Tuesday August 14, 1934

Tuesday August 14, 1934

70 miles thru the Big Horn Mts.  Beautiful scenery — Immense trees, oh! the wood! made mother feel bad to see it laying there rotting.  Ten Sleep Canyon drive beautiful and breathless at times.  The town of Ten Sleep got its name from the Indians.  West of Ten Sleep, Wyo. were the 30 miles of Bad Lands. $1.00 for cabin at Cody, Wyo.

After driving a long time in the Big Horn Mts, Arlene very soberly remarks,  “Seems to me, I’ve seen all this before.”

Geneva that we drove around the same road a dozen times.

"Aren't these exquisite?"

"No ma'am, they're lodge pole pines."

Roy, Geneva, Arlene, Selma

1934 West Coast Trip August 12-13

August 12 - 13, 1934

We started for Oregon on Sunday morning August 12, 1934 at 8:00.  Had dinner in Chamberlain and spent the first night in the tourist camp in the Badlands at Cedar Pass. (1.00)  Our neighbors in the next cabin played bridge and drank beer until 2:00 when Roy asked them to please be quieter if it was at all possible.  ( 2 boys from Illinois and 2 girls from Colorado)

On the first day of our trip Arlene just finished  taking a drink from her jug, screwed the cover on, looked up and asked, “Is this Oregon?”  I found additional notes on the flip side to the notebook.

On  Monday bought our dinner lunch in Rapid City, mailed a card to Aunt Carrie.  Stopped at Sundance. Wyo. and looked up Roy’s cousin Ernest Bracy’s two girls, Florence (12,) and Lola Mae (11) who lived there with their grandmother.  Their mother, Agnes, being married again and living near Upton, Wyo.  Also drove out to Devils Tower. 1.00 for cabin at Moorcroft, Wyo. 

Roy walked down to where they were loading cattle and got to talking to the man in charge and he was an old friend of Grandma Arnolds, (Roys maternal grandmother) Aunt Alice, Ada, Merle and all the Thornton bunch of homesteaders.  His name was Todd.

On Monday we also drove up Spearfish Canyon to show Mother the wonderful Bridal Veil Falls which we had seen there 12 yrs. ago,  but they were just about dry as were also the spring and creeks we had enjoyed so much when we were there before.

August 8, 1933

Tuesday August 8

Made another trip to the “loop” Went thru part of “Marshal Field’s” Store, covers 1 solid block, so does Sears Roebuck.

Walfred took us all thru the new Monroe telephone office.  Real nice place but the inside was all “Greek” to me, 

Had a big supper.  Then Wally and I took a walk thru and ally and found some trees (Tree of heaven) that I had been wanting.

Loaded ourselves into the roadster and went to the station.  Started for Soo Falls at 5:45.  Had lunch somewhere in Wisconsin, Breakfast in Iowa.  Did not get 1/10 as dirty coming home as we did going to Chicago.  The weather was cooler so more of the windows were closed and then too it rained or had rained the last half of the way.  Saw some wonderful scenery between Madison and Prairie Du Chein in Wisconsin.  Saw it by moonlight tho.  Also the Mississippi river.  Art, Eleanor, mother, Arlene and Geneva were all at the station to meet us.  Seems mighty nice to be home again. back in  Soo Falls, a town we really appreciate after bing in Chicago.  Its a fine place to go and visit but  I hope I never have to live  in Chicago never, no never.

August 6 - 7, 1933

Sunday August 6

Went to church (North Austin Lutheran) 3 services every Sun. morning also afternoon and evening.  5,000 members.  Did not get there in time for S.S. but saw the youngsters coming from their classes.  Came home for dinner then went to Lincoln Park.  Went there then the museum, bird building, parts of the zoo etc. but its with Lincoln Park like with Chicago too big.  Also had a speed boat ride (25c) Roy, Walfred and I (Iva and Ruby played out on their feet and went to the car.)  Real thrilling!  38 or 40 miles per hour, making the water shoot up on both sides.  The water was calm but still the small waves gave us quite a dip and raise.

Monday August 7

back to fair for the last time. I’ve seen so much of it everything begins to look alike. We’ve seen so much I would like to wait a month and then go back and see some more.  Too much all at once. Got out there at 9:20 and got home at 5:15.

Saw the seaplanes land and take off from the lake.  They seem to make a good boat as well as a plane.  

Saw a dog show and a mouse show.  Mice of every color, white, spotted, black, tan, etc. playing on wheels, merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels.  Were rather cute if you could forget that they were mice.

Went thru Mayan temple with its relics of the Indians of Mexico.  The exhibit contained a shrunken human head.

Went for a ride after supper out south to old fair grounds, pat U. of Chicago, past Grant Park, past World’s Fair grounds.  Went thru Union Station, That’s a town all by itself.  (All sorts of shops there) within the building.

