Linda Hoopes · The Journals of Emma Troutman Boylan
In June 1947, Emma and Tell were living in Moylan, PA with daughter Ruth and her family. Bob’s sister Estella, a missionary to Africa, was visiting.
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 1st. 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 interestedin 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.
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 12th 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.
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.
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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