INA SPENDS CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY, 1946

Grandma Ina is spending Christmas in Portland with her daughter, Myrtle (also called Lynn in those days). She writes about Christmas shopping in downtown Portland:
. . . Lynn went out and got a nice little tree, just right for size and shape, and for only 25 cents, much to our surprise. Next day was fine and sunny and we went down town to do our last shopping. The shops were beautiful with all sorts of gay and clever Christmas displays. The markets were a dream of luscious foods, and I wished for Dickens to describe them for me; turkeys, geese, ducks, fat chickens, beef roasts and cuts of all kinds, hams, bacon, pork roasts and chops, cranberries as big as cherries, bags and baskets of nuts (the biggest walnuts and filberts I ever saw), jars of mincemeat, pies, cakes, and cookies of every sort, baskets filled with the finest fruits, and all wrapped in colored cellophane. I kept falling behind to admire things, while Lynn went blithely on her way among the happy people.

We got a small young chicken, ripe olives, cranberries, huge filberts, and some holly sprigs to make it complete; all this to be added to our supplies at home. About noon we went into Mannings (tea and coffee importers) who have a fine lunch room and serve their famous coffee. We had Scotch scones and coffee at a little table and rested. Got home about 3:30, tired and happy. I had captured the Christmas spirit which had eluded me for some time past.

That evening we set up the tree and put boughs and sprigs of holly on the pictures and curtains. The tree had too many boughs for our purpose and so it furnished decorations too. We made the tree gay with stars, beads, and silver rain, then tied tiny packages and red bows of cellophane on to complete the picture. Other packages were piled around the tree which stood on the table in front of the windows in the living room. We retired late, and wished each other a Merry Christmas, for it was after twelve before we slept. We arose late next morning, and after a leisurely breakfast and some clearing up, lighted the tree with old fashioned candles. After admiring it for a while, we opened our presents.

INA'S CHRISTMAS CARD ETIQUETTE, 1934

Well, “they say” you don’t have to answer a Xmas card -- see – till next Xmas. It is more in the nature of a gift, so to speak, tho I’ve always hated not to do so. My way is to get a supply of New Year cards; then if I’m caught a few lines on the card fixes it or the card alone, see! I sent Portfors a Xmas card this year and they hadn’t sent me one so Nina called me up and we had a nice chat. Dorothy and Fairly are fine. Dorothy weighs 116 pounds and feels better than for a long time, also never weighed that much before. Fairly now in the Forest Service work establishing look-outs. He was in the erosion work. Nina’s mother has been in Portland since August and had a cataract removed from her blind eye so now sees pretty well once more. She’s with Bessie.

CHRISTMAS WITH INA, 1934 (3)

Christmas morning I arose tardily to begin my 1934 Xmas. Dad went to “feed the chores” and I began breakfast: biscuits and sausage for him, beefsteak, cream gravy, and lite bread for me, also grapefruit, cereal, cranberries, and honey oranges. I gave Dick [Aha! – the dog’s name is Dick! Here Dick!] a generous breakfast of meat scraps, etc., and the cats also with liver to top it off and wished them all a “Merry Xmas.” I then fell to work and was all done and dressed and fixing my apples for salad when the guests came. Doris & Ruth [June’s daughters] helped me lite the tree and arrange seats. It looked very pretty and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.

The girls set the table and made themselves generally useful. Mrs. Cordell and Aunt helped in the kitchen. In fact, Aunt helped me out by dressing a fat young rooster and bringing it ready for the roaster. She also insisted on making pies since I had my hands full – mince and pumpkin. One of each would be plenty, I said, but no – here came two each and ginger cookies frosted. She’d tried a new recipe. So we had mince and pumpkin pie with whipped cream on it, ginger cookies, fruit cake and do-nuts, and fruit and whipped cream for that, coffee, oranges, nuts and candy besides the after dinner mints. Well, we just parceled out the leftovers amongst the guests. I got thru it just fine. It was a good day.

INA'S CHRISTMAS REPORT, 1934

Jan. 13, 1935
Dear Son,
We are “as well as usual,” blessed phrase! The snow is about 15 inches deep and drifted. The trees are beautiful with it and we have magnificent effects at sunrise and set.

