Historical Context
This letter, dated December 20, 1932, was written by Evan's paternal grandmother, Rosa "Emily" [Staynor] Call from Logan, Utah. Here is a brief look at the world she was living in:
1. The Depth of the Great Depression
By late 1932, the United States was at the absolute lowest point of the Great Depression. Utah was hit harder than most of the country; by 1933, the state’s unemployment rate reached 35.8%, the fourth highest in the nation.
The "Cares & Trials": When Grandma mentions "cares and trials" and being "alone," she is speaking to a time of extreme economic scarcity.
Self-Sufficiency: Her pride in raising a garden "all myself" and "chopping kindlings" wasn't just a hobby—it was a survival strategy. Many families relied on home gardens to avoid starvation, and her neighbors' disbelief that she did it without help highlights how physically demanding this was for an older woman.
2. Missionary Life
Evan was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Financial Sacrifice: During the Depression, sending a son on a mission was an immense financial burden for a family. Many missionaries had to be called home early because their families could no longer afford the few dollars a month required to support them.
A "Long Time" Without News: Communication was slow and expensive. Grandma’s mention that she "almost lived on her letters" reflects how vital these physical connections were for emotional support during a decade of national despair.
3. Community and Geography
The letter mentions three specific locations:
Logan, Utah: A hub of agriculture and education (home to Utah State Agricultural College). Grandma describes the "Main Street" lit up for Christmas, a small sign of communal hope despite the hard times.
Afton, Wyoming: Located in Star Valley, this was a tight-knit dairy farming community.
Arizona: Grandma mentions a "flu" outbreak in Arizona affecting "Cyril’s family." While the 1918 pandemic is more famous, localized influenza outbreaks remained a serious threat in the 1930s, especially in rural areas with limited medical access.
4. The "Old-Fashioned" Christmas
The description of trimming trees with "electric light bulbs" marks a transition era. While electricity was becoming common in towns like Logan, it was still a relatively modern luxury compared to the candles used just a generation prior. Her wish for the "Kiddies" to be happy reflects the universal desire of that generation to protect children from the grim reality of the economy.
