Sat 1. Today has been a busy busy one. Washing, cleaning, sewing, baking, ironing, preparing for company. Mary Reep came down this PM. We had fresh raspberries for supper. We went after Ora in the evening. Went down town to hear the band play.
That sounds like a treat!
Sun 2. Ruth & Mary went to Union to hear Louie preach but he did not show up—they were here for dinner. I had only four in my class—studied about Joshua in SS. Ruth came home from Union. It is so lovely and cool today. Wendell Boylan was not expected to live today.
I believe that Wendell was a son of Tell’s cousin Sherman. He was in his early 20s at this time (and, fortunately, it looks like he lived well into his 70s.) His mother, Bessie Hough Boylan, was a cousin of Gerald’s wife Miriam—lots of family interconnections in this community!
Mon 3. We went to Iowa Falls today. Mary Reep drove Ora’s car. We took a picnic dinner. Ruth took her lesson. Robert Grooters ate with us. I went to the study class at night. Called to see how Wendell is—he is better.
Mary Reep was the older sister of Ora and Louie. She would have been about 30 at this time, and was a public school teacher.
Tue 4. We saw Mary Reep & Ora off today—Gerald left the children here while he & Miriam went to Iowa Falls. Dad went to the farm to plow corn. It has been a lovely cool day today.
With the loss of their farm equipment business, Tell spent a lot more time working at the farm. I found this video of vintage harvesters and plows working in an Iowa cornfield. It helped me picture what he would have been doing.
Wed 5. Dad went to the farm this PM. We have been sewing on Katharine’s velvet dress. It has been a warm day. Picked 3 qts of raspberries today.
Thu 6. John & Alice came over today. We cut and fitted a dress for Alice. She brought two to make.
Fri 7. Ruth gave Dorothy Nymeier a lesson today. Bob Grooters came down for dinner. Katharine & I went up to Gladys’ in the evening. Ruth went to the Young Peoples’ prayer meeting.
Sat 8. A busy day. We washed and ironed—and finished two dresses.
Thinking about all the sewing Emma did reminded me of the old treadle machine we have at our family cabin that may have been the one she used. Although electric sewing machines were available, treadles were still quite common, and especially useful when the power has been cut off!
Sun 9. Katharine & I were alone today. Ruth went up to Fertile & Dad went with Ora to McIntyre. We had no church at night.
Mon 10. We are still busy sewing. Robert came down today. Had our two chickens for supper. Had the Revelation Study class in the evening.
Tue 11. Katharine & I sewed all day. Dad went to the farm to shock oats & fix fence—Ruth went to Iowa Falls.
I learned a new word today! Shocking oats means tying them into sheaves that are then piled into stooks.
Wed 12. John & Alice came over today. Alice got her pink dress which I had finished. Dad is out at the farm shocking oats. Ruth gave Grace Ricks a lesson. I got some coffee from Cal—“Jewell Tea Co.”
The Jewel Tea Company was founded in Chicago in the early 1900s as a door-to-door grocery delivery business featuring their own brand of coffee. In 1932 they began opening retail outlets as new regulations restricted door-to-door sales in many areas.
Thu 13. We sewed on a dress for Katharine today. Minna brought her linen dress up & I finished it for her. She is going to the World Fair tomorrow.
The 1933 World’s Fair was held May 27-Nov 1 in Chicago. The theme was “A Century of Progress.” One unusual feature of the fair was the Living Babies in Incubators exhibit by “The Incubator Doctor” Martin Couney, a pioneer in developing and advocating their use for premature babies. Over the course of nearly 50 years he claimed to have saved around 6500 babies. Hospitals began to use incubators around 1950.
Fri 14. Ruth gave Dorothy a lesson today. We have been busy sewing.
Sat 15. Bob came down this PM. He will stay all night. We did the washing today. John & Alice were over for a few minutes this AM.
Sun 16. We went to church & SS—no evening service. We called on Mrs. Robertson today. Bob went home. Warren Hein was buried today. Dad sung—Ruth played.
Mon 17. John and Alice were over for a few minutes today. We have ironed and sewed. Have made Alice two dresses.
Tue 18. Dad made a contract to rent the farm from John today—Gerald says he & Miriam are going to Oregon. Dad has been at the farm today. I have been sewing.
As you may recall, when the farm was foreclosed on and sold, Tell’s brother John bought it and had rented it to Tell and Emma’s son Gerald and his family in December 1932. Tell’s brother Berne and his wife Fannie lived in Salem, OR; many people moved westward during and after the Depression.
Wed 19. Dad worked at the farm today—he has been shocking oats. Was pretty tired. Ruth & I went to prayer meeting.
Thu 20. Katharine and I have sewed some today. We have the WFMS here but only Gladys & Mrs. Wardle came—it is somewhat discouraging.
Fri 21. We planned to finish Katharine’s blouse & Ruth’s dress but things did not go well & we put them away—Katharine is feeling so blue today.
Sat 22. We had a hard rain last night which will do much good as the gardens were very dry. The lightning was sharp & the thunder crackled. Katharine is still very blue—Bob brought an old Ford down which Dad bought for $5. We are invited to Doggetts tomorrow.
The average car price in 1933 was about $600, compared to $48,000 in 2023. Here are some used-car prices from July 1933 in Iowa—$5 was pretty darn cheap. Based on my calculations, it would be the equivalent of buying a used car for about $100-400 today.
Sun 23. We went to SS in the AM then in Geralds car—to Doggetts to a family reunion celebrating Grandfather’s 95th birthday. We had a lovely time—a fine visit and enjoyed seeing all the Doggetts again. Stopped in Eldora for Gospel team meeting—and stayed all night because the light would not go. Saw Alice Strother in Eldora.
Mon 24. Dad & I got up early and drove home. Alice brought the girls home later. I had the washing all done before they got here. Alice took her dress home—the silk one—I have made her two. Betty came in to spend a few days. Ruth went to Iowa Falls this PM. Boyds brought her home. Finished my Bible Study class this evening. Have studied Revelation.
Tue 25. We have ironed & mended today—also finished making over two dresses for Betty. Dad went to the farm again today. He was there yesterday too. I transplanted some late cabbage plants today.
Wed 26. Katharine finished a dress for Betty today. Dad went to the farm to work. Ruth wants something done to her hair. I am starting to [?] 25 times a day—I want to lose 25 lbs—I weigh 180—5 ft 3 ¾ in tall. We planted late peas today.
Emma struggled with her weight. In the front of the journal was this note, written by her daughter Katharine on July 12:
July 12 181½ Liebensteins Any time after date—for 11 ½ pounds lost, I promise to pay Emma E. Boylan one dollar^ a pound. Anything lost below 165, the bounty will be doubled. No interest and no money is due until her weight is 170—verified. K. BoylanThere were several entries below it:
Aug 4—180
Aug 11—179½
Aug 15—181
Thu 27. Betty went home this AM with Dad. She has 3 dresses to take home with her.
Fri 28. Jerry came in to stay all night with us. I fixed a couple suits over for him.
Sat 29. It has been a scorcher today. Ruth went to Iowa Falls with Leo. She will go to Clear Lake tomorrow & be home Monday. Gerry & his family were in tonight. We had our first ripe tomato.
Sun 30. It seems lonely without Ruth. I had a nice SS class. The Gospel team will put on a Missionary TO service for a week from Sunday. They go to Union tonight. Dad & I went to Union with the Gospel team.
Mon 31. Katharine & I did the washing and ironing today. Also made a little suit for Jerry. We went to meet Ruth but she did not come. Gerald threshed today—Dad was at the farm all day.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for August 1933.