Category: The Great Depression (1930-1940)

M.A.P. – Mainly About People

(Morning Olympian   June 5, 1932)

On a trip to Yelm by way of Rainier, a few days ago we saw two large barns under construction, something that has not been happening in this county in recent months.  Somebody must be making profit, for even at bargain prices lumber costs money.  It seems good to see fresh boards lifted against a background, for it indicates a revival of confidence in the immediate future on the part of the farmer.  And it likewise gives the lumber dealer and carpenter a bit of cheer.

Relief Committee to Meet Friday

Conference to Discuss Increasing Need for Aid in County

Morning Olympian   January 14, 1932

Members of the Thurston County Relief committee will meet Friday night at the central office at 7:30 o’clock to discuss the increasing need for relief work in the county.

The three county commissioners will attend the conference, and delegates from Yelm, Vale, Rochester, Tenino, Bucoda, and other county communities will be present.

Please for aid have come recently from a large number of families living in these communities and the committee hopes to work out some plan of relief.  A recent tabulation showed 75 families needing relief in Yelm.  Like conditions prevail at other points.

It was by no means a pleasing picture of economic and family conditions in Thurston county which was brought to the view of the members of the executive committee of the local Red Cross at its annual meeting Wednesday.  The big question in the minds of all as they listened to the report was not how more efficiently the work of relieving distress could be done, but how with the limited resources available it was going to be continued during the duration of the winter and until revival of industry and warmer weather contributed to family relief.

Mrs. Fay Miller, executive secretary, reported having given charity aid during December to 149 families, comprising 594 people, at a cost of $1,137.51, an amount nearly $400 in excess of the amount budgeted for the month.

Added to this, was the relief extended through the unemployment division of which H. R. Watson as charge.  Watson reported that since November 17 when this work was started,  $6,736.27 had been expended in the form of day’s work at $2.50 per day and that if the present rate of expenditure was continued the amount available for unemployment relief would be exhausted before Marc 1.

Jesse Mills, recently elected chapter chairman and who presided for the first time, pointed out the absolute necessity of reserving from the funds raised from last fall a sufficient amount to carry on the charitable and civilian relief work of the chapter through the coming spring, summer, and fall.  George Draham, chairman of the general committee directing unemployment relief voiced the opinion that it might be necessary to call on the employed and employees to make additional donations.

Nearly 600 heads of families in the county have applied for unemployment relief and Mrs. Miller estimates no fewer than 100 families, without a breadwinner, will have to have constant assistance during the winter and probably longer.

Aid extended by Mrs. Miller during December included furnishing of food, clothing, fuel, drugs and medicines, bedding, lumber and building paper for the repair of homes, payment of rentals, hospitalization, light and water bills and furnishing bedding and household necessities.  Se reported a total of 520 office interviews during the month and an unnumbered list of visits to families asking for aid.

Mr. Draham said it appeared to him absolutely necessary that through investigation of family conditions quite a number of cases should be eliminated, but that on the other hand more assistance than is being given at present must be given to large families.  He inquired how many of those present would undertake to support a family of five on $15 per month?

Mrs. Miller reported receipt of large additions to the clothing supply from the ingle Club auxiliary and also receipt of 25 comforter and 15 pairs of pillow slips by the circles of the United Churches.

Mrs. Bert Strablow, Cor.

Elmor Goodwin and Mr. And Mrs. Harlie Morris, who had been visiting friends and relatives during the holidays, have returned to their homes in Okanogan county.

H. R. Wilson and children were visitors of Mrs. Anna T. Sale Thusday.

Jam L. Mossman attended business in Olympia Wednesday.

Bob Reichel spent the Christmas holidays in Seattle.

Mr. And Mrs. Fred Price of Bremerton are spending the holidays with Mr. And Mrs. Sam Price.

Mr. And Mrs. Delmar Jewell are the parents of a baby daughter.

Pearl Jewell is home for a short stay owing to the death Sunday evening of her employer, Mr. Candray of Rainier.

Mr. And Mrs. Henry Murphy have returned to their home in Seattle.

