May 29, Monday, 1933 and Days Following: Will and Narvin Boyd went to Bad Nation in North Mellette Co., S. D. to get Narvin’s Dress Hat and Suit, and were not home until 10:30 p.m. All plans were for us to go to Memorial Services at O’Kreek tomorrow.
I canned and fried Pork and was just about finished when, with Pains in Stomach, went out the back door, got to the path to the Toilet, and the Men had dug a 4 ft. hole, threw dirt from this hole to the path, and rain of last night made it slippery, so down I went into this hole with several inches of water.
I braced both my arms in this water and called for Wm Whiting, who was reading in the front room. He came and lifted me to the edge of the hole, but couldn’t do much as my left leg was numb. He got me out of the hole. I couldn’t put weight on my leg so crawled to house by using 2 arms and right leg. Wm wanted to carry me in, but I thought I was too heavy.
With his help, I got on the Porch and into our Bed Room. He lifted me in bed, gave me a glass of water, some aspirins and said not to move. As only a saddle‐horse that was not too trusty was in barn, he ran west to Tom and Sadie’s. Met LeRoy Kropp and wife and Jerome Jamison and wife and 2 children at Bridge, and they were coming from Winner in a Car. They came down here in a hurry and saw Wm, Sadie and Thomas in Tom’s Car, then Will and Narvin returned.
They got me ready to go to Rosebud Hospital. Thomas and Will took me in their Car. Left Sadie home. Wm and Narvin stayed home to finish meat cooking, as this is Memorial Day beginning after mid‐night. Got me to the Hospital at about 2 a.m., had to go slow. Put me in South Ward downstairs and foot was swelling, so packed it. Large Bone from ankle on left leg was cracked lengthwise. I was put to sleep, as Dr. Kempers said, on daylight would X Ray.
Will and Thomas went to Hotel for a room and were back after breakfast as they were not to wake me, as I was drugged a lot. No Power, as this is Memorial Day, and all help left for Places for exercises. Some here and there, so Dr. fixed me as comfortable as could be until 5 p.m. when power was on, and Will and Dr. took me up Stairs to X Ray with Nurse’s help. X Ray showed Large Bone Cracked length wise, so they bandaged it and sent for Dr. Davis of Pineridge Hospital, a Bone Specialist. When he comes, they will put me in a steel brace when swelling goes down then to cast.
Will and Thomas went to O’Kreek this a.m. to Legion Program, then Geo. O’Conners took Will home and Narvin and Wm. took lunch to O’Kreek such as Roast Pork, Bread, Cake, Milk and Butter. These days we had to make all home made, so had all was fixed yesterday. Geo. O’Conners took Will in his car to Mission to help Decorate Graves and then back to O’Kreek to Dinner. Will then went on to me at Hospital. It was my wish the he do all he could, also the boys. Wm. Whiting and Narvin Boyd did fine with lunch. Some one brought them home from O’Kreek with all pans, etc. Will stayed at Rosebud this late p.m., until bed-time, went to Hotel for night. Had nurse to call him if needed and I got fussy.
My leg was put in steel brace as Dr. Davis came, so I am where I cannot move. Will went home to see how boys are doing. He came back in evening and said all meat was put in basement and Kitchen cleaned and mopped. All the Pork is cooked and in Jars covered with fryings and Lard, so Men can Batch awhile. Dr. says it will be two weeks before I can go home.
As days pass, my leg was in a cast. Plans to go home are made each day as Will comes in Morning and again in evening, has to help boys with work part time in day. Maggie Gehlsen, Sister of Carl, works at Supt. Roberts, and she will quit and come home with Will.
We left June 14, Flag Day, and I am in bed, only when they take me out to sit side ways at Table to eat. They put me in back seat of Car and took me on July 4th, 1933 to Legion and Aux. Celebration at O’Kreek. I have a lot of pictures of this Big time taken by Maggie, as she is best helper we could have, and will put them on extra Sheet. Will and I cannot do much now to help Legion and Aux.
Maggie stayed with us for 1 1/2 years, then I could walk with 1 crutch and a cane, but had to not do much as my left hip gives me bother now.