1935 Diary
(transcribed by Ron Milder)

July- Sept

October

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1935 - Ed & Wilma went to Davenport & Muscatine. Ed got a job. We took the Van Driels and Tillie to City in PM. visited at both hospitals. Took our company to West Liberty in eve. Eliz canned 8 qts. melon pickles.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1935 - Cold & Eliz washed & Papa mowed soy beans. Girls & Paul picked up hickory nuts. I canned 5 qt. peaches. Ed went to Nichols to work on his car. Frost pretty hard (?)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1935 - Star died - Papa cut buckwheat and finished soy beans. Eliz ironed, we canned 22 qt. tomatoes. Got things in before hard frost. Ed left for his new job at Davenport. We went to Confession.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1935 - First real hard frost. Killed dahlias and tomato vies. First Friday, went to Mass,. canned 22 qt. tomatoes & made grape jelly. We sold chickens for $43.86 ($.17 a pound)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1935 - Saturday work, canned 4 1/2 qt. grape jam. 1 qt pickles, the last. Girls & Papa & I went to City in the PM.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1935 - All went to Mass, Paul & John went to last. In the PM Papa, Gertrude, Leonard &Patty Baby & I went to Clifford's. Wilma & Eliz went with Smiths after hickory nuts saw Ed & Brugman's.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1935 - Rather cloudy weather, Papa & the girls went to the City. Girls & Paul went to Smiths in eve & started making their boxes for box social. Paul helped Mathes thresh soybeans in PM.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1935 - Papa worked on the car in Hills putting in new brake linings & heater. Eliz painted flower cans & fixed shelves up & (funny ?) box. I set out more plats, Paul threshed at Mathes & they got done with the soybeans.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1935 - Papa & Paul dug late potatoes & sweet Potatoes. I helped pick them up. Papa saw sister about getting apples there.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1935 - Papa & I went to City with the cream. Then Papa, Paul & Eliz picked apples at sisters both forenoon & afternoon. Papa, Paul, Wilma, & Eliz went to Card party & box social in evening.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1935 - Papa & I went to W. Liberty in PM. then out to Bessie's for a little visit & stopped at Ralph Schooley.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1935 - Papa & I went to City in forenoon and then to Muscatine in PM & got Louise & came back to City for her to shop. She got her new coat $16.95.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1935 - Louise drove the car to first Mass. Papa & the children to second Mass, quiet day & Papa & the young folks went to Frantz' in the evening.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1935 - Papa & I took Louise home. Eliz washed. we stopped with cream on the way home.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1935 - Eliz ironed and we also got tomatoes ready for catsup.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1935 - Made catsup - about 21 bottles. Papa & I went to town, I didn't feel very good. Eliz went with Frantz' to dance.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1935 - Rainy weather, got green tomatoes ready for chopped pickles, took Wilma to the doctor & went over to W. Liberty to see about potatoes. Stayed at Bessie's for supper.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1935 - Made 15 gal. sauerkraut and canned chopped pickles.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1935 - Went to City in forenoon. Papa & boys put in 7 loads hay. Papa brought the Sisters & Maggie out to get Hickory nuts in PM. Ed came home in eve.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1935 - Reunion at Bessie's. Grandpa was home - all of us went but P.M.B.L.&G. Brugman's here in PM. Smiths in the evening.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1935 - We went to City - Bought 45 bushels or 27 sacks potatoes at $.92 & $.97 a sack. Papa hauled them all out- we canned 40 qts pears. Papa & I & the boys went to Schooley's in the eve.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1935 - We canned 24 qts pears. Men got up wood in am. Sawed it in the afternoon. I helped a little. Girls went to box social in evening with Helen Jenn.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1935 - We went to City & took Wilma into the Dr. for serum treatment. Elizabeth washed. Papa painted corn plow in PM. Letter from sister.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1935 - Paul's birthday - had chicken for dinner - canned 20 qt pears - men put up soybean hay. Eliz helped, 2 loads in am & 6 in PM. Lyle helped.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1935 - Threshed buckwheat in AM. 1, finished putting up soybean hay after dinner. Eldon & Lyle helped.39 bu. had 6 men for dinner besides Papa & Paul

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1935 - Paul helped Frantz saw wood. Papa, Maurice, Wilma & I went to City in the forenoon. Usual Sat work - Fixed underwear, mended, etc.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1935 - First Mass a high Mass, I sat with the Christian Mothers & rec'd Holy Communion with them. Papa took children to the second Mass.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1935 - Paul hauled manure. Girls finished canning the pears 9 qts. Papa & I went to W. Liberty, Papa went to the sale a little while. We had dinner at Veatress' & then went to Bessie's, mother came home with us.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1935 - Eliz washed. Went to the City in the forenoon with mother, took her to Dr Bywater & around. Papa looked at corn pickers - Paul hauled cow manure.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1935 - Ironed - Papa & Paul worked at the potatoes and the children finished them in the evening 13 sacks. We took Wilma to the Dr. and then took mother home.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1935 - Wilma went with Gertrude Smith to visit her school. Paul hauled manure and it rained quite hard around noon. We went to Confession in eve.

