Thu 1. We cleaned the dining room today—Bob washed the walls. He and Ruth washed windows! Did not get the front room done.
Fri 2. We—Dad—Ruth & I went with Ora & Louie Reep to spend the weekend. Left my housecleaning. We took Bob home. After dinner we went to see the clocks—to Spillville & Decorah. Ate a picnic supper in the rain & the dark.
This looks like a fun excursion. Spillville is about 120 miles from Hubbard, and has a museum of old wooden clocks carved by two brothers in the early to mid-1900s that also includes an exhibit on composer Antonin Dvorak, who lived on the upper floor of what is now the museum building in 1893. Decorah is a nearby city that was once a village of the Ho-Chunk Nation. The Ho-Chunks were uprooted and sent to a reservation in Minnesota, and white settlers moved in. It has become a center of Norwegian-American culture, with a number of museums and festivals focused on this heritage.
Sat 3. Ruth & Daddy went to Minn. with the boys & I went to Osage with Mrs. Reep & Mary—had a nice time.
Spillville and Decorah are just south of the Minnesota border, so I’m guessing Tell, Ruth, and the Reep boys went to visit Tell’s sister Kate and her husband who ran a tourist resort in Minnesota and Emma went with the others to Osage, another small town in northern Iowa.
Sun 4. We went to church & SS in McIntyre this AM. Heard a sermon on “Grace”. Drove home after dinner. Dad was too sick & tired to go to church at night but I went. Ora stayed with us all night. Found the current cut off.
Ouch! A few months ago they traded in the electric stove for a wood cook stove; now the power is cut off. Little by little, things are continuing to get worse.
Mon 5. We have been resting up from our vacation today. Ora is still here. He took me to Lotties for our Bible study & then went out to Louies.
Tue 6. Ruth came home this AM. Looked for Robert but he did not come. Dad & I cleaned the kitchen. Sent Harry his $60 for Ginger—Delores Mohler bought her. Gerald plans to shell corn tomorrow.
Shelling corn involves removing the dried kernels from the cobs so the corn can be used for livestock feed and other things. Here’s a manually-operated corn sheller.
Wed 7. Dad & I went to the farm to help. Ora Reep went too. We got in about 2 PM. Went to prayer meeting at night. Mrs. Robertson led.
Thu 8. Robert came down this AM. He, Ruth & I cleaned the front room. Ruth & Robert went to the treasure hunt. Ora went too.
Fri 9. Robert hiked home for his suit this AM. Got back for dinner. I washed by hand as we still have no current. Robert washed the windows. Ruth gave a music lesson. Ruth & Robert went to the Alumni Banquet. Robert sang. He went home afterwards—caught a truck ride.
Sat 10. We are glad Katharines school is out. Look for her tomorrow or Monday. I borrow “sad” iron of Libbies to iron. It was some job.
A sadiron is a solid metal form used in ironing clothes. It is typically heated on a wood stove. In 1872, 19-year-old housewife Mary Florence Potts, from Ottumwa, IA, patented a design with two pointed ends and a quick-change detachable walnut handle. This replacement for the metal handle helped prevent blistered palms and this model became quite popular. In 1903, a self-heating gasoline-powered sadiron was patented. I have no idea which model Emma was using, but they all sound like a lot of work!
Sun 11. We went to SS and church.
Mon 12. Katharine got home this evening. She rode with Helen Culver from Chicago—Came on a bus to Cleveland. We are so glad to see her but she looks thin.
Tue 13. Ora Reep took us to Eldora this PM. He has been staying here since a week ago Sunday.
Wed 14. John & Alice were here for dinner and supper. They took the girls with them to distribute prohibition literature. Ruth and I went to prayermeeting. Dad was at the farm. Ora started for Soo City this PM.
Thu 15. Ruth—Katharine & I went to the SS picnic today. It was out at Blomes’—Dad did not want to go. There were about 80 there.
Fri 16. It is still dry. We did a big washing today. Louie Reep was here this evening.
Sat 17. We got the ironing all done—it is hot & dry. The gardens surely need rain.
Sun 18. We went to church & SS. It is Father’s Day. We had Gerald and his family in for dinner. Gerald & Miriam left the children and went to the ball game. The lunch guests were Donald, Helen & Robert Grooters. They stayed till after church. Rev. Orent gave an address on Prohibition.
Mon 19. Dad went to the farm. Ruth has practiced. Katharine has made a bag. I have sewed a bit. It is still hot & dry.
Tue 20. Had to clerk the Wet & Dry election today. It was so hot up at the town hall. I did not get home till about 9:30 PM.
In 1933, states were voting on the repeal of Prohibition. The Iowa referendum was on June 20. While Hardin County voted to stay dry, the state overall went for repeal.
Wed 21. We have canned cherries today. Still dry. Did not go to prayer meeting. Bob came down about 10 this AM to pick cherries. Stay all night. Ruth gave Grace Ricks a lesson today.
Thu 22. Another cherry day. John and Alice came over for some cherries. Bob was here for dinner. Went home afterward & came back for a late supper. John & Alice were here for supper.
Fri 23. John & Alice came over this afternoon. We looked over cherries. They stayed for supper.
Sat 24. We did the washing & cleaning today. The Gospel team had an ice cream social on the church lawn tonight. Louie Reep was here. Started to drive home about 9:30. Katharine has not been well.
Ice cream socials have been popular summertime gatherings in America since the 18th century. Here are some great ideas for hosting your own.
Sun 25. The Reep family drove down to hear Louis preach but he had gone home. He drove from McIntyre here this AM. Elmer & Joyce Swanson were here in the PM. We did not go to church.
Mon 26. John & Alice came over this AM. Stayed for dinner. We then drove to Liscomb to Herb Barnes’ funeral. John & Alice stayed for supper here. Bible class meets tonight. Lottie, Mrs. Swallum, Mrs. Mohler, Mrs. Hoff & I have been studying Revelation.
Tue 27. Dad went to the farm—Ruth went to Iowa Falls and Katharine & I have sewed. It has been pretty warm today. Ruth has gone to the church to practice. We were making a dress today.
Wed 28. Betty came in the AM—asked to stay till evening. Her mother came after Dad to work today. We have been sewing—bought goods for Ruth a dress. Had her send the one back to Iowa Falls as it was too hot & dressy for summer. Family letter came today.
Thu 29. We canned a few late cherries today. Made Ruth a dress this PM. Minna came down in the evening. Asked K. about going to Minnesota.
Fri 30. Have picked a few raspberries today. Started Ruth’s dress. Cleaned up the house and the dust storm came in the evening to dirty it again. We had a hard rain tonight which we surely needed. Hope we have some potatoes.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for July 1933.