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Escape to the Outhouse

By Capper's Staff
Published on September 28, 2012

One evening my sister and I were naughty and received our punishment, but we didn’t accept it like we should have, which is why we got another one. We went out to the outhouse (mad) and were telling each other how bad mother was, not knowing she was listening on the outside. Well, we got it again. This time we behaved.

I sure don’t miss the outhouse except when the modern deal sitting in the bathroom gets plugged up and causes all kinds of unthinkable trouble. Then you wonder if the outhouse might still be best.

Martha Plank
Arcola, Illinois


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.