I got along just fine with my Xmas doings. “This is the first Christmas I ever spent without the voice of one of my children in the house.” But don’t let your heart sink at that thought. There were children to the right of me and children to the left of me, north, south, east and west, and though they didn’t “bay and thunder,” they charged the lonely Xmas idea with such skill and loyalty that is was dispelled as a visit before the sun. We had a lovely time, not only that day but beforehand.

The morning of Dec. 24, I made donuts for I must have fresh donuts for Xmas, and you know “do-nuts and coffee never hurt anyone.” That evening after all was cleared away, Dad popped two kettlefuls of lovely corn and we sugared one and put taffy over the other. We heaped a large platter with balls till Dad said, “Oh, that’s enough,” for he wanted some left to eat. Well, I sent him off to the living room to eat and read. Then I prepared my dressing and sweet potatoes for the morrow and put my buns to rise, for I’d baked lite bread and roasted beef too. At last I repaired to my seat before the fire with a pan of sugared corn, nuts and candy and filled eleven little Xmas boxes for the tree. Then I fell upon the boxes. Ethel’s was wrapped with green string and I cut this off to tie on packages, being foolish about green string for my tree packages . . . The packages were all so pretty and I had a great time hanging them on the tree and under it.

AND NOW -- A WORD FROM GRANDPA JACK, 1934

Dec. 20, 1934
Dear Vance,
Just a line or two to let you know I am busy running to mailbox nowdays and writing letters. I killed a beef a few days ago – dressed 260 pounds. Come and help eat it up. Got a 240 pound hog of Jay Cordell, also made some sausage today. I got my fall grain sowed and all of the plowing done but 5 acres. I have 9 traps set for coyotes but have not got any yet. We have about 6 inches of snow but it has not been very cold – 18 above the coldest. I will have to cut my summer wood after the holidays.

When Ina and I get the old age pension we are going to come and make you a visit. We will have nothing to do. Will have to turn the farm over to someone else. The government won’t allow us to work any more so as to give someone else employment that has not got a job.

There is lots of chinks around here this winter. I counted 20 in one bunch and some got away before I counted them. Merry Christmas. From Dad

(Top photo is Jack Dobson sitting in the dining room. Behind him in the corner is the old treadle sewing machine. Photo above is Jack going about his chores.)

CHRISTMAS WITH INA, 1934 (2)

Thursday Evening, Dec. 22, 1934

I’m standing the Xmas doing fine. Ruth has been here two days helping for I’m making a dress for her of one of Ida’s. Most of my letters and cards are written and my last box went off today. I forgot to tell anyone it would be a ‘skimpy Xmas.’ Pearl said she couldn’t send presents. Nothing to sell tho they have vegetables, fruit, beef and pork and of course plenty of milk, butter, so they’ll do, but Al had borrowed $600 on his salary to pay some bills and get stuff and it was all gone. . . Ethel said this move would strap them and she couldn’t do anything either. Well, anyway, you ‘have done something’ so here’s hoping. Ruth is coming down to help me decorate the tree and they’ll all [June & Bertha’s family] be here for Xmas as usual and maybe Cordells will too if he is able and John B. I’m expecting a good time. I wish you’d come over. Couldn’t you have arranged it?

[Again she lists the items she has sent to her children and grandchildren, much as in prior years – useful items, needful things. The gift to Myrtle was most interesting, I thought.] “To Myrtle an atlas she’d wanted and a lady doll to muffle her clock at night. I made the doll, a full old-fashioned skirt of velvet lined and padded with cotton. I hope it fits. . . “

I may fill little boxes with sugared popcorn, nuts, candy for the tree just to make it livelier. Shirley sent me a box with paper tags, etc., and some small stick candy and nuts for the boxes. We send a crate of eggs to town about every two weeks and it keeps us in groceries. I got candy, nuts, oranges, grapefruit, etc. We’ll have to have some lettuce, celery, etc., come up for Xmas, too. Aunt is helping me out by doing some of the cooking – pies, cookies, etc. Earl’s box has come and Myrtle’s. I must close with love and all good wishes, tho that doesn’t express it at all it seems to me. Mother – hugs & kisses.

(Top photo is the barn in the 1930s. Lower photo is the barn in 2007.)

