cattle ranching

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January 4, 1934: 3 Lbs Butter, 1 Large Hen’s Egg and 54 Calves

1934, January 4, Thursday

Cold night, foggy morning, bright and warm, thermometer rose to 28 above and cool in eve again. I got up late, about 9 o’clock, had breakfast, then Will and I took an inventory of our property and I will copy it later into the Diary and I also worked at receipt book and played solitaire late p.m., after supper Maggie and I played 2 games [of] 500 rummy and it was nearly a tie. Maggie got meals, the other necessary work and ironed clothes. Fritz got a load of hay in the hills in a.m. and Ben brought us 3 lbs. butter and a real large hen’s egg, so he helped Will fix a feed-rack and they all put 54 calves in round corral to wean, then Ben went home and Will still fixed more at feed-rack and Fritz got a load of alfalfa to feed the calves. Carl Sundquist and 2 sons of Dallas, S.D. stopped at corral and talked to men. They went to John Sundquist’s where they have 40 head [of] steers wintering.

Calves in a Meadiw, Briton Riviere, 1864

Calves in a Meadow, Briton Riviere, 1864

May 11-20, 1933

1933 May 11th Thursday

Cloudy, rainy, cold all day and a foggy morning. The men chored and all but Will branded and vaccinated some of Hugh Smith’s calves. Will’s foot hurt so bad, he stayed in bed. Wm went to Lattimores before breakfast to see about getting crutches but has none. I got meals and made lemon & raisin pie. Hugh and Cliff Smith and Guy Parish left with team, wagon [and] a saddle horse for Dallas and to Carter to-nite. Knute Strid, Chas. Carpenter and John Sundquist bargained for a gray mare on way to store.

1933 May 12th Friday

Some clouds, sun shone at times and a shower at noon. Ben came and went with Wm and Narve to big pasture and also sold gray mare to Strid and they took it back in late p.m. Harold Whiting, Pat, Violet, Dorothy, Reuben and M. Lattimore here and Will has gone to Winner with Mr. Curt Elshire along and not home at bed-time and foot still painful. A Totton and Allen boy brought mare to breed.

1933 May 13th Saturday

Bright, real nice until towards eve clouded and some wind. Wm went to pasture and fixed chicken pen in p.m. Narvin hauled some manure from house banking. Will got in at 1 p.m. and mailed letters and in p.m. took Narvin, saddle and bridle to Boyds, and Narve was to stay all night and bring Swede up tomorrow but Joe Iddings and Claude Sully came and wanted to see horses so Will went right back to Boyds and Narve came in eve. Wm got in water and I got clothes on line as Will turned ringer and they dried nicely before north dusty wind towards eve, also the meals and mopped floors, but I am all in.

1933 May 14th Sunday

Bright, beautiful Mother’s Day. We got up at sun-rise and after choring and breakfast the men separated horses and put in corral and Joe Iddings and Claude Sully came in p.m. to look at them and bought 3 of Will’s and 5 of Wm’s. Wm, Narvin and I went to church and home at 2 p.m. and they went horse-back to Elshire ball-game, then on to John Boyd’s and home at bed-time. Will and I to game, stopped at Wheelers and Tates. Met Ora Daywitts leaving here on way back home. Will’s foot hurts this eve.

1933 May 15th Monday

Beautiful day, but a few clouds and a shower in p.m. then sun shone. The men chored and Wm and Narvin took horses to Claude Sully’s west of O’Kreek and back for dinner. Mose helped them up with Boyd’s 2 horses, got in at 11 p.m. and Mose went to Elshires this morning to work. I got meals. Will started to clean cellar and Narvin helped when he and Wm got started to plow for garden and Wm finished. A Totton boy came to breed mares in eve and stayed for supper. Will, Narvin and I went to Mission Graduating Class Play, “A Man Higher Up,” was put on nicely by the seniors and we [got] back at 11 p.m. and Tottons’ wagon was west of store minus a team.