Mr. And Mrs. J Metrakes entertained Mrs. Addie Parrot, Mr. And Mrs. Thomas cubit Christmas day.

Mr. And Mrs. Chester Reichel and children spent Christmas with the Chester Thompson family.

John Dain had his car badly smashed up, owing to the poor condition of the road, when he was passing a truck.

In 1929, a the stock market crashed leaving “over 9,000 American banks either went bankrupt of closed their doors to avoid bankruptcy between 1930 and 1933. Depositors lost over $2.5 billion in deposits.59 This left 25% of Americans without a job, and unemployment never went below 15 percent until World War II. Of those who did not lose their jobs, “one-third of the work force experienced cuts in wages and hours both.” Not only the city workers, but also the agricultural community felt the hit. “Farm income declined by go percent between 1929 and 1932. A third of all American farmers lost land.” The government realized this atrocity and began to help. “The West received more federal grants per capita through New Deal relief programs that any other region” (US). This meant a family of five received $53 per year, and a single person received $15 in 1933 (Washington’s Emergency Relief). With the end of the economic boom of the 1920s, Americans spending changed, changing the lives of people all over the country. This brought the people of America and Yelm closer to their family and made them more creative. Some of the luxuries they could enjoy during the twenties, such as leisure activities, were not the same.

The children were probably most creative of all; the innocence of their youth could not realize the weight of the period. The youngsters would ride their “‘wheels’, (not bikes)” to Olympia for ice cream sodas at noon and home for supper (Yelm his). Roger Eide and wife Lila when asked to remember the fun of their childhood remember playing “kick the can,” “swimming, ” skating up and down the street,” and wagons.” A common meeting place was Patterson Lake, between Yelm and Lacey; there was a skating rink there. They also say “kids” would play a lot of pranks such as tipping outhouses, soaping windows on cars and business buildings. The children were probably the least affected mentally by the Great Depression. They continued to play and being inventive to occupy the time.

Group activities were very popular during the Depression. People could relax, and forget about the hard times, or they could talk about their difficulties. The most common group past time was probably Baseball. People all over America and in Yelm played baseball

quite frequently. Every chance they got; they would get together to play. Games would start up within families at picnics, with friends at school, and there were-small community leagues as well. Lila Eide recalls a Roy team and a Yelm team would play near Lawrence Lake. Another sport available was golf. There was a league at Lackamas (NVN). Other group activities for groups were ice cream socials, camping, fishing, hunting, and berry picking (Yelm his). And of course this would all lead to “lots of parties.” There were berry balls, street dances and carnivals to celebrate (Eide). Group activities were always available and were used to bring communities together.

Families were another important social structure. People would gather on Sundays or after work to relax and reflect. One home activity was reading. It became popular because the harshness of the Great Depression came through in the words. Roger Eide remembers doing a lot of “home things” including reading, and the radio. He believed that “people would sit and listen to the radio and the read probably more the average person59 today. Radio provided Americans with their first direct access to important public events (us). Roger said his family listen to the “radio all the time95 there were comedy programs, ball games, soap operas (which his mother listened to quite frequently), and music. Music consisted of “bands playing, horns and pianos, Lawrence Welk, and occasionally classical.” Radio plays were among the “most popular entertainments of the 1930s55 (us). People would sit together on their front porches, and sit, talk, and dance. It seems like a solitary experience, but it turned into a community activity. The radio was an important part of American culture throughout the Depression.

Another experience all Yelmites could enjoy was going to the movies. Movies were one of the least expensive forms of entertainment, and with sound and soon color become very popular very quickly (us). Movies could be seen for 10 cents and the high school. And a man opened a theater on southwest comer of First Street and Yelm Avenue, the Eides remember. They said it was “some old garage55 but then moved to where the bowling alley now is. It soon gave way to the more popular, future drive-ins and TV. Yelmites went to the theater to escape their everyday lives, and found themselves connecting to the rest of the nation.

Even though money was scarce, Yelmites and Americans in general found economic ways to entertain themselves.

