May

Sat 1. I got up early and went to Media to send Gerald 15.00. It cost $1.36 to send it besides a phone call and most of my morning. I waited over an hour in Media. Finally found the telegraph office did not open on Sat. Ruth took me to Swarthmore where I sent it about 11:30.

The Western Union Telegraph Company transmitted and delivered telegrams. They also offered a range of related services, including wire money transfer. In 2006 they closed their communications branch to focus on the money-transfer business, which is still going strong.

Sun 2. I went to SS and church this A.M. My class went outdoors for our class period. This evening a collect call came from Gerald, saying he had arranged to go to the hospital. Had called Paul Bucy.

Paul Bucy was a neurosurgeon who had grown up in Hubbard, Iowa and was about Gerald’s age—he was on the faculty at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Mon 3. I did not sleep till after 2:30. Went to town with Bob. Got 25.00 at the bank. Then he took me to the Baker Print Shop where I sent it with a telegram saying “Find a free clinic. Can’t send more.”

Tue 4. I planned to wash but Ruth wanted me to go to Crozer with her. Afterward we went to town. I took my washing to the new Laundry where one puts in a quarter to have a washerful washed. I had two done.

Here’s story about this new Media coin-operated laundry from the Delaware County Daily Times.

Wed 5. We got a letter from Gerald. He had been to see a Dr. Beard in “Paul Bucy’s hospital.” Said he joined the American Legion and would be taken care of if he had to go to a hospital.

Chartered in 1919, the American Legion was established to support service members and veterans. Their activities have included initiating the G.I. Bill and lobbying for benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Health Administration.

Fri 7. While Ruth played at Crozer, Bob took me to the Western Union where I sent Gerald another $25.00. I do hope he will come to himself. In a city, sick, with doctor’s fees and no friends isn’t much fun. Ruth & Bob & I attended the play “Tom Sawyer” put on by the schools.

In 1936, American playwright Wilbur Braun wrote one of the earliest stage adaptations of Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; it is still available today. According to this site, it “…maintains the original charm of Twain’s writing and is perfect for Children’s Theaters, school groups, community theatres, and Twain-enthusiasts alike.” Braun was apparently a prolific writer who used over 50 pseudonyms for his stage adaptations, including one of Anne of Green Gables under the name “Alice Chadwicke.”

Sun 9. This has been one of the most bitter days of my life. The past has so many pictures that would not be erased. I have been for a walk this evening trying to get my mind cleared up. I just can’t understand. Life is so unjust. The R.R. Strike is still unsettled. At midnight Monday if it is unsettled there will be confusion, strife, hunger, and conditions which we can not imagine. We depend on the R.R.s to bring our food stuffs. Prices have already jumped in New York City.

Three railroad labor unions called for a May 11 strike over disputes about working hours, conditions, and wages. A similar strike had happened in 1946. The 1948 strike was averted when Truman seized the railroads by executive order, directing the Secretary of the Army to operate them.

Mon 10. David got out on the steep roof and scared us nearly to death. Dad was frantic. Bobby went out too. Ruth spanked David. Guess Dad’s gift of popcorn he fixed for the office force on Mother’s day didn’t go over so big. I wonder why he never gives me a gift on my birthday, or on Mother’s day or at Christmas? He thinks of others—but not anything special for me.

Tue 11. Stopped at the Laundry with my washing which was done when we came back. I hung it out and it dried nicely. Did most of my ironing. Ate lunch out doors with Bob & Ruth. Have been working on the Inquirer Contest tonight.

The Philadelphia Inquirer was running a contest called The Inquiring Flyer, which had daily clues—one for each state. Entrants needed to collect and complete all 48 of them (no Alaska or Hawaii yet!) and submit them with a completed sentence: “I like [name of state] best of all because ____________.” Here’s the clue from May 11.

Wed 12. I rode to town with Ruth this A.M. Shopped a little. Finished planting all the garden today. I bought a couple plants of forget-me-nots which I put out today. I sent 10.00 to Gerald. Am to have a talk with Rev. Van Sickle who is going to Chicago soon.

Forget-me-nots are pretty little flowers that like cool weather and moist soil.

Thu 13. I sent Gerald 10.00 & a telegram this morning telling him Van Sickle would call on him by Sunday. It seems providential that Mr. V.S. is going at this time. I went to the Missionary meeting this P.M. I had charge of the lesson. We had a Studio—KFM— Kindred Fellowship Minds. It all went off very well. Came home & slept awhile. Got supper & went in to my “Short Story” Class. It is almost over. Two more times.

This was apparently a packaged lesson for the missionary society, as I found several newspaper accounts in this time frame of groups who did a similar program. “Kindred Fellowship Minds” is a line from the hymn “Blest Be the Tie That Binds;” the program took the form of a radio show with participants portraying speakers from many countries, with verses of the song in between, and a closing prayer for strengthening “The Tie That Binds” conducted in Spanish.

Fri 14. Went to the Baptist Church for a talk with Rev. Van Sickle. He is going to Chicago this P.M. and will look Gerald up. He feels Gerald will be converted. I surely feel comforted to have him go to see him. I sent 30.00 with him. I also gave him 5.00 but he wanted me to send it to Sophia Van Horn at Paintsville, KY Box 252 which I did. Bob is to have a few minutes on a Television trial Tuesday night and drove in to practice tonight.

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia’s third television channel, officially launched on May 23, 1948 as a CBS affiliate. It went on the air on March 15, and did a few programs as they got ready to go. Here’s the newspaper listing for the day Bob made his appearance.

When TV stations were on the air but not broadcasting a program, they showed a test card/pattern. The Indian-head test pattern, introduced in 1939 by RCA, and in widespread use, allowed studio engineers and home television set owners to test and adjust resolution, brightness, and other settings.

Sat 15. It is after 11 P.M. Bob just read aloud two letters from Dick Moore, who told about the death and funeral procession of Mahatma Gandi. Dick is being transferred. He sings over an all-India Radio.

Dick Moore, the son of minister and family friend Otis Moore, spent several years as a missionary in India. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated January 30, 1948. Over one million people joined the five-mile funeral procession the following day.

Mon 17. Mrs. Van Sickle phoned that Rev. V.S. called her from Chicago & told her Gerald was converted in his room. Afterwards made a public confession at the Pacific Garden Mission. He wanted me to get in touch with a place in New Jersey, Keswick Grove, which is a place for converted Alcoholics to go till they become strong. Said Gerald was not at all well & weak. I am so happy about his new start.

Founded in 1897, America’s Keswick Colony of Mercy still operates a Bible-based addiction recovery program in Ocean County, NJ.

Tue 18. We got a phone call from Mrs. Van Sickle this morning saying Mr. V had put Gerald on a train for Keswick Grove NJ. He would change at Paoli. So Ruth & I decided to meet him and bring him home over night. He is a changed man. Says he is all through with drink. He said “burden seemed lifted off my shoulders.” He is still very jittery but is willing to cooperate. After getting home he had a bath and I gave him clean underwear. He had lost everything he had—new “locker” and everything.

Wed 19. I went to the Old Mill with Mrs. Berry today to a luncheon and then we listened to a lecture on Atomic Energy by Dr. Richard M. Sutton, Head of Physics Dept. at Haverford College.

Fri 21. Bob took me over to the Media Fire House to help at the rummage sale. We ate dinner out doors as it was cold in the fire house. I got a letter & two cards from Gerald yesterday. He is so glad to be where he is. He needs clothes. I did his two shirts up and sent him some other things I bought at the rummage sale. Since he left we have sent him considerably over $300. I hope he gets a lot of good out of this experience. Was so tired I did not go in to my class last night. It is the first I have missed. There is only one more.

Sat 22. Dad finished a picnic table today. It is made out of old boards from the basement. It will be nice to use for my picnic next Friday. I bought some flowers and trimmed the hat I bought at the rummage sale. I am going to give it to Mrs. Highett if she likes it tomorrow.

Sun 23. I went to church & SS this A.M. It was Youth Sunday. Roberta sang in the choir. She is as pretty as can be.

As we prepare for Mom’s memorial service, I’ve been going through a bunch of old family pictures. Here’s a 1948 picture of her. Wasn’t she beautiful?

Tue 25. This was an interesting day. Went to Keswick NJ to visit Gerald. I left Media at 8:20 A.M. Got home 7:15 P.M. It is a most wonderful place, and most wonderful to see the change wrought in him. He is a new man in Christ Jesus. He is feeling so well and seems happy. He has had such a hard life. My trip was rather tiring. I went on train, trolley, ferry & train. Came home the same way. Did a lot of walking at Keswick. Saw the Colony house, chapel, Spring, Big House & Tabernacle. Was not in Victory Hall where Gerald has been assigned to work. He will probably stay there for three months.

Thu 27. I finished the Inquirer Contest Series and have it ready to mail. It probably won’t go anywhere with so many, but here’s hoping. This was the last night of my class, so I went in. Think I have learned quite a bit but I need to write & write & I do not have the time.

Sat 29. It is raining hard. Just got home from the play at Friend’s School “Mr. Pim Passes By.” It was well done. Bob sang beautifully. This has been a hard day. Alison & Ruth went to the Mill early. Alison went home this A.M. Dad worked in the garden. Ruth & I did a little, too. Bob taught all day. I got a letter from Gerald. Have felt pretty well today. Dad got a call for me to take care of the nursery tomorrow which I will be glad to do.

Mr. Pim Passes By is a 1919 three-act comedy by A.A. Milne (best known for Winnie-the-Pooh).

Mon 31. We had an interesting bit of mail this morning. Joanne Schieferstein is being graduated from Grants Pass HS, a thank you letter from Sophia Van Horn, announcement of a postcard shower for Beulah’s 40^th wedding anniversary. Roberta’s first four copies of the Geographic magazine from Dr. Hammond & a book from Katharine, beside the paper. Dad and Bob worked until 9 on the benches. They are all nailed together & when painted will be fine. The kids are dirty but happy. Ruth has swept up the big room. I am going to bed. The highlight of the day was a telephone call from Katharine who has been spending the weekend holiday in Cleveland.

Founded in 1888 as a scholarly journal, National Geographic became a popular magazine known for its many photos. You can read the entire set of 1948 National Geographic magazines free online. Here are some photos from a January 1948 story on sailing the West Indies.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for June 1948.

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Mon 1. I had the children for supper. Bobbie went to the store for candy when I had told her I did not want her to go. David can be so good at times & then he can wear the life right out of you. He would not stay in bed. They are certainly hard to have mind. I am glad when they are all asleep.

Wed 3. “Be calm not tense” said a voice over the radio. It has been quite warm today tho’ cloudy. I worked out doors for ¾ of an hour—raking, spading, etc. Thought I’d do that every day but it may be I can’t take it. Wrote a letter to Linnie, had the folks up for supper and read. Haven’t earned my salt. Ruth & I are talking of going to town to buy a dress on Friday. Hope I feel equal to it. I need some new things. Mr. Berry just solicited us for Red Cross funds. We gave $2.00.

Franklin Roosevelt declared March to be Red Cross Month in 1943, and the organization has continued to do special fund-raising and awareness efforts every March.

Fri 5. Ruth and I went to Phil this A.M. to shop. I bought two dresses, a fountain syringe and that was about all. Ruth bought curtains, bedspread, rugs, a coat, dress goods for Bobby etc. I had an interesting few minutes sitting in the car watching the women as they came out of Wanamakers. The colored attendant summoned taxis for those who wanted them, helped the women who parked their cars there, and was generally helpful. A city is a busy place—all kinds of adventures are going on all the time.

I learned that a “fountain syringe” was basically an enema bag. Home enemas were much more common in the 1940s than they are today, used mostly for constipation relief and bowel cleansing.

Mon 8. I have had David all day. He has been a good boy. Was so happy to have the old radio up there. I cleaned up my house and also worked a bit in the garden. I spaded a small space and planted some peas. I am ready to go to the flower show with Edna Ryder & her mother. It is to cost $1.80. I hope it is fine.

The Philadelphia Flower Show is the oldest and largest indoor horticultural event in the world.

Wed 10. I did a good sized washing this A.M. It was so foggy I hung it in the basement. I am pretty tired tonight. Mr. Forbes told of the loss of “The Black Duck.” It went down in a storm about 100 miles off Cape Hatteras.

The Black Duck was a schooner that belonged to the Forbes family. Emma and family took a sail with them in the Chesapeake Bay. Here’s an article I wrote about the boat, including the story of her demise off Cape Hatteras.

Thu 11. I went to an all-day missionary meeting at Mrs. Hibberd’s today. It began at 10:30 but I was late. We had a lovely lunch. Some women from Prospect Park put on a “skit” in the afternoon.

Fri 12. After supper I read the first chapter in a book Dad brought home called Brother Van—a story of the life of William Van Orsdel who went to Montana to preach the gospel.

Reverend William Wesley Van Orsdel was a Methodist circuit rider in Montana. According to this story, he “founded churches, universities, and hospitals; converted and ministered to homesteaders, miners, and Native Americans; worked with the elites and the poor, the famous and the forgotten in a career that spanned nearly fifty years.” Stella Brummitt’s book Brother Van was published in 1948. It’s available free on Project Gutenberg.

Thu 18. This has been cleaning day. Cora cleaned for Ruth and I cleaned my apartment. We bought tickets for a musical & a tea at the Methodist church but Dad did not want to go. He is pretty tired when he gets home. A card from Daisey says neither she nor Nora is well. We also got the oil check—$98.20 which wasn’t hard to take.

Fri 19. We went to meet Katharine at Paoli this morning but the porter would not let her off and she was taken on to N. Philadelphia. She phoned back and made arrangements with Bob to meet her at 30^th Street. We went after her and came back via Media. She told of a Miss Zirbes who is to be honored as the outstanding woman in education. This is a press group. The president will be there, in New York. Katharine is to help find some long gloves for her!!!

Laura Zirbes was a major figure in progressive elementary education. She was a professor at Ohio State, where K completed a masters degree later this same year. President Truman presented her with the National Women’s Press Club’s Woman of the Year Award for achievement in education, callling her a “teacher of teachers.”

Sat 20. March is marching right along. Today it warmed up—70°—hot. We, (Katharine, Ruth, I & the kids) went to town on the bus without our coats. Bob & Dad went to N.J. where Bob sang for a wedding.

Sun 21. I had a “perfect” class, meaning all were there, and one visitor. The music was fine. Katharine sang in the choir. Today David was playing “cutting branches off the tree.” He did not have a real knife, but was pretending. He asked for a knife—a real one. Katharine asked him what the difference was between real and pretend. He said “When you look at it and its there, it’s real. When you look and you can’t see it it’s ‘tending.” I finished reading Brother Van to Dad today. He is going to send it to Aunt Linnie.

Mon 22. I am making Bobby an Easter dress. We are not to have the Bible class tomorrow. Rev. Rowland has chicken pox. Dad came home pretty tired.

The tradition continued! Here are the three Hoopes girls with Easter dresses Mom (Bobbie) made for us.

Wed 24. Bob took Ruth, Katharine, David and me into town this A.M. Ruth had a dental appointment & Katharine went to see about her glasses. Bob had to teach & sing at a wedding & sing in the Verdi Requiem. We took David shopping. I bought a hat and came home on the 2:41 train. Took a nap and then went in with Ann Voigt to hear the Requiem about 6:30. Had a fall at the church but it wasn’t too hard. I took the heel off my shoe. Came home with Bob. Gerald phoned from Chicago for money. Said he had an 80.00 a week job in a greenhouse. Dad says for me to send it.

Thu 25. Katharine and I have sewed today. Had a time getting a striped dress (made on the bias) cut out but we finally got it out.

Sewing on the bias involves cutting the fabric at a 45-degree angle to the lengthwise and crosswise threads. This allows the fabric to stretch and drape more fluidly.

Fri 26. This has been a busy day. Bob had to sing a three hour service, a choir practice tonight & sing at a synagogue. Ruth had a service at Crozer this morning, practiced at the church this P.M., and gave “The Crucifixion” at night. Katharine and I have sewed and sewed and sewed. We have tried so hard to get her sewing done. Have almost finished an evening dress. We have made or started & partially finished five dresses.

The Easter season is a busy one for church musicians!

Sat 27. Katharine took Dad & me to the Woolen Mill at Clifton Heights where we ordered a new grey suit for Dad. It is to have two pair of pants & is to cost 71.50. We paid 10.00 down. Ruth gave me a slip for an Easter gift. I gave her a meat platter like her set. Gave Katharine a plant.

Sun 28. Since Rev. Rowland was sick with chicken pox we had a preacher named Rev. Look, president of Ellis College. The music was very nice. Bobbie made a duck costume for David and then one for herself. We had popcorn which Dad popped.

Ellis College, in Newtown Square, PA, was a school established to provide a free education for fatherless girls. Although the school closed in 1977, the Ellis Trust provides education grants to Philadelphia high school girls in single-parent households.

Mon 29. Ruth & I & the children just got back from taking Katharine to Paoli. She was not feeling too well. She had a cold and was taking a chair car. I stopped and registered for a class in Short Story Writing at the Junto Class for 5.00. I will go in on Thursday nights at 8 P.M. I hope I get some help out of it.

Named after a club founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1947, “The Junto” was an organization formed in Philadelphia in 1941 to promote continuing adult education. It promoted a fun learning atmosphere and kept fees to a minimum.

Tue 30. Have cleaned up the house a bit, changed the beds and done the washing. Just mixed the oleo. It is a nice day and I decided to wash after Ruth went to Crozer. Ruth & the children ate lunch in the yard. I felt too tired, but went down after a rest and helped rake the leaves off the garden and burn them.

According to this story, margarine (oleo) came to the U.S. in the 1870s; it was often colored yellow to resemble butter. The dairy industry lobbied to tax colored margarine at a much higher rate, so manufacturers began including a capsule of yellow dye that could be kneaded in.

April

Thu 1. Bobby enjoyed April Fool’s day, though nobody really got fooled. I went to my class in Short Story Writing in Phil. It is a Junto Class held at the Mercantile Library. It is quite an effort to go in. Leave at 6:24 and get home at 10:15. I had no trouble finding my way around. The Library is just across the street from St. Stephens Church.

The Mercantile Library was founded in 1821. In 1948, it was a branch of the Philadelphia public library system.

Fri 2. I worked on a contest about all day. Have it ready to send in. It has been decided to send David to kindergarten this next term, to the Friends’ school. Bob & Ruth are planning a recital—one is to be in town and two out here for their students. Ruth is planning to buy a punch bowl & glass cups.

This punch bowl belonged to Ruth. As far as I know it’s the one she bought in 1948.

Mon 5. David started to the pre-school-age nursery group at Friends School today. He was very happy and fitted in well, the teacher said. I have worked on a contest. Sent an answer in to the Frozen Peach Contest.

I found a newspaper announcement of a contest by Birds Eye, an innovator in frozen foods, that offered $10,000 in cash prizes for completing the sentence: “I serve Birds Eye Peaches because…” in 25 words or less.

Wed 7. Ruth took David to school and then went to Crozer. I did the washing. She went again in the afternoon. I rested awhile and went with her in the evening to hear Dr. Bonnell from New York. He gave a talk on general habits etc. to the preachers. It was interesting. Stella will arrive tomorrow about 8:15.

Dr. John Bonnell was a Presbyterian minister who was a pioneer in pastoral counseling, encouraging religious leaders to incorporate modern psychological knowledge and skills into their practice.

Sat 10. This has been rather a hectic day. My eyes are very sore. Dad has not felt well. David has had chicken pox and we have tried to keep him quiet. Bob has had a full day of lessons and is not yet through. Ruth had to go to Phil to play for making a record. She had to shop, practice at the church and play for some of Bob’s lessons. Bob has had a man working on the yard also.

Sun 11. This has been a dark rainy Sunday. I staid at home with David. Stella went with Ruth and taught my class. I got some of the dinner ready. Made an upside down cake. Stella and Ruth worked on Stella’s hymn book. They got it finished as far as possible.

Tue 13. I went to the Bible Class at Mrs. Highetts. We had a nice meeting. Mrs. Snow, the next door neighbor, was selling boxes of pansies for the garden club. I bought one box for 55¢ and set them out.

Wed 14. Today has been rainy and cloudy again. Ruth went for the mail & got the strawberries. I set them out in the South end of the garden. The 25 furthest south are Everbearing—named Stream-liner. The other 25 are Premiers. They are supposed to bear next year.

Time to plant strawberries!

Thu 15. Stella left today for New York. She plans to embark tomorrow at 10 A.M. on a freighter for Africa—her second time.

Fri 16. Talked with Mrs. Berry awhile his A.M. Tried to tell her what it means to be saved. She doesn’t believe. Worked out doors awhile setting out the geraniums etc. Ruth went to a tea at Forbes. Then we baked a batch of sugar cookies for the party tomorrow night. Ruth brought a puzzle home. “Roast Mules” to be made into one word. I got it.

Sat 17. Every thing today has been done towards getting ready for the recital tonight. We have had so many things to do that we are glad we finished the cookies last night. I enjoyed the recital. The punch was good. Robert served it.

Sun 18. Ruth & the children were up for lunch. I made some potato & egg salad. We listened to the Bible Story over the Radio & went to bed.

Tue 20. Ruth took David over to Dr. Cleland this morning to get a certificate so he could go to school. He seems all over the chicken pox. In the afternoon I went to Mrs. Goodwin’s for a meeting of the League of Women Voters. It was a tea. Mrs. Braer took a load of women. Mrs. Hires gave a talk on Federal Aid to Education. A group of four women gave a panel discussion on the ITO-International Trade Organization. They were from the Haverford League. Came home & got supper. It was a lovely day. Ruth, David and I ate lunch out doors.

Federal aid to education was a topic of continued debate in the 1940s, as was international collaboration on trade. A charter for the ITO was drawn up in 1948, but it ultimately failed when Congress did not approve it. International trade was managed through General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) until the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1995.

Fri 23. Bob drove Ruth to Crozer this morning. I went along. Bob & I shopped a bit, while Ruth played for the chapel. Ruth & I went to Media to deposit an oil check & buy some more ginger ale and pretzels. Bob does not think he can get the church job for the summer as it will be too late when they get together. The summer looks hard to them.

Sat 24. Dad got up early to go to Clifton to have his new suit tried on. After lunch he went to a sale in Media but did not buy any thing. I am tired, but am going down to the recital. The quartette is practicing now. They look for 50 or 60 here. We heard from Gerald today. He had signed up for a course in television. Guess it is a good thing if he stays by it.

Mon 26. The Boylan “Robin” came today. It contained a letter from a Japanese student in Japan which was written to Lou. I read all the letters aloud to Dad.

Tue 27. Spent awhile getting ready for the Bible Study class. They came by 10:30. We had a nice meeting. Mr. & Mrs. Highett, Mrs. West, Mrs. Spenser, Miss Harrison & I made the class. This evening Bob had a lesson, and we went over to vote. Bob & Ruth have gone to the PTA at Friend’s school. Bob is to be elected president.

They would have been voting in the Pennsylvania statewide primary election, in which they voted for delegates to the Republican National Convention who were pledged to particular candidates rather than voting for the candidates themselves.

Thu 29. I went in to my fifth class period tonight. The change of time made it much pleasanter & I walked from the station to the Junto. We were given an outline for a story. Ruth had choir tonight. Her bass soloist is quitting (Jim McClure) as he has too much on. After choir they went to the Hi School to hear a talk by a woman on Family Relationships—Mrs. Force, from Toms River, NJ.

Elizabeth Force, a high school teacher in Toms River, developed an experimental “Social Behavior and Family Relationships” course that became a model for family- and sex-related education in mid-20th century public schools.

Fri 30. Today is Bob’s birthday. Ruth went to the City with him to get Roberta some shoes. Afterwards they attended a meeting at the Pres. church and Roberta came home on the train. Gerald called from Chicago saying he is sick & wants to come east. I told him we would send him money. Life brings such problems.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for May 1948.

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Editor’s Note:

I started this project in January, 2022 with Emma’s entries from October, 1927. We’ve covered twenty years of her life, gone through the Great Depression and World War II, and traveled from Iowa to Oregon to Pennsylvania. The focus has shifted over time to include Ruth, Bob, and their children.

There are many more good stories to come; I look forward to sharing them with you. I’ll continue to judiciously shorten or omit entries that describe household activities and domestic comings and goings, while doing my best to give you a true picture of daily life and find interesting connections to explore. Thank you for joining me on the journey, and welcome to 1948!

January

Thu 1. January first has been a most dark disagreeable day. There is still quite a bit of snow on the ground. The new roof has had a heavy wet snow on it which makes one think it a good thing we have it on. Katharine and I have been sewing. Bob & Ruth got their music all filed away yesterday in their new cabinet. We had pork chops & sour kraut for dinner tonight. Hot rolls, potatoes & gravy, apple & celery salad, ice cream & brownies with coffee. It was good.

Fri 2. I went with Bob, Ruth & David right after breakfast to the SPCA to see a little dog. It is a mutt but the only kind we can afford. David wants him. Calls him Boo-boo. Katharine had her hair waved at the Beauty parlor. I got beaten in two games of checkers with Bob tonight.

The Delaware County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, now the Providence Animal Center, has their main office on Sandy Bank Road in Media. In 1948 they had their own ambulance and also operated the Sunny Ridge Animal Cemetery.

Sun 4. Ruth & I have just got back from taking Katharine to Paoli. It was a hard trip, for it had snowed & the roads were slippery. Once we turned square across the road but we got out of that without any damage. Cars were coming from both ways, but we got out of the way & were none the worse for the experience except for nerves. We had the chains put on at Paoli & came home without any trouble. Boo-boo, the dog, has been quite in evidence today.

Thu 8. I went to an all-day missionary meeting at Mrs. Rowland’s today. Folded bandages this forenoon. Had a good lunch and listened to the lesson given by Miss Leiper this afternoon. We finally heard from Gerald today.

Sat 10. Dad went to the city today to fix a chair and a bookcase for a woman. He will charge her $3.00. After Ruth practiced at Wallingford we drove to Media to shop. Ruth bought two pairs of shoes at the shoe sale. I could not find any less than $9.95. Too much.

Here’s a Life Magazine article on 1948 trends in women’s shoes.

Sun 11. I want a new radio. I can’t get any service on the old one of Gerald’s. Two dollars a week would soon buy one. I had seven girls in my SS class this morning but I do not enjoy teaching them. They would rather visit.

Tue 13. Another bad day—snow, rain and sleet have fallen. The roads are slushy and bad. Bob drove Ruth to Crozer, came back & went after her. Tonight they have gone to a Founder’s Supper. I have been working on my warp & stocking rug today.

With stocking production back in business after the war, it was time to use up the old, worn-out silk, rayon, and nylon stockings that would have accumulated. A “warp” rug uses a loom, with foundation threads running in one direction and the stockings or other strips of fabric woven through them. Here’s a video that shows the technique using old socks and T-shirts.

Thu 15. The Fuller Brush man called about noon. I bought a broom, some furniture polish & a brush. Bob took me to town to get some groceries this P.M. I also got a small radio to try out. It costs 12.95. It seems to be pretty good. Forbes gave us their old Record player. I gave her a dozen eggs.

Founded in 1906, the Fuller Brush Company sold brushes door-to-door. By 1948 it was such a cultural icon that a comedy/crime/romance film starring Red Skelton was released. You can watch it free online here.