CHRISTMAS WITH INA, 1934

Though not a Christmas entry per se, anyone who has traveled the controversial route connecting northern and southern Idaho will surely enjoy the following written by Ina in the fall of 1934. Shirley leaves the area to spend some time with Earle and Bernice in Idaho Falls, where they are both teachers and lucky to have good jobs in Depression years. Shirley's absence will make Ina's Christmas celebration in 1934 rather lonely.

"Shirley left a week ago today for Idaho Falls and it just makes you rave to think that it’s like a trip to another country to get to the southern part of your own state. You have to go to Lewiston and I believe stay all night, then on to Grangeville where you arrive about 7 p.m. and stay all night, then to Boise and stay all night; arrive Idaho Falls at 4:30 next day. Her ticket from Grangeville was $13.45 one way, and I believe that is exactly what mine cost to Portland and return. We arranged it so Henry Shockley could take her to Grangeville and that made it a lot easier as well as less expensive. She needed a change badly, and may be able to find a job down there. It seems strange to be here alone again, and lonely. You must write to me, Vance."

SHIRLEY WRITES --- NEW YEARS 1934

“This is such a strange winter. We had a skiff of snow Friday night, but today it is all gone and the ground quite soft though I believe not all the frost has gone out of it. It rained a bit yesterday up here and quite a little in town. People are surely sick of it, but it does help those who are too poor to have much heat, when it stays so warm. Seems colder tonight and is somewhat cloudy so it may snow.

“New Year’s Eve the Harold Powells asked Henry, Myrtle and myself over for the evening and we had a most enjoyable time listening to their good radio and playing anagrams. They really are delightful people. We didn’t come home till after 2 a.m. so we were somewhat sleepy at Aunt’s the next day. She had the usual big dinner which everyone thoroughly enjoyed . . .

“Last Tuesday night we had a few people in for the evening . . . Myrtle was very anxious to have “Pit” so we got a “Pit” deck and played that and “Anagrams.” Had lunch about midnight and we might have tried some square dances, for we can get good music over the radio, but it was too late. Mama stood it very well; we had planned she could slip away to bed, but she stayed up after all, being quite gay and giddy. We had a nice time and I think the folks did though we did nothing so exciting.”


This picture of Aunt Shirley and Uncle Henry Shockley was taken on their wedding day, June 24, 1937. They are standing on the south end of the front porch in front of Grandma Ina's clematis.

CHRISTMAS WITH INA, 1933 (2)

Written by Ina, January 14, 1934:

Dear Vance:
Your presents are very nice indeed and you said you wouldn’t spend much on us! The etchings are lovely and will make a fine group over the mantel. Thank you, and don’t do it again. These look like money to me. You mustn’t make false promises, you know, about not spending much on Xmas presents. Well, these things are the aristocrats among pictures. I feel I’ll have to live up to them . . . The glass on both etchings was smashed to bits but they were not hurt. We took them to town and Oud’s replaced the glass for the princely sum of 55 cents for both. It is good clear glass, too, bright and shiny, so don’t tear your hair. There was lots of packing but too much weight on them, I think, in mails.

No one here can recall such rain and floods at this time of year ever and we had such high winds for a week or more. June’s old bean house blew down onto grass separator damaging it a good deal. . . Dad cut the tall pine just back of the house. It had become dangerous, but there are still others back of it to shelter the house. He also cut the group of small pines just northwest of the hog house. Some were dead and now it gives us a beautiful view of trees and mountains to the north and east. We hated to cut them but are glad to be so we can see out and we have such lovely changing pictures.

P.S. If you are near a radio, tune in on the Columbia network Saturday p.m., 7 o’clock and hear Byrd talk . . .

This view to the north and east was taken by Ina in 1934. In another letter she provided that the only camera she has is a little Kodak with "one viewfinder up and down."

CHRISTMAS 1933 -- MYRTLE WRITES TO VANCE

This Christmas of 1933, Vance set out from Raymond, Washington, to spend Christmas with the folks on the farm. He turned back for some reason and didn't make it clear to the awaiting family that he would not be coming. His sister Myrtle, however, did make it home, traveling to Lewiston from Portland on the train. She writes as follows on December 29, 1933:

“It’s a great treat to be at home and to have had Christmas here. . . Thursday a.m. we pulled down the blinds and had the tree. It was piled full at the foot, besides the table. A huge Xmas was had by all.

