Back in the 30s nearly everyone had a back-house. We lived in a small town in Missouri and I did housework for a lady. They had a two-seater outhouse that faced the main street. A friend of the woman came from California to visit for a few weeks. One day they both went to the toilet, and I was dusting at the time. Shortly I heard a big racket and I looked to see what happened. All I could see was their legs and heads sticking up. Their combined weight was around 350 pounds, so I guess that was too much for the board. It broke right down the middle, so quick they couldn’t get off, and when their legs flew up they bumped the door causing it to fly open. It was the funniest sight I ever saw and when I could keep my face straight I ran out to help them. After things had quieted down I went into the room where they were. One look and we all got hysterical!
Name Withheld
Trenton, 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.
