Pictures one sees of Depression Era have usually been gloomy. But they did not appear so to me. I had loving parents and a large group of caring relatives.
There was no radio until I was about eight. Then, family members chipped together and purchased an Atwater Kent with two sets of earphones. My grandmother brought over her large, precious crystal bowl. Into this Pappa put the earphones and carefully placed it in the center of the dining room table. We had all gathered around it as if ready for a feast. Turning on the radio, Pappa began twisting the dials. Suddenly a voice blared out, “WBZ, Boston!” Pappa quickly turned down the volume as music began to play.
Della Whitesell
EI Dorado Springs, Missouri
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then Capper’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.