By Mary Asher

Sources

•  “Washington’s Emergency Relief Administration, Directors Files, Plans &

Reports,1993″

• Robert Wolf interview

• Roger and Lila Eide interview

• Nisqually Valley News, May 22, 1935

• The Story of Yelm 1848-1948

The remoteness of a town like Yelm caused a need for the women to socialize with each other. The harsh lifestyle that they had to endure was too much without some kind of diversion from their work. Clubs provided the women in Yelm with a channel through which they could accomplish both these things. Women desired to make lasting changes that they felt were necessary in society. They yearned to demonstrate their ability to be as effective and important as their male counterparts. The need to improve themselves was also a concern. The clubs that women organized often paid strict attention to parliamentary procedure. With parliamentary procedure they proved they were capable of being organized as well as executing programs and decisions with efficiency.

The main focus of the clubs was to better the community. Several clubs were founded solely upon the desire to improve Yelm while others were created to support an interest or hobby yet still held community service as important. The Garden Club, for example, participated in many floral competitions and shows but also took it upon themselves to make wreaths for each veteran’s grave and to landscape parts of the community. The Civic Club was the most service minded of the clubs in Yelm. Some of its activities were garbage disposal, making sidewalks and courtesy ramps, clean up days, erecting signs, playground improvement and landscaping. Another important service was provided by the Orthopedic Auxiliary. This Club provided care for the children in the community by treating them for their bone ailments, which often resulted in full recovery. Patriotism was proudly displayed by the Navy Mothers of Yelm. These women volunteered countless hours at the recruiting booth, provided Christmas parties and meals for local troops and held bond drives. One of the most successful drives brought in six thousand dollars.

Women put a large amount of effort into each of the clubs that they founded or participated in. Women were effective in initiating and carrying out major civic programs in an organized manner. This was a quality of their work that proved they had the same business capabilities as men and were able to administer them. The good that resulted in the town of Yelm was a landmark to the women’s good character, hard-working mentality and desire to give to society.

By Kara Lowe (2002)

(Source: The Story of Yelm: The Little Town With the Big History, 1848-1948)

LIMA BEANS ARE HARVESTED

The Nisqually Valley News

September 19th, 1940

This week saw the first of Yelm’s new crop, lima beans, harvested and threshed. The beans are turning out fairly good for a first year crop. The yields have been from 500 pounds to a ton to the acre. The culture and fertilization of the beans is entirely new to the district and another year the farmers will know better how to care for them.

The ordinary growing season for the limas, judged by other localities, was about 120 days, but in this vicinity, from the time they were lanted [planted] until the harvest started was just 104 days. The water and climate here are apparently adapted to growing this bean.

The smallness of the crop is no indication of anything as the first year the Blue Lake (pole beans) were planted here the crop was so small that many of the farmers did not expect to grow them the next year. But this year the Blue Lakes harvested as much as seven tons to the acre.

The price for the lima beans is $80 per ton. However there is no picking charge and the beans are threshed here by the R.D. Bodle Company, buyers of the product and the green vines make fine cow feed.

The handling of the beans is an interesting process. The beans are threshed green here, and there must be no more than 10 percent whites, or ripe beans. They are then iced and shipped to the freezer in Seattle, where they are done up in cellophane packages and frozen. They are shipped to Eastern markets where stores with special equipment sell them.

This particular branch of agriculture may develop into something that will be of great benefit to this community.

A.J. Justman is the agent for R.D. Bodle, and Lawrence Darts is in charge of the thresher.

WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION

200 Alaska Building

Seattle, Washington

­ ­The University of Washington has joined with the U. S. Army Engineers

Office, the Works Progress Administration and local county commissioners in

combating flood conditions throughout the state.

­

The Hydraulics Laboratory of the University will undertake a series of

studies made possible by a W.P.A. allotment of $8,784 to determine the influence of river channeling, problems of silting and erosion in streams, and tidal and current movements in harbors and streams. Models reproducing existing conditions, will be used as the basis of the experiments.

­

Workers supplied by the W.P.A. will be used only to assist in the

construction and operation of the models, according to Don G. Abel, WPA state

Administrator. The data for the design, as well as the design will be furnished by other agencies qualified to undertake such work.