I got through in good time, the train was 5 hours late into Lewiston and we used all the tracks north and south bank, but still I got in in plenty of time to catch the stage to Orofino. Ed Ingram came for me and we had a hard time making it in from the highway. Six inches of snow on top of soft roads. There was a heavy mantle of snow over all the trees. I got a picture of the house, the snow began to go. But we will have more, I hope. We took pictures of the tree with all the presents, then yesterday took a picture of the wreckage for fun.”

I've seen those pictures, I thought to myself. And sure enough -- I've posted them for you. The tree sits where we now have the piano. Note the little black stool in the photo above. That now sits at the back door of the modular home.

Regarding Myrtle's visit, Jack writes: "Myrtle kept us interested in her chatter while she was here. We couldn't hear ourselves think at times.

CHRISTMAS WITH INA, 1933

The Christmas of 1933, Vance was expected home, but when it didn’t work out on his end, his communication to the family waiting at the farm was not clear. I’ll skip Ina’s description of their worry.

“Well, we had the usual ‘frugal Xmas,’ with gifts piled around the tree and on the library table, etc., also hung a pair of stockings on Shirley’s door. We were afraid we’d have a black Xmas but Sunday it began snowing and Xmas a.m. we had nearly 6 inches and a lovely snow falling. . . On the whole Sunday went off pleasantly. I made my pumpkin pies for the dinner and in the evening Dad popped two kettlefuls of corn and I put molasses and sugar taffy over it. Very good! We heard part of A Christmas Carol over the radio and various other good music. Monday a.m. June’s arrived in force, but we decided to hold the tree (for you) until evening and had a lively day and a good dinner though not lavish, and I ate my fill according to a previous promise to myself. In the evening, we had more radio, more popcorn balls, more nuts and candy, and learning you hadn’t come in on the stage, decided to distribute part of the presents, so lit the tree . . .

“Yesterday we were at Aunt’s for New Year’s Day. And oh! The lavish dinner! Oyster soup – very good, fried chicken, gravy, potatoes, corn on the cob, cabbage salad, Jell-O fruit salad, fruit cake with thick icing, mince pie, pumpkin pie, apricot Jell-O pie, etc., etc., etc. – and then Aunt said, ‘Why Ruth! We didn’t put any citron preserves on the table.’ Also, popcorn balls, nuts, candy, and gum.”

Ina adds: “The snow is all gone off in a rain and dreadful reports from California over the radio last night – 12 inches of rain in 30 hours, lives lost, damage to houses, bridges, roads, etc. We never had such work before at this time of year.”

This picture was taken July 4, 1933, when some members of Ina's family were present at an extended family picnic. Al Sanders stands in the back. From left: Earle & Bernice Dobson, Pearl Dobson Sanders, Grandma Ina & Grandpa Jack Dobson, & Stanley Sanders (13 years old). Granddaughter Shirley Jean Robinson stands in front (7 years old). (KW)

NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH INA, 1932-3

In 1932 Ina and Jack came by a radio. When some of the children learned that $3.00 would put it in working order, they “sent the needful,” as Ina put it. Here Ina describes listening to the radio on New Year’s Eve, 1932:

"Last night Shirley and I stayed up to see the New Year in from the east coast to the west. They began at 9:00 at New York City when pandemonium broke loose on Broadway till we could hardly hear the chimes from the great Trinity Church. Perhaps you were listening in, too. We bathed while the New Year was crossing the Great Plains and getting into the mountains to be heralded at Denver. Chicago ushered it in on Central Standard time. I curled up on the couch and took a nap while 1933 was crossing the mountain chains and reaching the city which sits by the Golden Gate. There again was great sound and we could hear the steamers bellowing and such a confusion of sounds [so that] we could hardly hear the bell tolling out the midnight hour. Earlier in the evening we heard a funny and clever program from the New York studio, “The Kukus.” They put on such clever skits. We heard Arthur Lipman . . . I’ve often read his poetry in the Saturday Evening Post."

