Interview of Mrs. Ridley. Farming was not doing well, so father got out of farming & family moved to Minden Mines & started hauling coal for mines with horses. He worked on railroad. Mother died in 1910 while still on farm.
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
She liked school. First grade teacher married her sister. 60 students in 8 grades. Mentions smaller curriculum.
FAMILY
Gives family size. Father had 7 children to care for. Oldest sister quit school at 14 to take care of younger siblings. Mother died of measles. Father did not remarry & after children grew up he was alone. Older brothers left to go to work. 3 bedrooms in house. One brother went to OR, another was a crane operator in St. Louis.
WOMEN'S WORK
Sisters stayed home, fixed meals & then rushed back for basketball practice. Mentions housework, cleaning, & cooking. Older sister baked every day & cared for garden. Other children helped with garden & milking cows.
CHURCH
Childhood Activities
WOMEN'S WORK
Girls did baby-sitting to help family out.
COLLEGE EDUCATION
Went to college to be physical education teacher, but got married & did not finish. Married at 21.