Sat 17. Today has been sort of lonely as Bob, Ruth & Bobby were gone all afternoon to Roger Huber’s wedding. I rather wanted to go in to shop but am glad I did not go. It has turned so cold. Guess it was well as David had two accidents. He has not felt too well. We got the oil check today. It was $90.36—I sure hope it stays up. We can surely use it. Haven’t done much but take care of David.

Roger Huber was a young assistant minister in the Presbyterian congregation where Bob sang.

Sun 18. I went to SS and church this morning with Ruth. Taught my SS class. I took a nap after our dinner & then Ruth, Bobbie & I went in to hear the second service of the B Minor Mass. Dr. McCurdy had about 15 members of the Phil. Orchestra, an extra electric organ, and a piano, beside the regular organ to help the choir give it. It was very beautiful. We came home on the train.

Emma didn’t mention that Bob was one of the soloists. Guess that went without saying!

Mon 19. The children were up for supper. David was cold and was ready for his bath and his bed. He “God blessed” Boo-boo tonight. Said he belonged to this house. Bobbie & I started a scrap book of children’s stories from the SS Times. We will give it to some one.

Thu 22. Bob drove Ruth to Crozer & came back to take me shopping. I bought over 8.00 worth besides some apples and potatoes which we drove to Lima to get. The apples were Winesaps. After going to see a girl about the songs for her wedding, Bob & Ruth went over to Elkingtons “sledding.” It was after midnight when they got home.

I’m betting they went to Wolff’s Apple House, a farm market that has been in business in the Media/Lima area since 1908.

Sat 24. The day has been cold and wintry with snow falling and wind blowing. Dad has been home and we have been warm and comfy in our apartment. Have sewed some on Bobby’s birthday dress. She is developing into a sweet obedient girl. I love her. I have had a quiet hour of reading. Wrote Nora, and “The Hebrew-Christian Synagogue.”

This may have been the First Hebrew Christian Synagogue in Los Angeles, founded by orthodox-Jew-turned-Christian-evangelist Arthur Michelson.

Tue 27. On account of the snow and rumors of a cold wave it was decided not to hold the Bible class. I was ready for it, so I had the day to sew. I finished Bobbie’s birthday dress. We ate dinner downstairs. They took the kids to a Walt Disney movie. Gave one of the 13 hankies Katharine sent me to Bobbie. It matches her dress.

Wed 28. Bobby is nine years old today. I ate a birthday breakfast downstairs, after Dad had gone to work. I have had a long day. Time has dragged. Usually, I can read or sew but my eyes forbid too much close work.

It’s poignant to read this and think of my Mom as a nine-year-old. As I mentioned in an earlier post, she passed away in June at the age of 87. Here’s the obituary the family put together.

Sat 31. Today was clear but cold. Dad went to town to fix a table. I ripped out the strip of braiding in my rug which had holes in it. Got it partly sewed back. Tried to take care of the children while Bob taught. Guess I didn’t do a good job for Bob came up to say he’d have to get somebody in for it was too much for me.

February

Sun 1. We have begun the shortest month of the year. I went to Wallingford with Ruth. Had seven in my class. Wrote several letters.

Mon 2. Today our oil ran out and the house got pretty cold before it arrived. They put in 200 gallons. Bobbie went to the duck pond to skate. I went after her after 6. She was learning to skate on Hank Turner’s skates. Dad has started to work on my lamp tonight. Bobbie read the Bible reading aloud.

Ice skating was in the news—the 1948 World Figure Skating Championships took place this month in Switzerland, the second since World War II. Germany and Japan were not allowed to compete.

Tue 3. Dad worked on my new lamp this evening. He glued the base together and it is on top of the kitchen cabinet to dry for several days. David wanted to keep his dog in his room. His mother was against it. Said the dog did not want to be penned up in his room. I seem to be in the dog house most of the time no matter what I do. I sent for some plastic refrigerator bags today.

Sat 7. “Where are you, David? I was upstairs looking for you. I was lonesome,” I said to David. He replied “God is with you.” He said “I will be with you at all times in all places.”

Mon 9. 8:30 P.M. Dad is in bed & so are the kiddies. I have been cleaning my rooms getting ready for the Bible Study Class tomorrow. “The Healing Light” by Agnes Sanford came today. I have started to read it.

Agnes Sanford was one of the founders of the Inner Healing Movement in American Christianity. Published in 1947, The Healing Light is considered a classic in the field of using prayer to heal memories and emotions. Here’s a recording of a talk she gave at one of Glenn Clark’s Camps Farthest Out.

Wed 11. It has been snowing today. Snow is melting and the roads are bad. I walked after the mail this morning but nothing much came. Dad said as he gave me his weekly wage that it was the 200^th time. Have been listening to a program by negroes in honor of Negro week. Paul Robeson spoke. When one thinks of the darker skinned races as having more pigment in their skins, but the same blood, we can forget our antipathies.

Negro History Week was established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, scheduled to be close to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976 it expanded to Black History Month.

Thu 12. Bob Wilson called & I persuaded him to wait until Bob came. We had a nice visit and I lent him the book “The Way, the Truth & the Life” by Glenn Clark to take to his wife Dora. Dad was too tired to work on his lamp.

Fri 13. Today is the World’s Day of Prayer & I have been asked to lead the prayer. Mrs. Howes called me to say my name was on the program. I was ready when she & Esther came. Was glad to see the Baptist folks. They were glad to see me. I sat on the platform with Mrs. Flounders & Mrs. Griffeth the speaker who is a returned missionary from China.

There were many gatherings to celebrate this day; I was delighted to find this announcement of Emma’s.

Sat 14. Bobbie went to see a movie of The Prince & the Pauper this P.M. Bob & Ruth have gone to the church for Ruth to practice.

This was probably the 1937 film starring Errol Flynn, showing at a Saturday matinee (likely at the Media Theater) that would have cost about 25c and included a newsreel, animated cartoons, an installment of a serial adventure, and the feature film.

Mon 16. Ruth drove me over to the all-day meeting at the Wallingford church today. The business meeting was held in the morning and a picture “Beyond Our Own” was shown in the afternoon. I had the devotions. I talked on Prayer, and a number of the women said it was very good.

Beyond Our Own is a 1947 film starring Charles Russell, DeForest Kelley, and Trudy Marshall. It is a parable of two brothers—an ambitious attorney and a doctor doing missionary work in China. The movie is available free on YouTube.

Tue 17. Bob & Ruth got started for Carlisle about 6:30. Their program was at 11:30. On the way home they had stopped at Hershey, Pa where the Hershey Chocolate & cocoa has made the town. It is a nice place.

According to this article, Milton Hershey financed a number of projects on his property near Harrisburg, PA during the Great Depression to provide jobs, and the town became a major tourist attraction.

Fri 20. I had thought I might go with Bob & Ruth to New York but changed my mind. Bobbie went along. They were to broadcast at 1 P.M. over WNYC, a program of Mrs. Youse’s songs, and then were going to make some records at Bert’s.

First appearing in Emma’s journals in 1947, Glad Robinson Youse was an American composer who wrote sacred and secular music for solo voice, choir, and piano.

Sun 22. We had about 4” of snow last night. It is cold this A.M. but now about 10:30 A.M. the snow is over. Ruth & Bobbie went to the church early. I have listened to several things on the Radio—“Greatest Story Ever Told,” Jewish Hour, Catholic Hour & the “News.” The folks ate dinner with us and we ate supper down stairs.

This religious radio drama used sketches to depict events in the life of Jesus Christ, with the words spoken by Jesus coming directly from the Bible. It was sponsored by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and ran from 1947 to 1956. A catalog indicates that this episode was “Blessed Are the Meek,” which you can listen to here.

Tue 24. Ruth went to Crozer this A.M. while I had the Bible Class. Bob went to New York. David came up from the basement saying Boo-boo was asleep & didn’t want to get up. He fixed a house for him & put him in it. We thought Boo-boo was dying, but at 1 P.M. after lunch he was still alive so we took him out of the cramped quarters & laid him on a blanket. When Bob came home he took him to a Vet, who said he could not live—that there had been an epidemic of whatever disease he had & that it was contagious. So he for 4.⁰⁰ took care of him & his burial—and for Boo-boo, that is that.

Awww, poor David and poor Boo-boo! He probably had canine distemper, which is highly contagious and did not yet have a commercially-available vaccine.

Sat 28. Bob is teaching his 12^th student. I have tried to take care of David. He has not been well & it has been a hard day. However he took a nice nap. Bobbie did not feel so well this afternoon. Dad has been working on my lamp, Daisey’s pin etc. We are invited to eat supper with Ruth tonight. I wrote to Nora & sent her check. Sent on Katharine’s bank statement. Had a good roast downstairs about 7 P.M. We are almost “at” the first of March.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for March 1948.

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November

Sat 1. I finished Bobbie’s skirt and she wore it to her first football game today. Dad raked & burned leaves.

Sun 2. This has been a pleasant day. Had two in my SS class who had not been there before. They giggled a lot. Hard for me to take. Bob had a full Sunday. He was in an early broadcast WCAU—Church of the Air. He sang a solo: “In Faith I calmly rest.” He had a morning service then an afternoon and tonight he sings “Judas Maccabaeus” in New York.

In Faith I Calmly Rest is a 1935 English anthem arrangement for solo and chorus—by Clarence and Helen Dickinson—of a work by J.S. Bach from the early 1700s.
Judas Maccabaeus is an oratorio in three acts written by Handel in 1747. Here are some detailed program notes on the work, which dramatizes the uprising of the Jewish people under Judas Maccabaeus in 160-167 BCE to reclaim the Second Temple of Jerusalem. It became one of Handel's most popular oratorios—second only to the Messiah.

Tue 4. Today is voting day. None of us voted. We did not want to vote for the McClure gang—Rep. nor endorse the Democratic Administration. Played “thought transference” awhile. Dad was too funny for words.

At this time there was a good deal of interest in telepathy/ESP; a common parlor game involved one person leaving the room, the others agreeing on an object, word, or action, and the person trying to “receive” the message upon their return.

Thu 6. One more day for Dad to work this week!! He always seems glad to get home. Ruth went to Crozer. Bob taught this A.M. and then went to a class at Curtis. I sewed a little today on some things for David & Bobby. David & I took up the Peruvian Daffodil this afternoon. I practiced piano awhile and enjoyed it tho’ I still can’t see too well. My new glasses work pretty well. My eyes are poor.

The Peruvian daffodil grows from a bulb and blooms in summer. In colder climates, it is recommended to lift the bulbs, dry them and store them until spring.

Fri 7. Went to Swarthmore to look at some roofs like Bob & Ruth have decided to put on. Then Ruth took me to the Co-op to shop. Dad made a pin for Mrs. Cleland out of lignum vitae wood. Howard has been transferred again—to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Here is one of the lignum vitae pins Tell made. I found it while going through Mom’s jewelry box last week.

Sat 8. Rained all forenoon. The high spot of the day was when I called Gerald about the overcoat I sent him. It was Bob’s. Dad was so afraid we’d never get it back, and I was glad to know Gerald had already mailed it. Went with Bob & Ruth to see the Pres. church at Bryn Mawr where Mr. McClary plays the organ. It is a beautiful church. Bob ordered a suit at the Clifton Heights Woolen Mill today.

The sanctuary of the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, built in 1927, is in the Gothic style.

Mon 10. This is a beautiful sunny morning. A nice washday but I am only washing every other week this winter. This is my week off. I have been reading a story “No Trumpet Before Him” by Nelia Gardner White published in The Sat. Evening Post. We started it last night, finished the first installment tonight. The folks are in town teaching and Bob is having an opera audition.

No Trumpet Before Him is the story of an inexperienced Methodist minister and his wife navigating church politics in an affluent university-town congregation. It was first published as a serial, and later came out as a prize-winning book.

Tue 11. Bob Wilson was here all A.M. helping make out an application for a mortgage in the Farm Bureau Ins. Co. The loan will pay up the Metropolitan Ins Co & also pay for the new roof. Ruth went in to the Met. Opera at the Academy of Music tonight.

In the Metropolitan Opera archives, I found that this was a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, opening the 1947-48 season of performances at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music.

Wed 12. I rode in to town with Bob & Ruth to help Ruth buy David a suit. We bought it at Gimbels and then came home on the train. Got a letter from Betty today. She wants my cookie recipe.

Sun 16. Finished the second installment of our story in the Post tonight. Dad hopes the preacher doesn’t go bad. David wore his new suit for the first time today. He looked too cute for words—bow tie & all.

Fri 21. Sun is shining bright this morning. Bobby had to have a character costume so chose Mistress Mary. She took a big straw hat, an apron and a watering pot made of pasteboard. Ruth and Bob had a scare about 280.00 being a lien against the house but there was nothing to it. Dad got a note from Mrs. Cleland thanking him for the pin he made. We were happy to get a letter from Gerald this afternoon. No money but a promise.

Mistress Mary is the subject of a nursery rhyme.

Sat 22. “What are you doing? Making curls?” said David. I said “Yes.” Why are you making curls?” he said. “Oh, so I will look nice” I said. “You look pretty without curls,” said David. It was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. He has been sick all day with a cold & high temperature.

Thu 27. Thanksgiving day! Bob went into town for his service. Howard came out for dinner. We had a large ham, which we nibbled at. I baked pumpkin pie. After dinner we listened to records and Bob had a short Thanksgiving service with prayer, Bible reading, singing a solo & Bobby played on her violin.

Sun 30. A beautiful Sunday. I went in with Ruth to take some music to Robert. Came home on the train. Found my blue vase which Katharine gave me years ago broken. I felt very badly about it but accidents cannot be helped. David threw his nightgown & caught a button in the doily that was under it. He was sorry. David wants a dog for Christmas.

December

Mon 1. This has been a bright sunny day but cold. Bob & Ruth went to town about noon. Bob was going to teach all afternoon and leave for Ottawa at 6:25 P.M. Got two letters from Gerald. Says he will send 5.00 a week. I hope so.

Tue 2. Ruth & Mrs. Israel are planning a party for David & Philip. They will be 4 on the same day, Dec. 8. It is to be a joint party. Begins here, supper at Israels. The invitations were put inside an egg shell.

I remember when we used to blow eggs out of the shells for Easter decorations. I love the idea of putting party invitations inside.

Wed 3. Ruth & I went to Phil. to see Santa Claus. Of course we took David. He told Santa Claus that he wanted a big truck and a little car. That was all. We got a sack of walnuts from Gertie & John this P.M.

Fri 5. David & Philip delivered their “egg invitations” today. Have worked on the dress for Bernie Grooters. Found I had embroidered a motif on the wrong side of the front.

Mon 8. David is 4 today. The party is all over, and if noise is an accurate measurement “A good time was had by all.” David got crayolas, jacks, book, turtle, truck & an airplane & cans for playing in sand. They had a wonderful supper.

Wed 10. Got a letter from Daisey enclosing one from Huntley about the new baby—Mary Elizabeth. Got a letter from Gerald with 5.00 in it. I do hope he is alright. He is still in Colo. on a farm. New boxes are being put in at the P.O. They have long been needed.

Mary Elizabeth was the daughter of Elizabeth (daughter of Tell’s brother Berne) and Theodore Huntley Welch, of Oil City, PA. According to a newspaper story, she was born on Nov. 30 and weighed six pounds, fourteen ounces.

Tue 16. Have spent my spare time writing Christmas cards. Have almost written all 78. It is some job when one tries to put in a message. Ruth gave her examination at Crozer and will not have to go back till after the New Year. The new roof will be finished tomorrow.

Thu 18. Katharine arrived at Paoli to spend her vacation with us. Went to Mrs. Estes’ to a Christmas party. Her father Dr. Tucker who was a secretary of the American Bible society for almost 50 years in Brazil spoke. Mrs. McLathery sang some Christmas songs. Rev. Rowland read from Luke 2 & a social hour where tea and coffee & cookies were served. After dinner at Ruth’s we went to a school program. It was a crowded flop.

Hugh Clarence Tucker was an American Methodist missionary to Brazil starting in 1886. His obituary says that he was responsible for the distribution of 2,500,000 Bibles there, many of which he carried up the Amazon River in log canoes. This image comes from his 1902 book The Bible in Brazil: Colporter Experiences (free online).

Fri 19. I have a cold. I guess I should have staid in bed but I have managed to get 14 dish towells hemmed, got the meals, etc. Bob & Ruth gave their concert at Penn Charter this afternoon.

Sat 20. We had the whole family up here for supper. We used some of the crate of eggs Gerald sent from Iowa for Christmas. They are the large ones and are worth 92¢ a doz. here. Bob, Katharine, the children and I went after a live Christmas tree.

Sun 21. I went to the 5 o’clock carol service at the Wallingford church. The service was very fine. Ruth is a wonderful organist & director.

Mon 22. It was a sunny day but quite cool. Katharine & I did the washing. This afternoon and evening Katharine and I have made candy. It has been nice to have the nuts Gertie sent. Dad is taking in some to the book room & to the men who work with him.

Tue 23. Today was Ruth’s 34^th birthday. After lunch Katharine and I went to town and bought some decorations for the cake. I had all the Grooters family up for a birthday dinner. We had a roast chicken, potatoes, gravy, apples, celery & nut salad, fruit salad with ice cream and cake & coffee & rolls. I gave Ruth some teal towells & Katharine gave her a dicky.

A dickey is a pretend blouse front that can be worn under another garment.

Wed 24. Dad had a big turkey dinner in town. He brought home a box of candy and a 25.00 bonus check. At night Bob had a big choir dinner in town and a service at 11 P.M. Ruth & Katharine went to a Carol service in Wallingford. It was morning before the stockings were filled.

Thu 25. This morning we opened our presents. I got some breakfast plates from Katharine, a pair of gloves from Ruth, some bottle soap for dish water and also a pretty scarf from Bobbie & David. Got a plastic refrigerator set from Linnie, a white wool scarf from Mrs. Levin, also a Cannon dish rag. Gerry called from Colo to wish us a Merry Christmas.

Although liquid laundry detergent was common at this time, liquid dish detergent was still quite new. Dish rags from the Cannon company were made of a loose weave mesh with colorful borders.

Fri 26. We had a heavy snow last night. David likes to play in it.

Sat 27. This has been a most lazy day. I have been so “do-less.” Katharine brought oysters & crackers for our dinner tonight. We had oyster soup. Dad got a box of 18 pears from Medford Oregon from the M. Bookroom.

Tue 30. Bob & Ruth & Bobbie went to Phil, then to Germantown to look at a Music Cabinet which they bought for 35.00 using that much of the money Mrs. Youse sent them for Christmas. It has 75 drawers.

I found a picture of this cabinet—full of music—in the family files!

Wed 31. The last day of 1947. Katharine bought me a nice new diary.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for January 1948.

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October

Wed 1. Did not sleep at all till late last night. Can’t get Gerald off my mind. Went to the Bible class at Mrs. Jefferies which was taught by a Miss Harrison. It is a Moody course. They will meet with me next time.

The Moody Bible Institute, founded in 1886, had a correspondence school with courses that included lessons and tests and were designed to be worked through individually or in groups.

Thu 2. This evening I went over to teach Mrs. Forbes how to crochet. She seemed to get it fairly well for the first time. She offered me the use of her library. I brought home a book on the Friends called “The Faith & Practice of the Quakers” by Rufus M. Jones.

The Quakers (also called The Religious Society of Friends) had a strong presence in the Philadelphia area. Rufus Jones was one of the most influential Quakers of the 20th century and was instrumental in founding the American Friends Service Committee, which won the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize. He taught at nearby Haverford College. Published in 1927, Jones’s Faith & Practice (which you can find free online here) was an introduction to the Quakers, part of a larger series on Christian faiths. Although it shares a title with the books of authoritative standards issued by each Quaker Yearly Meeting, it was not written for that purpose.
Emma did more knitting than crocheting, but was apparently comfortable with both. If you’re interested in the basics, here’s a video!

Fri 3. I have had an uneventful day. Went shopping this forenoon. Finished taking the embroidery out of a pillowcase & washed out the pattern mark. After supper Ruth went to choir practice, and Bob and Bobby were in town. David studied the magazine pictures. Can tell a “Frazier” from a “Kaiser.”

Here’s David studying some magazine pictures.

Sat 4. It was so pleasant and sunny today that I washed some curtains and blankets for Ruth. This P.M. I helped get ready for Dr. Cleland who came for a picnic supper. There are five of them—David, Ruth & Elinor are the children’s names. They brought a football along & played on the lawn.

Wallace Cleland was a pediatrician who lived in nearby Lansdowne. His house was right around the corner from the home at 11 E. Greenwood where my father grew up; it was at Dr. Cleland’s Christmas party in 1957 that my parents met.

Tue 7. This has been a beautiful day. Ruth brought David a football. It is a week since Gerald phoned for money. I have turned him over to the Father’s care—“Cast your care upon Him for he careth for you.” [1 Peter 5:7] I find I get pretty blue at times. Life can deal some hard blows but I usually come out on top.

Wed 8. I got a letter from Gerald today. Says he is working on a farm near Colo. It came in the same mail as the one from Jack Robideau with some bad news in it.

Another entry a little farther along clarified this mysterious statement!

Sat 11. Dad brought in the clothes this afternoon while I was away. I went to Haddonfield with Robert. He sang at Janet Hall’s wedding at 5 P.M. I did not go in to the wedding. Watched the people from the car. We went by Phil & came back by the Bridgeport Ferry.

Here’s the wedding announcement—I was interested to see that the groom’s surname was Birdsall, which was Robert’s mother’s maiden name. I wonder if he was a relative?

Mon 13. After lunch I ironed and hung the curtains for David’s room which I had dyed green to match his painted bed. They look very nice. Then I finished my ironing and got supper ready. The Moores, Alison & her dad & mother arrived late.

Tue 14. I got up early to get breakfast for Mrs. Moore—walked to the 6:18 A.M. train with her. Alison & Rev. Moore & I went with Bob & Ruth to Crozer. After we got home we prepared a lunch and drove to Valley Forge. Ate at the picnic grounds. The trees were in their gorgeous Autumn colors. Finished up with an outdoor picnic at the fireplace. Had a pleasant visit. Bob read a story. We ate ice cream.

There are quite a few old family pictures of gorgeous fall colors, including this one!

Wed 15. Very on the spur of the moment I accepted an invitation to go to Phil. in the car with Ruth, David, and Otis & Alison Moore. We ate dinner at the Town House across from the Phil. Mus. Academy. We drove out see the Liberty Bell & I brought David home on the train. Got a letter from Mrs. Robideau thanking me for the 50.00 & saying she had Gerald’s clothes all washed & ironed. I have not yet heard from him.

It sounds like the bad news Emma got earlier in the month was that Gerald had skipped out of the place he was staying, leaving his clothes behind.

Thu 16. Little to write about. It has rained some. Kept David all afternoon. Did a little sewing. Studied my SS lesson. Have been reading some of the stories out of “The Red Book.” Wish I knew how to write a real good story.

Redbook magazine, founded in 1903 as The Red Book Illustrated, was primarily a vehicle for short fiction until 1951, when it became a more general woman’s magazine. Since 2019 it has been an online-only brand. Here’s the cover of the September 1947 issue.

Fri 17. I baked pies this A.M. Took one to the Food Sale. Dad was glad to have Friday night come. Bobbie can now play several tunes on her violin.

Sat 18. Sent a box of fudge to Linnie & cards to her & Gertie. Heard of the sad mess Gertrude got into at Princeton. Got thrown out of school, as did the professor with whom “she fell in love.” I am so sorry for Rachel.

I dug around a bit on this one, but couldn’t find details. Emma was referring to Gertrude Troutman, daughter of her late brother Charles and his wife Rachel. She was a child prodigy as a musician, and was attending the Westminster Choir College, a coeducational residential conservatory of music located in Princeton, NJ. Dr. McCurdy, for whom Bob sang solos, led the organ department there.

Mon 20. Bobbie is having three days vacation. She is getting ready for a Hallowe’en party. A letter from Berne says he will have to have his infected leg amputated. He is trying to be brave. I am so sorry for Elizabeth. Ruth & I had our eyes retested today. My glasses did not need changing but I plan to get some “piano glasses.”

Berne was one of Tell’s brothers. He and his wife Elizabeth lived in Salem, Oregon.

Sat 25. It has been a pleasant day. I worked several hours on plants, potting geraniums & bringing some up from the cellar. Then I baked pumpkin pies and got the children ready for the party at the church. Bob & Ruth drove to New York. Bob is auditioning for Bob Shaw today, for a Christmas oratorio to be given Dec. 25. in Carnegie Hall.

Robert Shaw, considered one of America’s greatest choral conductors, was directing the Collegiate Chorale at this time and was in the process of forming the Robert Shaw Chorale.

Mon 27. An air mail letter from Elizabeth says the operation is over and seems to be successful. An airmail from Gerald wants me to have his clothes sent here & then to him. I said Nothing doing! Mrs. Emerson sat for over 3½ hours visiting on Mrs. Forbes porch.

Tue 28. It is raining hard tonight—a much needed rain as there have been many forest fires in the east. I got ready for my Bible class which met here today.

Widespread forest fires caused a great deal of damage across multiple states.

Wed 29. Dad left without waking me. Bob & Ruth left about ten. Now David is bathed & in bed—I hope to stay. He is a pretty wild Indian these days. Marge Emerson knocked Bobbie down tonight. She came home crying, she called Mrs. Emerson about it. I did not know till it was all over.

The Emersons were neighbors—Marge was about the same age as Bobbie. Judging from future entries, this was a small spat that blew over quickly.

Thu 30. Dad & I went over to see “The Spook House.” Mr. & Mrs. Forbes have spent their evenings for several weeks building & overseeing the building of a Spook House by the neighborhood children. Mrs. Forbes greets you as you enter. She is dressed in an all red devil costume with a long tail. You ascend the stairs & one of the children escorts you around. You are offered hand lotion & a queer-looking snake jumps out of the box. Dark passages, wet sheets, jack o lantern. You sit on a chair & a big face lights up on another & a horn toots. Mr. Forbes bids you goodbye from a dark alcove. He is a ghost. The kids had great fun building it. There is a noise room, etc.

Emma wrote a story about the Forbeses and the lively role they played in neighborhood activities, particularly for the kids. I’ll share more of that later. As I researched this entry, I found some great stuff…this article describes a series of books put out between 1912 & 1935 by the Dennison Manufacturing Company, who specialized in crepe paper and other paper decorations. (The company is still around today as Avery-Dennison.) They were called Bogie Books, and they included instructions for making costumes, decorations, and spook house activities. You can find the full 1926 book here. (And Dennison has made reproductions available on Amazon in case you want one of your very own!)

Fri 31. Bob took me shopping this A.M. Think I have enough food for a week. Ruth & David ate supper with us. Ruth went to choir. This seems to be beggar’s night. Bobbie went out begging and to Forbes’ party.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for November 1947.

September

Mon 1. We have had a nice visit with Linnie and Gerrit. We went back to Ft. Dodge in the evening on the train. Katharine and I slept in the back porch at Grooters. Any kind of bed feels good.

The Grooters family in 1947: Parents Gerrit and Kittie and siblings Estella, Donald, Robert, Helen, and Howard.

Tue 2. It is a lovely cool morning. We left Grooters about 9:30. Don & Bernie were going to the hospital at Eldora where Bernie’s mother was taken after a broken hip. We drove to Alden, Iowa Falls, and Hubbard, visiting with many old friends. We drove till midnight, stopping awhile to see Minna Reece Detje at Traer.

I remember meeting Minna Detje and her husband Albert when I was growing up. I learned that she taught at Hubbard High School before her marriage, and was one of the first girls basketball coaches in Iowa.