­

­Of the $3,000,000 federal funds allotted for flood protection measures

in the Western Washington U.S. Flood Control District during the 1937-38 fiscal year, $2,100,000 has been expended, leaving approximately $900,000 available for the remaining period. according to data released by the U. S. Army Engineers Office.

­

During the more than two years operation of flood control projects in

this district, 15 projects have been completed and g are now in operation. In

King County, Skokomish, Cedar, Green and the Lower Carbon river projects have been completed; Puyallup and Carbon river projects in Pierce County; Skokomish River operations in Snohomish County; Des Chutes, Yelm, the Upper Chehalis and Skookumchuck river projects in Thurston County; ­inault River in Grays Harbor County; Skokomish, Coffee and Goldsborough Rivers in Mason County; Jimmy Come-Lately River project in Clallam County.

­

­More than 630 river workers, supplied by the WPA, are employed on flood prevention programs operating on the Nooksack River in Whatcom County,

Skagit River in Skagit County, Stillaguamish and Pilchuck Rivers in Snohomish

County, Chehalis River in Grays Harbor County, Docewallips River in Jefferson

County and Snoqualmie River in King County.

­

­Seattle, Washington, October 28, 1937

The children were probably most creative of all; the innocence of their youth could not realize the weight of the period. The youngsters would ride their “’wheels’, (not bikes)” to Olympia for ice cream sodas at noon and home for supper (Yelm his). Roger Eide and wife Lila when asked to remember the fun of their childhood remember playing “kick the can,” “swimming, “ skating up and down the street,” and wagons.” A common meeting place was Patterson Lake, between Yelm and Lacey; there was a skating rink there. They also say “kids” would play a lot of pranks such as tipping outhouses, soaping windows on cars and business buildings. The children were probably the least affected mentally by the Great Depression. They continued to play and being inventive to occupy the time.

Group activities were very popular during the Depression. People could relax, and forget about the hard times, or they could talk about their difficulties. The most common group past time was probably Baseball. People all over America and in Yelm played baseball quite frequently. Every chance they got; they would get together to play. Games would start up within families at picnics, with friends at school, and there were small community leagues as well. Lila Eide recalls a Roy team and a Yelm team would play near Lawrence Lake. Another sport available was golf. There was a league at Lackamas (NVN). Other group activities for groups were ice cream socials, camping, fishing, hunting, and berry picking (Yelm his). And of course this would all lead to “lots of parties.” There were berry balls, street dances and carnivals to celebrate (Eide). Group activities were always available and were used to bring communities together.

Families were another important social structure. People would gather on Sundays or after work to relax and reflect. One home activity was reading. It became popular because the harshness of the Great Depression came through in the words. Roger Eide remembers doing a lot of “home things” including reading, and the radio. He believed that “people would sit and listen to the radio and the read probably more the average person” today. Radio provided Americans with their first direct access to important public events (us). Roger said his family listen to the “radio all the time” there were comedy programs, ball games, soap operas (which his mother listened to quite frequently), and music. Music consisted of “bands playing, horns and pianos, Lawrence Welk, and occasionally classical.” Radio plays were among the “most popular entertainments of the 1930s” (us). People would sit together on their front porches, and sit, talk, and dance. It seems like a solitary experience, but it turned into a community activity. The radio was an important part of American culture throughout the Depression.

Another experience all Yelmites could enjoy was going to the movies. Movies were one of the least expensive forms of entertainment, and with sound and soon color become very popular very quickly (us). Movies could be seen for 10 cents and the high school. And a man opened a theater on southwest corner of First Street and Yelm Avenue, the Eides remember. They said it was “some old garage” but then moved to where the bowling alley now is. It soon gave way to the more popular, future drive-ins and TV. Yelmites went to the theater to escape their everyday lives, and found themselves connecting to the rest of the nation.

• “Washington’s Emergency Relief Administration, Director’s Files, Plans & Reports, 1993”
• Robert Wolf interview
• Roger and Lila Eide interview
• Nisqually Valley News, May 22, 1935
• The Story of Yelm 1848-1948