Sun 1. The young people had an Easter breakfast here this AM. We went to church & SS. Had a nice dinner. Ona and Edith came down after dinner. We gave Edith her lamp. Then Swallums called. In the evening Ruth & I went to call on Mrs. Mohler. She has not been well.
Mon 2. Dad went to the farm and I did a big washing. Washed curtains, blankets etc. Robert came down—staid all night.
Tue 3. We went to the farm and worked all day. It takes so long to get the rooms all ready. Robert hiked for home about 4 PM. We brought the three kiddies in to stay all night and have their Easter hunt which Ruth had planned. They had a lot of fun. Robert took our letter to the president to mail.
It turns out that millions of people wrote to FDR, including Helen Keller, people lobbying for old-age pensions before the Social Security Act was passed in 1935, and people seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. And Eleanor Roosevelt invited people to write to her in a Women’s Home Companion article; they did so in huge numbers, and she worked hard to respond personally or to make sure the letters were directed to appropriate agencies.
Wed 4. Today has been busy. I ironed awhile and then went with Dad & Jerry to Roland to see about getting some hogs of Dave Strother. We stopped to see the Boyds a minute. Miriam came in to wash. They were here for dinner. It has rained a lot today. We got some papers to sign from Omaha Land bank in regard to our loan.
Twelve Federal Land Banks were established in 1916 as one component of what eventually became the Farm Credit System. In 1933, legislation to allow additional types of lending and the establishment of the Farm Credit Administration created a range of short- and long-term credit for farmers struggling during the Great Depression.
Thu 5. We got our first letter from Omaha Federal Loan bank last night. We signed it & sent it in. Hope we shall soon hear that we get the loan altho’ we are to be foreclosed May 1. Costs will be several hundred dollars. We went to Eldora—got some stuff to fix the rooms.
It looks like the foreclosure she refers to is their house in Hubbard—they are preparing to move out to the farm, which was bought by Tell’s brother John and his wife Alice when it was foreclosed earlier, and deeded back to Emma. The loan they are seeking is a long-term one which will provide the capital to operate the farm.
Fri 6. Today I fixed Ruth’s dress—the one Katharine sent her. Spent the day sewing.
Sat 7. Another day of sewing. We made Ruth a little green jacket to go with her green skirt.
Goodness—after all this financial turmoil, I think we need a little fashion! Here’s a 1934-vintage pattern for a ladies’ jacket.
Sun 8. I had a fine SS class today. We had communion. 17 young people at the first table. In the evening a crowd of young people went to Eldora to hold a meeting at the Baptist church. Ruth went & Ora & the rest took her to Iowa Falls.
Mon 9. I did a big washing today. Was so surprised this evening to have the WFMS come with filled baskets & have supper & spend the evening. I surely appreciated it. Mrs. Hoff, Spiller, Baker, Swallum, Robertson, Lottie, Agnes, Gladys, Garnette, Miss Berry and Mrs. Raider were here—also Rev. & Mrs. Wardle. We had a lovely time.
Emma was very active in the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It’s nice to see that they are rallying around her during what was undoubtedly a tough time for all of them.
Tue 10. We moved the stove (cook) and one bed out to the farm today. We stay there tonight. We have a lot to do there before we can move. It takes a lot of time.
In January 1933, they had to take out the electric stove and bring in a wood cook stove at the house. Now the stove will go to the farm with them.
Wed 11. Dad and Gerald have gone after some hogs at Dave’s. I hope we will be contented at the farm. There is so much to do. We expected to see Ruth tonite but were disappointed.
Thu 12. Gerald & Miriam went after the hogs they did not get yesterday. They brought home three brood sows. They were rather late—I had the children for supper. We worked getting the kitchen fixed here and there. The wind has blown hard for several days. It is so trying.
Brood sows are female pigs that give birth to litters of piglets. They often grow much larger than pigs raised for market.
Fri 13. Another windy day! We looked for Ruth on the bus but she did not come. We went to Iowa Falls after her—Gerry & family & I—but we did not find her. Dad was so tired he went to bed. We took our eggs to Iowa Falls. Miriam had 22 doz. I had 9 dozen. I got a letter from Mrs. J. with programs of Dist. Con. Joe Stage was here today.
They would have received about 14-17 cents per dozen eggs.
Sat 14. Baked bread and made butter today. We had the wonderful privilege of hearing St. Olaf’s choir at Radcliffe last night. There were 58 of them. We drove Gerald’s car to town & then went with Wardles. Mrs. Hoff went too. I met Esther Lawrence, Bob Muilenburg’s sweetheart. She is a sweet little girl.
The St. Olaf Choir, based at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, has performed across the US and around the world since its founding in 1912. Its founder, F. Melius Christiansen, conducted the choir in a cappella sacred music performances until 1943, when his son (named Olaf!) took up the role. Here’s a picture of the choir with its its founder from around this time.
Here’s a recording of a more recent performance to help you get a sense of what Emma might have heard.
Bob Muilenberg was Emma’s nephew. He didn’t marry Esther.
Sun 15. This is our first Sunday on the farm. It is somewhat cloudy. We plan to go to church. Will take Margaret & Jerry with us. Betty went home with Gladys yesterday to stay till tonight.
