During the Second World War there was a shortage of nylon hose. I remember one old friend guarding her one good pair, keeping them in a fruit jar with the lid on tight. She wore them only on good weather Sundays and to funerals, rationing being what it was.
One Saturday while uptown, I noticed a long line, even out to the sidewalk, at Murphy’s. I investigated and found a shipment of hose had just come in. They had moved the boxes to the back of the store and were selling them from there, only one pair per person. I bought mine, then went to the end of the line and bought a pair for my mother. I went again for a pair for my sister. Now as I observe the well-stocked nylon shelves and read their expensive ads, I think of that time when one good pair of nylons was really a treasure.
Florence Palmer
Marshall, 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.