1933 May 16th Tuesday

A lovely forenoon but not p.m. and some clouds and dust from south-west. The men chored and Wm and Narvin planted garden and got own meals for Will and I went to Furrey’s. L A. J. Josiak 2 miles south of Carter and Thomas Whiting caught us near Furreys so Fred Larmer rode with him as he went with us from Furreys and Harry and Bechstel came later so he came back with them and Will and I went to Rumolfson’s, Murphy’s, back to Winner, got rhubarb and tomato plants, to Witten where we ate ice-cream, to Chas. Storms north of Witten, to John Jansen’s, Mosher, to O’Kreek, to Tom Sazama’s, to O’Kreek again but no trees on Martin load Sioux City truck so home, and Will, Jerry Bowlin and a boy for John Sundquist cattle, B. J. Wagner here. He drives sorrel team named King and Queen.

1933 May 17th Wednesday

Bright and real hot everywhere, even indoors, first real hot day of season. The men chored and Wm, Narvin, Will and Noble Moore, who came this a.m., set out rhubarb and tomato plants, and Will and I took eggs and got groceries at store and I got meals and men branded and vaccinated our calves in p.m. Walter Ross came this a.m. Will got oil-stove down from up-stairs and cleaned a little at basement. Ben Clausen came in eve, brought lister lay.

1933 May 18th Thursday

Bright, hot, 88 in shade at mid-day and a N.W. breeze. I got meals and wrote some letters. The men chored and Wm and Narvin got in horses and took some stock to big-pasture. Will hurt his foot yesterday so can hardly walk but sprouted potatoes, visited with a man from south towards Valentine who came to see if Mike could be bought. Will went to Earl Allen, west of store, and they will bring down their cattle to-morrow. Being so warm the men couldn’t work hard in p.m. but took it easy in late p.m. and put some 2 yr. old horses to corral as they separated mares from geldings and kept old mares close in. Have orders for underwear nearly finished but I quit. Mr. & Mrs. Boyd stopped on way to store.

1933 May 19th Friday

Cool N.E. breeze and bright until towards eve real cloudy in west but passed south. The men got in water and I washed clothes and got them dry, also the meals but I can hardly walk in eve so all in. Will, Narve and Wm castrated colts in a.m., then Will went in wagon to Furreys, got their car and he and Fred went to O’Kreek but no trees there and he brought lister back. Narvin & Wm met Allen boy with their cattle and after dinner he went home and they took to big-pasture and brought in young steer calves to castrate that belong to Hugh Smith. Oscar Ross and son Alf brought 9 bu. potatoes for R. F. C. workers and they have 10 bu. at home. Roland Wilcutt went by with a team of white horses.

1933 May 20th Saturday

Bright but cool N.E. wind. I got meals and baked bread and mopped floors. The men chored and got lister ready and near noon William started to list corn out here at home. Jay Tate and Dickie were here in a.m. after lister repairs. Will got seed-corn at Tony Martin’s, and Narvin a load of hay at Moore Creek and he and Will put it in barn in eve. John Sundquist stopped on way to the store, he drives some team they got from the Hutchins named King and Queen.

April 6-17, 1953: All the new news

Video: Whitcher Place (house and barn), Hidden Timber, S.D., c. early 1960s (video credit: Bill Furrey)

1953 April 6th Monday

Was cloudy and damp, sun just peeped through at times. Dan came up when we [were] eating breakfast and said that he would give cattle hay this a.m., look at cows to calve and fix fence, so Will and I went to Winner in our Mercury Car and got groceries, some print & plain Percale to finish a block quilt top I am making. Left 3 dresses and my summer coat at Dry Cleaning south [of] Winner Plumbing and can get it this week-end. We got home at 4 p.m. Saw Mr. & Mrs. Wm Chauncey, Sr. They live 13 mi. s.W. Winner on Lawrence Drey Place. Lawrence Klein & wife live at their Old Place Down River and Mrs. Drey lives in Sioux Falls, S.D. She was out to Roy’s for awhile back. Henry Sells and wife in town. Will visited with Mr. and guess all their boys are away, Gerald in Germany, Howard in Army in States, Donald at School at Lincoln, Gerry Dean in first year at Mission High. Never saw Betty nor Calvin. I cut out blocks from new goods.