Roy, Iva and Walfred

                                                               Ruby, Iva, Selma and Roy

                                                                   Walfred, Iva and Roy

August 5, 1933

Saturday August 5

Roy and I found our way to fair alone today. Oh Yes! We got on the right street car by ourselves. Saw shirts made, Ipana tooth paste. Phoenix hosiery, Firestone Tires watched them being made from tapping the trees to wrapping the tires. The making of Chevrolet car was also interesting.

At 8:30 this morning when we were going to the fair there was a “hold up” right across the street.  Police car No. 7 drove up and we heard later the bandits were captured but that was about all we heard about it.

Went through the Thomas A. Edison Memorial Bldg. Horticultural B’ld’g and flower gardens. .25c  Hall of Religion .15c where we saw carved in pearl “The Lords Last Supper”. This was too beautiful to even try to describe,  took 27 years to make it.  Martin Luther’s catechism is now printed in 145 different languages.  Also visited Italia, Sweden, Chinese, Japanese and Manchurian exhibits.  There was one thing that certainly impressed me in the Jap and Chinese bl’d’gs. and that was this: here and there in the bl’d’g. where places where you could buy things such as; silk hankies, silk coccoons (6 for .05c), post cards, etc. and there was a dish or box for you to put your money in make your own change and help yourself to whatever you wanted to buy. Some of these dishes were half full of pennies, nickels and dimes and I thought these people must be honest themselves to have such faith in the people visiting their b’l’d’gs.  These people too had the most for your money.  Here we saw how the silk worm was raised, and how the coccoons were unraveled and made into silk.  Very interesting!

In the German exhibit we saw some of the most gorgeous wood cavings.   We also had a ride up in the observation tower,628 ft. high and it took 55 seconds to get up there. .25c  We could see a lot of Chicago from there, it is possible to see into all the 4 neighboring states too.  My ears felt like I was going up a mountain and the same sensation when coming down.  Could see the park where Ringling Bros. Circus were having their show but the big top did not look very big looked like a dinner plate from that height.  People below looked more like ants.

Heard 100 or more negro voices in a program but it sounded more like shouting than singing.  Saw some “orchids” blooming to-day and no wonder they are considered rare.  The plant must be given extreme care for 7 yrs. before it blooms and then only 2 or 3 blossoms.  Saw the orange groves in Florida to-day.

Saw Byrd’s Ship and a submarine form the outside .25c admission at each place but we did not go inside.

Saw the fireworks at 10:00 they were fine. Simply gorgeous! Then took the street car (.07c) for home.

                                                                               

August 3 - 4, 1933

Thursday August 3   Free Day

Free Day at the Museum and Shed Aquarium so of course we saved our .25c by going on Thursday.  More than you could see in 3 days but we hurried thru without stopping to read very much.  All kinds of stuffed animals, skeletons, fishes, bugs, butterflies, plants, trees, relics —(some coffins -500B.C.) Indian exhibits, Chinese exhibits, Precious stones — we were in one room that had jewels worth millions of $. Special guards kept watch here. In the Aquarium we saw all kinds of water animals! Everything was alive here. Flounders certainly look queer funny.  Also saw fish, mudpups, eels, flying fish, climbing fish, etc.

In the evening to see Hank & Martha at 1628 N. Springfield.  Iver, Virgil & Sylvia had just left there.  Drove past Garfield Conservatory on way home and found we had just  20 minutes left before closing time 10:00 so hurried thru there.  Very pretty place. Palm trees, coconut, banana, coaca, and every kind of tropical plant.  Beautiful!

Friday August 4

Went on the elevated (.10c) down to the loop.  Did some window shopping.  Bought a new dress.  Roy some light pants.  Some world’s fair souvenirs.  Also rode on an “escalator” in a department Store.  That’s a stairway that goes all the time.

In the evening Walfred drove us out to the “Chicago Municipal Airport” Something doing there every minute  Saw the mail planes come in and take off.  9 to 10 passengers on every one and half a truck full of mail and baggage.  Smaller planes were taking passengers up (35 miles for $2.50)  “you can see more up there in 20 minutes than you’ll see down here in 20 years.” so the “barkers” said.

August 1 - 2, 1933

Tuesday August 1.

Slept like a brick last night but the “fan” was working all night.  Schachts have no telephone so will have to go see them sometime.

“Madison St.” is a real “bums” hangout.  Sitting, standing, walking or lying everywhere.  Unemployed.  especially men, are everywhere in the parks, benches or lying right on the sidewalks.

I’m going to plant a sweet potato when I get home.  Just put them ( I mean one) in a glass or can and keep filled with water Iva has 2 and they are real pretty.  Iva’s sister Ruby is here also so we are five altogether.

