Memory Road Trips - Bev Russell, Library Director

(This column appeared in the March 2, 2008, Star-Herald)

 

Anyone who grew up in rural Nebraska or any "country" locale should read or at least browse two books. They are a "memory road trip" and are well worth the journey.

"The Prairie Girl’s Guide to Life: How to Sew a Sampler Quilt and 49 Other Pioneer Projects for the Modern Girl" by Jennifer Worick

"The Prairie Girl’s Guide to Life" was a walk down memory lane for me. I closed my eyes and ruminated about my two grandmothers and examples of their prairie skills. In my mind’s eye, I viewed two upstairs bedrooms in an old house. One filled with homemade soap, hanging on drying racks and the other bedroom with Grandma’s quilting projects. My other grandma embroidered. From her I learned that noodles had not always been packaged in Martha Gooch bags, that bread had not always been sliced, and that butter was not naturally yellow.

"The Prairie Girls Guide to Life" takes you back to Grandma’s time. It was a time of homemade—not store-bought. From this wonderful little book, a reader can learn how to make rock candy or a poultice, to spin yarn, waltz or even pan for gold.

"Days on the Family Farm: From the Golden Age Through the Great Depression" by Carrie A. Meyer

"Days on the Family Farm" is another neat book. May Lyford Davis kept a daily diary from the beginning of the twentieth century to World War II. With her husband Elmo, May lived on an Illinois farm during prosperity, depression and two world wars. She recorded her daily experiences, and they provide a window into the history of early twentieth century agriculture. Carrie Meyer, also a farm girl and relative, retells her story.

Elmo’s father died in 1892, and Elmo took on the responsibility of the family farm during the hard times of the 1890s. Probably for this reason, May and Elmo married rather late in their lives on January 1, 1901, at age twenty-seven. May developed rheumatoid arthritis shortly after her marriage. They had no children. Her diaries from those early years are missing, but her ledgers recorded many doctor bills. After 1907 May never walked again

The following are a few highlights of their life together.

Elmo’s first gasoline powered engine was purchased in 1906 for $215. He used it to power his buzz saw and his new corn sheller, which he bought in 1907.

Their first automobile was a Maxwell touring car, purchased in 1911.

February 1918, May and Elmo paid $17.94 federal income tax for the first time.

On November 11, 1918, "whistles in Rockford about 3 AM announce Germany signed armistice."

In May 9, 1934, the Great Black Blizzard blew through, and May recorded, "Sun hardly shine (sic.) all day because of pall of dust through air."

The REA turned on the lights in June 1938. Thereafter, May budgeted $6.25 each month for the electric bill.

May’s diary entries became less complete and more confused as her health deteriorated during World War II. Her final entry was on Sunday, February 13, 1944. After a short automobile drive, she wrote, "Nice. My cold better." She died a few days later. Elmo wrote the last diary entry on February 25^th. "Dear sweet little May passed on and left me alone…"

These are books for those who remember when…. Join me in savoring two books, which pay homage to bygone eras.

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