January, 1901 Farm Life
My great grandmother, Elvira Morse Davis, began her diary on Jan. 15, 1901. As I read, I try to imagine life on the farm in Fulton County, Illinois. All of the towns she refers to are now only a gathering of a few houses, no stores, no community beyond a few neighbors. My childhood was filled with stories of “The Old Home Place.” In my twenties I was in the house while it is still standing today. All of the outbuildings or trappings of that era are gone and the house looks quite forlorn.
The family consisted of Elvira and Frank Davis with their daughter, Gertrude (Gertie) 22 and their son, Waldo, 6. I believe Elvira began her writings after she was injured in a buggy accident and was unable to do any type of physical work. Her diary is succinct and factual, mainly recording the household and farm chores.
I have enjoyed reading about the crops and food. They mostly ate what was grown and preserved. As a child we did as well. I loved creamed new potatoes and peas from the garden in the spring. Sunday, April 21 Elvira bemoans that the asparagus is late. Six days later she happily reports that they had asparagus for dinner. A cow was butchered and four days later they had stuffed beef heart for supper. She shares that some of the beef was smoked and some put in brine.
There were regular reports of trips to the store. Apparently Frank liked to socialize and would go to one of the small towns almost daily. On Saturday, January 19, 1901, Frank went to Rapatee. He took seven dozen eggs and recieved 15 cents a dozen. He, also, sold $1.13 worth of onions. Two days later he returned from Fairview with bananas for Waldo, a special treat. On February 2, 1901 (Groundhog Day) Frank went to Farmington and bought 4 oranges for ten cents. Elvira also reported that the groundhog did not see his shadow. A few days later Elvira reports that Frank returned with five cents of candy.
From these stories I can picture a lonely little boy waiting for his father’s return to see what treat he might bring. My mother would tell stories of Waldo’s adoration of his father, often waiting for him to come riding in on his buggy, giving Waldo a ride from the house to the barn.
(Next time we’ll learn about the arrival of the telephone.)