Grandma's Diaries: Model A, Telephone Lines Connect The Family Farm To Neighbors
by Carole (Best) Brown
The rhythm of spring moves the farm and the family through the usual seasonal jobs and hard work. The weather, always important, is forecast not by Doppler radar but by traditional folk signs in nature and sun dogs.
Grandma gets more time behind the wheel of the Model A. No driver's license was required in 1936, so she was free to learn on the road.
The death of a brother impels Grandpa to take an unexpected journey during one of the busiest times on the farm while Grandma must devote a lot of time to chasing baby chickens.
The celebrity news is all about the "Lum and Abner" radio show, and the installation of a telephone makes it easier to talk to family and neighbors.
April 10, 1936 - Showers and then sunshine. Grandpa (Christian) Best's prediction: If it rains on Good Friday, we'll have a bountiful harvest.
April 12, 1936 - Easter Sunday. A telegram came from Anna Best telling us that Henry Best had died. Eckhoffs, Wayne and I took Carl to Greenville, and he went on a bus. $16.00 round trip. Pete Cashin died this morning.
April 13, 1936 - Wayne and I went to Gus Mundhenke's at night. I took an angel food cake and sandwiches. Thought we'd see a Catholic wake-didn't.
April 16, 1936 - Set 7 hens. Fine spring day. Wayne and I worked in the garden. We scattered manure, hauled trees and gooseberry bushes they had pulled out with the tractor. He plowed tater patch, and we planted it. Wind blew up in later afternoon. Nice gray kitten appeared when we changed oil in blue wash machine on porch.
April 28, 1936 - Clarence Keith helped the boys, and they plowed with the two tractors west of the house. Men came out and put in a telephone.
May 2, 1936 - Boys put new rings in Model A. Boys went to a carnival at night at Hillsboro. They rode the big basket that revolves. Made Wayne sick.
May 6, 1936 - Incubator and seven hens are hatching. Took off part of the chix and gave them to the hens late in the evening. Seven hens with about 25 chix. Ironed two pairs of my curtains and got up enough courage to drive the Model A over to Irene Eckhoffs. Frank Keith rode home with me.
May 8, 1936 - Made meat loaf, sour cream raisin pie, deviled eggs, and Carl and I went to last day dinner at Cherry Grove. Fine dinner, very good program. Gene Chaplin brought his pup which caused a lot of disturbance. Johnnie Held and Jimmie Sammons both wanted him at the same time.
May 11, 1936 - I hoped it would rain so I might go to the DRL fire sale at Morrisonville. I worked in the garden and "run" after the little chix.
May 13, 1936 - I drove the car to Butler. Irene and I went with Mrs. Mitts to Faye Woods to Helping Hand.
May 14, 1936 - I went to Marian's, and she gave me some tomato plants. I ironed but ran out of gas before I got done. Radio: Edward and Widow Abernathy to be married tomorrow. Later: Lum didn't get married.
May 16, 1936 - We need rain. I made trips to both fields in (car). Carl planted. Wayne harrowed, and Clarence got done plowing about 2:00. All went to Litchfield at night. I got a new hat. Wayne got white slippers and a pair work pants. Floyd Norvell died at Hillsboro Hospital. Ex-governor, Len Small, died.
May 19, 1936 - Carl shipped 8 hogs. Sun dog. Men finished fixing up grape vines on new posts and wire. Mrs. Keith and I called at Helds, Werners, Macks, Devaishers, Sammons, Sievers, and Hayes trying to get Home Bureau members.
May 20, 1936 - Wayne and I went to Butler commencement. Pauline Andres, George Duro, Viola Halford, "Buck" Wykoff, Jane Garrett, and Roberta Saathoff were the class. Doris Turner began with them but died in August.
Carole (Best) Brown of Golconda provided Journal-News readers with this glimpse of the past from her grandmother, Mary Edith (Newport) Best, Butler farm wife and author of Grandma's Diaries. Carole may be reached at www.rosebudb@shawneelink.net.
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