75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 31, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 31, 1939 

 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, October 31:

Pete up early. Chored & we went up home. Pete helped pick & I helped cut up meat. Ate dinner, came home about 2:30. Max & LVene were there too. Pete bro't me home & then he went over on 80.

My comments:

They were still cutting up that pork they butchered a few days ago. Here are some chops, they cut, that they eat, tomorrow! ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 30, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 30, 1939 

 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Monday, October 30:

Up late. Pete up home helping pick. I washed. Really cold hanging out close (sic). Didn't get dishes done until 6:00. Pete home 6:30. Chored had fresh liver for supper. Pete chored, we listened to "The Old Maid" on Lux Theater. To bed early.

My comments:

Listen, yourself, to the broadcast of "The Old Maid" on Lux Theater, here, from Oct 30, 1939:
http://ia600408.us.archive.org/3/items/Lux04/Lux_39-10-30_The_Old_Maid.mp3

And, here is the movie poster…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Maid_%281939_film%29


Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 29, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 29, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, October 29:

 Didn't get up until 9:00. Chored, got dinner. Ate late. Did dishes. Was giving Billy a bath when Jean & Bob came. Played bridge. Stayed for ice cream. Sat & talked until 7:30. Bro't Billy a big rattle. Pete chores late & we went to bed.

My comments:

Big Rattle - whoopee!!

Played Bridge… when did they ever do that???

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 28, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 28, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, October 28:

Pete up home again helping pick. Did up usual work. Cleaned the house. Buzzy came out at noon and I took him in about 6:30. Home, chores, ate, cleaned up & went in town late. With Jean & Bob down on street until 10.30. Then went to Carroll in Kupka's Olds. Had candied apples. Saw a wreck. Stopped south of Glidden. Confiding. Folks kept Billy. Home at 2:00.

My comments:

Assume Grandma had Billy asleep… on bottle… much freer to go do things!!! ;-)

"Confiding" word very interesting?!?!?  ;-)

Candied apples...

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 27, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 27, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Friday, October 27:

Took Pete up home. He's helping make a new corn crib. Did up usual work. Scrubbed kitchen floor. Up to town a minute & then went up after Pete. Home, chores & then went to choir practice at the church. Had sandwiches & coffee. Left Billy at Mrs. Moylan's. Home at 10:30.

My comments:

Both went to choir practice. Billy got to go to Mrs. Moylan's, again. ;-)

Sandwiches and coffee...

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 26, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 26, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, October 26:

Pete up home again. Real cold. Cleaned up & went to club at Luella Schultzes. Had pumpkin pie. Up home for a duck supper at nite. Stayed till nearly 10:00.

My comments:

Irene had brought the duck down. Then, tonight, they went up to eat the duck supper. Strange, to say the least.

Duck for supper…  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 25, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 25, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, October 25:

Did up usual work. At nite I went in town after a nipple. Irene stopped & left us a duck. Chored & went to bed.

My comments:

Hope and assume she got the nipple she was after!

Why would Irene bring a duck???

Suppose it looked like this one??

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 24, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 24, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, October 24:

Pete was going to Carroll but didn't. Mom & I went. Took Billy to Dr. Have to put him on the bottle. Mom got a lot of things. Home at 6:30. Had pancakes for supper. Dad & Bussy drove our car out here. Did dishes & folks left early.

My comments:

"Have to put him on the bottle." Interesting comment. What did baby milk bottles look like in 1939?

This one is said to be from the 1960s… What do you think? Do you have an early photo of bottle with nipple??

NOTE: In the
Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, October 23, 2014, Page 5:

75 Years Ago
October 13, 1939


Under the direction of Rev. W.F. Clayburg, pastor of the Methodist church at Carroll, funeral services for William E. Smith, of the Star community were conducted at Coder’s funeral home Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Smith died Sunday at the age of 70. Pallbearers were Bernice McLaughlin, Boise McLaughlin, Leo Moylan, Conrad
Lawrence, Ed Williams and Roscoe Bowman. Out of town relatives attending the funeral were Mrs. Lena Brown of Scranton, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Ballard of Waterloo,
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bartlett of Perry.
William Emmanuel Smith, son of Michael and Nellie Smith, was born at Moline, IL, May 22, 1869, and died at his country home north of Coon Rapids on October 8, 1939 at age of 70 years, 4 months, 16 days. When he was a small boy, he moved with his
parents to Grand Mound, Iowa.
At the age of 12 years he moved to Carroll county and made his home in this vicinity until the time of his death. On May 11, 1904 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Ellen Preston Ballard, and to this union were born nine children.
Mrs. Smith and two sons preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his passing, Willard, Irene, LeVene (Mrs. Verle Thomas), Pauline (Mrs. Merle Bower), Leverne,
Maxine (Mrs. Orrin Hilgenberg), Bethene, one step-son, Grant Ballard, two sisters, Mrs. Lenn Brown of Scranton, Mrs. Elsie Grapes of Boone, NE; two brothers, Joseph
Smith of St. Edwards, NE, and Robert Smith of Bakersfield, CA; and one half sister, Mrs. Mary Mohr of Grand Mound, besides a host of friends and acquaintances.




Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 21, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 21, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, October 21: 

Did usual work. Betty at Max's. Polly came down & had her hair set. She helped me do the dishes. Toots, Wayne B. & Merle here moving oats. Polly brought Billy's pictures. In to Mrs. Shavers'. She gave Billy a white blanket. Home & chored & then went back in to town again. Home late.

My comments:

Sure wish I had "Billy's pictures" - I don't think any have survived… from that time. Darn!

Glad they got to go back into town for "Saturday nite" - they always enjoyed that… over many, many years!!

Suppose that blanket looked like this?? ;-)

Note: Next entry will be Oct 24... ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 20, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 20, 1939

 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Friday, October 20:
Rainy. Toots wanted snow fence so we dug spuds & carrots. Mr. & Mrs. Ensey came about more insurance. Merle here helping with crib. Stayed for dinner. Washed dishes nearly all pm. In to Frenchs'. Carrie & Nettie practicing for club. Home, chores, went to bed.

My comments:

Still tired from last couple of days activities… can feel it is her cadence and her choice of words. ;-)

Here is some snow fence, piled up in front, not being used. Perhaps, Toots could have used it!! ;-)
 

 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 19, 1939

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 19, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, October 19:

Really busy. Set up front room stove. Cleaned whole house. Make 2 cakes. Had ice cream with b.r. sauce. Don, Norma, Ruth, Glenn, Vic, Ger., Max, Betty, Gary, Verle, LVene, Arnold, Julia,  Merle, Polly, Margaret, Orel here. Sang. Stayed till 11:00.

My comments:

Quite a party. All very familiar persons. Could have just as well been ten or twenty years later!! ;-)

Cake and ice cream sounds pretty good, to me!!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 18, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 18, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, October 18:

Birthday Note: Maxine H. - Max would have been 22 years old

Really busy all day getting ready for tomorrow. In to town. Started cleaning the house. Ironed all the bedroom & kitchen curtains at nite & Pete put up front room fixtures. Really tired. Washed windows inside & out. Threshed beans up home.


My comments:

I'm tired just reading it. Items out of order, but, she was tired. Thanks for getting it written down!

Having a party - looks like Sunday School Class plus local family… tomorrow!

This is a neat "threshing" image I found...

Followup to story some time back about the fire in the bakery owned by Paul Graves:

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise, Thursday, October 16, page 5:

75 Years Ago
October 6, 1939

Paul Graves last week sold the local Graves bakery to a Mr. Girard of Casey. The equipment,
damaged in a recent fire, was sold as it stands and is being put in shape by Mr. Girard. He will open the bakery as soon as the building and equipment are ready.
Paul Graves, who some time ago bought his father’s interest in the bakery, is at present employed by Garst and Thomas. He is undecided as to plans for the future.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 17, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 17, 1939 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, October 17:

Anniversary Note: Leo and Ida - 2 year [That, of course, means 2014 is 77 years!! Both still alive to celebrate! Congratulations!]

Pete working on corn crib. I washed with new machine. Were supposed to go in to folks for supper to the kids anniversary. Monument man came & we didn't get to go.

My comments:

Too bad they missed the supper. Neat to see them celebrating, a little, anyway!

Here is photo of them the year they got married: Leo and Ida...

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 16, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 16, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Monday, October 16:

Masching bro't out a new washing machine & radio. Real cold. Didn't wash. Went in town after dinner. Got clothes pins, line, etc. Went in to show at nite. Robert T., Hedy La Marr in "Lady of the Tropics."

My comments:

Now life can start for real, on the farm, with electricity, a washing machine, and an electric radio… light fixtures were already in place. What a life! ;-)

Good movie, I suspect! They deserved it! ;-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_of_the_Tropics

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 9, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 9, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Monday, October 9:

Birthday note: Winona Neilsen (sic)

Up late. Kids stopped & want us to help pick casket. Pete went into (funeral) home with them & I stayed at Mom's. Pete got a new jacket & looked at new shoes but didn't get any. Both went up to funeral home again. Home, chores & went to bed.

My comments:

Usual funeral preparation activities. I can feel for them.