November

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1935 - Had 6 & 7 o'clock Mass. Papa went out to look at corn picker in forenoon. Sent letter to Ed. Bought picker for $70.00 ?? here

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1935 - Paul butchered a calf. We went to 2 masses on All Souls Day - Picker was delivered. Papa & Wilma went to City.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1935 - rainy day - All went to Mass. Wilma stayed home from first Mass.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1935 - Papa & I went to meeting at Fathers in evening.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1935 - Washed - got the cabbage and vegetables in first snow flakes.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1935 - Ironed - Papa & Wilma went to City twice. Papa & I, Elizabeth, Paul & Till went to Henry's in evening.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1935 - Girls cleaned upstairs. Smiths & Till came out and spent the evening.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1935 - Papa's birthday. Ironed curtains. Papa & Wilma went to the City - Had oysters, good cake & pears for supper.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1935 - The men started using the corn picker for the first time & husked 3 loads. Papa & I went after Louise - hauled a woman into Muscatine.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1935 - Louise & I stayed home from first Mass. Made good hamburger for breakfast, in the PM Papa & I Louise & Maurice went to Wills & Cliffords.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1935 - Took Louise home, Wilma started working at her new job in Hills - Children had 1/2 day vacation - First snow.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1935 - Washed. The men fixed at the wagons got buckwheat ground, took vegetables to Sisters. Sawed wood.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1935 - Started in husking corn again - broke a gear by noon. Lyle helped work all day. Ironed and baked bread.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1935 - Lyle here - Husked corn all day. Busy with housework & sewing (?) first time.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1935 - Husked 294 bu. corn. Busy with cooking as usual and other work.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1935 - Husked all day. Papa went to Hills, W Liberty and Ia. City in forenoon.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1935 - We all went to Mass. the children to last. Wilma came home in the afternoon. Ed, Ed W. & Ray Becker here in the PM & for supper.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1935 - Had chicken for dinner, busy with homework - men husked corn all day.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1935 - Paul butchered calf. Rainy weather, Papa & I went to City in the morning, so they didn't husk corn until afternoon & finished here & across the road. Henry, Ann & Stephen here in the evening.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1935 - Sent letter to mother & Louise. husked corn, busy in forenoon with housework, washed in PM. Papa,, Paul, Eliz took Wilma & Helen to Gertrude S. school Program.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1935 - Sent Accident Insurance letter. Men husked corn. Busy as usual with the housework. Worked on pillowcases for Bazaar.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1935 - Got electric radio. Papa & Eliz went to City - Lyle was here for dinner and all day. Papa & the girls & Paul went to Helen's program.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1935 - Usual Sat. work. Men burned off field for plowing. Papa & the girls & Paul went to City in evening. I worked late as usual.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1935 - All went to Mass as usual. Papa & I went to Clifford's and to West Liberty. Bud & Louise came out in the PM.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1935 - Papa &Eliz went to City. Eliz got her permanent. Papa went to Dr. Scanlon in AM. & Dr Steindler in PM. Ed came for awhile & had dinner here. Lyle worked here in PM & helped plow.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1935 - Lyle & Ed plowed all day until it rained too hard in eve. Papa had X ray pictures taken in forenoon at Mercy hospital & over to state hospital in PM.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1935 - Sent letter to Sister Margaretta. Rainy day. We got ready for the Thanksgiving Day Bazaar. Wilma came out awhile in evening.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1935 - Papa took me in for the Bazaar. I helped with dinner. Wilma also helped at noon. Eliz & Papa helped at supper time. Maurice & Paul went in eve.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1935 - The men worked some at wood. I sewed some. The men butchered our first hog.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1935 - Papa & I went to City in forenoon. Worked up the meat. Wilma & Louise, Bud & friend called in evening. Papa & Boys got up wood & sawed some.

December

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1935 - All went to Mass as usual. Papa & I to Communion. Wilma came out in the PM. Quiet day.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1935 - Rec'd Sister Margaretta letter. Washed - Papa went to town in the PM. Paul husked corn. They hauled corn away, that we sold to W Michael (50 ct. a pc.)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1935 - Ironed - Paul husked corn. Papa worked around home. Papa took buckwheat down town for Brugman. Burned off field.