1953 April 7th Tuesday

Some snow and Rainy. Men gave cattle hay and looked at cattle and pulled some fence East [of] Old South line of Bull Pen and South [of] our Road out to Klein field. They used the Ford Tractor to pull out of ground these posts. These days all the new news is that relatives of Sitting Bull, 3 Granddaughters of his from Wounded Knee, S.D. in Shannon CO. and a few other Indians of Mobridge, S.D., want his bones moved to 5 mi. west [of] Mobridge and the Sculptor of Crazy Horse who works a carving out of Stone images of Noted folks will carve Sitting Bull Monument. I cannot spell his name. Never see Betty as Dan brings milk, for he and Will drink malts. I mix my own in bowl.

1953 April 8th Wednesday

Still rainy and chilly but not all the time, just in short showers, but men gave cattle hay and looked at them and not so many each 4 to 6 but have to watch them just the same. I am finishing the print & white black quilt top this day and play some solitaire and get eats and read. Will & I played some Canasta as [it is] rainy outside. Dan comes for eggs but no Betty nor Calvin. Will laid down in p.m. as he feels not so good.

1953 April 9th Thursday

Sun shone part time but getting warmer. I got eats, played solitaire, started mending that is piled up. Men gave cattle hay, looked at cows and fixed some fence North Wagner Land. Betty no come up. Will was down and said Calvin has new Toy from Coles Sunday.

1953 April 10th Friday

Some clouds but South wind enough to dry clothes. Will put out on line this a.m. and he got them in late p.m. as scattered clouds passed, sun bright so they dried nicely. I played solitaire and got eats. Men gave cattle hay and measured Place west [of] Trees west of house to plant 4 to 5 acres more, so Will went in Mercury to Mission through Hills North [of] Thomas’s, ordered from Soil Conservationist. Dan fixed at fence at Bull Pen. Will got staples, heat bulbs. Had dinner at Mission. Our supper bass fish and potatoes, a sauce of chili for spaghetti.

1953 April 11th Saturday

Some clouds and chilly north wind but no moisture here. Snow fell to 7 inches west Nebraska, So. Dak. and in N. Dak. Men gave cattle hay and Dan worked at fence between us & Dan’s south line, also up My Creek. Will looked [at] cows, had dinner and Stanley Whiting came to take alfalfa to McKee’s to fan. Mr. helped Will & Stanley fan this alfalfa and it looks nice. They had a lunch at McKee’s for Betty & Patsy are cooks. Mrs. called Tuesday to Hasting, Nebr. where her brother, wife & daughter [were] hurt in auto wreck and 5 yr. old son killed. Harley Davis, her brother, broken back and and other places. Jim Hawk was at McKees so he and Bus to South [of] Paulsons to 18 to O’Kreek to see if any news of above folks, as Judy is there. Karen Hawk is with McKee girls as dad at O’Kreek and she helps with work. They have to travel South [of] their Place to McKees and then some way around Paulsons to 18 to get out from muddy roads. men took 8 sacks alfalfa to fan and Stanley 75 lbs to sow and return when he raises seed this fall. Wales went to Mission this eve and Thomas & Athel took Doris, David & Jimmie to Stanleys for the night. Will & Stanley met LeMoyne and Family going out through hills.

1953 April 12th Sunday

Jake and Leo Whiting Birthdays

Bright, nice day. Men looked about cows and calves and in p.m. Thomas, Athel and Jimmie came to Wales, they no home so they came here. We played pitch and men won. Jimmie played to himself. Dan & Family went to matinee at Star Theater, Mission, in p.m. and came back as Thomas’s went home late p.m. They stayed home rest of eve. We read and I played solitaire as Will not too well so no play Canasta but he read awhile and early to bed. Doris and David went with Stanley’s to Mission to show this p.m. They all, Jimmie also stayed at Stanley’s last night and Athel went for them this morning after they [would be] at 8 a.m. Mass but none so Athel brought Jimmie home and they to be home this late p.m.

1953 April 13th Monday

Bright, nice so Dan came up and said he would look at cows and calves and give cattle a stack of hay so we could go to town. We left in our Mercury before 9 a.m., got groceries, some quilting material, a lunch at West Side Cafe and saw Mr. Sells, Mr. & Mrs. Wm Chauncey, Sr., they now live 13 miles S.W. of Winner on Lawrence Drey Place, which they bought recently. They have a new pick up. We went around highway to 18 and came back that way at 1 p.m. and left Gro. etc. home, to Stanley’s and Abbotts to tell them we dehorn, brand 1.D on Heifers, castrate these not done a year ago. Abbotts’ Jersey milk cow’s steer calf was to be branded also. Men worked on Corral late p.m. and finished double gates North of Wind Mill at N.E. Wales yard. Only 2 meals for me and I never sewed any but read and solitaire for we got the mail.

