In November 1954, grandma and grandpa sold a lot of chickens and slaughtered the last pig. Some readers may be unfamiliar, because they save the pork head along with roasts, ribs, ribs, etc. I still remember the sadness when I saw the pig's head sitting on the kitchen table. But as my father used to say, "Suzy, you can use every part of the pig except the scream." I think my reaction was because I named almost all the animals on the farm. If I remember correctly, I think I named this man St. John the Baptist. Dad also told me not to name any animals I plan to eat. good suggestion! On a more positive side, it’s time for the Butler School’s annual oyster dinner sponsored by the ladies of Helping Hand. Grandma and other ladies have spent a lot of time in this area. This is their biggest church money maker this year.

Monday, November 1, 1954-The rain is too heavy to wash off. Geraldine came and we dressed 11 roosters. We gave her six roosters for $1 each. I took five and ate one. I put four in the locker. Geraldine caught a cold because of this. Wayne brought a machine from Tom Dammann. He called Tom and found that Sister Maggie's son had drowned in the Mississippi River while hunting ducks. The people from Merle brought us 5 tons of 900 pounds of coal. Our heap is getting lower and lower.

Tuesday, November 2, 1954-I went to Hillsboro. Antifreeze has been tested on the car. I brought my dressed chicken to the locker. Carl didn't feel good, but we went to vote in the afternoon. With the exception of Charles Newport, Judge Genos, and Superintendent Evalt, I voted for all Republicans. They were elected.

Wednesday, November 3, 1954-I washed such a piece of clothing. When John went to attend the ATA meeting, Mrs. Keith came. When I embroidered a block for my child's quilt, she was weaving.

Thursday, November 4, 1954-cold. We arrived at the James Ward store before 11 am, but all the household items were sold out. It is about the largest number of people we have seen at auctions. Later, James’ hires said that the deal reached $22,000.

Friday, November 5, 1954-cold. Mary Nimons and I went to Ethel Newport with rags to make carpets. We donated them to the annual oyster dinner sale. We stopped at the church to spread the quilt. Raines made a fire for us. Mary gave me the yellow print and asked me to fold the child's quilt.

Sunday, November 7, 1954-We called Fern Best and told her that we were coming. We met Wayne in Raymond. They are on their way to Morey's house for family dinner. George took us into the northern part of Christian County. We have seen newly developed oil fields.

Monday, November 8, 1954-sunny and mild. Charles Hermsmier came to culling our hens. He eliminated 58 floors, leaving us with 54 floors and few good floors. The eyes of most cullingers are very poor.

Tuesday, November 9, 1954-sunny and mild. This is the Ministry of Interior of the Community House. I really don't have time to go. I finally finished embroidering the children's quilt (top). I washed it. Ordered items for the grab bag of oyster dinner.

Friday, November 12, 1954-sunny and gentle. I participated in our regular "helping hand" meetings. The thanksgiving offering is brought. Nine of them gave us $20.84. Mrs. Jenkins helped me count the money. We quilted the child's quilt, but it was not finished. We do want it to be ready for sale in the market. Carl is clearing the garage. Everything was dumped there.

Saturday, November 13, 1954-Karl is still cleaning in the garage. I went to Butler to buy groceries. Give Mary Henry the trinket for the bag grabbing. Just got it today. I was allowed $3, so I paid the postage, plus $0.35.

Sunday, November 14, 1954-good weather! I went to church and Sunday school. Mrs. McCammon announced that the Go Getters class will give Rudolph Wooden a basket of fruit. Rudolph Wooden is bedridden and threatened by tuberculosis. They have two children, and the other is coming. I visited Mrs. Cliff Robinson for a few minutes.

Monday, November 15, 1954-great. I washed it. Margie and Connie had dinner with us, then we slaughtered seven small fries, and then two hens, ready to have Thanksgiving dinner at Merle's. Mamie Ware sent me a $5 donation for Helping Hand. I advertised the elimination of hens in the Montgomery News. The owner of the Schram City skating rink came here after 14 people at a price of $1 per person and said that he would come again after the rest next Saturday morning. Heavy hens on the market are 10 cents per pound and have been the cheapest price for many years. The egg is about 0.30. We only have five or six every day.

Tuesday, November 16, 1954—an ideal day. I baked a raisin cream pie, took it, a quart of cream and Mary Nimons and her pie, and then we went to Charlie Newport’s pig and cow sales. After we got home, Carl took the disk for a while.

Wednesday, November 17, 1954-It looks rainy, but sunny. Carl wants to go to Ted Johnson's auction. I had to take the child's quilt to Ida Brown's place, let her sew the gutter on the back of the quilt, and then we went to the sales office. Carl delivered our last pig to the locker.

Thursday, November 18, 1954-It started to rain after dark. I have a lot of things to do. I baked and iced an angel cake. I took Mary to the school building at four. Ada Brown and I made a ham sandwich. Mary wants to cut the cake. She said that we have some cakes donated by outsiders. I donated carpets, coffee cream, cakes and tablecloths.

Friday, November 19, 1954-cool. Let's find pig head and liver. Wash the head, chop it up, and put it in salt water. Walter Kates has two roosters and one hen, each for $1.

Saturday, November 20, 1954-cold and vibrant. I went to Hillsboro to buy groceries. Pay Montgomery News for the advertisement of the hens we sell, 40 cents. The skating rink owner ranked behind the remaining hens, 27, each for $1. Esther Norvelle and Larry came to find a rooster for herself and two roosters for her mother. All 1 dollar. So many calls to the hen.

Wednesday, November 24, 1954-I ironed my clothes before Karl woke up. I went straight to sewing because I wanted to finish a printed dress for Connie. Before Thanksgiving, I borrowed one of her clothes as a pattern. I sewed buttons after dinner. Bob Hayes from St. Augustine, Florida visited with us throughout the noon.

Thursday, November 25, 1954-I took cream, noodles, and a hen. Marguerite roasted with her hen. Tobermans, Leland Bondurants, Ted Solanders and daughter, Merle's and us. Such a great dinner. Three chickens and one duck. Corky became stiffer and stiffer.

Friday, November 26, 1954-we went to Lichfield. I need to tighten the screws on the glasses. We went to Dr. Strattmier and bought two medicines for Corky. His hind legs became stiffer and stiffer. The doctor said to give him mineral oil to treat constipation. Wayne uses a straw to press under his nail, which hurts.

Monday, November 29, 1954-cold and sunny. I didn't wash it, but took the quilt apart. The outside is shabby. I combed the wool inside so I could make a quilt for Jimmy. Corky walked some distance this afternoon. His mineral oil worked.

Tuesday, November 30, 1954-sunny and cold. Hantra's sales west of Raymond. Carl didn't want to go. Corky seems much better.

Carole (Best) Brown of Golconda provides Journal-News readers with a glimpse of the past by her grandmother and Butler Farm wife Mary Edith (Newport) Best. You can contact Carole at rosebudbooks@gmail.com.

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