Wed 3. We spent the night in a cabin near Mt. Vernon. It is nice this morning. David has been very hot and feverish. We finally sent a message to Betty from Ft. Wayne that we could not come. We drove as far as 13 miles north (by midnight). Stopped at Upper Sandusky. We drove 480 miles today.

Thu 4. We left our cabin about 6:30. We ate breakfast at Crestline, Ohio. Drove on till noon. Bought stuff for lunch and ate by a little Gulf Station where Bob had the tire fixed. At night we went into a little café & got hamburgs at Elizabethtown. We stopped at Exton for ice cream at a place called “The Guernsey Cow.” Drove on home, arriving about 10 P.M. We all agreed there was no place like home. Dad was glad to see us. Our trip cost Katharine & me $60.00 besides the gas.

The Guernsey Cow was a family-owned restaurant in Chester County, PA that operated from 1931-1985. A family member has put a web site together to share stores and memories.

The 3-day drive home was about 1200 miles.

Sat 6. We attended two weddings today—Malcolm Berry married Helen Brown at the Methodist church where Helen belongs. It was a short service at 4:30. Then we ate dinner in town and went to a Greek wedding. Ninety candles lighted the church. Two flower girls, maid of honor, five bridesmaids and six ushers, and the bride on her father’s arm made up the bridal party. Two priests conducted the service which was all in Greek. The service was all chanted, with the choir singing responses. The service lasted about 1¼ hours. They used a gold covered Bible in the service, also a couple of rings which were used on their heads. Katharine, Ruth, Bobbie & I went.

One of the features of traditional Greek weddings is a pair of “stefana,” wedding crowns that were originally made from olive branches or vines and are now typically made of golden metal. They are joined by a ribbon, and are swapped back and forth several times as the couple walks around the altar.

Sun 7. Today was Daddy’s 76^th birthday. We gave him his birthday gift at noon—a knife which he had wanted for a long while.

Tue 9. We spent the day sewing and mending. Sent a bunch of stuff to the cleaners. I picked tomatoes and made some juice. I picked the beans and made succotash for supper. We all went to vote tonight—the Anti-McClure ticket.

John J. McClure ran the Delaware County Republican organization at this time, hand-picking candidates for county and local offices. He built what has been called one of the strongest and most corrupt political machines in U.S. History, funded by the liquor licensing and saloon trade. This primary election drew a huge turnout, with the McClure candidates winning decisively.

Thu 11. I went to the Missionary Society at Wallingford today. Am joining it this year. The first thing they ask is for 10.00 instead of having a bazaar. There were several calls for money—leper work, guild work, etc. In the P.M. we listened to a challenging address by Mrs. Stevenson on China. We had a lovely potluck dinner at the church.

In the 1940s, Protestant women’s mission boards were moving toward direct pledges and giving rather than the bazaars, rummage sales, and fund-raising socials that had funded their activities in the past. Beatrice Scott Stevenson was a missionary to China whose husband had been a prisoner in a Japanese camp in the Philippines for 2½ years. I found this 1934 article that gave me a glimpse into her story.

Sun 14. Katharine went with the family to Spring Lake on this the last Sunday of their season. Dad & I got up late. Went to the Parker Memorial church. I wrote Gerald a letter today.

Mon 15. Bob sang at a Jewish service this morning and taught this P.M.

Robert often sang for Jewish services. This was the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and first of the High Holy Days.

Tue 16. After two years of living on the third floor, today Robert & Ruth moved to the former “guest” rooms on the second floor. Katharine moved into Gerald’s room. Bobbie has the room Ruth & Bob had & David has the big play room. Am knitting on some socks and booties. Potted some plants and cut a hundred geranium slips and put them in sand to root.

Geraniums are very easy to propagate through cuttings. A hundred sounds like a lot, but Emma loved gardening and I’m guessing she wanted to be able to share the plants with her friends.

Thu 18. For some reason I have been blue all day. Had my bootie all knitted but took it all out as the heel was wrong. I thought of Gerald all day and imagined him in trouble but got a letter from him which sounded alright.

Fri 19. Ruth is better. We went to town on the noon train. Got several things we wanted at Gimbels. We bought a table for my kitchen—an unpainted one. Ruth bought sheets, bath towels, yarn etc. Tried to see the Freedom Train but it took 4 hours for the line to pass.

The Freedom Train was a special exhibit with displays on citizenship, original versions of the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and other key documents, housed in a seven-car train that toured more than 300 cities in all 48 states. It started its tour in Philadelphia.

Mon 22. Ruth went to town to play for Robert. Katharine and I sewed a bit and knitted a bit. We got a letter from Linnie telling how Gerrit lost the car keys and the pension envelope. She is having it hard with his forgetfulness.

Tue 23. The sun came out so bright this morning so I got up and washed. Dad got up an hour too early but did not discover it till he started for the train. Katharine is going to Cleveland tonight. Bob is singing at a Jewish service in the city. He plans to come home in time to take her to a 11:30 train at Paoli. Ruth is making a knitting bag out of an old curtain.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the culmination of Rosh Hashanah, marked with fasting and services. Bob sang the evening of the 23rd and in an all-day service on the 24th. It was fairly common for Christian singers to be engaged for services at a Jewish congregation. The Kol Nidre is a traditional chant that is sung at this service, led by the cantor or rabbi.

Sat 27. Dad worked on the new table today. Sandpapered and painted it three coats of paint. I did not do much all day. Howard brought his washing & did it so I decided to wait until Monday. The oil heat is so nice. Comes on when we need it.

Mon 29. I got up quite early with Dad & got breakfast. After doing the work upstairs I did the washing. It has been a lovely day. This P.M. Ruth & I went to the High School for a TB X-ray. Dropped Ruth & me at the church to see & hear a program about mission work in Kentucky. Dr. & Mrs. Harmelink presented the program.

Tuberculosis, historically also known as consumption, is a contagious disease that infects the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body. Streptomycin, first isolated in 1943, was the first antibiotic cure. Campaigns for community screening brought mobile x-ray machines to high schools and other locations—I found a newspaper article listing this event (at Nether Providence high school) along with a number of other stops in Delaware County.

Tue 30. Spent a rather quiet morning—cleaning, sewing, ironing etc. Ruth went to Crozer. At noon I got a call from Chicago from Gerald—he wanted enough money to come on here. Had lost $20.00. I called Dad & he said to wait till he got home. He was not inclined to help him out. But another call came from Gerald after Bob got home from N. York so we decided to send him 10.00 & tell him to go back to Minneapolis. Bob had to drive to Swarthmore to send it. Ruth & I drove to Crozer last night to hear Pres. Aubrey speak on Liberalism.

Ruth was the choir director at the Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester. Dr. Edwin Aubrey, the president, was a theologian and professor—the occasion was the matriculation exercises at the start of Crozer’s 80th year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for October 1947.

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Share The Journals of Emma Troutman Boylan

On June 15, 2026, my mother Bobbie, Emma’s granddaughter—who was 8 years old at the time these entries were written—passed away quietly at home in the loving company of family. She loved reading these journal posts and sharing memories of people and places from her early years.

August

Fri 1. This was a most delightful day—so cool & pleasant. We took the children to the Zoo—Dad, Bob, Ruth, Katharine, Tell & I went. We left about 9:45 and got home about 2:30. Bob bought Ruth a gift of an automatic toaster for her wedding anniversary. We tried it out & drank K’s vegetable juice tonight.

Sat 2. This is the day we sailed on the “Black Duck.” Bob went after Gerald at 11:00 A.M. We got started 1:10 P.M. Drove to Chesapeake bay where the Forbes had their boat anchored on the Sassafras River. I had baked cookies in the morning & Mrs. Forbes served cocoa-cola etc. Then we sailed around a little finally landing in the mud. We ate supper on the boat. It was 8 P.M. before we got started for home. It was after 10:40 when we got home. We had a swim before we went sailing. It was a quiet time but interesting because it was our first time in a yacht. There were 8 of us—4 in Bob’s family, Gerald & K, Dad & I.

The Black Duck was a 65-foot schooner owned by the Forbes family. It was lots of fun to dig into its history, and I found a story Emma wrote for one of her class assignments. I put together a special feature with pictures and more—you can read it here.

Sun 3. Since it is Gerald’s birthday I am having a birthday dinner downstairs for him. I gave him a “life time nylon tie.” It cost me 1.29, though it is advertised for 1.50. I hope it proves satisfactory.

This was Gerald’s 46th birthday. Here’s an ad for the 1.50 lifetime tie, and some 1947 tie designs.

Mon 4. Dad went back to work after a two-week vacation. He is pretty tired tonight. Bob & Ruth went in to teach today. This is their last teaching in town till Sept. We talked to Mrs. Forbes about their crew. Decided to have Velma D. meet the Geck boy from Swarthmore. He seemed very nice.

Thu 7. Today was Ruth & Bob’s wedding anniversary. They have been married 12 years. They took the children and went for a drive taking a picnic dinner. They may stay all night—sleeping in the car. Katharine & I washed, ironed, cleaned the house, cut two dresses out. Took the two cherry chairs we caned down to Ruth’s hall. Called it her wedding anniversary gift.

Sat 9. The most exciting thing that happened today proved to be a 40.00 wedding fee Ruth got. She never had received more than 15.00 & the last one proved to be “free”—or no pay. Of course she was delighted. Katharine & I sewed all P.M. We went for a long ride in the car. Stopped at a stand and bought peaches, tomatoes and muskmelons.

Mon 11. This has been a nice birthday. Ruth had us all down for supper. She gave me a white nightgown. I got a birthday greeting & a pair of hose from Linnie.

Fri 15. Hot! Hot! Hot! The high point of the day came when Mrs. Holmes invited us to swim in the pool. Katharine & I went to Media this A.M. We bought a “canner” for me to boil clothes in. We have been sewing on my birthday dress. It is going to be real pretty.

The same type of galvanized vessel used for water bath canning was also used for boiling clothes on the stove to sanitize and whiten them.

Sat 16. Bought a new egg beater today. Mine went bad. Have washed and cleaned the house today. Went to town this afternoon & got weighed—161 ¼ today. Gerald did not get home after work today. It is now after nine. He should have come at 1:40 P.M.

Here’s a 1940s-era rotary egg beater.

Mon 18. Another cool day but very welcome. We have been ironing and sewing. I finished my new birthday dress. We have decided to go to Iowa. We will drive to Buffalo to get Bob & Ruth. Then we will drive to Niagara Falls, stop at Marie’s in Lansing, Mich, stop at Alice’s in Eldora, see Lou who is visiting in Iowa, see the Grooters & Linnie. It will be a nice trip if we do not have to hurry too much. It looks quite exciting. Katharine plans to go with us. Gerald came home with some skin trouble. Had been to the doctors for infection.

Wed 20. Gerald has “Scabbies” which is another name for the “Seven Year Itch.” I called the doctor (Dr. Rank). He said it was contagious but should clear right up with the treatment he gave.

Scabies is a contagious mite infestation that causes an itchy rash. Although the term “seven year itch” came to refer to human relationships after the 1952 play, it was originally a folk name for this condition. It is still a public health problem. The standard treatment at the time would probably have been a sulfur ointment or benzyl benzoate.

Fri 22. Today we have been married 47 years. Ruth had us down for dinner this evening. It was also a farewell dinner for Gerald. We were so sad over him. He gave a check to the Media Shop for 40.00, buying a radio & fan & getting 7.00 in cash. He had been drinking and did not know what he had done. After a family council it seemed best for him to go somewhere else & he wanted to go to Minneapolis. So Bob got on the phone & ordered a reservation on a bus for Sat. noon. Katherine is putting up the money. We will pay it later. It seems the best solution.

Oh, dear. Emma tried so hard to keep Gerald on the straight and narrow.

Sat 23. We have been very busy getting ready to go to Iowa. Gerald left today about 1:45 from Broad Street by bus to go to Minneapolis. He seems to be determined to go straight—wants to see Dr. Clark.

Here’s a picture of the route they took from Media to Iowa if you want to follow along!

Mon 25. Katharine, Bobbie, David & I got started about 6. We had a lovely drive and got to Billy Lohr’s about 3 P.M. The children were good and seemed to be recovering from their colds. Had a wonderful chicken supper, a nice visit, a good rest and though the kids got a bit restless we had a fine time.

William Lohr was a son of Tell’s sister Maloa. He and his family lived in Candor, NY, a little south of Ithaca.

Tue 26. We got up fairly early as we planned to start by 8 A.M. Lillian fixed a nice lunch. The day was cloudy, cool with rain at times. It was so much pleasanter than yesterday. We stopped to see Watkins Glen—but did not go up the steps very far because it had rained & the steps were muddy and slippery. We drove almost to Buffalo but could find no cabin so drove back a few miles. We are in a two bed cabin at the Swiss farm. It has a shower and we are all ready for bed at 6:30. The children have been very restless and we are pretty tired.

Watkins Glen State Park has 19 waterfalls that cascade down a 400-foot-deep narrow gorge; it has a trail that includes stone bridges and more than 800 steps.

Wed 27. We got up early—the kids waked up & there was no staying in bed. We ate a roll & drank some milk. Got to the dock about 8 A.M. but found we were on Daylight Saving time—two hours till Ruth & Bob’s boat arrived. We were soon in the car on our way to Niagara Falls. We had a picnic dinner. The Falls impressed you with its beauty and power. We went to see the whirlpool.

Niagara Falls is a set of three waterfalls—American and Bridal Veil Falls are in the US, while Horseshoe Falls spans the border between New York and Ontario.

Thu 28. We drove up on the Canadian side, saw the rapids and then the Falls. Words are not able to describe its beauty. We staid for some time. We stopped near Sarnia. We slept in a 2 room cabin—4.25 for six of us—not modern. Had breakfast and drove to Marie Lohr. Marie is stooped with pain. She had her two girls there & her husband and Betty’s husband. They wanted Bob to sing which he did. We left after 12 P.M. Drove out a little way & ate dinner at a wayside table. Then on & on till about 8:30. We are in a comfortable double cabin about 8 miles from Joliet. We are planning on getting up early to get to Ft. Dodge tomorrow.

Here’s a view of Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side. Sarnia, Ontario, about 190 miles west of Niagara Falls, is the largest city on Lake Huron.
Marie Lohr Mitchell was a daughter of Tell’s sister Maloa. She and her family lived in Lansing, MI.

Fri 29. Today was a large day. Drove to Eldora. Stopped for an hour or so at Alice’s. Drove on to a farm near Industrial School where Lou was visiting. Got into Ft. Dodge about 3:30. A bus was leaving in an hour. We took it & it roamed all over the country. We reached Orange City at 10:38 P.M. Linnie & Gerrit were there to meet us. We were pretty tired out after a 20 hour day. We were glad to see Linnie. Got to bed about 11 P.M. Gerrit & Linnie staid at Jen’s. The ride in the bus was hard on me.

It had been about 7 years since Emma and Tell left Iowa and moved to Pennsylvania, so it must have been good for her to visit family and friends. This was quite an extended network—Alice and Lou were the widows of two of Tell’s brothers. Linnie was Emma’s sister. She and Gerrit lived in VA, and his sister Jen lived in Orange City.

Sat 30. We have visited & visited. We called Le Mars to learn about the train. Find we can get one about 7:26 P.M. so Linnie & Gerrit will take us to Le Mars. We will get to Ft. Dodge by 10:20 P.M.

I had fun with this one. In 1947, the Illinois Central railroad had a passenger train called the Hawkeye that ran an overnight route between Sioux City and Chicago, passing eastbound through Le Mars and Fort Dodge each evening.

Sun 31. We got up & all went to church at 9:30. It is not so hot a day, for a breeze is blowing. Heard Rev. Woodward preach. He is a good preacher. We all went to Jen’s and had lunch, then drove out to Cora’s for awhile. Came home and visited. Katharine called Ruth to tell her when we’d come. I’d like to see Bess and a few people at Hubbard.

Ruth and Bob and the kids stayed in Ft. Dodge with Bob’s family. Emma and K were heading off to visit them and see some friends in their old home town of Hubbard.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for September 1947.

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The Black Duck: A History

I’ve pulled together this account from a variety of sources, including a story Emma wrote, newspaper articles, and other online material.

The Black Duck was a 65-foot gaff-rigged schooner, designed by Crowninshield and built in 1909 by Rice Brothers in East Boothbay, Maine. She weighed 22 tons and was 46 feet at the waterline, with a 15-foot beam, a 6-foot draft, and an average speed of about 10 knots.

Frank, William, and Henry Rice began building boats in East Boothbay in 1892. The company ceased operations in 1956. Here’s a 1919 picture of their yard.

Adventuress, a 133-foot gaff-rigged schooner designed by Crowninshield and built by the Rice Brothers in 1913, is still in operation in Port Townsend, Washington and is listed on the National Historic Register.

When Emma sailed on the yacht in 1947, it was owned by her neighbor Stephen Forbes, a physicist in the Philadelphia area. His father, who (according to Emma’s story) was involved in designing the boat in 1909, was Waldo Emerson Forbes, one of four sons of William Hathaway Forbes and Edith Emerson (daughter of Ralph Waldo Emerson). A 1911 record shows the boat’s owners as Waldo E. Forbes and his brother Alexander, a neurophysiologist and scientific explorer. Waldo E., who briefly worked in the family financial business but left to follow “literary pursuits,” died in 1917 at age 38.

In 1918, Black Duck was loaned to the Tabor Academy by Alexander and William Cameron Forbes, another of Waldo’s brothers. Cameron was an investment banker and diplomat, and was Governor General of the Philippines from 1909-1913.

The Tabor Academy, founded in 1876, is a boarding and day school in Marion, MA that incorporates maritime activities as an integral part of their programs. Black Duck was the first of a series of schooners operated by the school. In 1924 the school bought their own ship, an 88-foot schooner they named Tabor Boy. Here’s a photo of Tabor Academy students aboard the Black Duck.

This documentary—Tabor Boy: 100 Years at Sea—includes some 18mm home movie footage of Black Duck.

It looks like the Sea Scouts also made good use of her. I found this 1921 article from New Bedford, MA in which the Marion Sea Scouts sailed her to victory in a two-race series.

And in 1922 the Sea Scouts held a summer camp & training program at Tabor Academy that included activities on the Black Duck. Here’s a brochure describing the program. In 1923 a crew of Sea Scouts from East Boston sailed her to Portland, ME. I also found a story of their return trip to Boston, which involved a seamanship competition for nine pieces of pie.

Alexander Forbes apparently took possession of the boat again in 1924, and he competed in the New London to Bermuda race that year, taking 4th in her fleet.

The biennial race to Bermuda, now run from Newport and jointly sponsored by the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, began in 1906.

I didn’t find much about the Black Duck in the years that followed; here’s the story Emma wrote as part of a late-1940s correspondence course that fills in some of the blanks. She interviewed Stephen Forbes’s wife (also named Emma). [Her writing instructor gave her a B+ on the assignment, commenting that it would have been better to place the current actions of the boat earlier in the piece and then move to the history.]

Lesson 7, 7/28/47

     Safely anchored in the Sassafras river off Chesapeake Bay rides a graceful, two-masted schooner bearing the name “The Black Duck.” The yacht is owned by the Forbes family. Mr. Stephen Forbes of Moylan with a crew of eight men recently sailed her from Woods Hole, Mass. to her present location. Mr. Forbes plans to keep her for at least two years.
     Mr. Forbes’ father helped design the boat. He named her “The Black Duck” when he had her built 37 years ago. So Stephen grew up with the Duck. He boarded the yacht first (with some help) when only nine months old. He learned early how to manage the sails and the rigging. He has a real seaman’s scorn for the lazy motor type of navigation.
     The yacht measures 65 feet in length and draws 6 ft. of water with the center board up and 10 ft. with it down. Although a crew of 8 besides the skipper are required for cruising, her log book records the amazing fact that on one occasion Mr. Forbes’ father sailed The Black Duck all alone. Ten people can be accommodated in the bunks.
     The trip from Woods Hole occurred during Mr. Forbes’ vacation. The crew did not see land for four days.
     When Mr. Forbes decided to bring the Duck to Chesapeake Bay he bought a large lot with a water front on the Bay. Here he keeps two dinghies and an American kayak which take them back and forth from the shore to the yacht.
     Skimming over the water in full sail, the Black Duck makes a most attractive target for Kodaks. Mrs. Forbes says “she is the most photographed lady on the bay.”
     In her long career the Black Duck has sailed twice to Bermuda, once to Labrador, many times to Maine, besides numerous shorter trips up and down the coast. In 1942, she became a training boat for some of the navy giving them experience in sailing.
     For some time after this she stood idle. She needed reconditioning. To sell her seemed the best way out. But something happened. A man from Philadelphia saw her. He offered to put her in good condition if in return he could borrow her awhile. This transaction kept the Black Duck from being sold. She spent the years 1945 and 1946 at Long Island.
     Mr. and Mrs. Forbes are most generous with their yacht. Every week end finds a group of friends happy to go cruising with them. In their beautiful new log book of gold and black with the Black Duck’s name on the cover, the many guests write their names.
     Mrs. George Allen from Panama, a sister of Mrs. Forbes, is spending the summer in Moylan and enjoys these delightful trips with them.
     Mr. Forbes is a physicist, being employed by the Bartol Foundation in Swarthmore.

I couldn’t find any information to corroborate Emma’s story about the Black Duck being used for naval training in World War II, or her rescue and restoration in 1945-46. Stephen moved her to the Chesapeake in 1947, and Emma wrote this journal entry in August of that year:

Here’s a map of the trip from Emma’s home in Media to the Sassafras River—about 65 miles.

Unfortunately, another piece of Emma’s writing reveals a sad end to the Black Duck’s story.

     “The Black Duck is no more,” said Stephen Forbes. “She went down in the terrible storm which ranged on last week about 100 miles off the coast from Cape Hatteras." 
     The schooner, which had been owned by the family for years, was like a member of the family. On it Mr. Forbes had played as a boy—he had helped sail her many times. It was the scene of some of his dearest memories when courting his sweetheart. When word came this last week of the boat’s tragic end, it was almost like losing a member of the family, and friends and neighbors were all sympathetic. 
     Though the young captain who had borrowed her who was to sail her to Florida with all the crew was rescued from the sinking ship, he tells a thrilling story of the high waves they encountered. Waves 40 to 50 feet high swept over the ship, sweeping everything off deck. The crew battled the storm for four long, hard hours.

I found several newspaper stories about the storm and the rescue. Here’s one of the most detailed, from the Mar. 10, 1948 Staten Island Advance:

Thus endeth the tale of S/V Black Duck.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this special feature! Please feel free to share it.

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Tue 1. Ruth took the children to camp this morning & this evening went with Mrs. Emerson to the Camp program. Bob went over too after he got home from New York. Dad & Gerald came home, bathed and cooled off in pajamas.

Men’s pajamas! Here’s a 1947 ad. I’m sure Tell and Gerald’s were home-made rather than store-bought, but the styles would have been similar.

Wed 2. Got my work done & went with Bob & Ruth to get Katharine in Paoli. Visited awhile and went shopping for groceries in Media. Katharine took a sleep. Got my last lesson today in my study course.

As she did almost every summer, Katharine came down by train from Cleveland—be prepared for a sewing binge!

Thu 3. We looked at some old evening gowns for Ruth. She has to have one for Ithaca. I am trying to decide whether to go or not. Katharine cut out her grey chambray dress today. We looked for little Jerry today but he did not come.

Robert had a performance scheduled at Cornell University.

Fri 4. We got up rather late. I fixed stewed chicken with noodles for dinner. Katharine & I have sewed and ironed. Ruth & Bob worked on the fire place. They did not get it all done. Bob took us to see fireworks but we did not see much.

Sat 5. This has been a beautiful day. I have helped Katharine with some sewing today. We finished two dresses—one new and one made over. Katharine is getting ready to attend a two weeks advisory course at Columbus. She will leave a week from today. Then she plans to come back here & help with the sewing till Oct 1^st when she will go back to Columbus to school. Bobby went to Chesapeake Bay with the Forbes today. Got to go on the “Black Duck.” Ruth & Bob finished the outdoor fireplace today and we ate our supper out there.

Ruth & Bob’s Forbes neighbors were relatives of the well-to-do New England family. The Black Duck was a yacht that belonged to the family. More on this to come!

Sun 6. Dad & Gerald planned to go to Spring Lake but Gerald decided not to go. He has been drinking so much. He left today at about 11 A.M. Said he’d be home at 3. It is nearly 8 P.M. & he hasn’t come. He must have meant 3 A.M. Katharine, David, Bobbie & I have been home all day. I have not heard a sermon for three weeks at least. People are excited over the disc in the sky.

In June-July 1947, there was a rash of reported sightings of unidentified flying objects, starting on June 24 when pilot Kenneth Arnold reported witnessing a string of nine shiny disc-shaped objects flying past Mt. Rainier. The media coined the terms “flying saucer” and “flying disc” to describe them. Hundreds of copycat reports were made over the subsequent weeks—the 1947 craze has been extensively studied and is regarded by scholars as the “birth of a modern myth.”

Tue 8. The ironing was done today. Katharine and I have sewed and sewed. She is making a new dress. Will have about 14 to take with her for two weeks of school. We hope to have everything done tomorrow. Bob, Gerald & Ruth cleaned up the wood pile by the garage. Since the fireplace is done there will be lot of company. Gerald has been at home all day. It has seemed good to have him at home and alright.

Thu 10. Katharine and I finished a white evening dress for Ruth today. The bodice is made from a dress Rachel gave me. The net skirt is one Mrs. Chapman gave us. The flower Katharine had and Ruth will be dressed fine for Ithaca. I have about decided to go & take the kids. Annette will go to the hospital in a few weeks to have a Caesarian operation.

Annette was a family friend and former renter at Ruth and Bob’s. Caesarian section is a surgical procedure by which a baby is delivered through an abdominal incision. Although today elective caesarians are sometimes performed at maternal request without a medical indication, in 1947 this would likely have meant that there was an identified complication.

Sat 12. Bob & I just got back from Paoli. We took Katharine over to take the train for Cleveland. She will leave tomorrow night for Columbus. Gerald went to work this A.M. Did not come home after work. He breaks my heart. Life can be awfully hard at times. Dad went to see Chapmans today.

Sun 13. It has been a beautiful day. Dad went to church. Bobby went with the folks. David staid with me. He said this A.M.: “If God didn’t make us we’d have to make ourselves up.” I have been reading Aurora Dawn by Herman Wouk.

Aurora Dawn was a 1947 debut novel by Herman Wouk, who would later win the Pulitzer prize in 1951 for his historical fiction novel “The Caine Mutiny.” It is a satirical look at the early days of radio and advertising in New York.

Mon 14. It has been a rainy wash day though I got the most of the clothes dry & ironed. Bob & Ruth went to town to teach. Gerald worked today. Slept all night in the hammock. Said a bolt of lightning knocked him & Whalen’s son to their knees. Whalen is in the hospital. Got a letter from Nora & Daisey, one from Linnie & Gertie. A letter from Katharine said she had arrived in Columbus alright and was planning to go to an 8 o’clock class.

Thu 17. We finished putting 40 snap fasteners on the seven sunsuits tonight. Three suits are for Bobbie, four for David. Ruth cut out two dresses today which will probably be finished this week though there is some mending to do. We got the oil check today (76.91). It is a job to keep the tithe invested. I want to send some more to the starving people. I do hope I can go to Ithaca though it looks very doubtful.