Winona was 12 years old. This photo I found, is labeled "Winona12" - taken in 1939?? Possible.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 8, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 8, 1939 

William Emanuel Smith

(1869-1939)

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, October 8:

Polly & Merle woke us up at 3:30. Pop died of a heart attack. Didn't suffer. Was in town last nite. Pete, Billy & I went rite up there. Stayed for breakfast. Came home, chores, cleaned up, folks came & stayed with Billy & we went up there for dinner. Home & fed Billy. Pete chores, folks stayed with Billy at nite & we went in to funeral home to see Pop. He surely did look nice. Up home again & they fixed obituary etc. Charley & Bertha were there. Home at 10:00 & folks left.

My comments:

Quite a shock to everyone. So sad to see. But, we all go sometime. Getting closer every day!

Pop!


Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 7, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 7, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, October 7:

Did up usual work. Pete fixing granary. Ate, listened to Iowa game & took a nap. Cold out. Cleaned up, ate, went in to town. LVene sat in car with us awhile. Looked at a washing machine. Billy with folks. Up home awhile & then went home.

My comments:

Dad must be feeling better. Need that granary…  ;-)

The Iowa Hawkeyes beat Indiana 32-29 that day, in "Iowa Stadium - Iowa City"
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939_Iowa_Hawkeyes_football_team]

Suppose they looked at this 1939 Maytag??

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 6, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 6, 1939 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Friday, October 6:

In town & washed. Real hot. Chinch bugs really were terrible. Shopped. Home at 5:30.
Made a cake, cleaned up. Pete sick with flu. He stayed with Billy & I went in to Pauline Herron's shower at church. Got Pete a pint of ice cream. Came home & ate it.

My comments:

Great thinking, Mom! Pint of ice cream will cure that flu every time… or at least make you forget it for a bit!! ;-)

Chinch bugs, huh?!?!

Think I'll focus on the cake! ;-) I'm sure this isn't what she made, but it sure is pretty! ;-)

P.S. Bound to get some Pinterest pins! ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 5, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 5, 1939 

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, October 5:

Pete over at Ed W's shelling corn. He came home feeling terrible. I cleaned the house a little.
Merle came to see the lights.
Made fudge. Took it to the choir practice at nite. Pete didn't feel a bit good. Ate, came  home late.

My comments:

Always hate to see Dad ill…

Ed Williams' place, shelling corn.

Made fudge lately??

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 4, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 4, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, October 4: [bold]

Up at 7:00. Ate, Pete over helping Bud with beans again. Did dishes, separator, scrubbed front room & kitchen.  Pete home a 5:30. They turned the lights on at 5:00. Did we ever have fun. Folks came out for supper. Kinda rainy. Ed Kult came to sell Duke E. tickets. Did dishes & went to bed.

My comments:

It is really hard to imagine what it must have been like to have "the lights on" for the first time at their farm home… "Did we ever have fun." I suppose that about covers it!! ;-)

Why not?!?

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 3, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 3, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, October 3:

Birthday note: Jean Kupka

Up at 6:30. Pete helping Bud put up beans. Did dishes, separator. Gave Billy a bath. Scrubbed dining room and swept bed rooms. Pete home at 5:45. Chored, bathed & went to Star to Club party. Stayed 'till 10:30.  Home to bed.

My comments:

Not hard to see where I learned to take a bath/shower every day… Started at day one! ;-)

Went to Star Church for a Club party. Do you suppose the new minister was there, as well?

Here is what the rural church looked like then:

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 2, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 2, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Monday, October 2:

Up at 6:30. Patched a shirt for Pete. He picked corn in morning & went to Bud's in p.m. I went in & washed & ironed. Used my new iron. Down town awhile. Home at 6:00. Jersey had a calf.
Chored, ate & went to bed.

My comments:

She has a new iron, for when electricity is turned on…  ;-)

Here is an image of a Jersey cow with a new calf...

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - October 1, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

October 1, 1939

This entry is a post from the diary of my mother, twenty year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago this date. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, October 1:

Anniversary note: Lyle & Wilma married '38

Up at 6:30. Fried chicken, bathed Billy etc. & went to ch. & S.S. Stayed for coop dinner afterwards. Krenmyres were there. Home at 3:00. In to the folks. Don & Joyce, Leo & Ida were there. Home & cleaned the house a little. Pete chores. Ate, folks came out awhile after milk on the way to Rasmuses to get Buzzy. [She had written Bussy… added lines below the ss to look like zz!!]

My comments:

Big day at Star Church. Krenmyre was the new preacher of Methodist church in Coon Rapids and Star Churches - effective September 19 (he was there for two years).

Must have taken the Fried Chicken to the Coop Dinner! Yum! ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)