Walfred, Iva, Roy and myself started for the World’s Fair at 1:00.  Takes about an hour to get there on the street car.  Some of the places we saw: Federal building where they were making real money.  General Electric bldg. Dairy Industries, Hall of Science, Firestone Bldg - where we saw tires made, takes from 2 to 3 years for one tree to produce enuf for one tire.  Morocco, China, Egypt, Belgium, State Bldg, and by the way So. Dak’s. exhibit is as good as the best. yes-sir-ee!  Some of the states were not even finished. Florida, Calif, Wisc were interesting.  General foods bldg. where we saw Kraft Mayonaise, Coco Cola, Rolled Oats, etc. in the making.  Sinclair Exhibits, all ancient animals, (pre-historic animals fixed to keep moving and making weird noises)  intend to take a picture there tomorrow.  Ill, Host Building.  Thermometer Towers.

Wednesday  August 2 

Back to the fairgrounds  Went through General Motors Bldg. Saw Chevrolet cars being made.  Went thru the Cigar Bldg and saw how they were made.  Other places we visited - Indian village, Days of 49,  Streets of Old Mexico, Romania, saw some pigmies from Africa.  Watched different rides, such as  roller coasters, the bug.  Went thru the “Royal Scot” on train imported from England also the Burlington and North Western.  Travel and transport bldg. had lots of engines, airplanes, etc. Oodles of engines, locomotives, airplanes ever made of travel both ancient and up to date.  In the electrical bldg we had a demonstration on television.

1933 Train trip to Chicago for the World's Fair July 30

1933 Train trip to Chicago, Illinois  for World’s Fair  “A Century of Progress”

July 30, 1933

On the “Milwaukee” 4:00 Soo Falls after a “Century” of waiting we are at last moving and showing a little “Progress”.

8:30 - Had our supper somewhere in Iowa. Rye bread, cheese, cookies, angel food, spring chicken

Mason City 10:15 10 minute stop.  Get lots of kick out of people drinking from wrong edge of drinking cups.  Such contortions as they must go thru.

A lady across the aisle gets off so I helps myself to the .25c railroad pillow she left behind.  Could have slept if the flies had stayed off of me.  Actually Roy can sleep in any position.

Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin 2:15  I wish it was daylight, I’d like to see the country.

Madison, Wis. 4:30 in the morning.  Tobacco growing everywhere seems to be the main crop.

6:30 Walworth, Wis.  Getting nearer Chicago every minute.  I do not think I’ve ever had so much dirt on the same time before.  We look like “darkies” but I believe we feel worse.  We are having our breakfast.

8:25 Union Station at Chicago.  found Iva; or rather she found us without any trouble.  She met us in their DeSoto 6 Roadster.  Went home (128 Winchester Ave.) got dinner with S.D. spring chicken, potatoes, eggs, green apple pie, angel food cake, corn on the cob jelly  yes that is correct corn on the cob jelly. Then the 3 of us went to get Wally at the station. He is looking better and happier than the last time we saw him.

Slept part of the afternoon with the breeze of the electric fan, but when we say its hot here, we mean hot.

Had our supper then went to a show  just for a cool place to sit.  Later went for a ride about the town past the fairgrounds, Wrigley building, Woolworth building, Merchandise Mart, which by the way has more floor space than any other building in the world.  Sell anything form a hairpin to an airplane.  Went thru the “loop” drove in the “subway” also.

I have found very few pictures of Grandma and Grandpa in the same photo.

--Ann--

Black Hills September 1 - 14 1923

This post is all photos as I found no diary for these dates.  I found these while I was looking for photos for another trip and thought they were worth sharing.  I thought this might be their honeymoon trip but they were married November 22, 1921.

 

Happy Birthday Grandma

Happy birthday to my grandmother!!! She would be 120 years old today.  Hard to believe she has been gone for 45 years and grandpa for 60 years.  But what a life and adventures they had!  They farmed but still had a desire to travel.  They farmed in South Dakota, he was a very smart farmer and an even smarted cattleman.

    In sorting through the stuff I left at Dad's house I have found some real treasures like Grandma Selma's travel diaries.  They are getting fragile and in order to preserve their contents I am transcribing them into a blog for you all to read or not.  The first diary that I copied was their trip to the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933 by train.  I have typed Selma's words as she wrote them, there are occasional words or phases that would not be considered politically correct today so don't be critical. 'Politically correct' had not been strung together back then.  It's a slice of my family history that I am  sharing with you.

    Some of these notebooks are notes that Selma used for garden club or church presentations.  I changed the font when I added things from a second source,  I used courier font when I have added my own words and in clarifying something or how someone was related. Other notebooks have drawing or notes by Arlene, Geneva, Duane and possibly grandkids.   She kept track of how much they spent on gasoline, lodging and sometimes meals, the cent sign has disappeared from the keyboard I have used the lowercase c after the numerals for the cent sign .25c for 25 cents.  

I am so glad I did not go through this stuff shortly after Dad passed away because I probably would have tossed most of it  And so glad Mom kept it and didn't throw is all away.   --Ann--the keeper of the notebooks