Fri 18. Dad’s vacation starts today. He will go back to work Aug 4, I believe. Ruth got a new clothes reel today. I will try it out tomorrow I think if it doesn’t rain.

Here’s a 1947 ad for a clothes reel from Sears.

Sun 20. I went with Bob & Ruth to Spring Lake today. Took the children. I watched the ocean awhile after we got there. We fed the swans on the lake and then I took the kiddies to the Methodist SS. We all went to different classes but afterwards we went to the church service together. Then we walked to the car & met the folks and drove to the country where we ate a picnic dinner.

In some family photos I found this picture of Bobbie, which I believe was taken at Spring Lake or nearby. She would have been 8 years old in 1947.

Mon 21. Dad’s first vacation day is over. He worked in the garden awhile. I did a big washing—Ruth’s & mine—using the new clothesline. I started to iron tonight and dropped it (my iron) breaking the handle. I am so sorry. Gerald has not found a place to stay so it looks like I could not go to Ithaca with the folks. Dad says he can’t be left alone. It is very disappointing. Life can be so hard. Was ironing tonight. Dropped my iron and broke the handle.

Here’s a 1940s-era iron.

Wed 23. Bob & Ruth, Dad & Bobbie left for Ithaca early this A.M. After looking forward to it so long it was most disappointing not to get to go. David & I got along fine today. He helped grind breadcrumbs, took a long nap, played awhile at Israels. Walked with me twice after the mail, etc. He said as he came down from his nap “I ‘tend mother is at home.” I have kept busy. Interviewed Mrs. Forbes about “The Black Duck.” She invited us to go sailing a week from Sat. at about 3 P.M.

Thu 24. It is 10 P.M. and I suppose the concert at Cornell is over with. Got a card from Dad this P.M. written yesterday noon.

I found this review of Bob’s concert at Cornell; it mentions Ruth as his accompanist.

This one had a special resonance for me because it mentions that he sang “Lindy-Lou” as an encore. My parents named me Linda Louise partly in honor of this song, which was written by American composer Lily Strickland. Here’s a recording of Paul Robeson singing it.

And just for fun I asked one of my AI resources to comment on the article. Here’s an excerpt from the response:

Sat 26. The folks got home from Willseyville at 2:20. Started at 6:45. It was 234 miles. The car got over 20 miles to the gallon. The folks went to Watkins Glen taking Lillian yesterday. Dad went in to see Cornell Campus. It contains 25 acres. Lillian sent home a gallon of lard, a half gallon of maple syrup, 2 doz of eggs besides some cake and cheese. Dad gave the girl a 1.50 box of candy & I had Ruth get Lillian some hose. Bobbie brought home a rabbit. Gerald is not himself tonight. I still believe he will change.

Mon 28. I did not wash this A.M. as it was so rainy. Bob took me to town to shop. I got groceries. I started caning a chair today. Think it will look alright. It is plastic cane. Ruth fixed a rabbit pen. Bob suggested we all go to New York with him on Thurs. It would be fun if the kids were good. Mrs. Forbes came over to check up on our going sailing Sat. We plan to go. Gerald went after cigarets he said. It is now 11 P.M. & he is not home.

In case you want to try your own caning…

Tue 29. I went with Bob to Paoli to meet Katharine. David went along. Katharine has been attending a two weeks conference at Columbus. She has a room and is all set to go to school. After I got home I did the washing. Ruth got lunch for all of us. I put David to sleep & took a rest myself. Then Katharine and I worked on caning. We are caning the two cherry chairs that were in the studio. One is all done but the last binding.

These are caned chairs from the family are hanging up in the garage. They may be the ones Emma described.

Thu 31. This morning was not so hot but it was better for Bob to go to New York on the train which he did. He got home this evening with nothing definite to report. Ruth took Katharine, Bobbie & me to the Woolen Mills. It is 100 years old & going strong. We stopped at a market & bought some vegetables. Got the chair all finished today. Ordered us a couple books on caning. Bobbie’s rabbit got killed by a dog today.

I think this would likely have been the Crozer Woollen Mills, in Upland, PA near where Ruth was teaching at the Crozer Seminary.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for August 1947.

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June

Mon 2. Stella was not well this P.M. & I was very tired. I went down to stop the Bond bread but finally gave in to take it for a week.

Bond Bread, produced by the General Baking Company, was a major commercial brand (their biggest competitor was Wonder Bread). They had a home delivery service. In 1947 they introduced “homogenized” bread, and they issued a set of promotional baseball cards that are of interest to collectors.

Tue 3. I have been busy with the washing & caring for David. He has been sweet—but!!! Emptied sugar & milk in his bowl till it was more than full. Climbed up the ladder on top of the garage. Rode his tricycle down to the railroad tracks—I found it tipped over on the bank. Opened the bathroom window & was ready to go out on the roof. He took a long sleep this P.M. I had a good rest too.

Wed 4. Katharine called up tonight. She plans to come here about July 1^st. A letter from Elizabeth says Berne [one of Tell’s brothers] is in the hospital with thrombosis of the arteries. He has had pain in his leg & foot but is some better. May never be able to walk much again.

Thu 5. I left with Mr. & Mrs. Berry for Asbury Park about 8 A.M. We got home about 8:30 tonight. The day was bright and cool. We attended the Worship service at the Methodist church and the reception at the Baptist church. Was interested in all the folks I saw from India, Africa, England, Ireland, Porto Rico & many places in America. I got home too late to go to Roberta’s programs given by the Brownies.

Sat 7. It is 10 P.M. and raining again. Terrific rains & floods in southern Iowa. Gerald got a letter from Peg. Said the Iowa snow storm killed almost all the gardens and fruit. Stella & her friend Myrtle Carlson came today from New York. It was Stella’s birthday. She insisted we all eat birthday cake with her. Ruth brought out ice cream. Ruth & Bob went down to the Old Mill. The rest of us listened to records.

A major late-season snow storm hit parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on May 27-29, 1947. It dropped 7-10” of snow across the region.
I found a newspaper story about the renovation of the historic Old Mill in Rose Valley as a community meeting place, and a very interesting report on the history of Rose Valley, one of the earliest and most significant Utopian Arts and Crafts communities in the United States. Ruth and Bob apparently went to the grand opening, which included a “white elephant” sale, a covered dish supper, and a square dance. It is now used as a wedding venue.

Sun 8. I went with Bob to Phil and to hear Dr. Barnhouse with Stella & Myrtle. He was in Africa but for some reason missed Stella’s station. It was very interesting but I do not understand “all I know” about prophesy & the doctrine of predestination and free grace.

Donald Barnhouse was a Presbyterian minister who had a strong influence on twentieth-century evangelical Christianity.

Mon 9. It was so cloudy this A.M. that we did not wash. Finally went out and planted some marigolds Mrs. Forbes gave me. She & her husband are leaving tonight. I picked a few strawberries from our patch. Stella & Myrtle are still here, but leaving for Chicago tomorrow. We gave Myrtle 10.00 tithe. Have 15 left in bank.

As I think I’ve mentioned previously, Emma and Tell appear to have set aside a tithe (10%) of their income to use for charitable purposes. Rather than giving it to a specific church, they shared it with various people and organizations as they saw fit.

Wed 11. Gerald went to a ballgame this P.M. His boss took him. He is very tired.

The Philadelphia Phillies played the St. Louis Cardinals. Philadelphia won 5-4.

Thu 12. I was invited to both the Baptist & Wallingford missionary societies today. I went to the Baptist. We had an outdoor picnic. I gave 1.00 to the Leper work in India.

This article describes the Protestant mission work for people with leprosy in India.

Sat 14. We got up early. Had breakfast and got Gerald off to work. He got home for a late dinner. Slept a long time & left just before supper. He is surely a conundrum. He got a letter from his son—Pfc. G.T. Boylan 17164146 12^th Photo Tech Unit. G.A.A.B. Greenville, SC.

Based on this information, Jerry Junior was apparently deployed to the Greenville Army Air Base, serving in a unit that processed military photography or aerial reconnaissance.

Mon 16. The Robin came today. There was a very interesting letter from Elaine. She is in Japan doing library work. She told of her trip over with a pleasant stop in Honolulu. Said 50 yen = 1.00. She gets her meals for 25¢ each.

Elaine, daughter of Tell’s brother Chris, was likely working for the Civil Information and Education Section of the Allied forces in Japan, which played a major part in postwar educational reform to emphasize democratic values and critical thinking.

Wed 18. I have been cleaning out some drawers & closets today. I wrote to Jerry & am sending the family letter to Betty Baldwin this time. Ruth had to drive in to the city for a Spring Lake practice. She asked me to go with her. I spent 85¢ to see “The Yearling.” It was in technicolor. Dad got a dollar raise—really 79¢. I spent more than that on the picture.

Emma read Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’s novel “The Yearling” in 1938. This 1946 movie was filmed in the Ocala National Forest and starred Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman, and Claude Jarman, Jr.

Thu 19. I went shopping with Ruth this A.M. after doing the morning work. Then I ate lunch on the magic carpet. I picked several quarts of mulberries by shaking them on to a canvas. Gerald got his letter about his insurance tonight. Think he will reinstate it. Read the last of “Green Grass of Wyoming” by Mary O’Hara tonight.

Green Grass of Wyoming is the third and final novel in O’Hara’s My Friend Flicka series. It was made into a movie in 1948.

Fri 20. Bob & Ruth have been building an outdoor fireplace. Gerald helped them when he got home.

Tue 24. Yesterday Mary Margaret would have been thirty one years old. I wonder where she is & what she is like. I did part of my ironing. Made a trip to Indian Orchard with Ruth, then we shopped. When we got home I did Ruth’s washing and made some strawberry jam—the first in years. Bob got home—will go back tomorrow. Went with Ruth after Betty, then got supper. It has been a nice day tho’ it rained some tonight again.

Indian Orchard was a 36-acre Girl Scout camp in Middletown, PA. It is now part of the Middletown Township Land Conservancy. I found some pictures of the abandoned camp buildings online.

Post-World War II sugar rationing ended at midnight on June 11, 1947. I’m sure it was a sweet treat to be able to make some strawberry jam.

Wed 25. The day looked pretty full with an ironing, some curtains to make, jelly to make, and a lesson to send in, but all of it is done & I will finish hanging the curtains in the morning. Ruth drove to town to play for lessons & a practice. David got into her rouge & powder. Such a mess he made—right after Cora had cleaned. Gerald left after supper & it is now nearly 10:30 & he isn’t home. He got a letter from little Jerry saying he hoped to come next weekend.

Sat 28. We finally made the barrel stave hammock today. It cost 2.89—2.00 for two barrels and 89¢ for 100 feet of wire cable. Had enough left to put up a short clothes line. Dad helped or really made most of it. Bob brought me a cartoon about barrel stave hammocks.

I found instructions for a barrel stave hammock!

Sun 29. It is now 9:10. We are all home from Spring Lake. I do not expect to go again with David. He is too hard to take care of.

Little Jerry apparently met them at Spring Lake…here he is with Emma and Tell.

Mon 30. The last day of June. I have done a big washing. The day has been hot. It is 9:15 & Gerald is not yet home. Suppose he stopped in Clifton. Why can’t he go the straight road. Just got Bobbie to bed and quieted David. Bob & Ruth are teaching in town. Paid our June milk bill. It was 20.68. It surely costs to live. I try to keep my mind stayed on God. Surely Love will win out soon. But its only two years til my 3 score & ten years will have passed. “Tho’ He slay me yet will I trust Him” Job 13:15.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for July 1947.

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April

Tue 1. Sent Bobbie a letter & David a postal card saying “April Fool” this A.M. I worked awhile on the bedspread—ripping the parachute. It is a long tiresome job. Have three panels ready. It will take about 4 panels for my house coat. I had David & Bobbie for dinner. They keep me pretty busy after school.

Thu 3. The highlight of today was a call from Katharine this evening. She is going to Columbus tomorrow to spend the weekend. Went to town with Ruth and got about 17.00 worth of groceries. 45¢ for a head of cauliflower—2.80 for a roast—67¢ for eggs.

Fri 4. I have worked on my bank checks—made a ledger. Can’t seem to make my account come out right with the bank. Dad had vacation today. He fixed my knife & fork drawer, and some chairs.

Sat 5. Today has been rainy. David got up early to ride his tricycle. Soon after dinner Bob drove into Phil. to a practice at Wanamaker’s. Ruth went along to get a hat & a dress. Took Bobbie along. She found a dress but did not have time to find a hat. Got one for Bobbie.

Sun 6. I went with Ruth this A.M. to Wallingford. The music was very good. The solo by Connie, John Anderson’s sweetheart from New York, was lovely and fitted the Easter-time message—“I know that my Redeemer Liveth” from Handel’s Messiah. It has been very warm and pleasant today. The crocus & daffodils are blooming. The lilac bush is turning out green leaves. It is some task to keep track of David & Roberta.

Happy Easter! This aria from Handel’s Messiah is often sung separately from the full oratorio.

Mon 7. The high light today is the fact that Bob bought a new Frazer. He is to trade in his old car for 750.00, pay $100.00 in cash and the rest in 15 mos. It seems a good deal. I promised to pay 10.00 per month on the car.

In the previous post, Bob was looking at Frazers. They bought a used station wagon in April 1946 and had worked hard to fix it up. Here’s a 1947 Frazer sedan.

Tue 8. Bob got up early and got the new car so he could drive Ruth to Crozer. I got up early too, and got my washing done so I could go along too. Had my work done & swept the basement ready to go by nine. Ruth was on the trail of an organist who would play for her next week when she is in New York.

Wed 9. Bob drove to town. Ruth staid at home. Bob had 10 or 11 lessons. Ruth & I decided to go in at night to buy a mattress at Gimbels and attend the Wanamaker concert. Came home in the car with Bob afterwards.

Gimbels was a department store chain based in Philadelphia that focused on quality products at affordable prices.

Thu 10. It has been a lovely day. I got up early to work on the bed spread. Ruth & I drove to Lima for some apples. 1.35 for 23 lbs. of Roman stem. After lunch Ruth went to practice & then to Crozer. I got dinner for us all. Made two apple pies and some ice cream.

Roman Stem is an old apple variety from New Jersey that is described as “tender, mild and juicy, with a rich, spicy and aromatic flavor.”

Sat 12. This has been a lovely Spring day. The leaves have come out on the lilac bush. The grass turned green over night. I spent the day working on the spread. It is done. The bolster is started.

Mon 14. It has been raining today. Bob & Ruth went to Philadelphia soon after dinner. Taught from 3 to 6, then drove to New York where Bob has a practice tonight and where they will give a concert tomorrow night. I kept David in out of the rain by letting him ride his tricycle up in my rooms. He has been very good.

Tue 15. Bobby planted some Heavenly Blue morning glories by the posts of her swing.

Heavenly Blue morning glories are described as “showy climbers.”

Wed 16. Today I have been at home all day. Cora, the maid, came today and did some cleaning. Ruth & I drove to Crozer in the evening to hear a lecture. Ruth had to play.

Thu 17. Ruth & Dad drove to Paoli after Berne and Betty. They think we have a nice place here. We staid up till after midnight visiting. Just heard that Elaine had gone to Tokyo, Japan at a $5500 library job.

Berne was Tell’s brother; he and his wife Elizabeth lived in Salem, Oregon—their daughter Betty was married and living in Oil City, PA. Elaine was the daughter of Tell’s brother Chris; she went to Japan to work as an information specialist for the U.S. war department.

Sat 19. I fixed up my second installment on my Writing Course & sent it in today. It is not just what they wanted. Then I went with Bob & Betty to Swarthmore to look at a Steinway piano which had been advertised.

Sun 20. I went to Phil. with Bob. After Sunday School I attended the morning worship service. Met Dr. McColl. He preached a good sermon on Overcoming through Faith using much scripture. Bob & I walked to Bookbinders where we met Ruth, Berne, Betty, Gerald & the kiddies. Enjoyed a wonderful seafood dinner. Uncle Berne was host on this occasion. We wished Elizabeth had been with us.

Bookbinders was a popular seafood restaurant on Walnut Street in Philadelphia.

Tue 22. Ruth took Berne & Betty, me & the children to Crozer this A.M. where she played. Afterwards we met Bob who came home from New York. We had lunch & all of us went to Paoli to take Berne & Betty to the train. We hated to see them go as Betty is very unhappy in her marriage. Gerald came home from work so sick he could not eat supper. He went to bed right away. It is lonesome here.

Betty and her husband remained married and went on to have two children.

Thu 24. It has been a little cloudy today though it has not rained. I have been getting ready to go to Lake Success tomorrow in a chartered bus which is to start from 69^th St. about 8 in the morning for the World WCTU Convention. I suppose I’ll get pretty tired but think it will be worth it.

Lake Success is a village in Long Island, NY. It was one of the temporary homes of the United Nations from 1946 to 1951.

Fri 25. Well, the New York trip turned out to be almost a failure. About 80 women met at 69^th St and filled two busses. We were so slow getting started. Then about half way there one of the busses broke down. Had motor trouble. They got another bus but it was so late one group decided to come home. So the day was sort of wasted. I got home about 3 P.M. Ruth met me at the trolley. I hope to be able to go again next week.

Mon 28. After making sandwiches, doing dishes, putting David to bed, getting in the clothes, I took a bath and went to the Monday Evening Guild with Ruth to hear Mr. Highet talk about Oriental Rugs. He had several different kinds on display. His talk was very interesting and informative. Got a letter from Nora today. Also Daisey.

By the 1920s, rugs from Persia, Turkey, and the Near East were common in upper-middle-class homes. Supply chains were disrupted during WWII, but things were beginning to recover at this time. A talk like this would have been a mixture of education and sales pitch.

Tue 29. I don’t know where the day has gone. Nothing much has been accomplished. I went with Ruth to Crozer. Wrote a few news items and sent them in to the Media News. Also sent in my subscription. Ruth had a birthday dinner for Robert tonight—just their own family. I sent down a tube of tooth paste. The days are so full. I got very little done. Have the two washings sprinkled so will try to do the two ironings tomorrow.

I found clippings in the files from Emma’s “Moylan Minutes” submissions. They cover local social events such as out-of-town visitors & tea parties.

Wed 30. I got my third writing lesson assignment with my work marked (A). Gerald worked out doors awhile.

May

Fri 2. Have had some bad luck today. Lost my checkbook & money—27.00 I think. I bought some stamps & postcards for 1.00. Went directly to the Co-op. Went to pay my bill & my money was gone. Phoned the station right away. Could not trace it anywhere. Went back to look but so far it has not shown up. It just makes me sick.

Mon 5. It has rained & rained today. For a few moments the sun shone then the skies clouded up & down the rain would come again. A card says Helen Moon has a new baby girl Linda Louise. Stella was due to arrive by plane in New York today.

Helen Grooters Moon and Stella were two of Robert’s sisters. Stella was a missionary in Africa.

Tue 6. Have missed the money I lost. Have had to borrow from the tithe. Ruth & Gerald worked on the lawn this evening. I sent a little news in to the Media paper. Have not quite decided about going to New York tomorrow. Suppose I’ll be sorry if I do not go. My trip to U.N. was such a flop.

Wed 7. I kept busy at my work today until time to take the 4:15 train to New York. Ruth took me to the train and gave me $10.00 to buy my ticket etc. for a Mother’s day gift. It cost more than that. I ate dinner on the train both coming and going. It costs like smoke—1.90 beside tip but I could not go hungry. Bob met me in Phil. & we went directly to the Brander Matthews Theatre where the play was given. Mrs. Moore met me there.

The big day!! Robert was performing in the premiere of The Mother of Us All, an opera about Susan B. Anthony composed by Virgil Thompson to a libretto by Gertrude Stein. The Wikipedia entry lists the cast of the premiere, held at Columbia University’s Brander Matthews Hall, including Robert as “Virgil T.” The premiere was broadcast on WNYC; you can listen to the recording here.

Thu 8. I went to lunch with the bunch after the show. It was interesting to meet them— “Indiana Elliott” gave me a rose. The girls all got flowers on this opening night I guess. We staid at Bert Rowe’s. He is a singer, lives at 48 on 50^th St. He was also in the play. We got up about 10:30. I went with Bob for his lesson at Miss McClellans, then we visited the UN Conf out at Lake Success. We listened through ear phones to the discussions in the Com. meetings. Came on a train to Great Neck, then on a bus. It is a very interesting place. I left New York at 5 P.M & got home at 7:15. David was asleep.

The role of Indiana Elliott was sung by contralto Ruth Krug. According to this article, she was a fictional character invented for the opera.

Fri 9. Ruth & Bobbie went to New York last night & will not be home until Sat. It has been rather lonely here today. I took David down to get a hair cut this A.M. He got a finger pinched in the door at the drug store. It hurt him terribly—pinched till it bled. I had told him to stand by the other door but he had gone back where he was.

Wed 14. Mrs. Berry gave me some funkia for a border planting. I divided it into thirty parts and have it planted. Ruth has gone to town. David is on the run. After lunch he went to sleep. I cleaned up my house & when Bobby came home we cut out a dress for her. I got supper—made an apple roll.

Funkia is another name for hosta—a shade-tolerant foliage plant.

Thu 15. An air mail special delivery letter came from Mrs. Youse wanting Robert & Ruth for a 15 min. concert at a Sigma Alpha Iota in Detroit Aug. 25 or 26 for $100 & expenses. After phoning Robert, Ruth wired their acceptance. Katharine wrote about going to school next year. Is planning to go to Ohio State in Columbus.

Sigma Alpha Iota is a women’s music fraternity founded at the University of Michigan in 1903.

Fri 16. I planned to sew but Ruth wanted me out of doors, so we made some garden. I planted peas, corn and beans. We worked on the apple trees. Cut a number of overhanging limbs that shade the garden.

Sat 17. A day when things have gone wrong. I have been blue and depressed. Probably the cycle has come round in the month for me to be depressed. My sewing has mostly gone wrong & I have to take it out. Gerald has gone to Clifton to see some woman. He has been drinking. How long, O Lord, how long? before he will come to himself. Dad took Bobbie in for a visit to the dentist in Philadelphia. He is tired out.

Wed 21. Dad got his pajamas on before supper. We get so very tired. Guess Mr. Metz his “side-kick” is going to quit. I guess Dad should quit too. Wrote Daisey & Mrs. Alta Sparkman about a postal card from Daisey which Mrs. Sparkman sent back to me. It was stuck to an envelope to her mother in Roswell, NM.

Thu 22. I have had David this P.M. Made him an airplane from a Kix box.

General Mills introduced Kix cereal in 1937. It was the first breakfast cereal that used a puffing gun to create an airy texture that wouldn’t get soggy in milk, and advertising spotlighted its high vitamin content. In 1947, Kix was the official cereal of The Lone Ranger; box tops could be exchanged for Lone Ranger premiums, including a glow-in-the-dark atomic-bomb ring.

Sat 24. Have welcomed Stella today. She came down from New York to spend awhile. Dad and I went to the Methodist church to a strawberry festival this evening. Had a nice ride in the Frazer beforehand. I bought a half a cake at the church for $1.00.

Wed 28. It has started out to be a nice day. Stella went to town for lunch with a friend. I kept David while Ruth went in to play for Robert. I told Miss Clevenger I would belong to their Missionary society.

Fri 30. Finally I have my story typed for Lesson 4. I called it “My Day in New York.” Today was Memorial day. We all went to the horse show except David & Stella. She had a hard time with him. Gerald went along and paid all our way in. With a program it cost him 8 dollars.

I found the story! See the special feature at the end.

Sat 31. I got up late because I was awake till Gerald got in which was 2 A.M. He was in bad shape. I am going to tell him to leave. Love and Kindness have not prevailed. Bob taught a couple lessons. Dad went to town & then helped in the house & the garden. I worked on Stella’s dress & cleaned up the house. I got my fourth lesson written and sent. Tomorrow is Sunday. Two bad airplane accidents occurred—one in Phil., 38 killed. One in New Jersey—50 some killed.

United Airlines Flight 521 was the worst commercial aviation disaster in the US at the time—43 fatalities, 5 survivors. That record was broken less than 24 hours later when Eastern Airlines Flight 605 crashed—53 fatalities.

Special Feature: My Day in New York by Emma Boylan

Emma was taking a correspondence course that involved sending in various writing assignments. I found “My Day in New York” in the files. It’s a little over two typed, double-spaced pages, and has some hand-written comments from the instructor and a grade of “A.” Here’s the story—it appears to be based on her actual trip to see Bob’s opera premiere, but with some fictional elements introduced for the sake of the story.

Days are very much alike especially to a housewife. Meals and dishes demand attention three times every day -three hundred sixty five days every year. If one could only stand them up in a row (the meals and dishes, I mean) like a row of dominoes and knock them down with one blow, say for a month or even a week, wouldn't that be something? But, one can't, so real fun begins when a day comes along with a different outlook.

This particular day began when I left Moylan on a shuttle train and met a friend in Philadelphia. Together, we boarded a 5 P.M. train for New York. My friend had given me a ticket for an opera to be presented that evening. Since he was in the play we had barely enough time to get there so decided to eat dinner on the train. My idea of luxury is in eating a well-cooked meal on a diner which we did. To be whisked out of my kitchen and find myself being served delicious food on a fast moving train made a wonderful beginning for my short vacation. We sat at a table by a large picture window watching the wayside scenery. Spring had arrived in all its beauty. The green of the grass and the newly leafed-out maples made a wonderful background for the gorgeous tree bouquets of pink and white dogwood and cherry blossoms. The azalea bushes with their many bright colors flashed by. All nature seemed to be celebrating with us. Even the coffee cups danced with joyous anticipation spilling their contents both in saucers and on the white tablecloth.

Arriving at Penn Station, we walked underground to the subway. The many signs posted everywhere made it almost impossible for one to lose his way. However, the hurrying people, the noisy trains, and the various passageways confused the stranger. I appreciated an escort who knew his way around. Dropping a five cent piece in a slot opened a gate to a platform where an express train came whizzing through the darkness. People crowded on. Soon we were getting off at 119th St. to walk a short way to The Brander-Matthews Theatre where the opera entitled "Mother of Us All" played.

Gertrude Stein combined both pathos and comedy in this historic fantasy which served to sway the audience with a spiritual understanding of the longing in the soul of Susan B. Anthony as she "tried to get her laws passed". She succeeded in her cause. Woman suffrage came to pass. But the suggestion "that the women voted just like men" saddened us. In the opera historic characters hobnobbed with fictitious ones and characters belonging to different periods appeared together as though living in eternity instead of time. Susan B., Anne, Daniel Webster, U. S. Grant, Andrew Jackson along with Joe, the Loiterer and Indiana Elliot, his wife, "who wouldn't take his name," as well as Gertrude S. and Victor T. appeared in both solo and chorus. As many as thirty people sang in the play. Virgil Thompson did a remarkable job in setting English words to singable music. The students of the drama department of Columbia made the costumes and stage settings. They added much glamor to the scends and brought out great applause. The orchestra music added greatly to the interpretation of the theme. 

All the New York papers as well as the magazines "The New Yorker" and "Times" made favorable reviews of the opera. It played to capacity houses ten nights in succession. Being strictly American both in theme and manner of production, it marked a mile stone in New World opera.

The experience thrilled me. I came home to my daily tasks refreshed and happy. I wash my dishes and remember!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for June 1947.

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February

Sat 1. Linnie & Gerrit left for Washington today. Howard drove us to Chester to get the train. I hated to see them go. Dad feels a little better tonight. I am glad to get back to our own beds again.

