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

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - November 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 Monday, November 6:

Men moved crib, picker, elevator down here. Had chicken, noodles for dinner. Billy & I went to town in pm. Home at 5:30. Boys fixing the picker. Did chores, went to bed early.

My comments:

Picking always a critical time on the farm!

This is a few years later, but they still looked the same!

Corn pickers!

NOTE to readers: This will be the last daily entry from Eileen's diaries. We got through my birth, Pop's death, and electricity in the house.
It is time to move on to other things. Continue to follow my Facebook page, and, if and when, I use other diary entries, as part of more family stories, they will be shared there.
Thanks for the being a part of the journey.

Bill  ;-)

Families are forever! ;-)

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

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

November 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 Sunday, November 5:

I went to church. Billy & Pete stayed home. Got dinner. Ate, Toots, Butch came & took Pete over on 80. Did dishes, sep. Irene & Betty came. Fixed Irene’s hair.  Mabel Hupp, Dean, Wanda here a minute. Bro’t back lamp. Pete bro’t picker at 5:30. Chores, made waffles & went to bed.

My comments:

Harvesting in full gear.

Had waffles lately? I do want to catch that drip...  ;-)

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 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 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 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 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!  ;-)

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

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

September 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 Wednesday, September 27:

Nice out. Did up usual work. Ate, did dishes & then LVene came to have her hair cut & set. Ate & Pete took me in town & he went to look at cribs. Mom & Bill & I went to the fair. Had a keen time. A lot saw Billy. Home & chored & ate, bathed & went to Hal Stewart dance.

My comments:

I found this fun photo image of some girls at a county fair in 1939:

Note: Taking a 3 day hiatus, back on October 1.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

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

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

September 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 Tuesday, September 26:

Birthday note: Karen Kay Kinnick [1st birthday]

Up at 6:00. Really cold. Did dishes, separator. Pete over at Buds' shelling. Home to dinner. Cleaned up & went in to town to Fair. Mom kept Billy. Home at 5:30.
Chored, ate, & went to bed.

My comments:

They would have gotten this certificate last Sunday, most likely! ;-)

[Click to see larger version]

NOTE: Another interesting article in yesterday's hometown paper, about the Bakery fire:
Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, September 25, 1014 - Page 5

"Even as abroad, gas masks were in use in Coon Rapids early Wednesday morning. The firemen found it necessary to use them in fighting the $2,000 blaze which smoldered in the basement of the Graves Bakery, sending out clouds of dense black smoke. Ed Zavitz, nightwatch, discovered smoke coming through the sidewalk ventilators in front of the bakery about 2 a.m. and turned in the alarm. Firemen and a large crowd of spectators promptly appeared on the scene. Since the fire was in the basement directly under the huge three ton oven, firemen were handicapped in getting at it, fearing the thing might cave in on them at any time. The building, owned by Lela Mountain, and the bakery equipment, owned by Paul Graves, were both covered by insurance and will be put in condition immediately. The floor
will have to be replaced in the back half of the building, glass replaced and the entire building repainted according to Wm. Mountain, who estimates damage at about $325.
Bakery equipment, damaged by smoke, water and chemical will have to be completely reconditioned before business can be resumed, which will be at least 30 days, according to Mr. Graves.
Smoke also seeped through the basement walls filling the Bowman grocery and Textors cafe on either side of the Bakery, but very little damage was done at either place. The fire was supposedly started by defective wiring igniting waste in the basement." 


Families are Forever!  ;-)

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

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

September 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 Monday, September 25:

Real cold. Went in to wash. Stayed for dinner. Ironed in pm. Karen there. Down town awhile. Pete, Bud, Don & Fat putting up hay in pm. Home at 6:00. Fed Billy, chores, ate & went to bed early.

My comments:

Putting up hay in September 25th still has me shaking my head… ????

Washing and ironing a pretty big part of their week. ;-)

I could not pass this one up...

NOTE: An interesting article in today's hometown paper, about handpicking corn:
Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, September 25, 1014 - Page 5

75 Years Ago
September 15, 1939

"By this afternoon 1,000 men from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma will have moved into Coon Rapids to make their home for the next five or six weeks. Garst and Thomas Hybrid Corn Company began this week picking their enormous 1939 corn crop over some 44,000 acres around the country and trucking it to their sorting and drying plants here. They started with about 300 sorters the first week and gradually increased the number until today when they expect to have the full 1,000 men going at full speed on shifts to keep the corn going continuously. Sacking crews will start work the middle of next week increasing the payroll to about $20,000 weekly. It is the intention of the company to pick all of their corn by hand this year and sort it green before it is dried, thus avoiding much shattered corn. The sorters capacity is estimated at about 6,000 bushels daily."


Families are Forever!  ;-)

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

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

September 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 Sunday, September 24:

Didn't get up until 8:00. Ready for church. Got there about 10:15. Billy cried so we left early. In town to dinner. Did dishes & went down to Rasmuses. Leo & Ida came later. Home at 7:00. Choring late. Took washing in town. Home at 10:30.

My comments:

"Cried just enough… we're going home… I can quit crying…"   ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - September 23, 1939

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

September 23, 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, September 23:

Cold all day. Cleaned chicken. Fred George, Fat, Bud here for dinner. Making bean hay. Cold in pm. Pete chores & we went in town. Clarabelle saw Billy. Got groceries & a new cap for Billy. Home at 11:30.

My comments:

Bean hay, huh?! They had been "mowing bean fields." Now making the hay. Interesting. ;-)

Clarabelle Clayburg. Saw Billy. How special!! ;-)

Thanks, Mom, for a hat to keep my head warm. Suppose it looked like this one?? ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

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

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

September 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 Thursday, September 21:

Pete up home putting up hay. Home alone. [Bertha T. told about trip.][Arrow indicates this was at club, the day before!]
Over home after Pete. Home & chores & went to S.S. Party at Margaret's. Left Billy at Mrs. Moylan's. Home at 11:30.

My comments:

Well! She was "home alone." Guess I didn't count, this day. Then! "Left Billy at Mrs. Moylans."
What a difference a day makes…  ;-)

First mention of church related activity in a couple of months. Interesting.

This is Dad in 1939 with a load of hay... [image likely from earlier in the year... but, it reminds us of how things actually looked then... in black and white, anyway!]

Families are Forever!  ;-)

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

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

September 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 Wednesday, September 20:

Pete up home all day making hay. Max, LVene, Julia here in morning to get their hair fixed. Lillian & Dennis came after dinner & went to club with me a Pruiett's. Billy good. Home, chores. In town. Pete got a hair cut. Up to folks' awhile. Home late.

My comments:

"Billy good." Still makes me feel good to have my mother's approval!! ;-)

Dennis was about 21 months old, at this time. Here is a photo of him, just a little later, perhaps.

Families are Forever!  ;-)