Evan Call Family

Historical Context

This letter, dated July 26, 1932, was written by Evan's paternal grandmother, Rosa "Emily" Staynor Call, from Logan, Utah. She mentions the parade in celebration of the 24th of July, the date that Utah celebrates Pioneer Day.

The Great Depression

The letter is written during the height of the Great Depression, which is explicitly referenced when Grandma mentions how "The depression & worry" are affecting people’s health.
She describes a very frugal lifestyle, living on just $10.00 to $13.00 a month.
Her focus on "saving a little out each month" for a "rainy day" reflects the economic anxiety of the era.

Subsistence and Gardening

To manage her limited income, she relies heavily on a subsistence garden to avoid buying vegetables.
She details planting corn, string beans, turnips, carrots, and Hubbard squash, noting that the seeds and plowing only cost her about two dollars.
The physical labor of gardening is a point of pride for her at 74 years old, though she admits she must work in the early morning to avoid the heat.

Religious and Social Context

Evan was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Despite her poverty, she prioritizes paying her tithing.
The letter mentions her inability to attend most church meetings because she cannot hear the proceedings or the singing.
She mentions Evan's maternal grandfather [Osborne Tavener Papworth], noting that he had passed away and suggesting that the stress of the era "went to his heart".

Logan, July 26, 1932

Dear Evan,

Rec’d your good letter. Glad you know I like to receive letters; but as the expense is more now to send a letter, I do not expect to write or receive many. I am using more post cards, write fine & can put quite a lot on a post card. Perhaps when they see so many they will want another stamp on them anyway while I have the chance I use them.

You must have done well out there, & they must have lots of confidence in you for to give you the responsible position of President. I have shown your picture to several, am proud of that picture & tell them what nice letters you write. Uncle Horace says you sure make a fine missionary, what a fine picture of yourself that he received. All your relations are proud of you. I hope you are successful in your new position. You are rather young for that, but those who have put you in know your worth & have acted accordingly irrespective of age.

Well yesterday

was Mon. the 24th here, was celebrated also today but I got so tired that have been glad to rest today. So have not gone out at all. We had our dinner altogether. Aunt Rose & her little family were there, her husband had to water his farm so Rose came in alone, we had a nice visit & witnessed a fine procession & program. Went for a long ride in the eve besides watching the merry go round & the other wheels. Some thing going on all the time. Such a big crowd, quite a number of bands in the procession. Longest & finest procession I have seen for a long time.

You ask me if I’m as energetic as ever. I would like to be energetic & try to do all I can, but you know every day I’m getting older & in consequence get tired quicker. I have raised a garden again this year; it did look like a mountain to me before I planted, but think I prayed for my trouble. I never could think anything of myself if I had shirked & had an uncultivated place to look at.

It is hard work for me, but hard work makes us forget our troubles. Those who work in earnest at what they undertake to do, are the happiest people; those who shirk & try to have all the good times they can, depending on others to furnish for them, will never make the men + women that they or their folks would like them to be.

It’s the barefoot boys that can’t afford shoes, that make the great men. They or you read many of the presidents went barefooted when boys in fact, were poor, some had to help support their families. Your father has always worked hard from a little boy, now he is tired all the time. I went to Afton to spend the Fourth, I noticed your father every time he’d sit down to write, or eat, or sit down at all he would nod. The moment he sat down, People must have sufficient rest to carry on, or won't last

long if they don't. He feels he has to keep a going, mustn't take time to do much resting. Think of those at home who work hard to keep up sending you what they do, & so many other expenses. Try if you can to save a little each month & when you are ready to come home will have that. Maybe you think I've no right to say anything, but you are a sensible boy & will take it in good part I know. If everything is so expensive you can't, why can't help that. I don't know what could be so expensive unless it's rent, everything here is cheaper but that. I am living on ten dollars a month a lot of the time. Have taxes & try to pay some tithing & manage some way. I don't have to pay rent but always something out of gear.

Plumbing & light fixtures & other expenses. Sometimes I have a bit more money. I am saying nothing to your folks about what I've told you about saving a little out each month so what you save will be yours when you get back. I have always had to save thats how I can live on a little. I’m glad that I can, some couldn’t do that. Your grandfather Papworth had always been accustomed to having most everything he wanted & I think when the time came he could not get those things, it worked on him so that it finally went to his heart. The depression & worry are working on a good many that way, if we save when we can for a rainy day, it will be a blessing for us. Now take what I have said without being out with me about it & I know you will be blest. I am feeling fairly well all the time.

Have not had a sick spell since the corn was ripe a year ago, so must try to be careful in my diet now not to have one. Have just picked my first mess of corn, have had two messes of string beans, turnips have plenty. My garden saves me buying vegetables. All it cost me was one dollar for plowing & a little more than one for seeds to plant. Have to pay some for irrigation water, that’s all. I had carrots to last me all last winter, gave lots away this spring. Have not so many carrots this time but it’s all right won't have to take care of more than I need. I’ve ever planted Hubbard squash, if they do well grow so large, hard for me to lift them. I love to see the things growing. I have to work quite

hard, but like to do it, rather than see the place uncultivated. We have not had a very hot summer anyway. I get up when it's cool & work out doors before the sun gets too hot. I'm 74 years old but don't feel old only when I'm sick. That’s not very often. I can do as much work as a younger person but have to rest more get tired quicker. Get up at five & work couple of hours, nearly every morning then get my house work done & lie down for a while. Don't go to meetings only to conference once in a while for as you know I can't hear not even the singing. Will hope you enjoy the remainder of your mission the same as you have the past. I pray for you & all my children & grandchildren every day.

Love from Grandma

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