More than you wanted to know

Mon., September 9, 1935 - Clear and sunshiny.  My left jaw is swelling up.  The wisdom tooth is acting up again.
Tues., September 10, 1935 - Put in a bad nite with my jaw.  My face is swollen pretty big today.  Howard stopped at the school house tonite while he was dragging the road.  We have all day Friday off for the Fair.
Wed., September 11, 1935 - Jaw just as big and sore as yesterday.  I can't enjoy eating anything.  By night my face was a little better.  Mr. Goodling got some aspirins tonite for me.

Well, here's some things you may not have known about aspirin.  From wikipedia:

    Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a medication used to treat pain, fever, or inflammation.  It, in the form of leaves from the willow tree, has been used for its health effects for at least 2,400 years.  In 1853, chemist Charles Frédéric Gerhardt treated sodium salicylate with acetyl chloride to produce acetylsalicylic acid for the first time.  In the second half of the nineteenth century, other chemists established the chemical structure and came up with more efficient methods to make it.  In 1897, scientists at Bayer began studying acetylsalicylic acid as a less-irritating replacement for common salicylate medicines.  By 1899, Bayer had named the drug Aspirin and was selling it around the world.  The word Aspirin was Bayer's brand name; however, their rights to the trademark were lost or sold in many countries.  Aspirin's popularity grew over the first half of the twentieth century leading to competition between many brands and formulations.

     Aspirin is one of the most widely used medications globally with an estimated 40,000 tonnes (50 to 120 billion pills) being consumed each year.  It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.  Aspirin is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world as of 2014 is $0.002 to $0.025 per dose.  As of 2015 the cost for a typical month of medication in the United States is less than $25.

A fun time had by all x 2

Fri., September 6, 1935 - Howard came early tonite.  We went to "The Womanless Tea" at Hoskins given by the American Legion.  It was a scream.  During the play the rain just came down in sheets.
Sat., September 7, 1935 - To Wayne on the train this morning.  Aunt Mildred was going to Wayne.  Miss Sewell told me that she's left Uncle Chris!  Rainy all day.
Sun., September 8, 1935 - Ray came home last nite.  Ray, Mom, Alma and I went to the Rebekah picnic at Pete Christensen's.  Everybody ate too much, I believe.  Howard brought me to Goodling's tonite.

The best I can find out, "A Womanless Tea" is a production involving men dressed up as women.  Whether there's an actual story, or more of a fashion show of sorts, I can't tell.  It puts me in mind of the Winside centennial when guys, most of whom were also in the "best beard" competition, dressed up as ladies and paraded around the bandstand.  Anyone who was there likely remembers it as well.

Here's how a newspaper in Texas described it:

A "Womanless Tea" was given by the P-TA in the grammar school auditorium on the evening of March 13, 1931.

Thirty-eight business and professional men in Rising Star made up the cast, each dressed in "ladies garb".  There were flappers, demure maidens, dignified matrons, and famous characters.

F. W. Roberds represented Mrs. Al Smith; Martin Joyce was "Ma" Ferguson; the late Sam Johnson and Hubert Jones were bathing beauties; Hugh Childress was a hula dancer; the late Wm. Koonce and Cecil Joyce acted as maids; Babe Wood was the hostess, a charming and gracious one, assisted by her "daughter", Dallas Dill, who did much to help her mother in entertaining guests.  School Supt. Dawson, Ray Agnew and Clark Crownover were among the most charming flappers.  Among the cast were F. V. Tunnell, R. O. Jacobs, Ray Agnew, W. E. Tyler, Cecil Shults and Fred Eberhart.

The "tea" was well attended and afforded much merriment as well as a substantial financial boost for the P-TA."

The references to deceased members must strike you, dear reader, as a bit odd.  The article I found was in a newspaper printed in 1966 from a column that is a sort of "this day in local history" kind of thing.  So, the late Sam Johnson and the late Wm. Koonce must have passed between 1931 and 1966, not between the time of the event and the short period until it was reported first in the newspaper.  I hope so, anyway.

Rain, rain go away

Tues., September 3, 1935 - School went just fine. Another rain this afternoon.  Typed tonite and then listened to the radio.
Wed., September 4, 1935 - Jean and Marjorie brought muskmelons to school.  They tasted fine.  It seems today that finally after about 3 weeks of cold and rainy weather it's going to warm up.  I hope so.
Thurs., September 5, 1935 - School as usual.  I should have studied tonite but didn't feel like it.