1953 April 14th Tuesday

Cloudy. N.E. wind and not chilly. Men gave cattle a stack of hay, got in yearlings that were with cows in a.m. [In] p.m. W.L. and Billie Abbott came in their Buick and Stanley in his pick up, so they got busy and worked the yearling steer and heifers, branded heifers 1.D and dehorned some of these. Betty and Calvin went to get mail and stopped at Thomas’s. Pearl came in their car to get Stanley to come for a calf not to be born so he went home in a hurry and back after he pulled this calf to finish dehorning a few head. Dan, Billie, W.L. and W.J. worked them. I gave Pearl a mince pie so Stanley wouldn’t miss his lunch but he got lunch here. All went home. Betty brought mail, left Calvin in the car and he plays with everything on seat and the floor. He and Betty came up to give Stanley a cactus plant and get things out [of] deep freeze for supper. We had a sandwich of roast beef for our supper and a malt before bedtime. Mrs. Abbott isn’t out here but in town as Mrs. Anderson, sister, of Naper, Nebr., passed away last Friday.

1953 April 15th Wednesday

Snowed last night but rained first and to-day is damp and cold so Dan and Will had to get in some new calves to warm them by putting in pick up cab and heater on as the bulb he got for heater broke. Was bright and began to melt snow in p.m. but a coat of ice on ground so Will started in our car and no get anywhere, came back to Thomas’s to wait for Tom Sr. to come by but Bud came in his and said that Dick took Tom in their pick up on west road. Thomas, Larry Daywitt and Bud & Tom Sr. went. No meeting last evening and they got stuck in hills. Dick had nobby tires so he brought them home. Men gave cattle hay first this a.m. I boiled beef and when Will came back at 1 p.m. he had a lunch so I got only 2 meals. I am sewing on the finishing of block quilt with cotton flannel interlining, blue lining and tied with light blue knitting cotton. Played some solitaire and read. Never saw Betty nor Calvin this day.

1953 April 16th Thursday

Not so bad and bright so snow is gone and some wind and mud is drying. Men gave cattle hay and went to Whiting Store to mail sample of alfalfa to Brookings to have purity and germination test at Agronomy Seed Testing Laboratory and got mail, the records from Wards were only music, no songs, so waiting so long for what no get. Men have to watch cows and calves so much.

1953 April 17th Friday

Very chilly north wind but sun shone some of the time. Will & Dan fed cattle hay and Dan fixed at fence west side of New Tree Plot west of our trees west of house. Betty washed clothes to-day so no see her. I cut out 2 everyday dresses of Dark Peach Print blocks with flowers and sewed at them. Got 2 meals of fish, etc. but corn for Will’s supper.

March 4-16, 1943

1943 March 4th Thursday

Cloudy, cold Northwest wind and a storm for to-day no come. The men chored and after dinner Will went to John Boyds for they have oats and corn to sell but Claude Van Epps had bought it. W.D. worked at Stalls in barn and helped John and George Jansen unload 108 bu. 12 lbs. milo ($160). They sold 5120 lbs. iron ($18.02) and 20 lbs. metal ($19.02). I got meals but not much else but laid down and played solitaire and read some.

1943 March 5th Friday

Snowing most of this day from N.E. changed to Northwest and cleared in eve. Ground was white. I got meals. We had fresh fish for dinner and washed clothes for Will got in water and took and kept machine running for Brimmer is broke and exhaust pipe leaks but we got clothes washed and packed away. I laid down in p.m. Will fed cattle cake and hay and W.D. hauled 3 loads hay, 2 to bull pen and 1 here and 1 load sudan here and he chored alone in eve for Will has a cold. He brought Marjorie here from school and went home with W.D.

