1934 Diary

Transcribed by Ron Milder

As I begin my Diary on the First day of January, 1934. I am the proud Mother of 14 living children. Edward 22 yrs., at home Mary 21 yrs., At St. Rose Convent, LaCrosse Wisconsin, Louise 20 yrs., working for Mrs. Heurtely in Muscatine, Wilma 19 yrs., working for Mrs. Roach in Muscatine, Elizabeth 18 yrs., and Paul 16 yrs. Both working at home. Maurice 13 yrs., Bernard 11 yrs., Lawrence 10 yrs., Gertrude 8 yrs., Gerald 6 yrs. All going to school at Atalissa, IA. John 5 yrs., Leonard 2 yrs., Patricia Ann 7 months are at home.

MONDAY, JAN. 1, 1934 -The folks went to 8 O'clock Mass. My turn to stay home. Went to Wieskamps as Wilma was sick. Our Wilma was at home. Went to see Grandpa in the evening and then took Wilma home.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS NEW YEARS DAY, 1934 -Folks attended 8 o'clock Mass. Wilma Milder at home for the day. Visited father in the evening.

TUESDAY, JAN. 2, 1934 - Patched clothes. Ed started to husk corn again.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 3, 1934 -Washed, churned, Baked bread, Papa took the Chrysler to town, to let them sell it, if they can. Ed husked corn all day.

THURSDAY, JAN. 4, 1934 - Canned 18 quarts apples. Rained and turned to snow.

FRIDAY, JAN. 5, 1934 - Canned 16 quarts apples (made soap)- butchered calf. Letter from Mrs. Wodohodsky - more snow but not cold.

SATURDAY, JAN. 6, 1934 - Usual Sat. Work, baked bread. Papa went into the ditch in the afternoon. Cleared off some and thawed.

SUNDAY, JAN. 7, 1934 - All went to Mass, Elizabeth stayed home. No company - beefsteak for dinner. Tired - didn't thaw much and turned colder.

MONDAY, JAN. 8, 1934 -Washed, canned 10 quarts minced meat. Men cut wood. Got the girls letter. 38 eggs

TUESDAY, JAN. 9, 1934 - Ironed, churned, baked, butchered. Went to town saw Fr. Welsh doings of the March division. Sent a card to the girls. Also Aunt Minnie. Moderate weather.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 10, 1934 -Worked with meat all day. Ice Cream in evening - Men worked on car. Ed got registered letter. Weather about the same as usual - 45 eggs.

THURSDAY, JAN. 11, 1934 - Made head cheese, fried down sausage, picked down meat, canned 6 Qt.. apples. Miss Irwin called. Sent card to Mary. The men went to Muscatine for car repairs - and worked on car

FRIDAY, JAN. 12, 1934 - Help work on car top. Rained in evening.

SATURDAY, JAN. 13, 1934 -Saturday work - letter from Gibbons. Ed took the children to Bible class. Men worked on car until late in evening.

SUNDAY, JAN. 14, 1934 -All went to Mass, Maurice stayed home, Elizabeth, Maurice, Bernard, Lawrence went to whites, Ed went to Bud Brugmans, Papa and I went to Wieskamps in the evening.

MONDAY, JAN. 15, 1934 -Had the cows tested for TB Went to West Liberty saw the new baby. Ed went to Iowa City to the Basket Ball game. Letter from the girls.

TUESDAY, JAN. 16, 1934 -Washed, got letter from Mary - sent letter to girls. Got 47 eggs.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17, 1934 -Sent letter for medals, one for pamphlets. Hung out clothes pretty cold - Edward sick, card to Wilma.

THURSDAY, JAN. 18, 1934 -Went to Muscatine with papa and ED. Was with the girls. Ironed. Got a new dress. Fine weather. Cows didn't react.

FRIDAY, JAN. 19, 1934 -Fine weather. Men started husking again - Sewed some - Papa went to (corn-hog) meeting.

SATURDAY, JAN. 20, 1934 -Took the children to Confession, I went too. Paul stayed home. Men husked corn. Ed went to Muscatine - fine weather.

SUNDAY, JAN. 21, 1934 - All went to Mass - papa stayed home. Brugmans here in the afternoon- Ed went to Nichols, got 52 eggs.

MONDAY, JAN. 22, 1934 - Sewed - muddy - turned colder - papa went to West Liberty - called on Harold.

TUESDAY, JAN. 23, 1934 - Froze up. Washed, baked bread, sent card to Wilma, letter to Mrs. Wodohodsky.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24, 1934 - Ed came back - papa went to Atalissa to fill out his corn hog contract. Walter & Wm. White over to count hogs.

THURSDAY, JAN. 25, 1934 - Men husked corn - 9 above zero this morning. Ironed Sewed some. Reuben and Myrtle here in evening.

FRIDAY, JAN. 26, 1934 - Finished husking corn - sent card to Mary - Sewed.

SATURDAY, JAN. 27, 1934 -Bible History class - papa took all the children. Heard H.A.D. had gone to Davenport. Girls came home in the evening.

SUNDAY, JAN. 28, 1934 - All went to Mass - Ed took the girls. Bernard stayed home. Cold - and strong wind.

MONDAY, JAN. 29, 1934 - Cold - 10 below zero - Ed took the kids to school. Men cut wood in P.M. Sewed.

TUESDAY, JAN. 30, 1934 - Ed, Papa and I went to Davenport. Ed had his Navy exam. Went to see Harold and Veatress. Card from Wilma.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 31, 1934 - Went to West Liberty, to deliver V. & H. Letters. Washed.

Next month - February