Grandma's not all that talkative at the moment.  The fourth day of school and it's already "as usual".  I hope things pick up a bit.  I'm ready to talk about canning again.

No more canning; school has started

Sat., August 31, 1935 - Mom washed clothes this morning.  I helped some.  I went to Wayne to the teacher's meeting with Alma, Irene, and Helen.  Tonite Raymond, Helen, Irene, Howard and I went to Wayne.  We saw "Going Highbrow" and Shirley Temple in "Curly Top".  Ray went to Wayne this a.m. to see if he could get work with Joe Baker.
Sun., September 1, 1935 - Rained about all day.  Ray came home at noon from Uncle Hans', to Wayne with Willie, home again at 4:30.  He starts working for Joe Baker tomorrow.  He's going to board and room with Meta.  Howard took me and my junk to Goodlings tonite.
Mon., September 2, 1935 - Just had school this morning.  Cloudy all day.  Jean, Marjorie, and Verdelle Mae were here at school all afternoon, so I didn't get much work done.  Typed tonite.

Here's what wikipedia has to say about "Going Highbrow".  I think it sounds rather fun:

     Going Highbrow is a 1935 American comedy-musical film directed by Robert Florey. Guy Kibbee and Zasu Pitts play a newly rich couple, so eager to buy their way into society they hire a waitress to pose as their daughter.

"Curly Top" I have heard of, but have not seen.  I did not realize the song "Animal Crackers in my Soup" is from this movie.  From wikipedia:

     Young Elizabeth Blair (Shirley Temple) lives at the Lakeside Orphanage, a dreary, regimented place supervised by two decent but dour women. Her older sister Mary (Rochelle Hudson) works in the kitchen, laundry, and dormitory. Elizabeth is a sweet child but her high spirits often lead her into trouble with the superintendent.

     When the trustees descend on the orphanage for a tour of inspection, Elizabeth is caught playfully mimicking the head trustee and is threatened with being sent to a public institution. Young, rich, handsome trustee Edward Morgan (John Boles) intervenes. He takes a liking to Elizabeth and, in a private interview with the child, learns that most of her life has been spent obsequiously expressing her gratitude for every mouthful that has fallen her way. He adopts her but, not wanting to curb Elizabeth's spirit by making her feel slavishly obligated to him for every kindness, he tells her a fictitious "Hiram Jones" is her benefactor and he is simply acting on Jones's behalf as his lawyer. He nicknames her "Curly Top." Meanwhile, he has met and fallen in love with Elizabeth's sister Mary but will not admit it.

     Elizabeth and Mary leave the orphanage and take up residence in Morgan's luxurious Southampton beach house. His kindly aunt, Genevieve Graham (Esther Dale), and his very proper butler Reynolds (Arthur Treacher) are charmed by the two. Elizabeth has everything a child could want including a pony cart and silk pajamas.

     Mary secretly loves Morgan but, believing he has no romantic interest in her, she accepts an offer of marriage from young navy pilot Jimmie Rogers (Maurice Murphy). Morgan is taken aback but offers his congratulations. Hours later, Mary ends the engagement when she realizes she doesn't truly love Jimmie. Morgan then declares his love, reveals he is the fictitious "Hiram Jones", and plans marriage and a long honeymoon in Europe with Mary.

A happy ending for the movie, and now I have a song caught in my head . . .

Old Settlers

Wed., August 28, 1935 - Put the apples away and cleaned up the house.  Met Mom at the train tonite.  Ray and Willie came back tonite at 12:00 from Dalton.  Ray took Willie up to his home.
Thurs., August 29, 1935 - Old Settler's Picnic.  Dora and George from Blair, Meta, Lyle, Annie, Ola and kids here for dinner.  I was down town from 4:30 to 6:30.  Had a dandy talk with Carrie Hansen.  Howard was here this evening.
Fri., August 30, 1935 - We all got up late this morning.  Mom, Ray and I went to Norfolk this p.m.  Dora was visiting Grandmother all afternoon.

I wonder what Old Settlers was like in 1935.  I am guessing Winside didn't rate a fancy schmancy ride like The Whip shown above, but isn't it neat?  Look at the painting on the side of the cars.  Wow.  Photo from https://chuckmantorontonostalgia.wordpress.com.