WEDNESDAY, DEC 4, 1935 - I made Gene a romper. Papa & Paul used picker in PM. Papa & I went to City forenoon. Papa paid the rent at the Hill's Bank. Eliz finished ironing. Papa went to meeting in eve.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1935 - Papa & Paul used picker in AM husked one load. Ed husked in Pm, came home about noon. Wilma came out in eve.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1935 - First Friday, Papa & I went to Mass & took the school children. Rainy day. Papa & I went to City in PM with cream & on to W. Liberty. Sold 2 days cream for $5.07 & 2 chicken for $2.43.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1935 - Worked in forenoon getting ready for ( ?) dinner. Papa & Paul picked the goose. I made 7 pies & cake in PM. Papa, Ed & I went to Muscatine for Louise.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1935 - All went to first Mass but Paul & Johnny, 11 of our family rec'd Holy Communion. Girl & Ed went to West Liberty in PM and girls had pictures taken . Dexter's, mother and Frantz's here in evening.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1935 - Eliz washed. I baked bread. Papa went to City with cream. Paul husked corn & Ed left early for his job at Joe Meinhardt & took Louise home.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1935 - Eliz washed. Papa worked on woodsaw all day. Paul husked corn & I sewed. Wilma came out in eve with picture proof.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1935 - Paul husked corn. Papa worked around home.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1935 - Paul husked corn. Papa & I went to Cedar Rapids, came back & shopped in Ia. City. (Rieas ?) came out Eliz & I cut out the smocks & worked late. man stopped for gas about 10 PM.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1935 - Paul husked corn. Papa, Maurice & Mathes boy had to be in City at 9 am to talk to lawyers. Papa & I went to W. Liberty in PM and stayed at Dexter's for supper & bought things to take to reunion.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1935 - Paul husked corn in forenoon. Papa took Sisters to Ia. City in forenoon started to snow around noon. we went to Confession in evening. Paul, Maurice, Papa & I.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1935 - All went to first Mass but Lawrence. Papa & I went to Ottumwa, left about 10:10, with things for Embrees. Had a very good trip & returned home about 6:20. Wilma got through at Dietz's.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1935 - Had 2 pigs killed. Papa, Wilma & I went to City and shopping I pm. Mr Riess called up & wanted me to go along to Sigourney.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1935 - Eliz washed. Papa & I & Wilma went to the City. I got my (hut ?) sent Sister Margaretta & my fathers Christmas present. Wilma went to prize fight in eve.

WEDNESDAY, DEC 18, 1935 - Papa & I, Maurice & Wilma went to Sigourney took Bill Mathes with us. Papa's trial opened about 11 o'clock. Eliz & Paul took care of things at home.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1935 - Papa & I, Maurice & Wilma went to Sig. again & Bill went with us again. Maurice & I had to go to witness stand. Eliz ironed went with Frantzs to program.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1935 - Papa & Wilma went to Sig got home a little after 6 PM. Our first coldest weather 10 below zero. I sewed & wrote letters.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1935 - John is 7 yrs. today. Papa & Wilma went to Sigourney again- cold morning again about 7 or 5 below zero. Papa & Wilma got home about 4 PM. Papa & Paul took cream to town.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1935 - All went to Mass. Heard from Riess about 11 or 12 o'clock that we won the verdict. Went to program in afternoon very snowy day.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1935 - Papa & I went to Hills and signed the lease. Also took the Sisters 2 chickens for Christmas present. Went to City, did some shopping.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1935 - Got ready for Christmas. Cold day. All went to Confession. Ed came home about 9 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1935 - Bad day, wind strong. Christmas day- Papa & I, Eliz, Paul, Maurice & Bernard went in our car. Ed & Wilma went in Ed's car - a little late for first Mass on acct of getting stuck.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1935 - Wilma 21 yrs. old. Very cold morning. Ed & Louise went back. Had hard time getting cars started, about 14 below zero, I sewed some.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1935 - Girls washed in the house. Papa & I went to the City, got my new galoshes , Christmas present from Louise. Sent insurance letter.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1935 - Sold hens for $.17 & $.15, Springs for $.19. Maurice 15 yrs. old today. Papa & I, Eliz & Gertrude went to City in PM got Eliz & G new hats. Wilma went to show in eve with Clarence.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1935 - Cold morning around 16 below. Papa & I, Wilma & Eliz went to City to St Marys to 7:30 Mass. I went with Papa & children to 10 o'clock Mass. Ed & John Meinhardt came after Wilma.

MONDAY, DEC 30, 1935 - Papa & I went to West Liberty. Papa went to sale, and I visited Mother. Rec'd Sister Margaretta's letter. Eliz baked bread & cleaned up house.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1935 - Sent letter & pictures to Sister Margaretta, letter to Louise & Margaret, order to M.W.& Co. Papa went to sale. Eliz ironed, got duck & chicken ready for New Years