Sun 2. We wakened this morning to find the ground covered with snow—but the ground hog saw his shadow. I went to church with Ruth & the children & Howard. It was communion Sunday.

Groundhog Day is a regional tradition observed on February 2; a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition says that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow, spring will come early.

Tue 4. We have had a real blizzard this afternoon. A high wind with snow. We got a letter from Berne today. Can’t send any wood. Dad is going to ask Ebert to send some from S.A.

Tell enjoyed woodworking—it sounds like he was looking for sources of hardwood from his brothers in Oregon and Venezuela. I have some pieces he did from lignum vitae that likely came from Ebert, including this box. It contains a card with the following information:

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

Box made from Lignum Vitae wood. Railroad tie from first railroad in Panama—put in by French or British. Brought by John T. Boylan to Tell Boylan (his brother) who made the box.

Thu 6. Bob gave his Recital at the Phil. School of Music tonight. I went with them to the concert. Bob sang beautifully & Ruth is a wonderful accompanist. The hall was nicely filled with an appreciative group of people. Bob got ice cream for a celebration.

I found this notice in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Fri 7. Bob & Howard took me to Chester. I got a 1:30 train to Washington. Linnie & Gerrit & Francis met me and we all came to Rachel’s house. We had a nice dinner. I got a bit sleepy & went to bed early.

Sat 8. It snowed again in the night. We have just staid around here at Rachel’s today visiting. The folks called me up tonight. Bob, Ruth, Bobbie & David all talked to me. Dad says he was not feeling well & did not expect to go Monday so I think I will go home.

Sun 9. It was quite cold here this A.M. with snow on the ground. Frank took Rachel, Gerrit, Linnie & me to Washington Cathedral to hear Rev. Joseph R. Sizoo. He preached a fine sermon. There was a large crowd but the Cathedral has cement floors and was very cold. We came home via Cedar Hill, the cemetery where Charlie is buried.

Rev. Joseph R. Sizoo was a pastor and theologian named as one of the country’s twelve best clergymen by Life magazine in 1953. Here are some photos from Washington Cathedral that I found in the family files.

Mon 10. I spent the day at Rachel’s with her, Linnie and Gerrit. It was a cold snowy day. I took the train home & found Dad about the same. He had not been dressed while I was away. I had a nice quite time at Rachel’s.

Tue 11. It is good to be home. Dad is better but is not going to work today. Bob got a fine write up in the Bulletin. Dad decided not to go to work. He went to town to have his hair cut.

The Philadelphia Bulletin was once the largest evening newspaper in the U.S. It went out of business in 1982.

Wed 12. I got up early & did the washing this morning. Ruth has been tired out today. Has been fighting a cold for three days. Ruth got Bobby some material to make valentines & I helped her make them.

Thu 13. Have felt “doless” today. Dad went in to work but came home about noon all in. I went with Ruth to Crozier this afternoon. Bob went to New York today. Is to go back Sat. for an audition with Virgil Thomson.

Virgil Thomson was an American composer; he was a music critic for the New York Herald-Tribune from 1940 to 1954.

Fri 14. Ruth took me to town. Got me a valentine—an aluminum juicer which I have been wanting. She got Dad some candy & Bobbie some socks. Bob got Ruth a band for her wrist watch.

Here’s a 1940s-vintage aluminum juicer.

Sat 15. Bob went to New York today for an audition with Virgil Thomson. Gerald made me ashamed tonight. Ruth bailed him out. It is a terrible thing to spend one’s money after “that which is not bread.” How long Oh Lord, how long!!! My cold is keeping me awake.

Isaiah 55:2—”Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?”

Mon 17. I got a letter from Rachel saying Linnie left yesterday for home. I was expecting her to come down here. Mrs. Forbes brought me over a mince pie tonight.

Wed 19. Have just had a hot bath which has seemed to release my cold a bit. Kept the children this P.M. & evening. They get so rambunctious in late afternoon. Talked to Mrs. Pennell. She wants me to help care for a lady at the Harned. I told her I would. Am to get .75 per hour for P.M. & 6.00 for all day, 9 A.M. till 7 P.M.

Fri 21. A day of crawling out from under the snow. Traffic tied up. Accidents reported. Me—I am nice & warm in a heated home. Glad for an oil burner.

This was a major snowstorm all along the Eastern seaboard.

Sat 22. Fie! Fie! Emma—nine bells and you’re not in bed! David is still sick. Hard to manage. Threw up his supper. Bank is not open today because of “Birthington’s Washday”!!! No mail either. Call that day lost whose now descending sun / Sees not a measly post card announce, “The mail has come!”

Wed 26. I went to Media in the car with Ruth today. Think it is the first time I have left the house since Feb. 13. Fixed some sleeves in a nurse’s uniform & am making a new one. I am thinking of taking a course in writing.

Thu 27. Bob went to NY today. He will have a part in Virgil Thompson’s opera. Sent for my writing course yesterday.

The opera The Mother of Us All, with a libretto by Gertrude Stein, premiered on May 7, 1947, at Columbia University in New York. More to come in May!

March

Sat 1. I began my nursing job which is just substituting for the regular nurse at “The Harned” which is an old people’s home. My patient is Miss Stanford who is a maiden lady of some years. She has hardening of the arteries.

According to this site, The Harned was a non-profit boarding home under the care of the Media Friends Meeting. It was small and home-like, with eleven residents at full capacity, and was just a few blocks from Emma’s home in Moylan.

Sun 2. I went to church with Ruth this A.M. It has snowed & rained all day. Gerald has been off the beams today. Has been to a show & I don’t know where else. The end is coming. He will have to leave here. Ruth will not stand it. If he would only let alcohol alone he’d be some man. He’s such a good worker. Have tried to love him into being all he longs to be. It could have been so different. Some one has failed some where.

Sat 8. I slept late this A.M. as I was so tired from yesterday. Did up my work & then went to the Harned to sit with Miss Stanton three hours. She is always expecting you to hurt her before you touch her. I go again tomorrow which will be the last for she is being moved to a Nursing Home. Have been helping Bob & Ruth with their income tax.

Sun 9. It has been a pleasant day. Gerald & Bobbie went to the Chester Airport with Howard. Bobbie had a ride in Howard’s plane. Gerald is breaking in his new teeth he got yesterday. He looks real well in them but he will not let drink alone.

Mon 10. Took care of David in the P.M. and in the evening went in to hear Pastor Martin Niemöller who was a prisoner in Germany. Howard went with me.

Martin Niemöller was a German theologian and Lutheran pastor. Initially a supporter of Adolf Hitler and a self-identified antisemite, he opposed Nazi state control of Protestant churches and was imprisoned in concentration camps from 1938 to 1945. He later became a peace activist and spoke widely against the Nazi cause. He is the author of the well-known piece “First They Came.”

Wed 12. I did Ruth’s washing this A.M. since she is not too well & Bobbie is sick today. Bob is singing at Wanamaker’s tonight. Howard left for South Bend, Ind this A.M. in his plane. He will have a job at the airport there.

Fri 14. Friday is always a welcome day for Dad. Counted our bonds tonight. Have 28 valued at 525.00. Interest to date $11.00. Have almost enough to buy another from saving dimes. Got a card from Howard. He flew as far as Indianapolis the first day. Got there 5:33 EST.

Based on earlier entries, Howard was likely flying a small surplus trainer. Research suggests that he had a cruising range of about 200-250 miles, and Indianapolis is about 550 miles from Media, so he would have made a few fuel stops along the way. Small airports with fuel were plentiful. The hop to South Bend the next day would have been an easy one—about 150 miles. The airport there was undergoing significant expansion to serve growing commercial aviation traffic—a great place for Howard to start his post-war career!

Sat 15. Ruth finally has a guest room. We have spent the day cleaning, ironing curtains, moving furniture to make a guest room possible. We changed beds around, moving the bunk beds that Emil & Howard used to the third floor, the ¾ bed from third floor to Gerald’s room, his bed to Ruth’s room & her furniture to the guest room.

Tue 18. Otis Moore came home with Bob & Ruth last night. He has been here today though he went to town to see a friend. I got a “thank you” letter from Stephen Forbes today for staying over night with Mrs. Boyland when they were away.

Here’s a little prayer book Otis Moore gave to the family on this visit.

Wed 19. Have my deposit all ready to bank. Am going to buy four bonds. With the oil, Dad’s wages, my check from Mrs. Pennel and the one from Betty I will have 158.57 to bank & buy bonds with. Also am taking in my dimes to get a bond.

War bond sales continued after WWII, with the “Victory Loan” program rebranding as Series E savings bonds, which were sold for as little as $18.75 (maturing to $25).

Fri 21. This has been a pleasant day—the first day of Spring. We had parsnips again for dinner. Had a ride in a Frazer car. Bob is thinking of buying a car soon. We had our second floor telephone installed today—a new dial phone both upstairs & down. It is so much easier on me.

The Kaiser-Frazer company, launched in 1946, was the first serious American automobile manufacturer in decades and, according to this fascinating article on the company, the last one before Tesla.

Sun 23. I went with Ruth to the Pres. church this morning. Cooked the chicken in the Pressure Cooker after I got home. Ruth & I went through a box of old pictures. It was fun to remember so many forgotten things but it left us feeling sad.

Tue 25. Ruth went to Crozer & Bob to New York. When Ruth got back David & I went with her to take the car back to the garage. They wanted to appraise it. Bob plans to make a deal for a Pontiac they have in—it is a used car but looks very good.

Wed 26. Mr. Jessup called that he had sold the Pontiac Bob expected to trade for. The blue parachute came this P.M. There are yards & yards of ripping to do. But it is pretty and will make a lot of things.

Surplus military parachutes were widely available after the war. This was likely a cargo or supply chute, which were color-coded to help identify supplies without opening containers.

Thu 27. Same time the things we dread turn out to be surprise blessings as did the service at Crozer tonight. I went along to keep Ruth company. The service was a memorial to two missionaries who were Crozer students. It was inspiring. I got a panel clipped out of the parachute today. We are planning to make curtains and bedspread out of it.

I found an article about the service—Rev. Walter Keyser and Rev. David Graham were representatives of the Northern Baptist Convention in Burma.

Sat 29. Today, I have been busy. Did the rest of Ruth’s ironing. Fixed my last year’s Spring hat up for Easter. Made some ice cream today. We had some for supper. Gerald brought home some azaleas tonight.

Gerald was working at a wholesale nursery. Nice that he could bring some flowers home!

Sun 30. I rode to church with the Forbes this morning and came home with Ruth. Gerald left this A.M. & was gone till evening. Of course he had been drinking. I haven’t yet prevailed in prayer. But I will. Ruth’s organ went bad this A.M. She had to finish up on the piano. But she saved the service.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for April 1947.

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Sun 1. I went to church with Ruth and the children this A.M. In the P.M. Dad & Ruth drove in to Bob’s afternoon service. Bobbie & I cracked nuts & listened to Bob’s program over the radio.

A newspaper listing for the church service mentions Dr. McCurdy, for whom Bob had resumed work as a soloist. They were singing Bach’s Magnificat. Here’s a recording of one of the bass solos from this work.

Fri 6. I spent a bad night with my ear trouble. The outside ear is swollen & the inner ear passageway is also so swollen it is practically closed. Dr. Cleland was busy, Dr. Zerala was sick, so he sent me to Dr. Wood in Springfield. It is a boil. He treated it & gave me a prescription for some sulpha drug if it doesn’t clear up soon.

The boil was likely another complication of Emma’s diabetes—staph infections of the skin and ear canal are more common in diabetic patients. Although penicillin was becoming more accessible, sulfa drugs were the first line of attack for many infections.

Sat 7. Ruth had David’s had his party this afternoon from four to six. He had a good sleep in the early afternoon so was pretty well behaved. Gerald does not intend to reform it seems. Found him in bed with a bottle of whiskey he was drinking. Life is so hard.

Oh, dear.

Sun 8. I did not feel well enough to go to church. Dad went to Ruth’s church. David is invited to a birthday party today at Israel’s. He & the youngest Israel are the same age.

The Israels were neighbors; their son Philip and David were “birthday twins” for quite a few years.

Wed 11. This morning Ruth did her washing. I got breakfast. Did the dishes. Then we went to Media after a dress for Ruth. She bought a green one. Before going to practice she painted the kitchen floor again and then took Bobbie & went to the church. I would have gone with her to the bazaar but David was asleep. Ruth ordered a new hat today to be trimmed with fur like her coat.

Here’s Ruth in her fur coat. I haven’t found a picture of the hat!

Sat 14. I gave Bobbie 1.00 today to work for me. Had a lot of cleaning & ironing to do but did not get through. Bob, Gerald & I went to Chester after the kitchen stools. Bob fixed up one table in the kitchen. It is beginning to look much more like a modern kitchen. Ruth went with us & practiced while we were in Chester. My eye is rather painful. Gerald brought me a pressure cooker for my Christmas gift.

I think one of the hardest things for Emma about moving in with Bob & Ruth was not having her own kitchen. It sounds like she was very pleased to have one again.

Fri 20. We had our first snow this P.M. It is a very wet snow. Bob & Ruth went to Penn Charter this P.M. for a concert.

Sat 21. Katharine came this A.M. Her train was three hours late but Bob phoned about it several times. We got there just in time.

Katherine was still teaching in Shaker Heights, OH; her Christmas visits became an annual ritual—she and Emma usually did a lot of sewing together!

Sun 22. Katharine & I went to Ruth’s church this A.M. She put in a big day at the church. Gerald has been at home all day. He has been in a sorry shape. Poor boy. Says for me to write to Alcohol Anonymous—that he will sign it. Dad also staid at home. He was very tired.

Alcoholics Anonymous began in 1935 in Akron, Ohio. According to this timeline, they were getting more attention in the media by this time and broadening their international reach. Much of their communication was conducted by mail. They had a post office box (Box 459, Grand Central Station) and a newsletter (The Grapevine). A.A.’s Twelve Traditions from founder Bill W. (which are different from the Twelve Steps) were first put into print around this time and distributed via The Grapevine.

Mon 23. Today is Ruth’s birthday. No chance for a birthday dinner as she went to town to shop and play for Bob.

Tue 24. This has been a day of Christmas shopping & wrapping. Bob sang for the Curtis Pub. Co. They paid him for three years—$40 per year. It comes in very good just now. Dad got 25.00 bonus & a little extra for his work on Saturday. Gerald got 5.00. I am sure we have much to be thankful for. Katharine had a basket of oranges sent from Florida. They are so sweet and good. Dad went to a big turkey dinner and Bob & Ruth are going to one tonight before the midnight Carol service.

Florida oranges had been shipped north since the mid 1930s—this was a booming time for the citrus business.

Wed 25. Christmas Day! It has been a quiet peaceful day! We had our presents this morning. I was very well remembered. Katharine gave me hose, handkerchief, towells, nuts. Ruth gave me a box of nuts and a book called Christmas. Bobbie gave me a set of bowls. Gerald a pressure cooker. Howard a set of dozen glasses & four bath towells. Bob gave me a bracelet for my watch.

It sounds like the family was helping Emma get her kitchen stocked up!

Fri 27. I got up about six and did the washing. Hung most of it in the basement. Katharine and I went to Phil. Got some yarn, ordered her cooker and changed Gerald’s slippers. Was not so tired as I thought I’d be. We got home at 2 P.M. Had a pleasant evening. Howard came in & we all played “Old Maid” and “Authors.” Katharine cut out Ruth’s dress.

Old Maid and Authors are card games—Authors is similar to “Go Fish,” but uses a deck featuring authors such as Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, and Louisa May Alcott. Old Maid involves matching pairs and avoiding being left with the single unmatched card.

Mon 30. Katharine went to Aldan to see a friend of hers. She left on the 1:10 P.M. & will be home some time tonight. I bought an asbestos ironing board cover, four sheets and an “E” bond today. Katharine worked in clay while she was in Aldan. Brought a small dish & two pair of earrings home to fire.

Before asbestos was recognized as a health hazard, it was used in many places where fireproof material was needed—brake pads, oven mitts, hair dryers, holiday snow, and more!
I’m guessing that Katharine had a kiln available back in Cleveland where she taught school.

January

As always, the year began with a new diary—this one a bit smaller and more fragile than some of the others. In starting 1947, I realized that this project has come to an interesting juncture. When I started in 2021, it was late 1927. Emma was 48 years old and I was 63. We’ve walked through nearly 20 years of her life since then, and now we’re almost exactly the same age. As we go forward her time will continue to pass more quickly than mine. Although there are many more adventures to come, it becomes ever more present to me that at some point the story ends. Thanks for continuing this journey with me as we move into the later years of Emma’s life.

Wed 1. The new year came in with a flurry of snow—enough for Bob & Ruth & the kiddies to go “sledding.” Dad killed the old hen. We had noodles. I also made a cabbage salad & mince pie.

Thu 2. We were surprised to hear a knock at the back door about 9 A.M. A man stood waiting there saying he had an oil burner to install in our house today. No announcement—just like that. By 4:00 P.M. it was all in & the fire going. Rachel called inviting me to come up to her place while Linnie was there. I may go later. Katharine is leaving tomorrow. How I hate to have her go.

In the fall of 1946, Emma mentioned that Bob wanted to install an oil burner and an electric stove. I think this was an upgrade from a coal heater.

Sun 5. I went to church with Ruth this morning. In the afternoon we got ready for Aunt Linnie & Gerrit, who came about 3:13. Tell went in to meet them. Gerrit got lost in the station. Had a time finding him.

Emma’s brother-in-law Gerrit was starting to have some memory issues.

Mon 6. This has been a nice day. We did up the work and this afternoon Linnie & I went to the city with Bob in the car. We visited the Wanamaker store. Ate lunch at a drug store then went to St. Steven’s Episcopal Church to hear Glenn Clark. We also heard Agnes Sanford talk on the healing power of prayer. Starr Daily also spoke. His talk was very good. Gerald went in to hear Glenn Clark and met him afterwards.

Glenn Clark was an evangelist who was a big influence on Emma over the years. Agnes Sanford was an influential figure in the Christian healing movement. This same year she published a book on the healing power of prayer: The Healing Light. Starr Daily was a convicted criminal who was converted to Christianity in prison and became a well-known speaker and writer at Glenn Clark’s Camps Farthest Out.

Wed 8. It is nine P.M. The children are in bed and it is quiet for a minute. David is such a noisy boy. We got Gerald’s AA literature today. I hope he does something about it.

Sat 11. We went shopping this A.M. Easy to spend 15.00 when you get meat and groceries. In the afternoon Linnie, Gerrit and I went to Phil. to see the Betsey Ross house, the old Christ Church, the Liberty bell etc.

Sun 12. Today was Luther’s birthday date. Linnie & Gerrit and I went to Ruth’s church this A.M. After getting dinner and doing the dishes we listened to Bob’s afternoon program. It came in nicely. Linnie and Gerrit have been here a week tonight. Daddy seems so tired tonight & blue. I don’t know why.

Luther was the youngest of Emma’s siblings and the first to die (in 1938).

Tue 14. Though it was raining some when we got up we decided to go to New York anyway. We left at 7:48 A.M. & got home about 11:15 P.M. First we walked to Macy’s, about two blocks north of Penn Station. Bob & Ruth left us there and went to their appointments. We walked to 5^th Ave. Took a bus to go to the Battery but it only went to 26^th. We got lunch at a dime store & took another bus north to the Riverside drive. We went as far north as 168^th street. Came back from 50^th to 59 on a trolley. Had lunch & went to the show Till the Clouds Roll By after taking the trip around Radio City. Took a car underground to the Penn Station. Left New York at 8:30. Missed the train by a half hour in both Phil. & N.Y. so we were late getting home.

A big day out in New York! They traveled most of the length of Manhattan by bus, trolley, car, and foot. Till the Clouds Roll By was a newly-released MGM musical based on the life of composer Jerome Kern. It’s in the public domain and you can watch it here.

Fri 17. We made several plans today but none were carried out. Thought we would go to Franklin Institute but decided since it was Franklin Day there might be too big a crowd. We talked about going to see the Ice Capades but all the seats were sold except 2.50 ones and we thought that too high. So we staid at home all day.

Mon 20. Have done little today but managed to keep busy. I baked two batches of oatmeal cookies. One for Ruth & one for me. Linnie & I went shopping with Bob this morning. It was terribly foggy & rainy. I finished Ruth’s sack dress today, also did some mending & worked on my dress.

Hmmm…two batches of cookies, shopping, sewing, mending—that sounds like a full day to me!

Wed 22. It has been cold today. Ruth & Bob taught in town today. Ruth had choir practice & Bob prayer meeting this evening. Linnie has mended hose for me today. Betty has been working on a baby blanket. I had the children for supper, also Ruth and Howard & Bob is now here for a late lunch.

Sat 25. We did the Saturday work up & sewed a little. I made a work apron for Gerald. Linnie & I went to Germantown with Bob this evening & while he sang at the wedding we went to a movie. Saw Hedy Lemar in The Strange Woman. We got home at 9:30.

Hedy Lamarr was a film actress and inventor. Early in World War II, she and pianist George Antheil patented a frequency-hopping system to prevent radio-controlled torpedoes from being jammed. Although the techology was not used in the war, the principles are incorporated into Bluetooth and GPS technology today. The Strange Woman is a historical melodrama that is now in the public domain.

Sun 26. We celebrated Gerrit’s 73^rd birthday today. Linnie & I staid at home this A.M. and I baked a birthday cake. We had a nice dinner which we ate at Ruth’s table. Roast beef, gravy & potatoes, corn, beans, a good salad, cake, fruit jello & coffee.

Mon 27. After lunch Linnie & I & Gerrit went into town with Bob & Ruth. We went to a movie at Stanley, 19^th & Market, called Blue Skies. Linnie got terribly tired.

The Stanley Theatre was one of the major motion picture palaces in Philadelphia. It opened in 1921, closed in 1970, and was demolished in 1973. Blue Skies is a musical romantic comedy starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Joan Caulfield, with music by Irving Berlin.

Tue 28. Linnie & I did a little shopping in Chester at Spears and at the V&X. We got some things for Bobbie. Today she is eight years old. Ruth & Bob had us down to eat dessert after supper. Bobby got a “didy doll” which she has been longing for.

Happy birthday, Bobbie! This was a popular line of dolls in the 1940s, designed to resemble real infants.

Thu 30. Got up feeling punk today. Have a cold & some pain in my back but am better tonight. Linnie is getting ready to go to Washington on Saturday. We hate to see her go. Ruth & Bob are giving a concert in Philadelphia tonight. Bob auditioned for records for the Silver-Burdette Co today.

Silver Burdett was a major educational publisher, known for school music textbooks with accompanying recordings.

Fri 31. Linnie and I went to Phil. with Bob and Ruth. Bob & Ruth went to the doctors & Linnie & I ate lunch at Linton’s. We drove on into the city & went to the Franklin Institute & to the Planetarium. Had a nice time. Ate ice cream at the Dairy Dell. Ruth drove us home.

Linton’s was a Philadelphia restaurant chain known for reasonable prices and good coffee. Here’s a 1947 menu.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for February 1947.

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October

Wed 2. I finished turning the collars on six shirts. Worked on Gerald’s pants etc. Ruth & I went shopping a while today. She & the children were up for supper. I went with Ruth to the service at the Wallingford church this evening. It was cold in the church. No fire. Bob had 13 students today. Not so bad! I got a $3.00 check today for a child’s story I had written. From Amer. Bap. Pub. Co.

Emma kept a close eye on the family finances; I’m sure she was glad to see that Bob was doing so well and also excited to earn a little from her writing endeavors.

Thu 3. I got supper for Ruth & the children tonight. Ruth had to go to choir practice tonight. She had an answer to her ad for a tenor.

Churches with high-quality choirs often paid singers in key voice parts to lead their sections and perform solos. In addition to directing the choir, Ruth would have been responsible for recruiting as well.

Fri 4. We went shopping this A.M. I found a few weiners. Butter is 94¢ a pound. Eggs are 76¢ per dozen.

The post-war inflationary boom and expiration of price controls caused prices on some items to increase dramatically, and meat was still sometimes hard to get. For comparison, the price of butter in August 1939 was 31¢ a pound.

Sat 5. Bob fixed our range which was making a lot of noise. Dad got to feeling better & fixed some drawers in Ruth’s table—and put a rod in my closet. Gerald did not get home till six. His eyes were all red. Thinks he is getting by with his beer drinking.

Oh, dear. Emma was trying so hard to help Gerald go straight.

Tue 8. I went with Ruth to Crozer this AM to get some meat at the giant Tiger Store. Got some hamberg and a soup bone. Robert has been working on the kitchen sink—building shelves below it etc.

Giant Tiger was a subsidiary of American Stores, a Philadelphia-area grocery company whose flagship brand was ACME Markets.

Wed 9. My right eye has been sore for a couple days. It is red & swollen. I had to get up in the night to bathe it with hot water. Bob has 15 students today. Ruth has been studying for her class at Crozer tomorrow. Dad brought me a lot of pieces of twine and I have been making them into a ball. The bunk beds came today. We don’t think they fit in that room.

Although Emma hasn’t mentioned her diabetes in a while, it’s still in the background. The eye problems she’s describing can be much more frequent and difficult to manage for diabetics.

Thu 10. Bob & Ruth practiced this forenoon for a concert at Lansdowne tonite. I took care of David. Tonight when he said his prayers he included this: “God bless our car.”

Sun 13. I went to Wallingford with Ruth. Gerald sang in her choir. So many times I have prayed for him & it was good to have him in the choir. Dad went to the Methodist church. Bob came home for dinner. I got the dinner up here. He drove to town & Gerald, Ruth & I went along. Howard came & he & Gerald came home. I staid in for supper & the evening service. Bob sang beautifully today.

I’m struck by how important music was to the whole family. I’m sure it felt hopeful to Emma that Gerald was singing in Ruth’s choir.

Wed 16. We are having some lovely Fall days. Howard is at home today. Went over to the airport and got his license today. Bob is in Phil. teaching today. David & I went to town with Mr. & Mrs. Berry. Mr. B. treated David to ice cream. Ruth has gone to the church to try out another tenor. Can not find the right weight wire to hook up my electric stove.

Bob’s brother Howard went on to a long career as a commercial pilot and flight instructor.

Sat 19. This has been an eventful day. Bob started hooking up my stove yesterday and finished it today. He phoned Billy Carroll at Dad’s suggestion. He came to help. They got it finished and I got supper on it tonight.

Tue 22. Bob & I went shopping early today so I did not go with Ruth. Was able to buy some meat in Media. 1 lb of hamberger for 60¢ a lb. A three pound roast for 80¢ per lb—2.40. Everything is so high. 75¢ for a pint of cream.

High prices and meat shortages were more of an issue now that Emma was keeping her own kitchen.

Sat 26. Today I heard of Miss Berthoff’s death. She was buried a week ago & I just heard of it. Mrs. House called me to ask me to a handkerchief shower for Mrs. Munger. They are having a sale and going to Florida to live. I went out to the sale. Saw a few friends.

Sun 27. I went to hear Ruth’s choir sing two anthems. Gerald took Dad & David and me down to see where he works. It is a nice set-up. We were given some chrysanthemums, a fern and a begonia. I am very tired tonight.

Gerald was working at a wholesale greenhouse in New Jersey.

Mon 28. Today is Katharine’s birthday. Called her up and had a nice visit. Bob now has 20 students at the school & 5 here. I gave myself a permanent in the afternoon. It isn’t much good.

