Emma #83: August 1934
A long hot summer with lots of fairs and a road trip; things aren't getting better...
As I read these entries, it seems that this is a particularly low point for Emma and Tell. Life at the farm with Gerald and his family is hard, her 55th birthday and their 34th anniversary go by with little joy, and money troubles continue. A road trip and outings to the fair give a little relief, but mostly life just goes on—church, sewing, music, visits, and housework.
Wed 1. We sent the money in by Ed Delano for the phone. Our car wouldn’t work. The battery went wrong. Finally they put in Geralds but they did not go in. I was not feeling very well. The day was hot. Gerald’s actions made us suffer so.
Thu 2. We sent for Bob to come down. He worked on the car & got it fixed up. Then we went to Ft. Dodge to see about the motor. We took a picnic supper—Ruth, Bob, Katharine, Stella, Uncle Pete and I ate in the park. Had a nice time.
Fri 3. Katharine was not a bit well today. She, Peggy, & Betty were all sick. Life is so hard these days.
Sat 4. This is the day we put up corn. Bob came down to help us. We put up 32 qts, then we took Bob to the Falls.
Sun 5. We got up early to start for Denison. Arrived there about eleven. Had a lovely dinner—went to church in the park. Ruth played the organ for the service. We plan to start for Beresford tomorrow.
Mon 6. We arrived in Beresford after dinner today. The last 50 miles were hard. We were all so glad to see Linnie. They are living in the basement this hot weather. We plan to go home day after tomorrow. Had a fine rain here.
Road trip! About 500 miles round-trip.
Tue 7. The day has been spent visiting, looking at patterns, etc. I hate to think of going back to the farm. Will try to make the best of it.
Wed 8. We started for home today. Stopped to see Mrs. Mather at Spencer—also at Algona at Rev. Muhlemans for dinner. We had a lovely time. We were so glad we went. We got some medicine from Mrs. Johnson at Alden & we also stopped in Iowa Falls. Stella asked Ruth to go to Ft. Dodge.
Thu 9. Donald came after Ruth today. She is going to spend a few days with Stella at Ft. Dodge. Dad took Gerald and his family to Eldora today. Alice just got home from Des Moines. She is going to Chicago Sat AM. I started a blouse for Katharine today.
Fri 10. Finished K’s blouse today and made Betty a dress out of one of Ruth’s for her birthday.
Sat 11. Today is my birthday—I am 55 years old. We cleaned up the house, washed a bit, went to town to get the battery, took Gerald to fix his engine etc. We made a nice birthday cake after Mrs. Wheelock’s recipe. Burnt sugar. We are invited for dinner at Leibensteins tomorrow.
Burnt sugar is made by caramelizing sugar to a deep brown color, creating a rich, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor. Here’s a from-scratch recipe for burnt-sugar cake with step-by-step instructions and pictures.
Sun 12. We went to SS & church this AM. Betty came in with us. She went to Gladys’ for dinner. We went to Leibensteins for dinner. The Nymeyers were there also. We had a lovely dinner, also had a nice time.
Mon 13. It is a lovely wash day. Ruth got home. We are so glad to have her home.
Tue 14. Dad, Katharine, Ruth & I & Betty went to Des Moines today to shop, etc. We went to see the Capitol & Historical Museum. It was Betty’s first visit to Des Moines—& was she thrilled!
The State Capitol was built in the late 1800s. Betty was 11 years old.
Wed 15. Dad took Jerry & Miriam to Eldora to see the ball game at the Fair but it had rained so hard there was none.
County fairs were very popular at this time. Here’s a story about the Hardin County Fair, held from Aug 14-17 in Eldora. Vaudeville, motorcycle races, and a public wedding!
Thu 16. We went to town. Took Mrs. Hansen $2 worth of corn. Miriam and Jerry went along. In the afternoon we went to Iowa Falls. Ruth & Katharine got “permanents.” I got the top of mine done over. We were to have Missionary Society but Margaret & her husband came to visit at Gladys’ so it was called off.
Fri 17. We put in a full day. Ruth gave her lessons. We worked all day getting “eats” ready for Ruth to take to the Fair. The piano tuner Mr. Swibold was here and we had the piano tuned. He was here for dinner. In the afternoon Helen Culver came for a visit. In the evening we took Ruth to the Falls.