1943 March 6th Saturday

Sun shone but was very cold, never got above 10 above. I got meals but am all in with cold in chest and Will has to lay around on account [of] cold and so much coughing. W.D. chored and went home to eat for our eats are slim but I baked bread and played solitaire. Wm V.E. went [to] Claudes [to] unload hay and a load of manure and brought his wagon behind car with a load of corn. I dried some clothes indoors. Our Aladdin Lamp smoke awful this eve so we had to go to bed early.

1943 March 7th Sunday

Sun shone cold, got to 18 above was 22 below at 8:30 a.m. I got meals, such as it is for cold is miserable in throat and chest. We had canned chicken yesterday and to-day. Will had to lay around for he sneezes all the time since last night and cold is miserable. W.D. chored and he and Elsie caked cattle and he ate at home and got a load of corn this p.m. Ben Clausen came [on] horseback this noon and staid until eve and paid rent on pasture.

1943 March 8th Monday

Sun shone, was 10 above in morning and got to 42 in p.m. so snow is going fast. I was worse with cold and Will is better but never got up until 10 a.m. I got up but had to lay down for 2 hours in day. W.D. chored and gave cattle hay, fixed pen in barn at west and got the mail in p.m.

1943 March 9th Tuesday

Cloudy, snowed to-day was a white ground at night. No Legion Meeting [at] Arnold Moshers Boarding School. Will is better but my throat and lungs hurt, couldn’t do a thing but Will washed dishes, got dinner. W.D. hauled hay 3 loads and 1 Sudan and got meals ready for to take to town. The men got Margie at Wm Abbotts after school in our car.

1943 March 10th Wednesday

Sun shone and a south wind. W.D. hung out clothes, washed last Friday. I am still all in with sore throat and lungs so laid down and read some, played solitaire. Will took bath and W.D. got his 4 wheel trailer and hauled it to Highway with Model A then Will took 3 wagon wheels to Mission to get fixed and home in p.m. W.D. went home for dinner as I am all in to cook. He brought Elsie and Billy in p.m. and She washed all dishes. Will got clothes off of line in eve.

1943 March 11th Thursday

Sun shone and was warm, got to 40 above in p.m. I got breakfast and my throat so sore and feet pain so I took bath and soaked feet and sweat to beat the band, couldn’t finish dinner, Will had to. He has a headache to-day but He and W.D. caked and gave cattle hay at Wagner Shed. They worked at Stall in west and barn and put horses in Round corral, those they are breaking to lead. Snow is going fast. Margie walked home last eve and no doubt will this eve.

1943 March 12th Friday

Bright, beautiful day. Will chored and gave cattle hay at Wagner shed for W.D., Elsie and Billie went to Carl Gehlsen’s, where Elsie and Billie staid while W.D. took wagon wheels to Mission, also got his 2 wheel trailer at Carl Gehlsen and brought all the wagon wheels home that Will took Wed. They came here in eve and Billie’s eyes are swollen a lot so Joe (Mrs. Gehlsen) took Elsie and Billie to Mission to Co. Nurse Briggs this p.m. I guess it is snow blind[ness] for ground has been so white last few days. They brought the mail and Will got A.A.A. check $260.06, lowest earned since program started.

Frank Van Epps, wife Tina, sons Eugene, Vernon, daughter Madeline Carol brought Sarah Van Epps, Totton and Sterling to Will’s but they at Mission so came here in p.m. and took Sarah and Sterling up there on way home for Marjorie walked home this eve and walked to school this morning. Van Epps had to make out an income tax report. My throat is so sore I can scarcely talk or swallow. I laid down this p.m. Will put horses in round corral and he and Frank Van Epps worked at Stall in barn. We never had any dinner so boiled eggs, friend potatoes and mustard sardines are good in us.

1943 March 13th Saturday

Cool in morning but got warmer in day and kind of hazy and an east wind. I got breakfast and Will and W.D. chored and caked and gave cattle hay at Wagners. W.D. has a sore throat so went home at noon to stay until chore time and put horses from corral to barn for they were tied out there when Will and I went to Winner. We took wrong title so paid for V8, 1943 License but never got a registration card. We got cash to buy some bonds at Mission. Groceries and meats, drugs, ate hamburgers, pop, milk and coffee drinks for we had no dinner.