Wed 30. In the afternoon I went to Mrs. House’ to a party for Mrs. Munger who is leaving on Friday. She asked me to read so I read a number of my poems. Mrs. House came after me & Esther brought me home. I had picked up some apples and gave Mrs. M some. Ruth was thrilled by the address given by Mrs. Albert Parker.

Katherine McAfee Parker was one of three prominent daughters of Rev. Cleland Boyd McAfee. The most famous, Mildred, was president of Wellesley College and the first director of the WAVES in World War II. Katherine was among a group of American church leaders who visited Europe in 1946 to see the effects of the war on Protestantism. She spoke at a District meeting at Ruth’s Wallingford church on the topic of “Tell the Women of America.” A newspaper story mentions several hymns as part of the program, so it sounds like Ruth was up to her elbows in helping run the event!

Thu 31. The children were around with bags begging for handouts both last night and tonight. Bobbie went to a party at school & then to Brownies.

The Girl Scouts formally established the Brownies—for younger girls—in 1936, and it was in full swing in post-war 1946. Bobbie was a few months away from her 8th birthday, so the perfect age for joining a troop.

November

Tue 5. Again I got up early. Went with Mr. & Mrs. Berry to vote. We vote at a garage on Wallingford & Prov. Road. I got a roast and potatoes ready for dinner . Bob & Ruth did some teaching this afternoon and evening. I bathed the children. We are listening to the political returns.

The 1946 elections gave the Republicans majority control of the House and Senate—Truman’s approval rating had sunk to 32 percent after the war. Locally, all the drama had been in the primaries and the Republican candidate won by a wide margin.

Wed 6. This was wash day for me this morning. After it was done Ruth & I went to town. I got Gertie’s box of paper from Peru, Ind. I sent it on to her. Hope Linnie got hers alright.

The American Stationery Company, founded in Peru, Indiana in 1919, had grown from a small shop into a national mail-order business specializing in personalized stationery, and advertised widely in national magazines.

Sat 9. Gerald came home from work not feeling too well. I got him some dinner & he went to bed. I have done up my work, finished an apron that has been hanging around & managed to keep busy all day. Ruth went to practice. Bobby went to a party. Dad worked on the kitchen. Bob got the car fixed. In the evening Bob & Ruth took me to a movie “Make Mine Music.” Dad kept the kiddies. A letter from Linnie came today saying they are coming east in November.

Make Mine Music is a 1946 musical anthology film produced by Walt Disney—apparently much of Disney’s staff was drafted in WWII or worked on training and propaganda films instead of mainstream movies. To keep the feature film division alive, the studio released several “package films” made up of various unrelated segments set to music.

Mon 11. Dad & Gerald worked though many got off today since it is Armistice Day. Ruth washed, Bob worked a bit on the kitchen, and they went in to teach this evening.

Tue 12. Annette was here. Said she would send me a copy of the booklet that has “Bagging Bible Birds” in it. Bob called for Ruth to come in to play for him, so I did her ironing, took care of the kids and put them to bed. Gerald helped me get the three hens from Mrs. Neville. The children went along.

I found Bobbie’s third-grade report card from this date.

Fri 15. Between cigarettes & booze I am about crazy tonight. Gerald came home tonight not able to walk straight. I am ready to quit. For over 20 years I have had to suffer shame from his actions. I have done the best I know how for him. Gave him a nice room, good meals, washed dirty clothes, made coffee, coffee, coffee, but he’d rather have booze than any of this. He doesn’t care any thing for me or any body else—only what he can get out of it. I am so sorry for him but if he must live on that low level he will have to go some place else to do it. I plan to tell him that he isn’t fair. The reason I sent him money to come here was because he said he was through with the stuff. He thinks he can get by & I don’t know.

Awwww…Emma!

Sat 16. I slept very little last night. Cried & cried with grief & anger over the way Gerald thinks he can do with us. Bob has worked all day long on the car. Howard & Emil washed & Howard went to work. He is borrowing money to buy an airplane. He will keep it at the airport & rent out time.

Surplus military trainers apparently flooded the civilian market after the war at very low prices—sometimes $500-800. It was common for people to rent out their planes to student and recreational pilots.

Mon 18. Bob got his “fliers” from Ray Hallman today. They are splashy and attractive.

Here’s the flier she mentioned—Ray Halmans managed his concert bookings.

Wed 20. This was my washday at my house. After it was done Ruth & I went down to Miss Picken’s after some sheets. We each got two large ones @ 2.75 apiece. We bought a few groceries and came home. On the way down we stopped for the mail. Got a letter from Katharine enclosing the oil check. It was over $80.00. I nearly expired. Dad was pleased when he got home. It took all he brought to pay the tithe not only what was due but what we borrowed. Had but $4 in my pocketbook. Bob got his new suit today.

The long-ago family investment in an Oklahoma oil lease proved to be a continued source of support over the years. $80 is equivalent to over $1,200 in today’s money.

Wed 27. Did my washing and Ruth’s ironing today. I was pretty tired but went with her to Wallingford to a service—a Thanksgiving service & a preparatory service for Communion next Sunday. Ruth’s music was very fine. She is doing a wonderful job. Dad will have tomorrow off.

Thu 28. Thanksgiving Day! Ruth and the children went to Phil. with Bob to the morning service. Dad killed & picked two hens and I got them ready with dressing to roast for dinner. Ruth invited Emil for dinner. I baked a couple pumpkin pies & one apple pie with Ruth’s help. Howard drove his air plane to the Media airport when he came from work. He will drive it back in the P.M. We drove over to see it before supper. I wrote Katharine today.

Here’s a 1938 photo from Media Aviation Field, which was south of Baltimore Pike and west of Turner Road. I got lost in curiosity on this one, and found this story (newspapers.com subscription required) about the field, which “consisted of no more than a 2,500-foot dirt landing strip, a small building, and a windsock on a pole.”

Fri 29. Emil had a ride with Howard this morning. I cleaned up my house today. Bob went to town to sing at a service after practice. Took Bobby to her lesson. Ruth, David & I went to town. Got a few things for David’s birthday. I bought a Bingo game and we played awhile. Bobby enjoyed it. I had Ruth, Howard & the children for supper.

Bingo was a great game for the range of ages in their family. At the same time, it was also a big-money enterprise that on the borderline of legality due to anti-gambling statutes—police raids on high-stakes games made the news regularly. Given Emma’s “temperance” mindset, I’m pretty sure they didn’t gamble at home!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for December 1946.

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I found this article from the White Plains, NY journal about Bob and Ruth’s visit with family friend Otis Moore—it provides some lovely detail about their work and their community of friends.

Sun 1. I got up early to get the folks off to Spring Lake. Dad & Gerald went along. I was tired & lay down awhile. David, who was up at 6 too, crawled in beside me and has been sleeping about an hour. The folks got home for a late dinner. This has been rather a long hard day. The children were tired & a little hard to keep track of. I am pretty tired, too.

Tue 3. Gerald worked his first day at Whalen’s Greenhouse. He goes on the train, then on a trolley & walks a little. Ruth & I went to town today. She bought a hat, and a warm winter suit for Bobby. Bob & Ruth have gone to see Lou Young about singing at Wallingford next year, and also taking voice lessons. Dad got a letter from Berne & Gerald got one from Betty. She has seven or eight peach trees that are loaded.

Wed 4. Bobby started to Wallingford to school today. 43 in her grade. Too Many!!!

Thu 5. I got up early to go with Bob & Ruth to meet Mrs. Grooters at the airport. It was a thrill to see the big air liner come in. Have worked rather hard today. Canned some apples & tomatoes. Mr. Grooters is to come tomorrow by plane!

Here are Ruth & Bob with his parents Gerrit & Kittie.

Fri 6. Gerald got his first wages today. He paid me his first 10.00 for room and board!

Sat 7. David Elkington took Dad’s picture today—in color. The Grooters were here for his birthday dinner. We had cake and ice cream.

I think these photos are from this day.

Sun 8. Have been busy today with many things. This is Bob & Ruth’s last Sunday at Spring Lake, at least for this season. Mrs. Robinson wrote that they were very pleased with the music & would like to have the same arrangement for next year. I have kept the children. Dad & Gerald went to church. I cleaned the third floor a little. Have read nearly four chapters of Heidi to Bobby.

In the family archives I found this little doll reading Heidi. Published in 1880, this is one of the best-selling books ever written and among the best-known works of Swiss literature.

Mon 9. This has been a sort of “do-less” day. Miss Fitch, a missionary from Africa, came to call on Mrs. Grooters this P.M. We gave her some apples. Bob & his Dad are playing checkers tonight. Bob went to New York, but there were no fish to fry today.

Wed 11. Today Bob started to teach at the Phil. Music School. Had 4 in there & one at home. I mailed Gerald’s application for a driver’s license today. He gets so very tired from his work.

The Philadelphia Musical Academy, at 1617 Spruce Street, was founded in 1880. It is no longer in existence.

Thu 12. We got a letter from Katharine today. She has 28 this year. Some job! One of that age is too much for me. Ruth was disappointed in her choir practice tonight. Only two were there.

Fri 13. Mrs. Grooters and I have been canning peaches and apples today. It is some job. We had 18 qts to put in the basement. Bob took Bobbie & his mother to town. Saw Dr. McCurdy. He told Bob his wife said he had to fire Bob Gay & take Bob Grooters back again.

Ha! It was just last month that Dr. McCurdy had replaced Bob as a soloist. That didn’t last long.

Sat 14. Elaine came on the noon train today. We were so glad to see her. Ruth played the organ for a wedding today—her first at Wallingford. Got 15.00. Bob sang for one this evening. Got 25.00. When Elaine found the Hedgerow Theatre was so close she wanted to go. There was one seat available @ 2.40. They phoned later that there was another one cancelled so she took me. It was Shaw’s play “The Brothers Barnabas.”

Emma mentioned the Hedgerow Theatre in the August 1946 post. The Gospel of the Brothers Barnabas: Present Day is one of a five-part series of plays called Back to Methuselah (A Metabiological Pentateuch) by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw—the series forms a visionary epic spanning 36,000 years.

Sun 15. This has been quite an eventful Sunday. Ebert & Michael came today. Bob took his folks to the city to an Episcopal church. McCurdy called Bob & asked him back at a higher salary. After dinner Bob, Mr. & Mrs. G, Bobby & Michael went to Valley Forge. We had a buffet supper & a pleasant evening together. Ebert left Dad some money for the Boylan girls.

Ebert was the son of Tell’s brother Chris. He was living in Caracas, Venezuela. His son Michael was about 14. Chris had passed away in 1945; it sounds like Ebert had inherited responsibility for helping out his unmarried aunts—Chris and Tell’s sisters Daisey and Nora—who were living in Joplin, MO.

Mon 16. We drove to Paoli with Mr. & Mrs. G. who spent the day in Lancaster with Miss Ella Mae Croft who was a fellow-missionary in Africa with Stella. I wrote Katharine after getting home.

I found a couple of news stories indicating that Miss Croft was home on furlough in 1946, and returned the following year to the Bununu Training School for Christian Teachers and Evangelists in Central Nigeria. Bob’s sister Estella was a missionary in Africa as well, and I’m sure Mr. & Mrs. Grooters were hungry for this connection to their daughter.

Tue 17. Tonight we have had a nice time listening to Robert sing and Ruth play. It was a most lovely concert. Robert gave several lessons here.

I have some recordings of Robert and Ruth singing/playing together. Here’s one of them, a poem by Robert Hillyer called “Early in the Morning” set to music by composer Ned Rorem.

Wed 18. The Grooters left this A.M. Mrs. G. looked very beautiful in the rose-colored dress & hat Ruth bought for her at Wanamakers yesterday.

Thu 19. Can’t think of much to write about but “work.” Dishes, meals, washing, ironing filled the day. Ruth practiced some & went to choir practice tonight. Bob went to New York. Gerald got his check for leave pay from the gov. It was 35.50. He plans to buy a radio with it.

Fri 20. Bob went in to sing for McCurdy tonight. Ruth went to practice. We took Gerald down town, while there David got sick & threw up all over me. I had to change clothes & bathe when I got home. Bobby took her first music lesson today. I expect to move into the apartment Annette has next week. I will need to get a stove.

Annette and Vernon, who had been renting an apartment in Ruth & Bob’s house, were moving into a GI apartment at Swarthmore College.

Sat 21. We bought a second-hand electric stove for 35.00. We bought a lamp to hang in the alcove over the stove & a small piece of linoleum to cut up for rugs.

Sun 22. Gerald & I went to the Wallingford church today. Ruth’s choir sounded very well. After dinner Bob tested Gerald’s voice & finds he has a good range. Is going to help him with it. We drove to the Longwood gardens today. They are beautiful with their fountains and shrubbery. We had some pictures taken. Came home by the Co-op farm where Bob Wilson lives. Got cones & hamberg sandwiches, and then some supper. I am so glad Gerald is here. How I am praying that he will make good!

Here are some pictures from their Longwood trip.

Mon 23. Ruth & I worked on the kitchen. We unloaded the kitchen cabinet and moved it upstairs into my room. We got a letter from Elaine & one from Nora & Daisey. Gerald had his test today. Had no trouble at all. He seems to be fairly contented.

Wed 25. We moved into the little apartment today. It is so nice and will make us a pleasant apartment. Gerald will have a bedroom & me a kitchen & bathroom. Annette & Vernon had a great time moving. Howard took two loads in the station wagon & Mrs. Scott helped with her car. Mrs. S. & Jackie stopped on their way home & I gave them some apples. Gerald called up that he had to go to Hightstown after geraniums. He left about four and is not home yet.

Henry Whalen, founder of the greenhouses where Gerald was working, became one of the largest and most respected geranium growers in PA. According to the company’s web site, “…in the early 1960s he worked with [scientists] to develop a disease free geranium stock program for the industry.” Hightstown, in Central NJ, is about 70 miles from Moylan.

Thu 26. It is 9:30 P.M. Ruth has gone to choir practice. I got my first dinner in my apartment. It is hard for the stove does not work too well. I moved the apartment around today, putting the living room next to the dining room. It looks better I think. Paid Ruth 40.00 today on rent. Owe 12.80 on groceries.

Fri 27. I paid Ruth the grocery money I owed her. Bob put my overhead light in today. It is very nice. I wrote Katharine & Nora. I am going to enjoy my kitchen and the whole apartment very much. Think Gerald likes his room, too.

Sat 28. Katharine called up tonight which was the highlight of the day. She talked to each one except Bobbie. Gerald was lying in bed but he came down. I bought about 12.00 worth of groceries today. Bought suet for grease—no other obtainable. Ruth says we shall eat Sunday dinner together.

Now that Emma has her own kitchen, it sounds like she’ll be doing her own provisioning and they will start eating meals separately. In researching this entry I learned that there were still some post-rationing supply chain issues. Suet would have been much more available than lard or vegetable shortening.

Sun 29. I staid with the children today and got dinner—fried a chicken etc. Gerald’s boss is going to the hospital today. He asked Gerald to manage the greenhouse while he was gone. How happy I will be if he goes strait & makes good.

Mon 30. I ironed this morning and hung seven curtains. Fixed up Gerald’s room the best I could. Emil will move in tomorrow. It has turned very chilly. Bob built a furnace fire.

With Emma and Tell moving into the open apartment, there was now an extra bedroom to rent! Emil Markow, a fellow singer and Curtis Institute graduate, had lived with them before.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for October 1946.

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Thu 1. August starts out with rain. It is quite cool. Bob has gone to the studio to help with the moving. They are giving it up today. Bob has not yet got his sticker for his car. He has to have a new windshield. The piano & rugs are moved. The living room looks much better.

Fri 2. Ruth is having a party tonight and we are getting ready for it. I baked a “batch” of my rolled sugar cookies. The party was a success, though some who came arrived pretty late. Bob was not well so couldn’t sing. The guests who were mostly his students sang or played. We served ice cream, several kinds of cookies, & candy mints. The white candles with blue hydrangeas, blue edged napkins & plates & silver looked lovely.

Here’s Emma’s cookie recipe from the cookbook Katharine put together in 1990.

Sat 3. I finished Dad’s birthday present which he wore tonight—a bathrobe of striped blue & white seersucker.

I wonder if this was the same seersucker that they used for the outfits Ruth, Bobbie, and Dave were wearing in this photo!

Mon 5. Bob & Ruth staid at the Essex & Sussex last night after giving a concert & drove home today. They made $80.00. Katharine & I left Dad with David & took Bobbie to town with us. We were pretty tired when we got home tonight. We walked a lot and the crowd is always tiring. We ate dinner at Wanamaker’s tea room. A letter from Nora says Elaine is on her way to Roanoke, Va to be a librarian.

Bob visited the Essex & Sussex Hotel in Spring Lake, NJ in August 1944. According to this story, the property may be haunted!
Tell’s niece Elaine was an Army librarian during WWII, and had just been appointed to the VA hospital in Roanoke.

Tue 6. This afternoon we drove to Valley Forge. It was a lovely cool day. It rained a bit but we enjoyed the trip very much. We saw the chapel, observatory, G. Washington’s headquarters, the oldest school house in the U.S. etc. We went to Phoenixville & saw the Valley Forge Hospital. We stopped at an old Baptist Church where there was an old cemetery. We read one epitaph which was written on a slab about 3½ x 7 which was up on cement legs. I had heard of this one but I actually saw it on the slab. Stop passengers, See where i lie. As you are now so once was i. As i am now so must you be. Prepare for death and follow me. This was in memory of Berte Thomas. The picnic lunch was good. We stopped in Phoenixville for ice cream cones. It was a most delightful trip.

This epitaph dates back as early as the 1300s and became popular in American mortuary culture in the 1780-1830 period.

Wed 7. Today was Bob & Ruth’s wedding anniversary. They were married eleven years ago. They took the children and drove to see Conowingo Dam over the Susquehanna river.

When the Conowingo Dam was completed in 1928, it was the second-largest hydroelectric project in the U.S.

Thu 8. We planned to sew today but so many other things crowded it out. We worked with apples and canned 6 qts, with at least 4 qt to eat. Bob gave a lesson. Ruth did a washing. Katharine worked at meals, dishes & almost everything. I lay down a good bit. The day was hot and tired us out. We are planning to go to Stroudsburg tomorrow & may stay over night. Dad & I sent Gerald $45.00 today to pay his way out here. We have surely gone the limit with him. Katharine seems so tired tonight. So am I. The cat passed out today at Emersons. The kids played too hard with it. Poor little thing.

Fri 9. The family, consisting of Dad, Katharine, Robert, Ruth & the children left for a drive through the Poconos. We started at 7:20 A.M. & put in a “large” day arriving home about 11 P.M., tired as dogs. The day was lovely. We took picnic lunch & ate dinner at Del. Water Gap and supper at a place near Buckhill Falls. We drove by the new Kellett Plant where Robert stopped to see some friends. We drove to Pocono Knob, around the top of that mountain, then to Buckhill Falls which was a divided waterfall. Cost us each a quarter. Bobbie went to throw a stone in the water at Buckhill Falls & made a mistake & it flew back & hit Katharine’s head. It was a good thing it did not hit her eye. Then we went to Naomi Lake and had a nice swim. The drive was interesting tho we all were very tired. Came through Mauch Chunk & East Mauch Chunk. It is built on both sides of the river. We found a man’s coat in the road which we will send to him when we get home.

This was quite a drive! In 1954 Mauch Chunk, PA was renamed after Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe, who is buried there. (There’s a whole story there…he never set foot in the place in life!) Here’s some historical information on Buck Hill Falls.

Sat 10. It is raining this morning and we are glad we are home instead of in the Poconos. Dad has wrapped the coat and sent it to Mr. Robert Kitson. Dr. McCurdy just got around to tell Bob he couldn’t use him next year. He has taken Gay—his former soloist—back again. It seems Gay has known since last May.

Sun 11. Today I am 67. We drove to Spring Lake as planned. The day was beautiful. We arrived at SS about a quarter till nine. We, Bobbie, Katharine and I walked around the lake and across two bridges then went to church. The music was good. We had a fine dinner at a place called Town House. I had a ham dinner. Then we dressed at the church and went in bathing. Got ready to go home. Bought cones. Played a guessing game which shortened the road home.

Tue 13. Dad varnished the car today. Bob worked on the window a bit. The girls finished the ironing today. This morning we went to register Bobby at the Nether Prov. High School—of course she is going to third grade which is in another building. We got a letter containing a 5.00 check from Mr. Kitson whose coat we picked up. Bob has been working on the kitchen. Got the first coat of plaster on and the first pane of glass in the picture window.

The family had recently gotten a station wagon, which in the mid ‘40s would almost certainly have been a “woodie,” which included wood as part of its structure. Regular application of varnish would have been a part of the standard maintenance on the car.

Wed 14. Dad, Katharine and I went to town. We got there about lunch time so ate at the Robert Morris hotel. From there Katharine and I went to Wanamaker’s where she bought a hat. Dad met us there and we all went to the Betsey Ross House, Old Christ Church and Independence Hall so Katharine could see the Liberty Bell. We came home after seeing a movie—Anna & the King of Siam.

This 1946 movie is based on the 1944 novel by Margaret Landon that was also adapted into Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical The King and I. You can watch the movie free here.

Thu 15. Katharine just left for Paoli. Discovered that her Pullman was dated for tomorrow night. Hope she gets one anyway. Bob & Ruth drove her over. This has been a busy last day. Katharine made a play suit for a little girl in Cleveland and a bra-top for Ruth. I finished the blue dress K. brought along. We figured we had made 30 garments or at least finished them since she came. Bob finished putting in the picture window and doing the plastering today. It will be so nice to have the kitchen finished. The quartette that goes to Spring Lake practiced here tonight. Bob gave two lessons today. I think Gerald will start east today.

The Pennsylvania Railroad’s “Clevelander” was an overnight train from New York to Cleveland that stopped in Paoli. It arrived in Cleveland around 8:30 a.m.

Sun 18. Gerald finally arrived about 6:30 P.M. He was the only one who got off the train. The folks got home & Bob came down with the car after us. I had things ready for dinner. It seems good to have Gerald here.

Mon 19. Today, we canned peaches—a bushel of them. It was quite a job. Gerald mowed the lawn & chopped a little wood. He also moved some wood from under the porch to a place in the furnace room.

Tue 20. Today was a good wash day. Gerald & I did the washing. It was a big one. After dinner Gerald & I went to Media. We cashed the bond he sent me two years ago—1.00 interest. $19.75. We bought a hat, socks, 2 prs pants, some underpants etc. Got a shirt also. He seems glad to have the new clothes. (Also a belt.) I was pretty tired when we got home.

This is an interesting comment from Emma—it references the fact that penitentiary inmates were not allowed to have belts.

Thu 22. The kitchen was all torn up today. Bob helped the plumber move the sink. He & Ruth fixed the window sill. Gerald is getting out the fourth stump. He has done a good job. I bought a chicken & made noodles for supper as it was our 46th wedding anniversary. Katharine called up from Cleveland this evening. We were glad to talk to her. The quartette practiced here tonight. Dale Flemming showed a moving picture afterward. Ruth, Bob & Bobbie were in it. Ruth is getting ready to go on her vacation Sunday. They plan to go to Moores.

This was a full day! It is good to see that Gerald was pitching in around the house and yard.

Sun 25. Bob & Ruth & the children left early this A.M. for Spring Lake. They were going to Garnerville this afternoon to Moores. Tell, Gerald & I walked over to the little Methodist church. Sat around home all the rest of the day. Went to bed early.

Tue 27. Gerald & I took the 8:14 A.M. train into Media. We thought we’d go sight seeing early before my 2 P.M. appointment with the doctor. We went to the Betsey Ross house. It was 9 A.M. but the sign said it did not open till ten. We walked to the docks but did not see much. We went to Christ Church & to see the Liberty Bell. Went to Wanamaker’s. We had our lunch up there. From there we went to the doctor’s office. Gerald staid in Rittenhouse Square & wrote some cards. We came home by 69th street and the trolley so we could do some shopping. We got some groceries at the Co-op & met Mrs. Emerson who wanted to bring us home. I was pretty tired. We got a card from Ruth. They are having a good time.

It sounds like Emma was working hard to help Gerald reintegrate into daily life. This was a full day in Philadelphia!

Wed 28. Gerald & I did a washing today. It has been a cool sunny day. He went to town and got the copy of his discharge & had it notarized. Sent it off hoping to get $30.00. Dad is asleep, tired out tonight. I am tired, too. Canned about 6 qt. of apples this P.M.

Emma remarked about being tired almost daily during this period. I don’t know if it was related to her diabetes, the emotional impact of having Gerald there, keeping up with the housework, or all of the above.

Thu 29. Have been tired today. Worked in the kitchen all morning. Canned some tomatoes. Planned to go to town but was just too tired. I sewed a little. Fixed two pair of pants & two pair of shorts for Gerald, also turned a collar on a shirt. Got two letters from Katharine today. Her school will soon begin. I have been reading in my “Diabetic” book. Dad is tired and has gone to bed. We listened to Lum & Abner tonight. Lum was tuning the church piano after dark—10 P.M.

Listening to the Lum & Abner radio show was a regular pastime for Emma. At this time it was a 15 minute daily show. This episode was called “Destroys the Church Piano.” You can listen to it and read the plot summary here.

Fri 30. Gerald & I went sightseeing today. We left on the 10:14 train after doing up the work, ironing & some cleaning. We went first to the Institute of Natural Science & staid till noon. Then we got lunch & went to the Franklin Institute which we understood opened at 12. It did not open till 1 P.M. so we waited. Looked & looked till about 3 P.M. Said “Hello” to Dad as we passed his place & got the 3:35 train home. Supper & to bed. Annette told me my “Brenda” story was to be accepted. Gerald is proving to be a winner at croquet.

Another big day in the city, and Emma got one of her stories accepted!

Sat 31. The high lights of this day are Gerald got a job at the Whelan Green House. Will start working Tues morning after Labor Day. Bob & Ruth with the children got home tonight, tired, but glad to be home. They have been at Otis Moores this week. Dad’s friends Mr. & Mrs. Hare and son called this afternoon. They are staying in Elkington’s home while they are in England and Ireland. Mr. Moore thought Gerald might be interested in servicing tractors going to China for International Harvester Co—Brethren Church.

Henry Whalen and Sons Greenhouses was established in 1933. After the war they were full-time wholesale growers, specializing in geraniums and other floral items. Now located in Chester County, they were located in Drexel Hill, not far from the house in Moylan.
Although I don’t believe Gerald never followed up on the suggestion, the program Rev. Moore suggested led to an interesting curiosity trail. Here’s a Time magazine article about the effort, under the auspices of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), to teach Chinese farmers in the Yellow River Valley how to operate and repair tractors. In 1938 the Chinese army deliberately flooded the area as a defensive line against the Japanese. It worked, but had a huge cost in human lives and economic damage. In 1946-47 the UNRRA assisted the Chinese in repairing the dams and bringing mechanized farming to the flooded area.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for September 1946.

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Sat 1. So tired I can scarcely climb the stairs to bed. I washed some quilts & blankets, washed dishes, scrubbed. Finished hemming Annette’s skirt. Set out 16 tomato plants, planted some beans, set out some cabbage. Took care of David. Finally washed the supper dishes & sat down awhile. Life is strenuous. Dad sent in 2.00—he plans to take Howard to the Methodist church Father & Son banquet Monday night. Have kept up my Bible Reading thus far this year.

