In Muscatine on Saturday, August 11, 1951, Dale wrote, “Non-work day. Roswell left at 9 A.M. Worked most all day on the car. Looked at Meerdink’s apartment. Frank Galbraith here at night a few minutes.”
Under The Hood
Company For Supper
In Muscatine on Friday, August 10, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. New office is nice. Roswell here for supper & all night. Looked at house in the country & showed Roswell the alcohol plant. TV at night & to bed at midnight.” Roswell, above, was Dale’s cousin, the son of Charley Gardner and Meda Robins.
Office Move
In Muscatine on Thursday, August 9, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Moved government office today, me into Staab’s old office + M&T on 3rd floor. Called Howard Scott about a house in the country. TV at night.”
Still House Hunting
In Muscatine on Wednesday, August 8, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Quiet day. Talked to F. Hoopes about house in country. Answered an ad in Muscatine Journal regarding house to rent. TV at night & to bed at 11 P.M.”
More House Hunting
In Muscatine on Tuesday, August 7, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Quiet day. Loaded 2 tank cars. Talked to Harley Orr about renting his house on Mulberry Avenue. Went to store for groceries. TV at night.” They filled tank cars like the one above with alcohol.
Office Conference
In Muscatine on Monday, August 6, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Hayes came down on government office change – approved. Hayes here all day. Looked at Hooper country home in evening. Too small. TV at night.” Mr. Hayes ‘came down’ from St. Paul. Our rent goes up next month, so Dale is looking for another house to rent.
Family Reunion Picnic
On Sunday, August 5, 1951, the annual Gardner-Williams picnic was at Osceola’s East Lake Park. Dad and I were in Osceola and he wrote, “Stan and I took Mother. Helen and Dalene stayed home. Drove back to Muscatine in the afternoon. Lots of traffic.” Above: Dale’s mother Jettie at her piano in 1951. The photos on top of the piano are of her children Marie, Dale, and Lloyd.
Dale Plays Pool
On Saturday, August 4, 1951, Dale and Stan drove from Muscatine to Osceola. Dale wrote, “Nice cool day. Played pool with Uncle Charlie, won 2 out of 3. Went uptown at night and saw everyone, almost. To Mother’s and to bed at 11.” Uncle Charlie, above, was Charles Monroe Gardner, the younger brother of Dale’s father Williams Gardner. Saturday night was the night to go uptown and visit friends.
Drug Store Bill
In Muscatine on Friday, August 3, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Decided not to buy shock absorbers, too high. Paid Grimm’s $5. Busted fan belt, cost $2.70. Got ironing, took family to library. TV at night.”
Something New
In Muscatine on Thursday, August 2, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Bought new hot water bottle. Paid polio insurance for 2 years. Paid lights & sanitation. Stan & I worked a puzzle (counted stars) & mailed it to Stein’s. TV at night.”
Paying Bills
In Muscatine on Wednesday, August 1, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Letter from Mother. Paid FPEA $22.15. Paid 2 weeks groceries $42. Lofgren sick. Helen doesn’t feel good. Had light supper. Watched TV at night.” I have no idea what FPEA was.