1943 March 14th Sunday

Foggy, Frosty, cold, staid cloudy all day. I had a headache so has Will, his has been for several days but he took me to 8:30 mountain time, 9:30 our time church at Hidden Timber Chapel and Fr. Grether baptized Doris LeAnn Marie Whiting, 15 month old daughter of Thomas and Athel Whiting, whose marriage he blessed also. Doris fussed some but she was a pretty good kid. Mrs. Elmer Gran and Tom Whiting were witnesses. Caroline, Jimmy and Willis Gran, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Drey, Tom Whiting and myself were only ones at Mass. Men caked cattle and a cow dead near Van Epps.

1943 March 15th Monday

Started to rain early, changed [to] sleet and ice, then snow and Strong Northwest wind but men chored and Will went in Car and gave cattle hay at Wagner Shed. W.D. hauled 2 loads Sudan, 1 here and 1 to bull-pen, they watered stock in barn and W.D. went home early and left his car at bull-pen for he took grain there and car wouldn’t start. Yesterday p.m. W.D. got a load of corn at Claude’s and asked Elmer Chauncey to help him skin the cow which they did. I got meals, laid down in p.m. for I still have cold in lungs and sore throat. Will has pains around his eyes and had to wear a cap to play cards in eve.

1943 March 16th Tuesday

Snow blew from Northwest quite hard, was 14 above and zero at morning but wind put chills into you when outside. My throat is better but still I cough. Will’s head aches over left eye on account of cold. The Men chored and watered horses and then W.D. went home via Bull-pen to feed calves & Bulls grain and cake. I got meals, baked bread, laid down in p.m., played solitaire and Will had me make out an order for some small tools to Wards but we are all in. Wm Van Epps has a sore throat and his hips hurt but went home to stay at midday.

January 5, 1943: Elsie and I did the ordinary work

1923 Jan. 5th Friday.

Snowing when morning came and continued greater part forenoon but clearer at noon and again snow in p.m. and cold. Will went to help Elmer and Oscar Nelson haul corn via Ableidingers to weigh. After dinner Will hauled a load and the boys went home. I am still sick and headache, oh my! but it is tough. William stopped here hunting.

Jan. 5, 1923

Jan. 5, 1923

1933 Jan. 5th Thursday.

Bright, nice day. S. W. breeze. The men chored and Wm got water for me to wash clothes and I went to the pasture to look for Badger holes and Fred Larmer came from Furreys with word Jeanette is near death at Rosebud Hospital so he went right back and told Wm, he came in had dinner and went to Wheelers, was at Lattimores in a.m. but he no buy pigs for Erban Brown came in Wheelers truck and took 17 in to Witten[.] Wm went on to Ed’s and home in time to get in stock from field. Will hauled 2 loads oats put in stack in alfalfa field. Ben Clausen here at noon and helped with first one. Will & Erban Brown got in pigs and loaded them in truck alone and Erban has arms in sling from T.B. operation recently at Omaha. I got meals and finished clothes. Roy not here to-day.

Jan. 5, 1933

Jan. 5, 1933

1943 Jan. 5th Tuesday.

Not so cold last night so I never fired the heater last night but looked at fire at 10:35 p.m. there was plenty [of] coal. This is a sunny day, was 34 above at noon, and warm p.m. Wm Van Epps chored and put stringer in east-half Wagner house and afternoon he put in cement[,] that is plastered the foundation inside[,] and worked awhile at his shed. Will has a bad cold but fixed coop window and went to Whiting Store and around Wm Abbott’s where Mr. was husking corn, he [is] o get 2 loads to-day and told him that [they are to]  cut out cattle to-morrow. Elsie and I did the ordinary work and she ironed shirts and tablecloths.

Jan. 5, 1943

Jan. 5, 1943

1953 Jan. 5th Monday.

A partly cloudy [day] but Sun shone also so Dan and Will went to get a yearling Heifer that McKees took home last Spring as [it has] no Mother, she got dry so they gave it Milk until weaning time. We will feed [it] grain and next Summer to butcher and Divide it, half & Half to McKees. Will went to McKees no one home so Buss & family at Bartlesons and Lew at Sioux with old cows, Paulson took down.