I was curious about Emma’s Bible reading program, and learned that she was very likely using The Upper Room, a pocket-sized publication that was distributed through local Methodist churches and included a daily Scripture reading, personal reflection, and prayer. It was founded in 1935 and by 1944 circulation was over 2 million. In keeping with the times, there are now print and digital editions available.

Mon 3. Dad got up early. We had our morning devotion before he went. Ruth staid at home today. Helped with the washing. We took a sun bath. I lent Ruth $4.00 out of the tithe to pay her insurance. I phoned Mary Magaw to come iron for me. I get so tired & have so little time to sew.

The term “sun bath” was in common use at this time. Sunbathing was actively promoted as healthful—associated with fresh air, vitamin D, and therapeutic benefit—with little or no emphasis on tanning.

Tue 4. Ruth & I took Bobbie to school & then shopped awhile. She has been anxious to have her organ job settled. She had to take the recording machine back to Crozer. David & I went along. Howard, Bobbie & I went to the strawberry festival.

Wed 5. Mary ironed today—charged 5.10. The ten cents for carfare. Howard trimmed on the big oak tree today.

$5 in 1946 dollars is equivalent to about $84 today. It’s nice to see that Emma felt she could afford some help with her household chores.

Fri 7. I went to Bobbie’s school program with them today. It was all based on Mother Goose rhymes. Bobby was Humpty & Mary Lou Friend was Dumpty. They sat on a wall with a paper sack over them like an egg. When the time came they fell off & broke. The king’s men rushed up on wooden horses but to no avail.

Sat 8. After dinner Howard went to the airport near Chester to fly awhile. He was home for supper. He helped me pick some mulberries. Mrs. Forbes brought over enough cherries for a pie which I pitted.

Bob’s brother Howard was apparently training to be a commercial pilot. He was stationed at Hobbs Army Airfield, a B-17 Flying Fortress training base, in WWII. He was one of many returning military personnel who used their GI Bill benefits for civilian pilot training. He was likely flying at Buckman Airport, which was just a half mile from Chester. It closed many years ago, but this site has a fascinating history of Buckman and several other abandoned airfields in Delaware County.

Mon 10. Ruth did the washing today while I did up the kitchen work and picked and canned 8½ qts of mulberries. They taste good fresh. Howard picked some cherries today—also flew a half-hour and helped with the dishes. Bob & Ruth have their quartette all set for Spring Lake. I am reading “A Lion Is in the Streets.”

A Lion Is in the Streets was a political thriller published in 1945 by Adria Locke Langley and loosely based on the life of Louisiana governor Huey Long. It was made into a film starring James Cagney in 1953.

Tue 11. We got started on the drive to Spring Lake about 8:20. The work there will begin on June 23. Spent about three hours on the way—88 miles by Chester Ferry. A little shorter & better roads through Phil, though the traffic slowed us up some. We had a nice time. Ruth tried out the organ etc. Looked around for an apartment to rent for two weeks. One woman wanted 60.00 a week for a small one. One wanted to rent her house for the summer for 500. Too high. We were pretty tired.

Ruth and Bob had formed a quartet to sing for summer church services at Spring Lake, NJ, a seaside resort town.

Thu 13. I went to the picnic at Mrs. Howes. We had a nice time. I took egg sandwiches & a peach. They served coffee & ice cream. Just before we left Mrs. Howes served a cold drink, cookies and candy favors. Mrs. James Munger talked today. She & her husband were missionaries in the Philippines.

Emma may have gotten the first name wrong—there was a Henry W. Munger who served as a missionary in the Philippines until 1945 with his wife, Laura Lee Patrick Munger. They were interned in a Japanese prison camp during the war.

Sat 15. I got a phone call from Essington [a town not far from Media] asking me to teach a SS class tomorrow. As he agreed to come for me & bring me home I will do it. Have picked mulberries today. Ruth took about 10.00 worth of cleaning in to Media.

Ruth and Bob both had to dress up regularly for performances and teaching, so it’s not surprising that they had a lot of dry cleaning to do. This would have been about $160-170 in today’s dollars.

Sun 16. Left about 9:30 for Essington with Mr. & Mrs. Hoagland & family. I taught the class. In the afternoon we went to the old Lester church to hear Mrs. Hill. We heard an interesting Bible teacher, Mr. Winters. They asked us to come back tomorrow night.

Mon 17. I spent most of the day working with mulberries & caring for David. He is some boy. We shook the trees. I looked them over & canned 8 qts. Also made a mulberry pie for dinner tonight. I thought it was good but nobody mentioned to me whether it was good or bad. Got home about 6 P.M. Dad was so hungry. I gave him his supper instead of waiting for Howard, Bobby or Ruth. Guess we were in the doghouse again.

Red mulberries are native to this region and grew in many yards. The standard harvest method would have been to put a sheet on the ground and shake the tree. Here’s a mulberry pie recipe in case you want to give it a try!

Thu 20. We all went to Paoli after Katharine except Bobbie & Dad. We were so glad to see her. We had a fire in the fireplace & visited about this and that. Katharine brought me a new dress partly made. Howard hitchhiked from Paoli today. He started for Perdue. I told Mary to come again next Wed. It costs a lot but it is better to have it done. I can’t take it any more.

I learned that Purdue University had one of the most respected aeronautics programs in the country, and drew many returning veterans. The GI bill would have covered Howard’s tuition and living expenses.

Fri 21. We fiddled around some today. Bob & Ruth went to town to have a practice with the quartette for Spring Lake. They had some students and then went to the graduation at Phil. Acad. of Music where Bob is to teach next year.

Founded in 1870, the Philadelphia Musical Academy was once a central part of Philadelphia’s musical landscape. Many of its pupils and teachers were founding members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. It ultimately became part of what was the University of the Arts, which closed in 2024.

Sat 22. Today we have all been at home. I put the chicken on & at 5 lbs pressure the cooker blew up. The pieces of chicken went in diverse places—under the refrigerator, in the dishwater, under the stove and on the windows. The cover hit the ceiling. The stove grate or cover was broken, also a dish that was on the stove. Bob washed the kitchen ceiling & walls which were covered with grease. The girls gave me a permanent, called “The Toni.” It seems to have taken.

Ha! The exploding pressure cooker! Mom remembers this event.
Emma periodically went to the salon for a permanent; this is the first time she mentions a home permanent. Toni was launched in 1944 and by 1947 was one of the most heavily advertised products in America.

Sun 23.This is Bob & Ruth’s first Sunday at Spring Lake. Katharine & I & Dad staid with the kiddies. It was a beautiful day. Everything went well. Today Mary Margaret would have been 30 years old.

Mary Margaret was Emma’s fourth child, born three years after Ruth. She died shortly after she was born.

Sat 29. We, Ruth, Katharine & I went to Mrs. Carters to pick raspberries. We picked about 3 qts & Katharine made 21 glasses of Certo—using a few mulberries & a lemon to increase the amount. We managed to keep busy. I scrubbed the kitchen & back porch & hoed in the garden. Then we finished Ruth’s suit and my dress which made a very satisfactory ending to the week.

July

Wed 3. Bobby has been sick. Her temp was over 102 tonight. The Dr. prescribed nose drops—lemon & glycerine—and a gargle of 1 lemon & two teaspoons of glycerine. Rev. Otis Moore is staying over the Fourth.

Thu 4. We got up late as no one had to go to work. Have done a little cleaning. Had quite a bunch to prepare meals for. Tomorrow Rev. Moore goes to the train early, as does Dad, and Howard is working at the airport, so there will not be so many here. Bob & Howard got the new clutch put in the car. We watched a balloon which came from the Fairmount Park celebration sail around & come down. Bob took Howard, Dad, Rev. Moore & me over to see where it landed. It was on Mrs. Scott’s place. It was interesting to see it. Bob & Howard went up in it & Bob had his picture taken.

This was the first post-war Fourth of July and occasion for great celebration. Fairmount Park in Philadelphia had a long history of July 4 celebrations. This one included a parade, Civil Air Patrol aerial maneuvers, an Army drill team, bicycle races, a fireworks display, and more. According to stories I found, two Navy observation balloons took off for the Philadelphia Naval Base, and made emergency landings—one on a Rose Valley Farm and the other in a West Philadelphia alleyway.

Fri 5. We drove down to the market tonight. We bought beef, potatoes, cabbage, bananas, carrots, peppers, apples, cakes, peanuts, popcorn, oranges, etc. It was rather fun tho’ I did not feel much like going.

Mon 8. There was talk of making me a kitchen in my apartment. I moved the beds & tried out making my living room at the opposite end but it was not satisfactory. Dad has a cold but went to work. Katharine sews & sews.

Wed 10. Katharine & I went with Bob to a wrecking place in Sharon Hill called the Cleveland Wrecking Co. to buy some screen & see what we might get for the kitchen. We stopped at the Mill End Store & got enough sail cloth for two table cloths. Ruth was not well but went to town to teach with Bob. Ray called Katharine twice today. I made up the apple sauce from Mr. Forbes apples and sent him some by Bobby.

Cleveland Wrecking was one of the nation’s largest salvage dealers. They demolished buildings—including military camps, industrial infrastructure, and housing projects—and sold reclaimed building materials, hardware, and fixtures at significant discounts. They had a yard in Sharon Hill, not far from Media.

Thu 11. Today has been “Coat Day” for me. I have done no house work but worked on my coat. It looks far more like a coat than it did this morning. Ruth & Katharine took the kids & went to Media. Dad went to work & Bob to New York. Howard is working nights at the airport. Could get no sugar today. Read where New Jersey cabbage is so cheap it is being dumped in the river. There should be a law against that with food stuffs so high.

Sun 21. Bobby spent the day riding the bicycle. Finally she went down too steep a hill & had a spill. We sent for Dr. Cleland who came & cleaned her up & put a stitch in her chin. Ruth & Bob went to Spring Lake. They got along OK. Went with Nancy Fishbourne for a sailing trip on Barnegat Bay.

Barnegat Bay runs along the coast of Ocean County, NJ, a little south of where Ruth and Bob sang in Spring Lake. It is separated from the Atlantic by a long barrier island—sounds like a nice place to go sailing.

Mon 22. Two letters from Gerald today! He is counting the days. Ruth went in with Bob to teach this P.M. but came home on Dad’s train. We were glad she came home. It had rained in the basement. Guess the drain was closed. We fixed a board to send the water over the top. Bobbie is pretty stiff today—is still swathed in bandages.

Emma & Tell’s son Gerald had just about finished his sentence in the Missouri State Penitentiary for writing bad checks.

Tue 23. Bob says I can bring Gerald here and he will do all he can for him. We counted the dimes and wrapped them. Think we will be able to buy four bonds soon. It is a gloomy day. Katharine and I worked awhile putting the fruit cellar in order.

A fruit cellar (a/k/a root cellar) is a storage area for food supplies such as root vegetables and home-canned goods, often in a basement or other underground location. I’m guessing the basement flood she mentioned from the day before may have required a little cleanup.

Wed 24. Annette and Vernon have a chance to get an apartment for the GI’s at Swarthmore which I think they will do. We will possibly have their apartment then.

Annette had been renting a room from Ruth and Bob, and her husband Vernon had recently returned from WWII and joined her. Many colleges (such as Swarthmore) were setting aside housing for GI Bill students.

Thu 25. Today I bought four bonds. Katharine gave us enough money for one which is an anniversary & our birthday presents. We have saved $43 in dimes and I had saved the rest. That makes us almost 500 in bonds. The one Gerald gave me can only be cashed at his death so I plan to give it back to him as a start on his fortune. I am thinking of going to Iowa soon if I feel well enough. Katharine & I went to the Hedgerow Theatre tonight. Saw Androcles & the Lion. It was very interesting.

Founded in 1923 and still operating today, the Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley PA gained a national reputation as an independent repertory theater that was home to many leading artists including Eugene O’Neill and Henrik Ibsen. Their 1946 repertory included several plays by Anton Chekhov and several by George Bernard Shaw, including Androcles and the Lion.

Mon 29. Katharine and I went to Philadelphia today. We went to Bertelheim and ordered a suit and coat for her. It is to be green tweed. We bought some patterns also—one for a dress and one for a housecoat for Dad.

Wed 31. Dad will work a couple days more this week & start his vacation on Sunday. He got paid for three weeks. Bob & Ruth got home late. This is their last week teaching this season. Tomorrow they are giving up their studio & will move their piano out here.

In an earlier entry, Emma mentioned that the landlord had raised the rent on Bob & Ruth’s music studio in Philadelphia. With the teaching season over and Bob taking a new job, it sounds like it made sense for them to move the studio home.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for August 1946.

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Wed 1. Couldn’t sleep last night so read “The Great Black Kanba.” It is a mystery story. Started it at 2:30 & finished it before morning. Didn’t want to get up but I did. Planted some lima beans & some lily bulbs Mrs. Berry gave me, also a small crabapple tree.

The Great Black Kanba, by Australian sisters Constance and Gwenyth Little (sometimes referred to as “queens of the wacky cozy,”) was published in 1944 as part of the Dell mapback series which ran from 1943 to 1951 and included at least 550 books.

Thu 2. Dad still complains of his back. I rubbed it with his medicine—ether & wintergreen—& put on the hot water bag. It is much easier.

This would have been a pretty effective combination to help Tell’s back, and was consistent with medical advice of the period. Oil of wintergreen is chemically similar to aspirin, with ether (which was fairly available) serving as a carrier that would pull the compound into the tissue. The heat would have helped with absorption and vasodilation while relaxing the muscles.

Fri 3. Ordered some tooth powder and shampoo of Mrs. Hueling. Mrs. H lives in a very large house in Moylan. Must be a story behind her taking an agency to sell cosmetics. In the evening Bob & Ruth, Vernon & Annette went square dancing over to the Elkington’s. They didn’t get home till about 1 A.M.

By the mid-1940s, Avon was the primary direct-selling cosmetics company in America—they used an agency/representative model, with a woman taking on a territory and selling from a catalog or sample kit. Here’s a 1946 Avon catalog—it includes tooth powder and shampoo along with many other things!

Sat 4. I took Bobbie in to town for her lesson and then went shopping. I bought a hand-forged aluminum bowl for Betty and a hand made spoon & fork (salad) for Bud & Mable Williams!

In 1932, Louis Schnitzer and Nathan Gelfman formed Everlast Metal Products Corporation, producing high-quality, hand-forged aluminum giftware as a stylish handmade alternative to silver. Here’s a bowl from the mid-1940s.

Thu 9. Ruth & I took Bobbie to school this A.M. and then did some shopping. The coal strike is on & there is little meat available. Bob finished the swing & spaded awhile. I finished the ironing, did the dinner dishes with Dad’s help, & got supper. Was too tired to go with Mrs. Emerson to a PTA meeting.

On April 1, 1946, the United Mine Workers called a nationwide coal strike and about 340,000 soft-coal miners walked out. By this time it had been going on for over five weeks with no resolution in sight. The shortages affected the whole industrial infrastructure and supply chain, including the railroads and the meatpacking industry.

Fri 10. While Ruth went for her music lesson I cut out my coat. I had planned to get more material, but by making the coat a bit shorter I got it out. Bob worked on the floors getting the rooms ready for the folk dance tonight. It lasted till 1 A.M. and I staid up till they all left. I played the Virginia Reel which was almost too much for me. Bob got a letter from Howard. He called him up and invited him to stay here awhile.

The Virginia Reel is a line dance—I imagine that Emma was playing the piano while the others danced. One of the traditional tunes for this dance is “Turkey in the Straw.”

Sat 11. Have been rather broken up by the tragic death of Mrs. Coppock’s daughter. She was bitten by a mad dog. Leaves two little children—a boy and a girl.

Rabies attacks the brain and spinal cord, often causing brain inflammation. Once symptoms appear, the fatality rate is near 100%. While vaccines were available, they were difficult to get and had much more significant side effects than those used today.

Sun 12. It is Mother’s day. I have a greeting from Gerald, a carnation corsage from Ruth, also four pretty handkerchiefs, 5.00 and a pretty statuette of a horse from Kay.

Mon 13. Bobby can be so sweet, as when she came down & slept with me this morning—and so very hard to manage, as she has been tonight. Sometimes I think I just can’t stand it any longer. She can talk so impudently to me. I will be glad when she gets through this stage. We had poke for supper. Got a telegram from Howard saying he would be here at six tomorrow morning. It looks very hard tonight to have one more.

Pokeweed is a poisonous perennial plant that grows abundantly in parts of the US. In spring and early summer, its shoots and leaves are edible (and quite delicious!) with proper cooking. Here is some information on harvesting and cooking it safely.

Tue 14. Howard arrived this A.M. about 6. Dad saw him down at the train. He went with Bob & Ruth to Crozer & came home for lunch. After dinner Bob & Ruth went to Phil. and then to Princeton to hear a tenor & soprano for Spring Lake. I went along and took Gertrude out for supper. We took a taxi down to a café. Dinner cost 1.25 each.

Howard Grooters was Robert’s younger brother. He was 23 and single when he came to visit in Moylan.
Bob and Ruth were putting a quartet together to perform for a series of summer events at Spring Lake on the New Jersey shore.

Wed 15. I finished the ironing & the other work, put David to bed & I took a rest. It has been a cool day & the the ground is still wet from the last rain. Bob, Ruth, & Howard went in to the city. Ruth came home at noon for lunch & then went to practice. She took me down town to buy some tomato plants which I got & set out. I worked out awhile. Dad puttied the car. After supper we did the dishes. Ruth put the children to bed and then went to the Hays home. Mr. H. came after her. Bob got a letter from Mr. Howell about the position at the Phil. School of Music. He would like it.

Bob went to NJ in April and bought a station wagon for $750, which Emma and Tell contributed to. I dug into this a little further, and learned that the Office of Price Administration set price ceilings on a wide range of consumer goods to control inflation. With high demand and low supply, finding a desirable vehicle was challenging. Based on the price, it was probably a 1938-1940 wagon, with the Ford Super Deluxe woody wagon being the most popular. It also probably needed a little body work. Here’s a 1940 model.

Thu 16. Today Bob, Howard, Ruth & I worked in the basement getting a room ready for Howard. I mended the clothes & put them away. Ruth went to practice awhile. Guess Bob & Ruth think I am a complainer—because I was anxious to get our tomato plants in. I am always in the dog house for something. Bob said tonight it sounded like complaining when I said I did not like the cord on my lamp spliced with two different colored cords. I wish tonight I were in my own home. Probably tomorrow I’d want to be back. A lot of my writing stuff came back tonight. It is disappointing. I’d like to make some money at it.

Fri 17. Bob drove to Phil. today taking Ruth to her lesson. She had a good lesson, she said. They took Howard & David. They asked me but there was much to do at home and I thought it best not to go. I cleaned the kitchen, baked some oatmeal bread. I went to town with Mrs. Coppock and took my shoes to be mended. This evening I went with Ruth to the church while she practiced. Mr. & Mrs. Hyatt, Mrs. Harrison and Edna Ryder came over to spend the evening. Bob made a record and gave to Edna. Mr. Hyatt also made a short speech into one.

A record made at home would have been a 78 rpm vinyl disc. Here’s a short video on the technology they would have used.

Sat 18. A busy day! I did up the kitchen work, cleaned the dining room & stairway, then took a rest while David slept. Worked an hour on my coat. I am so short of breath. I wonder if I’ll ever wear it! Bob & Ruth left early this A.M. & will not be home till late tonight. They took Howard & the Elkingtons to a Hostel meeting. Went in the car. I think I‘ll stay at home tomorrow.

The youth hostel movement started in Europe in about 1910. Hostels are simple, inexpensive accommodations that typically provide dormitories and common recreation rooms and cooking and eating facilities. They are often located along bicycling or hiking trails. The movement in America started in 1935, but was stalled by the war. Here’s a 1947 document from AYH (American Youth Hostels, Inc.) describing their plans to expand the movement as an investment in the fellowship of youth for world peace. The organization is still in operation as part of the international hostel movement.

Mon 20. The big thing to record today is the size of the oil check—67.98. That seems wonderful. Price has gone up. 6.80 for tithe. Heard from Gerald. He is counting the days. Was in the doghouse again this P.M. Sometimes I think I’d just like to drop out of the picture.

Although I’ve always thought of a tithe as money that was contributed to a specific church, it seems that Emma and Tell did it a little differently. I think they set aside the funds and used them in various ways to support what they saw as God’s work.
Gerald was in the Missouri penitentiary and scheduled to be released fairly soon.

Tue 21. Today Bob went to New York for two lessons. Ruth and I worked some upstairs. Howard made a bookcase for Bobbie’s room. Mr. Berry took Ruth & me to the polls. It is in a garage. The local contest is between Judge Chadwick and Mr. Dewey. I voted for Chadwick. Guess this is the first time Dad has not voted. He neglected to register.

The primaries for the 1946 election were held on this date in Pennsylvania. In the past, Emma and Tell had voted in Iowa elections via absentee ballot, but it sounds like they had moved their official residence to Pennsylvania by this time. Apparently the Dewey/Chadwick Republican primary in Delaware County’s 7th congressional district was a bitter one. A newspaper story reports that “Chadwick received 38,402 votes and his opponent 38, 074. The election board said that the 284 military ballots remaining to be counted cannot change the result.”

Wed 22. This has been wash day. Such a big one! Ruth started it—I finished. Seven washes! Cleaned the basement & got the meals. David gave us a scare. He got unloosed & ran away. Forbes finally found him. I wrote a little cat story and am sending it to Baptist.

Thu 23. I went to a meeting of the Women’s Voters League or League of Women Voters today. In fact I paid my 3.00 dues and joined. It was a luncheon meeting. I went with Mrs. Berry. We went home via Warfields and got some ice cream.

Founded in 1920, the League of Women Voters made some significant changes in 1946 to move toward a more local focus.

Fri 24. The strike is on today—a very few trains are running. Truman spoke to the nation at 11 P.M. Said he would draft men to run the railroads and call out the soldiers to protect them. Ruth went for her lesson. Came home on the trolley. Dad did not have any trouble getting to work. Bob & Howard went to the Swarthmore play. Ruth staid at home.

Here’s a story about the 1946 railroad strike and the president’s role in ending it.

Sat 25. I washed and ironed most all day. Howard spent the morning playing tennis. Ruth & Dad did the shopping. Dad painted the car. Robert taught all day. Howard moved to the basement room to sleep tonight. The strike was settled. Truman’s speech did the work. Train service will be back to normal by 11 P.M. I called on Mrs. Forbes this P.M. I like her house.

Earlier this month Tell had puttied the station wagon—this looks like it was the next phase of fixing it up.
Here’s the text of Truman’s speech to Congress.

Sun 26. Dad and I went with Ruth to Wallingford this morning. In the afternoon I went with Bob, Ruth, Howard, & Bobbie to hear the Evensong at the Episcopalian church where Ruth takes her lesson. We stopped at a Jewish bakery and bought some rolls & cookies.

In the Anglican/Episcopal Evensong service, much of the liturgy is sung rather than spoken—often in a call-and-response format between two sides of the choir. Here’s a recent Evensong service from St. Peter’s Cathedral in Philadelphia, where Ruth took her organ lessons.

Tue 28. I sewed a few minutes today. Spent most of the time getting the dishes done, kitchen floor scrubbed, getting chicken, cabbage & biscuit & potatoes ready for dinner with Miss Early. I also baked biscuits & pie crusts. Ruth fixed the table—decorated it with white candles and red roses. Miss Early left a little after 8 P.M. I washed all the dishes. Howard & Ruth wiped them. Dad went to bed early.

Thu 30. Today we had a picnic on our lawn. The Wilmington Choir people brought their lunch and spent the afternoon and evening here. We had croquet & badminton to play. Dinner on the lawn and Bob sang a concert in the evening. Ruth Neal & her family were the last to leave. They went about 11 P.M.

May 30, 1946 was the first Memorial Day following the end of World War II. Until 1971, when it moved to the last Monday in May, Memorial Day had been observed on May 30th every year since its origins as Decoration Day in 1868. This sounds like it was a lovely get-together with music, games, and good company.

Fri 31. Ruth went to take her lesson. Bob & Howard went to to go sightseeing. I ironed all I could in the morning & took care of David. The folks got home about 1 P.M. David was asleep. The eggs came. Bob & Ruth unpacked them. The wood sawers finished sawing the wood & the boys piled it up. I went to town with the folks but there was no meat or butter to be had. I planned to work on my coat but only got a few minutes. I got the supper while Ruth finished the ironing. She developed a sick headache. I played croquet with Howard but he beat me. He & Bob staid up till 1 A.M. playing chess.

It sounds like Bob was enjoying the visit from his brother Howard!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for June 1946.

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Fri 1. This has been a lovely day. Finished my dress made of feed sacks. It looks very well. Got a letter from Gerald. He is in the hospital with Athlete’s Foot. Said he had it soaking in Epsom Salt water, and it was much better.

I believe Gerald was still in the Missouri Penitentiary at this point. Athlete’s foot, a highly contagious fungal infection, would have been rife in this setting. The medications we would use today were not yet available; Epsom salt soaks would have been a standard remedy.

Sat 2. The Forbes came over in the evening. He has been trying to see through our house to identify the radiator in the conservatory.

Stephen and Emma Forbes, who were related to the wealthy Forbes family of Boston, MA, were neighbors; you’ll hear more about them over the next few years. They had no children, but loved engaging with the neighborhood kids.

Sun 3. Ruth was very much depressed—over her hair, I guess. Was all unnerved at supper time. I thought Ruth did not like it because I put the roast in, but guess I was mistaken. She got most terribly out of patience over my saying so. I feel terribly sorry for myself tonight. Bobby wanted to know if I died if she could go to my funeral. That made me laugh. I was crying.

Tue 5. This has been a very warm day. Ruth went to Crozer this morning and then to Wallingford to practice. After she got home she baked some cookies for her supper at the Media Friends School (PTA) and did most of the ironing. I took care of David & got supper for Jackie. Bobbie went away after supper—I thought she was with Jackie. When I found she wasn’t (after bathing David) I phoned all round the neighborhood—Emersons, Berrys, & Young. I was ready to call Bob if I had not found her at Forbes.

What a busy life! At seven years old, it sounds like Bobbie was quite adventurous and social.

Wed 6. This has been a warm pleasant day. The neighbors worked in their yards. Mrs. Emerson had a bonfire and cleaned up a lot of brush under the tree that she had trimmed earlier. She looks rather strange in her overalls.

Fri 8. Bob got two jobs—one from Chester for 40 and one from Pittsburgh for 100 & expense—for Mar. 28. We are thinking of having a garden. Haven’t decided yet. Am sending a little poem to the Inquirer. They are paying 5.00 for each verse.

Alice Boylan, widow of Tell’s brother John, wrote a letter on this date from her home in Eldora, IA to Boylan sisters Nora and Daisey in Carthage, MO, enclosing this family heirloom.

Sun 10. This was a beautiful day. I decided in a hurry to go to church with Bob. It was communion Sunday. Dr. McCall preached a wonderful sermon. After dinner at the church Dad & I went to the U. Museum to see some movie pictures on S.A. I went back to the church to hear the Stabat Mater at 4:30, then home with Bob.

The archaeology and anthropology museum at the University of Pennsylvania, now known as the Penn Museum, was established in 1889. A newspaper announcement mentioned “Colorful South America” films—”They will show Ecuador, with its mountains, jungles, and cities; Peru’s Pacific coastal region and its art; the Andes; Caracas, capital of Venezuela, and the Inca Empire.

