Linda Hoopes · The Journals of Emma Troutman Boylan
In late April, Emma had received a call from Gerald who was sick in Chicago and wanted money to come East.
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.
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.
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.
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 40th 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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