Historical Context
This letter, written by Wanda Florence Haderlie (1913–1987), provides a vivid snapshot of life in Thayne, Wyoming, during a pivotal moment in American history.
To understand the world Wanda was living in when she sat down to write on March 28, 1932, here is the historical context:
1. The "Hard Winter" and "Starvation Valley"
Wanda’s complaints about the snow and "surly bad" roads weren't just small talk. The winter of 1931–1932 was famously brutal in Wyoming.
Record Cold: Just a year after this letter, Wyoming hit its all-time record low of -66 degrees F. In 1932, Star Valley was so buried in snow that the Red Cross had to issue emergency wheat to the community to prevent a local famine.
Isolation: Thayne is located in the "Lower Valley" of the Star Valley. Before modern snowplows, the "lower valley kids" Wanda mentions were often completely cut off from the larger town of Afton by drifts that could reach 10 feet high, making a trip to a "Junior Prom" a genuine logistical feat.
2. The Great Depression & The "Marriage Disease"
By March 1932, the Great Depression was at its absolute nadir.
Economic Strain: In nearby Utah, unemployment had reached a staggering 35%. For rural Wyoming families, the economy had collapsed; the price of agricultural goods (like the dairy products Thayne was known for) had plummeted.
The Marriage Trend: Wanda’s joke about marriage being a "contagious disease" reflects a real social phenomenon. During the Depression, many young people in rural LDS communities married early to combine resources and labor on family farms, as there were few opportunities for travel.
3. The "Missionary Friend" and LDS Culture
The recipient, Evan, was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sacrifice: In 1932, serving a mission was an immense financial burden. Many families struggled to send the $20 to $30 a month required to support a missionary. Wanda’s comment, "I only wish I was doing the same thing," highlights the high social status and spiritual desire associated with missionary service, even during a financial crisis.
Leap Year Tradition: Wanda’s mention of taking "advantage" of it being Leap Year refers to the old folk tradition that women were "allowed" to propose to men or take the initiative in dating during a Leap Year. Her apology for being "bold" by writing first plays into this 1930s social etiquette.
4. About the Author
Wanda Haderlie: At the time of this letter, Wanda was about 18 or 19 years old. She was a local girl through and through, born in Thayne.
A "Swiss" Heritage: Thayne was known as the "Little Switzerland of America" due to its heavy Swiss-Mormon population and dairy industry. Wanda’s work in the "Primary and Sunday School" shows her deep integration into the local church community, which was the primary source of social life during those "long dreary hours" of winter.
