Month: May 2016

Jettie Wrote A Letter

In Muscatine on Thursday, May 31, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Rain & humid.  Helen washed curtains.  Letter from Mother.  I still have a cold.  Watched TV at night.”

Vacuum Demo

In Muscatine on Wednesday, May 30, 1951, Dale wrote, “Holiday.  No work.  To river front in morning to watch Fred King & drill team.  Kids went to a show in afternoon.  Mr. Mosher here at night demonstrating Electrolux sweeper.”

Junior High Picnic

In Muscatine on Tuesday, May 29, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  I’m catching cold.  Sent belt to Larry Casey for high school graduation present.  Stanley went on a school picnic.  Clear & warm.”  Larry was my cousin (see yesterday).

Cousins

In Muscatine on Monday, May 28, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Cool today.  Bought Larry & Stanley a belt apiece.  Took water pump back for refund of $5.81.  Letter from Mother.  Late supper, & TV to bedtime.”  Five years older than me, Larry was my cousin, the son of George and Wilma Casey (my mother’s sister).

Good Dinner

In Muscatine on Sunday, May 27, 1951, Dale wrote, “Cool today.  Fire in furnace all day.  Had fried chicken for dinner.  Took thermostats out of radiator hoses.  Inspected water pump.  TV at night, at home.”

Washing Clothes

In Muscatine on Saturday, May 26, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up late & had breakfast at 9:30.  Helen & I washed in the morning.  Went downtown in the afternoon.  Bought water pump.  Arth here at night for TV & we looked at our pictures.  Rain & cool.”

Coffee And Cookies

In Muscatine on Friday, May 25, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Settled the government office location.  Cool & showers.  Hayes still here.  Stanley went skating at night.  Dalene had coffee & cookies.  TV at night.  To bed late.”  Pretty young for coffee.  She was eight years old.

1951 Dodge

In Muscatine on Thursday, May 24, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Fisher bought a new Dodge.  Paid grocery bill $37.88.  Max Jelinek here for supper.  Had chicken.  Watched TV at home at night.”  Above: a 1951 Dodge.

Pay Day!

In Muscatine on Wednesday, May 23, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Hayes cooked lunch.  Bushery sick with sprained ankle.  Pay day.  Stayed home at night & watched TV.

Muscatine Library

In Muscatine on Tuesday, May 22, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Cool & showers.  Had to push Hayes’ government Ford to start it.  Bushery sprained his ankle getting off a truck.  Took Helen to the library after work.”

My Flexy Racer

In Muscatine on Monday, May 21, 1951, Dale wrote that Dalene bought my Flexy Racer for $1.  I won it in a contest several years earlier – it was essentially a sled on wheels, with steering handles.

Sunday Paper

In Muscatine on Sunday, May 20, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up early & read Sunday paper.  Cleaned out radiator, went to store.  Fishers here a little while in afternoon.  I unlocked the plant at 1 A.M. the 21st for Fisher.”

Manual Car Wash

In Muscatine on Saturday, May 19, 1951, Dale wrote, “Washed the car.  Got Helen’s dress from cleaning shop, had it altered.  Kids went to a show in afternoon.  Cleaned the dining room.  Rain & cooler.  Watched TV at night.  Card from Mother.”

Hotel Muscatine

In Muscatine on Friday, May 18, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Grigsby & party at plant today.  Had turkey dinner at Village Club in Hotel Muscatine.  Durkin, Hayes & Meek at our house in evening from 8 to 10:15 watching boxing & wrestling on our TV.”  I was a dining room busboy at the hotel, above, while in high school.

Country Club Dinner

On Thursday, May 17, 1951, Dale went to a dinner at the Muscatine Country Club for several co-workers.  They went to the country home of the owner of Kent Feeds afterward, which Dale described as a $100,000 home ($913,000 in 2016 dollars).  Above: Geneva Golf and Country Club in Muscatine.

New (Used) Dining Set

In Muscatine on Wednesday, May 16, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Finished painting government office except ceiling.  Bought dining room outfit – table, 6 chairs & buffet for $10.  Warm & showers.  Max Jelinek here at supper time for visit.  TV at night.”

Paint Job

In Muscatine on Tuesday, May 15, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Only filled 4 trucks today.  Manley still painting government office.  Got 2 large ash trays from Eubanks.  Hayes arrived in afternoon for RD annual inspection.  Washed windows after work.”

Getting A Haircut

In Muscatine on Monday, May 14, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30.  Elmer Manley painting government office.  I got a haircut.  Painted Dalene’s bedroom in 2½ hours.  I went to a wrestling match at night with Bushery, Lofgren, & Arth.”  They were co-workers.

Nice Weekend

In Muscatine on Sunday, May 13, 1951, Dale wrote, “At Mother’s in Osceola.  Ruth in to visit.  Drove out to Lloyd’s awhile.  Went to cemetery in afternoon.  Drove home to Muscatine by 7:45 P.M.  Good weather & nice weekend.  Hard work for an old man.”  He was 41.  Ruth was married to Helen’s brother Louie; Lloyd was Dale’s brother.

Osceola Weekend

On Saturday, May 12, 1951, Dale drove Helen, Stanley, and Dalene from Muscatine to Jettie’s house in Osceola for the weekend.  They went “uptown” for Saturday night.  Above: Dalene, Dale, and cigar in 1951.
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