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No jobs, no bank accounts, no dry cleaning. Why? Why didn’t these people have all this? In fact what is “The Great Depression”? To begin with, The Great Depression started in the 1930’s in the United States. This event lasted for nearly a good ten years. Shocking right? It closed thousands of banks, put a million people out of their jobs, and seared itself into the memory of those who lived through it.
First of all, the closing of Old West Side Mine meant the end of anything resembling a steady job for the next eight years. It was not so much of a matter finding a job as of filling in with odd jobs wherever and whenever you could, and most of the jobs where those you made for yourself.
Second of all, let’s talk about houses. The prices were unbelievable! $25, $100, $5, $125 you name it! They would even sell houses for like only ten cents! Wow, people were still in access with insurance such as Metropolitan. Old receipt books showed entries of 10 cents per week on one policy and 69 cents a month!
Thirdly, they reused. They didn’t have much of a choice since the people were struggling. Toothpaste, they used soda. Toilet paper, they used a catalog, newspaper or a magazine. They had no water bill, no sewer bill, no telephone bill, no car expense, no gasoline, tires, batteries, license, nothing! It was confusing to me that they don’t have a bank account. But it did make sense since they don’t really have money. They didn’t send greeting cards unless it was christmas.
Another thing, they did have an electric bill though. They would pay $1 a month in June, July, and August. They would light in the kitchen, then turn it off. Once they’ve turned it off they turn on the one in the sitting room. Then they would go to bed.
For example, to get their shoes to last, they would use old-fashioned lasts. He would stick them on soles at the dime store to patch the shoes for winter. With simple barber tools, kids would get hair cuts for only ten cents per head. When it was raining and they worked outdoors on WPA, they would cut old strips of cardboard and stuff them in the soles of their shoes which would keep their feet warm.
For instance, every cotton cloth was used as a dish cloth, wash cloth, dust cloth, etc. They would also use them as bandages incase someone was hurt. The bags from salt, flour, and cracked chicken feet were washed, bleached, and cut into dishcloths and towels. Others used them to make curtains or dresses. Every paper bag was used for lunch bags or cut and made into wrapping paper, strings were saved for later use.
However, each August, parents would find older kids to buy their books to be reused for the little children to write in. They didn’t have telephones to disconnect or even have one to start with! Altogether, I feel bad for these people, who had to live in such a hard life! What would you do if it were you? I know I sure would help them, (if I had enough money and clothes) and try to at least find a job. Or make my own! This is The Great Depression.
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