fbpx

Depression Era: Even Paper Sacks Were Recycled

By Capper's Staff
Published on March 9, 2012

During the depression era, paper sacks, strings, canning jars and anything else worthwhile was recycled. When I went to college the first time, we were allowed to use both sides of the paper (as I’m doing here). One teacher said if we’d take down his notes, we didn’t need to buy a book. I got used ones for about $5.00 a semester, then traded them in to help get the next semester’s books.

Agnes Saunders
Wellington, Kansas


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.