Jan. 5, 1953

Jan. 5, 1953

January 2, 1943: I guess gas rationing keeps folks close to home

1923 Jan. 2nd Tuesday.

Was a little cloudy but warm and better p.m. William walked out & they snapped corn on B.’s. I was feeling bad.

January 2, 1923

January 2, 1923

1933 Jan. 2nd Monday.

This is a nice bright day except late p.m. was some clouds but they passed away. I got meals rested in p.m. gathered some cobs. Wm & Will chored and Wm took cattle and horses to the field and worked at fence and looked at traps. Will & Roy put 3 loads hay in barn and all visited with Jay Tate late p.m. who came in his car and we have no gasoline so one running a car now seems to us very fortunate. Ben looked at his traps and he and Mr. Lattimore went fishing.

January 2, 1933

January 2, 1933

1943 Jan. 2nd Saturday.

WWII U.S. Ration Book

WWII U.S. Ration Book

Snowed last night, was cold North wind, cloudy and some snow fell in day. W.D. chored and measured window for east side Wagner House was 4 in. too short so he took window to Whiting Store so Mail-man could exchange and bring another longer [one on] Monday and he went to look for plank to move his buildings and went to Frank Van Epps to buy a hog house and chicken house[,] came late to dinner for he got a load of sand to fix foundation at Wagner east side of house. He brought kindling here from Wagner Place. Got salt at Whiting Store in p.m. Will puttied Wagner west windows and painted them also. He didn’t feel well on account of coughing, cold on lungs so laid down in p.m. Elsie helps with meals, washes dishes swept floors down and upstairs and mopped kitchen. I laid down in p.m. got up so sick on account of eating too many boiled-beans at noon also sweet Potatoes and custard, boiled Pork and baked potatoes, which I fixed this forenoon. This is 2nd day of the New Year and we haven’t seen any one near here or even traveling on the highways so I guess gas rationing keeps folks close to home.

[Lisa’s note: See the Ames Historical Society’s World War II Rationing on the U.S. Home Front and Duke University Libraries’ Ration Coupons on the Home Front, 1942-1945.]

January 2, 1943

January 2, 1943

1953 Jan. 2nd Friday

Bright, nice day. Men gave cattle their cobs and Dan gave cattle hay in bull-pen and worked at fixing Burmas and took one in his Pick Up down to Bull-pen. Wm, Leo and Billie came in their car and Will and Mr. Abbott went in our Pick Up back to Abbotts to get a large Male Hog to take to Winner to sell at Sale Ring. He got $61.00 for it must [have] weighed 600 lbs. Wasn’t weighed just guessed the price as so, so. They came home early. Will had dinner at Abbotts and Coffee and rolls in town, got only a few groceries. I got what eats we had and played solitaire. Never saw Betty or Calvin to-day nor any one else.

January 2, 1953

January 2, 1953

November 25, 1941: Taking cattle away was on my nerves

1941 Nov. 25th Tuesday

Was 38 above when I got up at 6 o’clock a.m. and Stars shone brightly but at sunrise began to cloud but got bright again before noon and was nice p.m. I got meals, laid down in p.m. but no sleep for men taking cattle away was on my nerves. G. R. Duffy came in car and his daughter [on] horseback, they left after dinner with 35 head cattle and 32 calves and Bob DuBray helped her to east river pasture and he said cow bawled and kept looking back and Will, Roy, Drey and Bob went to Bokmann [to ask] if Drey could put his cattle in Bokmann’s Pasture north of our Big One for the night and leave his saddle horse at Pierce Place where Bokmann lives, all O.K. so men came and Bob and Roy left with cattle at once. Will got Roy after he left his horse at Bokmann’s and Bob [took] horse back after dark. Will cut the beef butchered Monday Morning by bringing [it] in, in dump cart and pulling with tractor. He put beef in shanty, chored and got in wood. Lawrence Drey, father of Roy Drey, came in car with a trailer and after dinner took a cow and calf home in it. Bob said one of calves in Drey’s herd bawled also, so we will look to that tomorrow. Mike (Ed) Colombe and Clarence Kindle hauled 3 loads hay each and finished bringing in Hay north of Sundquists so went home for this season.

November 25, 1941

November 25, 1941