In Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 30, 1957, Dale wrote, “Beautiful day. High 86°. Walked up to the drug store in the evening to pay the gas bill and priced a 1955 Olds – $2,195. Wow!” Danielson Drug was three blocks north of the house; his exclamation was due to the “high” price of a two-year-old Oldsmobile – nearly $18,000 today. Below: a 1955 Olds.
A Hot Day In April
In Muscatine on Tuesday, April 29, 1952, Dale wrote, “Hot today, 91°. Hottest April 29th on record. River a bit under 21.0 feet, falling a little.” The Mississippi was down to 20.8 feet the next day, and continued dropping.
To The Top Of The Monument
The River Tops Out
In Muscatine on Sunday, April 27, 1952, the Mississippi River flood stage was at 21.0 feet and holding steady. (Dale’s diary.)
Going To “The Nation’s Attic”
Going To The Zoo
Another Year, Another Flood
The River Is Rising
In Muscatine on Wednesday, April 23, 1952, the Mississippi River had risen to 20.2 feet, and rose to 20.5 feet the next day. (Dale’s diary.)
Dale’s First Day In The Civil Service
Helen Gets Pots And Pans
Easter Eggs
Helen And Dale Get A Phone
A Visit To The Farm
Old Man River Rises
Dale And A Walking Plow
A Short Visit
In Muscatine on Saturday, April 15, 1950, Dale’s sister Marie called him out of bed to tell him that she and their mother Jettie were coming from Osceola that day. He wrote, “Arrived about 2 p.m. and left around 5 p.m. Nice visit but short.”
Springtime Cherry Blossoms
A Flat Tire In Oskaloosa
Visiting in Osceola with his family on Sunday, April 13, 1952, Dale wrote, “Dalene went to Sunday School with Susan. We drove home to Muscatine, had dinner in Oskaloosa, also a flat tire. Home at 5 p.m. and glad of it. Snow and rain all day.” Susan Kimmel was Dalene’s cousin. Oskaloosa is roughly halfway between Osceola and Muscatine.
Caseys Visit Gardners
In St. Paul on Saturday, April 12, 1941, Dale wrote, “Met George, Wilma, and Larry at Dan Casey’s. Georges came on out here for a visit. We took a long ride in the afternoon.” The next day, George Casey got a telegram that his hired hand was ill and they left for their Iowa farm north of Osceola. I don’t know who Dan Casey was.
Truman Fires MacArthur
In Muscatine on Wednesday, April 11, 1951, Dale wrote, “President Truman fired General MacArthur.” U.S. President Harry S. Truman relieved General of the Army Douglas MacArthur of his commands for making public statements that contradicted the administration’s policies. MacArthur was a popular hero of World War II who was then the commander of United Nations forces fighting in the Korean War. Below: Truman and MacArthur six months earlier.