Tired of canning

Sun., August 25, 1935 - To S. S. and church.  Ola brought some apples just as I left for S. S.  After church Alma and I rode out to Troutman's with Mr. Freese.  We took some fruit from the Rebekahs to Neville who had her tonsils taken out last week.  Howard came in tonight and we went up to Aunt Emma's.  We brought home over a half bushel of cucumbers.  She's going to bring more Thurs.
Mon., August 26, 1935 - Canned 2 quarts of tomatoes and salted down the pickles.  Mrs. Jordan and Mary Claire here this evening to see Mom about sewing.  Gilbert and Hazel brought us a half sack of Whitney crabs and a small dishpan of grapes!  Aren't they nice!
Tues., August 27, 1935 - Baked bread and cinnamon rolls.  Canned 14-1/2 quarts of pickled apples.  Ola and Annabelle were here this afternoon.

I don't know if Grandma was tired of canning, but I'm certainly getting there.

She's an Energizer Bunny -- more canning

Thurs., August 22, 1935 - Canned 2 quarts and 2 pints of tomatoes.  Boiled some apples for apple butter.  Meta and Melvin, Alma, and Mrs. Loebsack were here this afternoon.
Fri., August 23, 1935 - Felt punk today.  Boiled apples for jell.  Uncle Hans here in p.m.  He, Grandma R., Lillie and Hans are going to Dalton this weekend.  Alma and I went to lodge and came home from lodge together.  Rebekah picnic at Pete Christensen's September 8.
Sat., August 24, 1935 - Canned 4 quarts and 2 pints of tomatoes, 3 quarts of apple juice and 4 quarts of apple pulp.  Ola here a few minutes at noon.  Rained tonight but Howard came up anyway.  Got a card from Aunt Emma saying we could have pickles if we wanted them.

I think it's time for some Winside history, this installment is for 1911:

     January 5, the Halstead stock of dry goods and groceries has been purchased by George Gabler.
     January 19, Fred Bright bought the Lloyd Prince interest in the Winside Dray and will take possession February 1.
     February 2, T. A. Strong has taken over route No. 2 succeeding Dick Waddell.
     February 9, Mesdames Grace Cavanaugh, Lydia Needham and Lute Miller of the Woman's Club, went before the town board to present the Free Public Library idea to them.  The board will act on this next month.
     February 11, Helen Hoffman's school, the Rew District, made $58.00 clear on their box supper.
     February 16, the band played a few selections in the band stand this afternoon.  The day was warm and just like summer.
    February 23, W. D. Whitaker is the new agent of the railroad.
     March 2, H. O. Sipp and family have moved to Gordon, Nebraska; Godfrey Shabrum and family to Sheridan county; Art Larken and wife to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; W. J. Templeton and family to Wessington, South Dakota.
     March 2, Fire destroyed the Wm. Thies pool hall.
     March 16, Mrs. R. B. Crawford was granted a divorce claiming non-support.  Her husband owned the business section of Winside from 1884 to 1886.
     March 23, Library benefit play, "Grand Opera at Persimmon Ridge," was given to a packed house.
     April 13, J. R. Mundy moved to Aurora, Illinois.
     April 14, Sam Reichert drove home his new International automobile.
     May 4, George Gabler is the first merchant to deliver his groceries by auto.
     May 25, most of our autoists can get up enough speed to go up a hill on "high" except when they are accompanied by a young lady.  Then for some reason they are obliged to use the "low."  This is said to be no fault of the machines.
     June 8, Walter Gaebler has a new Mitchell auto.
     June 23, those taking the 8th grade examinations today are:  Gladys Mettlen, Naomi McDaniels, John Mettlen, Clarence Henderson, Minnie Stamm, Mary Von Seggern, Katie Dimmel, Caroline Dysart, Leo Farran and Alta Prince.
     August 10, the horrible looking telephone wires on main street will be placed in a cable this month.
     September 14, depot platform has been taken up and is being replaced by brick.
     October 12, rummage auction sale was held to benefit the library.
     November 2, Champ Clark spoke three minutes from the rear of the train to an unusually large crowd.
     November 2, Prof. Bicknell arranged a debate in the opera house on the question, "Which has done more to determine the destiny of a nation, Lincoln or Jefferson."  A .W. Stockham and M. H. Boyle supported Lincoln and Walter Gaebler and Dr. B. M. McIntyre, Jefferson.  Mrs. I. O. Brown sang two selections and Tot Chapin rendered a piano solo.  Jefferson debaters won.