This letter is one of my favorites. To think of a rural farm family hearing the sounds of celebrations as the New Year -- 1933 -- gradually arrives in cities across our country is fascinating to me. I love listening to the old radio programs. I have a tape of "A Christmas Carol" as originally broadcast in 1939 with Lionel Barrymore and was delighted to find some radio stations still broadcast it on Christmas Eve. (KW)

CHRISTMAS WITH INA 1932 (3)

This photo is of June (Junius) and Bertha Dobson on the left and Jack and Ina Dobson on the right. Jack and June were twins, Ida and Bertha sisters.

After Christmas, 1932, Ina wrote the following to Vance:

We had a very pleasant and jolly Xmas. The Boehms and June’s were here and the little boxes of treats were just the thing. We kept the tree till all got here. June was the last as he had to shave, much to Aunt’s disgust. She said he sat around and read instead of shaving, and she had Ruth [Aunt’s daughter] call him and tell him we were waiting on him, and then she called him up and told him he was holding everything up. We all got tickled over it. When June came in sight, Shirley lit the tree, and it was so very pretty. She had the rooms decorated very nicely, too, with boughs. After the gifts were distributed, I dragged the cask from Myrtle to the center and we unloaded it. It held two packages of fancy prunes, two packages of fancy raisins in cellophane, and a quantity of fine nuts and six packages [of something]. Imagine the crunching and munching and general messing of wrappings, etc. The moon was shining in brightly and lighting the tree and everything else in sight. One of Earle’s packages contained two fresh coconuts . . .

Your two huge packages came Saturday evening and were a source of great curiosity. You do think of the nicest things! They are lovely and the [magazine] rack is not bulky and will soon be full. Think you did a good job on the painting, especially the birds. [We still have and use this magazine rack my dad made.] Don’t just know where I’m going to put the table yet, but it is a darling little table and adds greatly to our possessions. . .

Well, we had a great Xmas, and it helps to pass the winter. People can do things like this if they want to. No use to let everything go because of hard times.

CHRISTMAS WITH INA 1932 (2)

Continuing the letter of Dec. 21, 1932, Ina lists the gifts she is mailing to family members. "We sent Stan a premium fountain pen Dad got last year – think it will do him good service – and a pretty quilt top, all the material on hand. Aunt put in a pair of pillowcases and Ken’s old toy typewriter. I have dried rose petals two summers so had plenty for three rather small cushions one each to Ethel, Myrtle, and Irl and Bernice. We sent Shirley Jean a cute little print apron and hankie in pocket and Shirley put in a little cup and saucer from her old tin things. Shirley Jean has always been crazy over them. Shirley also put in a book cover for Myrtle as she had hinted at wanting another. Irl and Bernice get a jar of fancy strawberry preserves. They failed to get any put up last year and Irl was so disappointed.

“Well, you see, our Xmas has cost next to nothing for what we bought was necessary anyway, but we’ve had a big time this hard times Xmas. Everything looks different when you look at it from Robinson Crusoe’s standpoint, surrounded by a sea of depression, and things show up at a more real value. We appreciate the actual values of things. So we’re going to have a very merry Xmas.

"Myrtle’s box, or keg (?) came yesterday and looks like it would hold about three gallons. Her letter says it is treats for all so that will add to it. Ethel found that $3.00 would fix up the radio so got busy and she, Earl and Myrtle sent the needful and we are very glad indeed to have it. There is a big box here from Irl and Bernice and a small one from Pearl, and Ethel got some bargain blankets so she sent two pair home and June’s get one and also they get a teapot from her. So we’ll have lots of Xmas. And Dad and June have each killed a young beef so that makes for good eats . . . "

CHRISTMAS WITH INA 1932

Grandma Ina writes from the Gilbert homeplace on December 21, 1932:

Dear Vance,
“Out of the welter of Xmas plans comes this letter and how I wish I were coming to you with it or better still that you were coming home. No use to think of these things though, and I hope and trust you’ll be with friends and be cheered and happy.

