin County, Iowa. Here’s a Google Earth image of its location (the open patch at the lower right is the cemetery). I’m guessing she and Alice fished in Tipton Creek, which runs nearby.
Fri 26. Spent the forenoon ironing. Put the lilies in the pool. Dad planted more beans and lettuce. We are having radishes. Daddy has the garden in fine shape.
Setting up a lily pond seems to be an annual activity for Emma—putting it together around May, and then draining it in the late fall. Here’s some information on setting up a lily pond.
Note: Ruth at School
Ruth was taking classes at both the Iowa Falls Conservatory of Music and Ellsworth Junior College. Records for a term ending at about this time indicate that she got a B in English/Composition & Rhetoric and a C in Elementary French from Ellsworth; and a B in Sight Singing and As in History of Music and Harmony I from the Conservatory.
Sat 27. Planted my nasturtiums today. We have decided to send the chickens to the farm.
Sun 28. I had three young people from Aurora, Ill in my SS class today. Ora & Louie were in Union this AM & were here in the PM. Had quite a shower. Got pretty wet getting the chickens.
Mon 29. Ruth staid for her recital—(was to sing) at Thalmans. We sent our chickens out with Miriam this AM.
Tue 30. Bob, Stella & Ruth came down today. They are glad to have school out. Stella was going home but got sick so didn’t go.
Wed 31. We—Bob, Ruth & I have cleaned upstairs today. Ruth & Bob went after her furniture after supper.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for June 1933.