Mon 16. It seemed best for Gerald & me to go to Eldora after rape seed and seed potatoes which we did. I bought some pails and a bread box. In the afternoon we planted the potatoes and rape with oats. We were tired at night. I got word from Mrs. Robertson that they would start for Oscaloosa with her father at nine tomorrow. The appraiser was here. He got a letter to see to our loan at once. We wrote Franklin D. on April 3. We will probably hear soon. Today is Charlie’s birthday.
Rapeseed is a flowering member of the mustard/cabbage family, and the oil from its seeds is the third-largest source of vegetable oil (canola) in the world. It’s also a main forage crop for honeybees.
Tue 17. Miriam & I will start for town about 8:30. She plans to wash & I plan to go to Robertson’s and Mohlers. I went to Robertsons to the funeral, then to Mohlers & then worked at the house. Miriam did a big washing. I did some packing.
Wed 18. Dad took the team and got another load of things today. We did a lot more packing. Miriam did my washing. Gerald & Miriam went to Whitten in the afternoon. Another fierce dust storm.
Five major dust storms were reported between November 1933 and May 1934. Several of them are mentioned in this month’s entry. Although Iowa was not hit as hard as some places, it was definitely affected.
Thu 19. Dad got another load from town today. The dust was terribly bad all day. I made bread, butter & cookies. Gerald & Miriam ate dinner with us—brought their meat & strawberries up & I got supper. We went to Iowa Falls in the PM. Took 9 doz. eggs. I did not go in for WFMS meeting.
Fri 20. Dad went to town for a load of stuff. Ruth is home. I cleaned the brooder house out today. We will get the chickens next Tuesday.
Sat 21. Gerald & I took Ruth to the Falls this PM. We bought Ruth a hat. She is going to Soo City Sunday—as far as Ft. Dodge tonite.
Sun 22. Dad & I took the car and the kiddies to SS and church. We had dinner, answered the family letter, & drove to Eldora. Gerald & Miriam went in to see Petes. The kiddies all went to Buckey with “Lucie” (Mrs. Rodgers).
Mon 23. We have had one of the worst dust storms today we have ever had. We went to town and got a few things in the car. I went to see Mrs. Spiller. She can’t go to Manson. I phoned Bertha Johnson—I plan to go up there on Tuesday.
Here’s a picture of a dust storm in April 1934 from South Dakota.
Tue 24. I had Gerald & Miriam take me to Iowa Falls today. I saw Ruth. Got my chickens. Jerry took them home. Had my hair waved. Took my eggs—& then we had a little money. Bertha & Erma came after me. I staid all night at Mrs. J. Rev. Wilkinson. Will drive to Manson tomorrow.
Wed 25. Today is our WFMS convention—a lovely day! We drove to Manson—Rev & Mrs. Wilkinson, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Rogers & I. We had a wonderful meeting. Had a large convention—10 preachers, 4 missionaries—and I could not get rid of my job. Came home after night. I was so tired.
It sounds like she got re-elected as an officer in the WFMS…I am sure that was a mixed blessing. An important part of her life, yet one more thing to do when life was so demanding already.
Thu 26. Had a nice time at Mrs. J’s today. We went & looked at several gardens then Mrs. J, Erma & Mrs. Doeringsfeldt brought me home via Hubbard to the farm so that I could get some plants for Mrs. J. Found Dad alright but pretty tired. I am glad to be home. We had a wonderful meeting.
Fri 27. Found plenty to do today after being away. We were busy putting up the curtains when we heard the bus stop & Ruth got off. We thought she was not coming home.
Sat 28. Ruth & I got the living room in order today while Dad got the piano. We went to town & did some errands. Gerald went to town this PM—did not get back until late.
This is one more reminder of how central music was to their lives. Moving a piano is a lot of work!
Sun 29. The last Sunday in April! We are at the farm. Went to church & SS this AM. Had callers this PM. Geo Moon, the Robertsons, Clyde & Gladys. Dad drove Ruth up but I did not go. It is terribly dusty today & I am tired out.
A new chapter of Emma and Tell’s life begins.
Mon 30. Bob came down this AM. Dad went in after his last load. Bob & I cleaned up the house. Gerald & Miriam went to Whitten after lugs. Bob came home with us & helped unload. It was his birthday. Joe Stage said we could have the bird bath & trellis so there is another load.
A year ago in April we learned that Joe Stage was taking the house. Although I imagine they were glad to have the bird bath and trellis, at this point it just sounds like one more thing to move.
Special Feature: Postcards from Wewoka
Tell’s brother Chris wrote “poetry posts” to Ruth, who was at school in Iowa Falls, on a regular basis. These are penny postcards, and his writing is tiny! In each one he has copied a poem from a magazine, and put in a bit of family news. Here are some of the high points:
Aunt Louisa has flowers aplenty.
Chris has finished his time with the CWA (see last month’s entry) and has nothing to do so did the dishes three times that day.
Ruth’s sister Katharine will be teaching in Shaker Heights, OH again next year.
Tell’s sister Daisey and her siblings Will and Nora, in Carthage MO, are looking for a goat, and Chris is wondering how goat milk cream would taste in coffee. Family documents – postcard to Ruth from Wewoka – Poem and note regarding flowers in bloom, child’s birthday and upcoming trip to Joplin and Carthage next month.
And in case you wondered, as I did, where Wewoka, OK is, it’s right here!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for May 1934.