"We’re going to have June’s [family with us] and Mr. and Mrs. Boehm have promised faithfully to come. We have some left over candy boxes that we’re going to fill with sugared popcorn, “old hard Xmas candy,” and the Merc’s [the Orofino Mercantile] best assorted nuts. Listen, the hard candy cost 9 cents a pound, cream 15 cents a pint, nuts two pounds for 35 cents. Some change! I had some chickens and eggs to send down [to the Merc] lately and so got supplies and some treats, and Lydia put in an extra pound of the hard candy. June and Bertha felt unable to get treats, so in a way that makes the tree loom larger. We promised to have a regular tree and we’ll all be children and have a lot of fun out of it.”

“I’m putting a pound of Climax [chewing tobacco] on [the tree] for Dad. He doesn’t know I got an extra pound. It is for fun but I know he’ll be glad to see it coming. I got a pair of leather-faced gloves for him, too, and for Shirley a pair of brushed wool gloves which she needs for going out these winter nights. I also got her a box of pretty stationery – also a necessity. Then I’ve got her going on a surprise which is a pretty print apron. She’ll never think of it for it was left over from the stuff I made Pearl’s quilt top with."

CHRISTMAS WITH INA -- INTRODUCTION

Ina's house in the 1930s -- and Kathy's house, 2007

“The house isn’t haunted,” volunteered my son, Clinton, who had just returned from spending a night or two in the farmhouse. At that time, we were still in the remodeling process. “He just doesn’t know,” I thought to myself. Just because there aren’t ethereal sightings doesn’t mean the house isn’t haunted. In fact, when Mike and I began to discuss the possibility of remodeling the farmhouse as our own home, I at once thought of my grandmother, of the abiding love her children had for her and then for her memory. And I wondered if I could really feel free to make the house my own. Mike and I continue to think often of the history – not only of the two Dobson families living on adjoining farms but of the Russell Ridge community in general.

Fortunately, my dad had a sense for what might prove interesting or important in the future and he saved letters written by his mother and siblings during the lean depression years. During the month of December I hope you will join me here as I share “Christmas with Ina” in her own words.

As my account begins in 1932, Ina is 62 years old, and Jack, her husband, is 69. The farmhouse is 15 years old. They have no running water, no well. They carry water from a spring. They have no electricity; they use kerosene lanterns for evening light and the house is heated by the fireplace and the old wood cook stove. Grandpa Jack farms with horses. Life on the farm is hard; they are older and tired and they have no choice but to keep on. They do have a telephone, and as you will see, they have just obtained a radio. Of their six children, only Shirley, age 22, remains at home. She will eventually marry Henry Shockley who is mentioned frequently in these letters.

MEET INA AND HER CHILDREN, 1953

I'm experimenting here to see if I can scan and post some old pictures. This picture of Ina Dobson surrounded by her children was taken in July 1953. From left they are: Myrtle, Earle, Vance, Ethel, and Shirley. The eldest child, Pearl, passed away in this timeframe. The location is the woodshed at the farm. It's not much of a building but picturesque.

Myrtle preferred to be called "Lynn" in her younger years; I always refer to her as "Aunt Lynn." She never married and became Ina's caregiver and companion in her last years. Earle's birth name was Irl; he didn't like the different spelling so he changed it to "Earl" and later to "Earle" so that it would be different. (Hmmmm!) Earle's wife was Bernice Dryden from Peck. They both taught in Idaho Falls. Bernice passed away in the late 1950s and Earle and Lynn eventually lived in Nezperce and made frequent visits to the farm. Vance, of course, is my dad; he took over the farm for Grandma when Grandpa Jack died, but our family lived in Orofino where he was a piano teacher. Ethel and her husband, Ernest Robinson, moved to Orofino in the 1950s where he was retired and she worked for the Employment Office. Ethel and my dad were good friends. Shirley, the youngest, married Henry Shockley in 1936 and they moved to Seattle in the late '30s where he worked for Boeing until retirement. Seattle continued to be their home.

Ina's grandchildren were: Stanley (Pearl's only son), 1920-1995; Shirley Jean (Ethel's daughter), 1926-1996; Roberta (1939?) and Marilyn Shockley (1943?), Shirley's daughters; and Kathy (1949). I have lost touch with Roberta and Marilyn.

There will not be a test -- but I wanted to introduce this family because over the next month I am going to share "Christmas at Ina's House" from letters she and others wrote to my dad in the 1930s. (KW)