Sat 18. We took Jerry to Hubbard this AM to get some tools. Dad did not go—just K, Betty, & I. Got home, did up the work & went to Eldora. Dad got a haircut & K got a new dress. Minna called a few minutes. I made 5 pints of Olive Oil pickles today. We took some potatoes and a chicken to Mrs. Wardle.
Sun 19. We went to SS & church this AM. We talked of going to the Old Settler’s picnic but it turned so cold we did not go. Stayed at home all day.
On this date in history, Adolf Hitler declared himself Führer of Germany. We’re slowly moving toward World War II.
Mon 20. We made two trips to Eldora today—one in the PM to take Gerald’s cream & one in the evening to see John & Alice. They got home from the Fair today (& Lodge meeting) and also to hear a debate on the value of the World Court by Dewey Gilbert and Dean Pusen. We were tired.
During this time, there was an ongoing debate over the US’s participation in the Permanent Court of International Justice (also known as the World Court), which was attached to the League of Nations. The court was dissolved in 1946; the US never joined. Dewey Gilbert was an Iowa state senator.
Tue 21. We have had several cool days. It seems good to have it cooler. Gerald hauled corn for Paul Rohlson today. He was in terrible shape when he got home. I thanked the Lord he had not fallen out of the wagon—O Lord! How long before he will straighten up—such suffering as he has caused me! We have been sewing a little today.
Wed 22. Our 34th Wedding Anniversary. It has been full of sorrow as well as joy. We went to prayer meeting in Hubbard. Had a good chicken dinner. We drove to Iowa Falls after Ruth in the AM. She had a fine time at the Fair.
There were so many fairs going on at this time that I wasn’t able to figure out which one John & Alice went to and which one Ruth just came back from. Here are some of the local ones, and then the Iowa State Fair ran from Aug 22 to 31 in Des Moines.
Thu 23. This has been my washday. From upstairs to the basement is a long way when you travel it so many times. The rats & the dog had visited the clothes before I got to wash them. We went to town for WFMS but everybody had an excuse—company, rain, business, sicklies, etc. so we had none.
Fri 24. Gerald and Dad went in to see the ball game. Hubbard Day! Not much of a game. We did the ironing—Ruth, K & I. We cut out my grey silk dress.
Sat 25. We went to Minna’s today for dinner and supper. I called on Mrs. Robertson. Saw Robin Crystie Klemme today. Had rather a nice time on the street seeing folks. Bought a pair of every day shoes. Men were here to see Gerald today about a check— also insurance men wanted to rent him this farm if we did not redeem it.
In the mid 1930s, even everyday ladies’ shoes had heels. Here are some of the styles that were popular then. I’d like to give a special shout-out to the Vintage Dancer site, which is my go-to source for fashion information.
Sun 26. Went to church and SS this morning. Had a nice SS class. Am anxious to hear from Philadelphia about my Dean of Women position!!!! Dad wants me to take it. It has been cold today. Have needed a fire. Saw Jennie Smuck today nee Goff. They are living in Waterloo.
I have no idea what this might have been about, but this is the first and last time it is mentioned.
Mon 27. We cut & almost made a striped dress which did not look well when I tried it on so I will send it to Margaret Manora. We drove in to Culvers in the evening to get some plums. They start for Michigan in the morning.
Tue 28. We got up early & went to Steamboat Rock to see Henry Gelhorn but he was in Des Moines at the Fair. We stopped a few minutes in Eldora. Alice asked me to drive to Cedar Rapids with her. Ora Reep called in the afternoon. Dad went to Iowa Falls with him. Ruth & Katharine are busy sewing.
Wed 29. A lovely cool morning. We sewed today and then went in to prayer meeting at Hubbard.
Thu 30. A rainy day! We drove to Marshalltown in the afternoon. Got some goods for Katharine a blouse. Bought her some goods for a dress, too.
Fri 31. This is the last day of August. We went to Eldora in the evening. Dad went to the courthouse to meet with the Concilatory Com. & Ruth, Katharine & I went to see a movie. Quite an event! Jane Eyre. It was interesting. Did not see John.
From what I can gather, a number of states had set up State Agricultural Conciliatory Committees. Based on this article about Illinois, I learned that they “oversaw county level conciliation and debt adjustment committees. Regional supervisors helped farmers prepare applications and shepherded them through the system. Local committees were composed of farmers and farm creditors who through voluntary proceedings arranged agreements whereby farmers could forestall foreclosures and work out debt payments over time.”
The 1934 production of Jane Eyre was the first film adaptation of the Charlotte Brontë novel to use sound. Here’s the trailer.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for September 1934.