Here’s an announcement of the performance of Rossini’s setting of the Stabat Mater—a 13-century hymn to the Virgin Mary that portrays her suffering during the crucifixion of Christ—at the Second Presbyterian Church. Bob was undoubtedly one of the soloists—he often worked with Dr. McCurdy.

Tue 12. Bob worked out doors awhile. Ruth went to Crozer. I cleaned the kitchen & the downstairs. In the late afternoon we did the ironing. Annette and Vernon got home just before supper. We had them and Jackie for supper. I got a letter from the girls today. Paul is still sick. Got a short letter from Katharine today.

Thu 14. Several things happened today to break the monotony of living. It was a beautiful day. Mrs. Berry asked me to go to the Woman’s League of Voters & I said I would like to but had to take care of David. Mr. B. said he would like to take care of him so I let him, but wasn’t I sorry. For after two hours he came bringing both David & Bobby in—just at refreshment time!! The kiddies were very well behaved but it was embarrassing for me. I will not be caught again. Ruth was blue when I told about it. Guess I shouldn’t have told it. Bob said it made her blue to recite a tale of their wrong doings. I just meant to tell what happened. Life can be so difficult!

Fri 15. Ruth told an interesting story about how blind music students learn to play. It is very difficult. I got a box of wonderful nut meats from Katharine.

In a folder of articles Emma wrote I found a handwritten document summarizing the process. Here’s an excerpt:
“A measure in music is written a hand at a time. First come the notes for the right hand—which the student plays while reading (Braille) with the left hand. Following this is the bass clef of the same measure—which is read by the right hand and played with the left. When the two parts of the measure are learned they are played together. If it is an organ piece there are three parts—one for each hand and one for the foot pedal. It takes a lot of stick-to-itiveness to learn to play.”

Mon 18. Bob went to York this afternoon. He will practice tonight, and do the concert tomorrow night. Will be home Wed. A.M. Tell always wants to do the dishes every night. I hate to have him. He works so hard.

Tue 19. I got a message for Bob from Mrs. Hallman of New York saying she was contracting a job for him in Ottawa, Can. for Apr. 16 to do the Messiah for 250 Canadian dollars—225 in our money. Of course there would be a lot of expense.

Thu 21. Ruth cried & cried today. She had to go to Crozer & Bob had to take Bobbie to see a doctor about her tonsils. They will have to come out. Guess she thinks she has a lot of trouble but she is doing what she wants to do. Bob says he doesn’t want her to be a “stick in the mud.”

Fri 22. Bob went to town early. He sang at the Academy tonight for a German Club—got $100.00. Bob took us all out to eat. A man who was nicely dressed gave me a gardenia tonight. I would not know him if I’d meet him. He said he’d just bought it.

I don’t know the story behind this, but what a lovely surprise to get a gardenia from a stranger!

Mon 25. Ruth went to town with Bob. He is going to fly to Pittsburgh. Leaves at about 7:15 this evening. Later we watched Bob’s plane go over. It seemed thrilling to think of him being up so high. He phoned Ruth after he got there. Bob was thrilled with his ride. Did not get a bit sick. He will come home by train.

Thu 28. Worked outside for quite a while. It has been a lovely day. Bob dug the holes for my blueberries which will likely be here this week. I got them from Maloneys in Dansville, NY.

Here’s a page from the Spring 1946 Fruit and Flower Book from the Maloney Bros. Nursery Co. in Dansville, NY.

April

Tue 2. Ruth went to Crozer today & worked out in the yard all afternoon. Bob was at home all day and worked with her. I finished the ironing and washed my curtains. It was a lovely day to dry them. I planted some garden today. Annette brought my unaccepted stuff home from the office but said Ken would take one for $3.00. I am going to try a story.

Emma had submitted various items to the teen publication Annette worked for. It sounds like she sold one piece for the equivalent of about $50 in today’s dollars.

Thu 4. I finished cleaning my room today except washing my bedding. It was too cloudy for that. Bob went to NJ with Dr. McCurdy & bought a station wagon. Put $100 down on it. Guess it’s the thing to do. We should have kept the other car.

Fri 5. Bob, David & I went after the station wagon today. We went on the train & then on the bus. Spent several hours on the trip but came home without it. They did not have the title nor was it ready otherwise. Bob settled for it—$750—but we came home again by bus & train. We put 100 into it. We have 22 cents in the bank.

Sat 6. A full day! Shopping with Mrs. Coppack, cleaning the house and getting Bobby ready, dishes, scrubbing, some garden. Tonight I have finished Captain from Castile. It is an intensive story. Very interesting to start with but it becomes involved in so many hair breadth escapes & so many characters to follow. The love story is unique and seems real. My writing seems hopeless compared with Samuel Shellabarger’s use of language. It is most expressive and beautiful.

Captain from Castile by Samuel Shellabarger (1945) relates the adventures of a Spanish nobleman during the early 16^th century. In 1947 the first half of the epic was made into a movie starring Tyrone Power. You can watch the movie trailer here.

Mon 8. We got a letter containing the title to the car. Am trying to do a little acceptable writing but do not get much time. I wonder how long I’ll be able to do the heavy work. The time after Bobby gets home till after supper nearly gets me down. Children are so disrespectful these days. We are expecting Brenda’s kittens to arrive soon.

Tue 9. We had a concert tonight. Emil Markow came this P.M. for the audition at Curtis. Also Jackie Scott is to try out. So they sang. Annette sang & Bob also. Ruth is a most wonderful accompanist. She went to Crozer this A.M. Bob took our car to the garage to have it fixed up & sent for a license.

Emil Markow had rented a room from Ruth and Bob in 1941-42.

Wed 10. Emil was accepted at Curtis today after his tryout. I got a little True & False quiz ready to send in with Annette.

According to his obituary, Emil, a bass baritone, went on to graduate from the Curtis Institute and Columbia and have a long and distinguished career in music. He sang with the Robert Shaw Chorale, performed in the first televised opera in 1948, and was a music professor for 20 years.

Thu 11. Have done very little today as I have been so tired. We hoped to get the car license so Bob could drive to Crozer this evening. But it did not come. Think Annette may bring me another $3 for a little True & False Quiz I sent in. Sent an article about eels today. I am crazy to write.

Sat 13. Dad went to town. Bought himself a new hat. He needs an overcoat. He also stocked up on cigarettes. I can’t understand him.

Sun 14. Today, Ruth’s choir gave “The Crucifixion” at the evening service. I went over. It was very fine.

Bob’s choir sang Stainer’s Crucifixion in 1943—there’s a link to a recording of the work in the April 1943 entry if you want to listen to it.

Mon 15. Bob left by plane for Ottawa today. He is to sing there tomorrow night. Practices at 11 P.M. tonight. He will get $250.00 for his fee—Canadian money. I washed today and cleaned the basement a bit. My radishes and lettuce are up. Ruth was at home all day. She seldom has a whole day at home. I made some cookies for supper.

Tue 16. Today, had Charlie lived he would have been sixty years old. It does not seem possible that he is dead. After Ruth got back from Crozer she went after the car. I had taken David with me on the bus early to Pierson’s Garage to deliver them the license plates which had finally come by Special Delivery. In the evening I went to the Woman’s Club to hear the candidates for Congress speak. Both Republicans & Democrats spoke.

A little research suggests that there were several issues on the political table in April 1946:

• Inflation and shortages. The transition from wartime to peacetime economy was painful — prices were rising, consumer goods remained scarce, and price controls on food and household items were still in place and fiercely debated.

• Labor strikes. A wave of strikes in steel, coal, auto, and railroad industries had been disrupting the economy since late 1945. Just weeks earlier, Truman had threatened to draft striking railroad workers into the Army.

• Fourteen years of Democratic rule. Republicans were sharpening a message of change and voter fatigue — their famous fall slogan “Had Enough?” was already taking shape.

• The early Cold War. Churchill had delivered his “Iron Curtain” speech just six weeks before Emma’s journal entry, signaling that the hoped-for peace was already complicated. Tensions with the Soviet Union and unease about atomic weapons were entering the political conversation.

Thu 18. Ruth and I set out the blueberry bushes yesterday—5 of them. Bob took Bobby to the hospital for a blood test this morning. She is to go to the hospital tomorrow to have her tonsils out. I have kept the children, mended, read, listened to Lum & Abner & worked puzzles. I shortened Ruth’s new suit Bob brought her from Canada.

Lum and Abner was a classic radio show. Here’s a recording and plot summary for the episode that aired on this date: Confederate Money Chest.

Fri 19. Today Bobby had her tonsils out. Bob & Ruth took her to the Delaware Co. hospital early but she did not go into the operation room till about 11. Ruth staid with her while Bob went in to Sec. Pres. to sing. He came home and stopped at the hospital for Ruth. Bobbie did not feel very well. Bob went back & Ruth went to her service. I have kept fairly busy. Wrote my article about owls over again making it longer.

Tonsillectomies were very common procedures at this time, and Bobbie’s experience seems pretty normal. I love the details of Ruth and Bob trading off responsibilities to balance their music commitments with their daughter in the hospital.
I found a three-page article on owls in the folder of Emma’s writing. She was really working hard at this!

Sat 20. After dinner we went to Media to shop. We both bought hats. I got a lavender flower hat & Ruth got a red felt one.

New hats for Easter! The ever-wonderful Vintage Dancer site has lots of information about 1940s hat styles. Here are a couple that might fit Emma’s description.

Sun 21. Ruth invited the Kendalls & Jackie down for Easter breakfast. Dad & I went to an 8:30 service at the Meth. Church. Then I went with Ruth to Wallingford. Came home & got dinner. Bob brought a guest. After doing the dishes it was nearly time to go at night. We joined the Media Methodist church this evening. About 60 joined.

Tue 23. Bob built a sand box and worked in the yard, then got some sand. I was up late last night so took an afternoon nap so I could go to one of Allan Dash’s programs at the Academy of Music. Bob drove in. It tired me to ride in so much traffic.

Here’s a newspaper announcement of the program they went to.

Wed 24. The children have played in the sand box a lot today. Bobbie seems to feel very well.

Thu 25. Bob went to New York today for an audition. He is not home yet—9:30 PM. Ruth went to town this A.M. & loaded 125 lbs of paper & sold it for 65¢. She then went to Wallingford to practice. This P.M. she went to Crozer & tonight to her choir practice in W—a busy life.

Although the war was over, there were still post-war shortages and scrap dealers. In Emma’s story folder, many of her pieces are written on the back of repurposed paper. I wonder if she got the paper from the Methodist Book Room where Tell worked, the church where she worked, or someplace else.

Fri 26. I staid at home while Ruth practiced & Bob took the children in the car and went after the auto seat, radio & tires. He got the tires and radio. Will get the seat next week. I worked out doors awhile. Had a nice rest. The Kendells were down for dinner. Ruth got dinner & then they and the Kendalls drove into the city to the Academy of Music to hear Lorraine Fleming sing in a program.

I found an article about this concert, which was a Mozart-Schubert-Beethoven program. Lorraine Lightcap Fleming was a lyric soprano. In her obituary, it mentions that she studied with Robert Grooters!

Sat 27. Went to Mr. Chapman’s for some chrysanthemums. I spaded a bed and set them out. Bob & Ruth have been away all day and tonight have gone to a folk dance at the Rose Valley School House. Annette & Vernon also went. Dad had a hard fall today down the cellar steps. He is all sore through his muscles tonight.

The School in Rose Valley was founded in 1929 with a focus on the whole child, and played an important role in the family’s life over the years.

Tue 30. Today is Bob’s birthday—32 yrs. old. He wanted an out-door picnic so we had it tonight with the Kendalls & Jackie. Bob build a fire place today. We gave him a sweater. The clothes got fairly dry & I took them in. I planted some more garden today—carrots, beets & beans. I want to fix an asparagus bed. I also planted some squash. Dad is working on a banister to the basement.

I’ll close with this photo of David in the sandbox.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for May 1946.

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Tue 1. Another year starts today. I “buzzed” Bob & Ruth at midnight. The bells and sirens, fire crackers and other noise makers made a din for 10 minutes or more. I did not get much sleep until after three. We sat down to an evening New Year’s dinner with Uncle Otis, Alison & Mrs. Moore. We had a musical evening. Alison played her violin, Bob sang to Ruth’s accompaniment & Annette sang. She & Jackie Scott came down for awhile. My only resolution is to do more Bible reading.

Rev. Otis Moore played a huge role in Bob’s life, and the two families were very close. He and his wife Alice lived in New York at this time; their daughter Alison was an accomplished musician. Here’s Alice on the violin and Ruth at the keyboard.

Thu 3. The day so far has not been so hectic tho’ David spilled ink on the floor & rug. However the ink washed off the floor and was spilled on the black border of the braided rug where it doesn’t show. Not so fortunate is the piano stool. He pounded the top of that with his wooden mallet and it is a sorry sight. Have kept up my Bible Reading to date. Two statements challenge me: “And Enoch walked with God,” “And Noah walked with God.” This indicates a daily companionship. I’d like it to be true of me—“Emma Boylan walked with God.”

An excerpt from this blog post provides a little more information about these statements. “Noah, however, stands out. He “walked with God,” which is a Hebrew phrase (הִתְהַלֵּךְ אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים, “hithalekh et ha-Elohim”) that suggests a deep, continuous, and intimate relationship with the Lord.

This is the same term used for Enoch, who was taken up by God because of his righteousness (Genesis 5:24). Noah’s walk with God implies more than just following rules; it suggests a lifestyle of fellowship and being aligned with God’s will, even when no one else did.”

Mon 7. I has been a warm day—70°. Ruth asked me to go to the bank for her while she did the washing which I did. Got letters from Carthage & Gerald today. Also the Dubarry Course from Gertie. Finished reading the book “Anything can happen” tonight. Have lost my knitting book of directions.

The Du Barry Cosmetics company developed a mail order course—the Du Barry Success Course—based on their six-week in-person charm school that prepared debutantes for their first social season. It consisted of six weekly folios with daily lessons on diet, exercise, posture, beauty, and—of course—makeup, and cost about $35, in comparison to the charm school tuition of about $5000.

Wed 9. We got an airmail letter from Gerrit saying Paul is very sick. Had a ruptured appendix with complications. They could not come. I phoned Rachel tonight. She knew nothing about it. She called Providence Hospital and they said he was better but Rachel will try to get in touch with Robert and phone me. Paul’s wife Martha had gone to NC (Charlotte) to have her second baby. It is a trying situation.

Emma’s nephew Paul was living in DC, but his wife’s family was in Charlotte, which may explain why she went down there. They went on to have another child and lived in Charlotte for at least part of their life.

Sat 12. Every body is in bed but me. I hate to waste time sleeping. Finished Dad’s gloves (mittens) tonight. They are plenty big I think. Mr. Lynch raised Bob’s rent from $25 to 35. Bobby’s throat is sore!!

Sun 13. Dad went to the Packard M.E., Ruth to the Wallingford Pres., Bob to the city and the children & I staid at home. I read my Bible portion. Copied some out of the DuBarry course Gertie sent. The seven day elimination diet is fierce. The preacher & his wife brought Dad home & came in to call on me. We looked at a seed catalog today.

The Du Barry course called for an Elimination Diet for the first week, with a daily intake of 10-12 oranges, 2 apples, pears or peaches, 2 tomatoes, 2 carrots, 1 head of cabbage or lettuce, 1 grapefruit, 6 stalks of celery, tomato juice, and black coffee or tea, and advised to take milk of magnesia at bedtime to aid in flushing the intestinal tract.

Wed 16. Did not have much extra work today so I did a little sewing. Started to make Bobbie a music case out of some leather. Am making an apron out of the printed sack Rachel gave me. Also finished Dad’s vest. Had a hard time in the evening when the lights went off. Since Jack & Annette could not cook on their electric stove I asked them to eat with us. Just as we were about ready the lights came back on.

Thu 17. I decided to go with Ruth to Crozer. We walked to Wallingford and then took a bus to Chester. Had a cup of coffee and a piece of pie in a café. Then went to the Seminary on an Upland bus. I spent the time crocheting while Ruth practiced. I attended the Vesper service at 4:15. We had a long cold wait for a bus several times. I was nearly perished when I got home. Bob had supper nearly ready. Jackie helped me with the dishes. Bobbie gets so wild at supper time.

According to this site, a route running between Wallingford, Chester, and Upland has been in existence since the 1880s. Chester was a thriving city at this time, and there were apparently numerous cafes downtown.
Emma had been working on a crocheted tablecloth with rows of medallions. My neighbor has a family vintage one that is probably similar; I took these pictures of it to share.

Mon 21. I went to the city today to see the doctor. He was not there—some emergency had occurred. I went to Gimbels, had lunch, phoned Dad and he came down soon after lunch & we bought him a dyed army overcoat for $15.00. It looks very well but is plenty heavy—a very dark blue. I will shorten it and make the pockets smaller. I am a little bit lighter—weigh 165 lbs. Am going to lose more. Had an interesting experience going in when I met up with a woman who gives away books, & another when I took a taxi, an elevator, & made a train which was supposed to be gone. Wrote a question for the Orson Welles program. Heard Lum & Abner.

According to this site, Orson Welles, who began his radio career in 1937 at age 22, offered a weekly political audio broadcast in 1946 called “Orson Welles Commentaries.”

Wed 23. Took care of David while Ruth went to practice. She left about eleven. Took the small electric heater with her. Then went on to town to play for Robert. Dad wore his new coat today. It was cold enough to make it feel good. He had a good supper—eggs baked with bacon, baked potatoes, stewed tomatoes and bran muffins.

Thu 24. The second set of “Woman’s Day” came today. I did not know whether they’d send them or not. Annette wants me to write something for the Teen Age paper. I’d like to try it.

Woman’s Day was first published in 1931 as a free in-store publication of the A&P grocery store. It expanded to a paid format in 1937, and by 1946 it had a circuluation of over 3,000,000. It is currently published by the Hearst Corporation.
The term “Teen Age” was coming into popular use at this time. The Methodist organization published a weekly magazine for young people called Classmate—it seems likely that this is the publication Annette worked for and to which Emma submitted her articles.

Fri 25. The butter came today—17 lbs. from Mrs. Brassfield. Bobbie & I took David’s cart & went after it. Am working a little on my underskirts.

Mon 28. Bobbie’s party is on tonight after school. It has been a busy day getting ready for it. There were eight little girls including Bobby. It was some job entertaining them. We gave them supper. Mashed potatoes with a mock chicken gravy & meat over it, peas, celery & carrot sticks, ice cream and little cakes with candles. She got a lot of gifts, several books, a Hummel statuette, a music case, some records, a dress, several lovely hair ribbons, and a puzzle besides the party.

This was Bobbie’s 7th birthday. The family had quite a collection of Hummel figurines—I am not sure which one she received on this date.

Thu 31. Dad felt better and went back to work today. I got his check which was mailed to him. Bob was at home. Ruth had a hard day. She went to Wallingford to practice then to Crozer. I had the supper ready for her at six. She then went to her choir practice at W. Had one new member there. It has been a little warmer today.

February

Fri 1. A new month is starting. I went to town yesterday and met Ruth at St. Peter’s Episcopal church where she takes lessons on the pipe organ @ 8.00 per!! We walked over to the stores between Fitzwater & Bainbridge streets where there are a lot of stores with plenty of yard goods, woolens, silks, cottons, etc. We did not buy much but there was plenty to buy in these times of empty shelves. The section seems to be all Jewish—there were Kosher meat markets and wines & liquors. The streets were full of vegetable and fruit vendors.

The pipe organ at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church was finished in 1931 and recently restored.

Sat 2. This has been a day! Have cleaned the house pretty well besides the usual Sat. work. Dad finally took my lamp & had it fixed. We painted it and I may make a shade. Bob & Ruth taught all day. Bobby took her lesson. Jackie went to a ball at the Bellevue Stratford tonight. She looked very lovely. I can’t reconcile cigarettes with a man nearly 75!!!!

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Mon 4. Ruth did the washing this morning before “Father Albert” came for his lesson. They had lunch & went to town for all day and evening. David talked to his mother over the phone in a tiny little voice. I felt like I had committed a crime—’cause I burnt a lamp cord off. So hard to explain just how things happen. Tired & with the kids noisy & someone demanding an explanation just made the worm turn.

This expression describes the point when even the meekest of creatures who has been treated badly for a long time suddenly become forceful and stop accepting a difficult situation. Sounds like Emma blew her top!

Tue 5. Bob went to New York. There is a suggestion from Mr. Howell that he will suggest Bob be on the faculty of the best music school in Philadelphia. We will see!

Wed 6. We all slept late this morning. Today Annette left for Denver. She is all thrilled at the thought of meeting her “returning” husband who has been gone a year & a half. They have written every day & built up a romance which this meeting culminates. Ruth went to Wallingford to practice organ. Bobby & David played in my room and it gets to looking like a hallelujah’s nest!!!

I had never heard this expression before, but I love it!

Thu 7. Today I got the dinner ready. Had roast pork and parsnips, & home made ice cream. Ruth was much encouraged with her choir. She had 13 there which is almost twice what she started with. Have almost finished reading Great Son by Edna Ferber—a story of the great north west. It was soft & Spring-like this A.M. but snowed some in the afternoon. Dad brought me a pair of nylon hose today.

Emma enjoyed the novels of Pulitzer Prize winner Edna Ferber. This one, published in 1945, is set in the Pacific Northwest and tells the story of four generations.

Sat 9. Have been busy all day. I went shopping with Mrs. Coppock this morning. Got home just before Bobby left. Cleaned the kitchen & defrosted the refrigerator. We got the 30 doz. of eggs from Iowa today. Cost us 30¢ per doz—60¢ for the crate & 2.48 for express. I have sold a few dozen to help pay the express.

Sun 10. In the afternoon I went in with Ruth to the Vesper service at Sec. Pres. I wrote a few letters after I got home. Worked on my Bible puzzle on birds.

I found Emma’s Bible quiz on birds! It’s included at the bottom of this entry.

Mon 11. It was such a lovely day we hung our washing out doors. I typed my puzzles today and sent them in to Ken Wilson. My! I wish they’d sell for 15.00 apiece. Wouldn’t I be tickled!!! That is too much to expect. It takes a long while to get them ready.

Tue 12. Today Dad got home a little early because it is Lincoln’s birthday. Bobbie went to see a friend this afternoon as there was no school. Bob and Ruth gave a concert at Upper Darby High School—they staid for lunch, then Bob went to town to practice. I kept David, did the ironing and wrote a jingle about nylon hose to send to DuPonts. Just heard over the radio that the street car strike is settled and cars will run as usual tomorrow. New York has been closed down today. No subways, no movies, or theatres on account of a tug strike.

Lincoln’s birthday has never been a U.S. Government holiday, although it is often combined with Washington’s Birthday and celebrated on the third Monday in February.
The street car strike was part of a larger walkout that took place in Lancaster, PA and was notable because it included violence. The tugboat strike in New York lasted about two weeks. They were both part of a wave of post-war strikes in 1945-46 that flared up once labor unions were out from under a no-strike pledge many of them took during World War II.

Thu 14. Bobby took her valentines to school this A.M. She made up a lot that Katharine sent her. I helped her with some of them last night. I wrote an article for the Reader’s Digest—”Life in These United States.” Hope it brings me $100 but that seems beyond hope. Got my jingle back from DuPonts today. I’ll try again.

Founded in 1922, Reader’s Digest was the best-selling consumer magazine in the U.S. until 2009. The publication invited readers to submit true, humorous anecdotes for two features—Life in These United States and Humor in Uniform. They received about 8,000 submissions a month and paid $100 for those they published. The payment was still $100 into the early 2010s…they have moved to a mostly online format, and don’t compensate people for contributions, but apparently still offer $25 for a joke, gag, or quote and $100 for a true funny story published in a print edition.

Sun 17. It was my turn to go to church. Went to Ruth’s church and heard a good sermon on “Brotherhood.” After a late dinner Ruth went to town to hear the afternoon service. I got the dinner ready. Bob brought Gene Bossart out for dinner. He is just home from 3½ years in the service. He was to be married in August but his girl had married some one else. He has had some very interesting experiences.

Tue 19. Have been reading about “Eniac,” the new machine which computes 1000 times faster than any previous computer. It will do in ten hours that would take 100 man-years of work. It solves any now known mathematical program. We got the ironing finished. Ruth did not go to practice but took a much needed rest. She went in to play at the studio in the evening. Bob went to N. York. He also made some auditions. He was in bed seven minutes before train time and though breakfastless he made up like a Dagwood & Blondie episode.

Chic Young’s comic strip Blondie was the most widely syndicated comic strip in America at this time, and apparently Blondie’s husband Dagwood’s chaotic, last-minute morning rushes were one of the strip’s recurring gags.

The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was constructed at the University of Pennsylvania and introduced to the world on Feb. 14, 1946. A team of six women (later known as the ENIAC six) was tasked with programming ENIAC. Their stories were nearly lost to history, but an undergraduate thesis brought them to light. A documentary about them—The Computers—was produced in 2014.

Fri 22. Bobby had no school today so we celebrated. I took her to the Aquarium, the Art Museum, and the Academy of Natural Science (with Ruth & David). We did not stay so long any place but we had a nice time. On the way back we got some ice cream. After we got home, Dad decided we’d go to the turkey dinner at the Methodist church. It cost 1.00 apiece. It was a hard day. I had a nap after dinner that saved my life.

Wed 27. I have just finished the buttonholes on my “bag dress.” It is made out of printed feed sacks. Have the hem & buttons to do yet. Ruth said they would have 12 students today. Bobbie and I did the dishes. I finished the ironing. Don’t hear from my puzzles. Guess they were no good!! I wish I knew how to make a little money.

Thu 28. Feb. is gone. It went in a hurry. Have kept up my Bible Reading so far this year.

Special Feature: Bagging Bible Birds

In a folder of Emma’s writing I found the Bible Birds quiz she mentioned. Her handwritten notes also include Bible references to many other birds, including partridge, ostrich, hawk, eagle, cuckoo, peacock, osprey, stork, heron, swan, and crane.

Now shall we look in our Bibles and find how many birds are mentioned there. Let’s play the game this way: Try answering the question first as if you are not sure you are right. Then look up the reference.

1. What bird is mentioned at the baptism of Jesus? “And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a _____, and lighting upon him.” (Matt. 3:16)

2. What bird did Jesus refer to when talking about our Father’s care? “Fear not therefore; ye are of more value than many _____.” (Luke 12:17b)

3. This bird usually builds her nest of mud. “Yes, the sparrow hath found an house, and the _____ a nest for herself.” (Ps 84:3a)

4. What bird has given its name to a greedy man? “And the _____, and the kite after his kind.” (Lev. 11:14)

5. What bird is said to bring the babies? “Yea, the _____ in the heaven knoweth her appointed times.” (Jer 8:7a)

6. This bird gives its name to a person who keeps late hours. “I am like an ___ of the desert.” (Ps 102:6b)

7. This bird is known as a glutton. “And the little owl, and the _____ and the great owl.” (Lev. 11:17)

8. This bird makes its living diving for fish. “I am like a _____ of the wilderness.” (Ps. 102:6a)

9. What bird do the boys like in Spring? “And the glide, and the ____, and the vulture after his kind.” (Deut 14:13)

10. What bird did Noah first send out from the ark? “And he sent forth a _____ which went to and fro.” (Gen 8:7a)

Answers: 1. dove, 2. sparrow, 3. swallow, 4. vulture, 5. stork, 6. owl, 7. cormorant, 8. pelican, 9. kite, 10. raven.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals! See you next week for more of 1946.

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