A few findings --  I found a very short summary of the play: "Wax figures" with vacant stare and jerky movement sing killing songs. Uproariously funny.  I guess we'll take them at their word.  Also, from wikipedia:  James Beauchamp "Champ" Clark was a prominent American politician in the Democratic Party from the 1890's until his death.  He represented Missouri in the United States House of Representatives and served as Speaker of the House from 1911 to 1919.   I read elsewhere in the Winside history book a piece about Dr. McIntrye.  It portrayed him as quite the good person.  I'll get around to adding some of those biographies once I've finished with the year-by-year information.

I've used the photo before, but here's a nice one of the Pete Christensen family.

Told ya

Mon., August 19, 1935 - Annie came about 8:00 this a.m.  We stopped for Marian Jordan.  Today we canned 23 pints plus 16 quarts of corn and 4 quarts of apple sauce for us and 29 quarts of corn for Annie.  We had a dandy rain tonite, started about 7:00.  Stayed all night.
Tues., August 20, 1935 - Edwin brought me and the canned goods home this morning.  I canned up 3 quarts of apple pulp.  Typed again this afternoon and evening.
Wed., August 21, 1935 - Washed and waved my hair, baked bread, and canned 3 1/2 quarts of ripe cucumber pickles.  Went down town with Alma.  Howard was here when I came home.

See?  Lots of canning.  I know the basement was somewhat roomy, but it seems like they would be buried in canning jars by now.

For no particular reason, here is one of my favorite photos from a long-ago family reunion, or maybe 4th of July picnic.

More canning

Fri., August 16, 1935 - Canned 5 pints of tomatoes.  Went to Hans Ehlers' funeral this afternoon with Ola's.  Tonite Hazel and Gilbert Jochens brought us some apples.
Sat., August 17, 1935 - Cleaned the house and canned a quart of tomatoes.  Howard was here tonite and took me down town to do my shopping.  The Iversen and Rew girls are leaving Tuesday on a trip to the Black Hills.
Sun., August 18, 1935 - Slept late this morning.  Washed the jars for the corn and peeled apples for sauce.  Went up to Alma's this evening.  Had some ice cream there.

Spoiler alert -- there is even more canning coming up.  Basically, lots and lots of canning.

A productive three days

Tues., August 13, 1935 - Alma brought our roaster back this morning. I peeled and cleaned the cucumbers.  Typed school stuff this afternoon and evening.
Wed., August 14, 1935 - Canned 4 1/2 quarts of ripe cucumber pickles and 3 pints of tomatoes.  Went down town with Alma to the free movie.  Saw the Iversens afterward and they brought us home.
Thurs., August 15, 1935 - Washed today and canned 3 quarts of apple pulp and 1 pint of apple butter.  Got letters from Ray and Mom today.

Based on this and previous diary entries, it seems those Iversen siblings hung out with one another quite a bit.  And why not?  I always thought they were lots of fun!

Little bit of canning

Sat., August 10, 1935 - Alma came up this p.m. with the news that Hank Lautenbaughs have a baby boy and Mom should go there tomorrow morning.  Howard and I went to Wayne tonite.
Sun., August 11, 1935 - Mom left on morning train.  Howard came at 9:30 with roasting ears and Irene's typewriter.  I typed school stuff this p.m.  Howard here again rather late this evening.
Mon., August 12, 1935 - Baked bread and canned 6 qts. of pickled beets and 1 pint of tomatoes.  Annie and Ola here tonite - brought us some apples, ripe cucumbers and a head of cabbage.

A few clicks and I see that the Lautenbaugh baby was named Dean and he lives or once lived in Bellevue.  The Lautenbaugh family moved to Iowa at some point, but that's as far as I can get.

I did not think anyone ever canned just one pint of anything.  Canning, in my memory, was always a big quantity endeavor.  The things you learn . . .  The photo is of Laplander learning there is a guinea behind her.  Do know that nothing awful happened in the moments and minutes after I snapped the picture; everyone went peaceably on their way.