The following is the fifth installment of a series of vignettes by Georgia (Joey) A. Munson Hadfield recounting her stay in El Dorado in 1932.
El Dorado critters: Grasshoppers as big as your arm, (well not quite) but walking through a field in shorts and having them jumping all over your bare legs is an experience you don’t need. Fireflies that blink and wink and make the night special. Moths pounding against light bulbs in the house until they expire. Mosquitoes that have no pride. They will bite you on any part of your body made of flesh. Ah, but the locusts that sing in harmony lighten up the world!
Gramma had a long-time friend in Hutchinson and Daddy had business in that vicinity, so a trip to visit Mrs. Gordon was arranged. Mama dressed me in my Sunday best, crisp ribbons at the end of my braids, and with Gramma in formal black, we launched. Gramma and Daddy talked business in the front seat, and in the back, I watched the tall Kansas cornfields roll by, with huge sunflowers blooming at random along the road. On arrival, Daddy escorted us to the elegant front door, where we were greeted by a colored maid. Daddy wished us a good time and resumed his business trip. Gramma and I were shown into the parlor to visit with Mrs. Gordon. Wowee, at nearly six feet tall, she towered over Gramma and me. She had three chins and a great big bosom. She wore long earrings that swayed and sparkled as she talked. I was mesmerized and salivating. I wanted those earrings for my dress-up wardrobe! I nearly said, “Dibs when they get old!”
Gramma and Mrs. Gordon talked endlessly. Our hostess invited me to enjoy her stereoscope (if I would be very careful) and I lost myself looking at colored three-dimensional pictures of King George and Queen Mary. Almost as handsome as Nelson Eddy, the King’s medals and ribbons caught my eye and I nearly dumped Nelson for George. But then I spotted the Queen’s crown, wowee, I needed that to go along with Mrs. Gordon’s earrings! I imagined myself getting rigged out in my beautiful silk dress, donning the tiara and earrings, and pushing the buggy around the block just like I was royalty. Cat’s meow! I also viewed gardens and rivers and castles that didn’t look like anything in El Dorado. My vicarious travels came to an abrupt halt when we were summoned to the huge dining room for lunch, the same colored maid from the front door, serving.
After an elegant repast Gramma allowed me to go outside where I immediately spotted a small cabin at the back of Mrs. Gordon’s property. A colored man sat rocking on the porch and invited me to take the other chair and rock with him. We were having a fine time conviviating when the lady that served lunch walked into the yard. The couple invited me into their one room home that smelled of fresh bread. They entertained me with cookies and milk and seemed sorry when Gramma whistled for me. I had to leave my new friends, as Daddy had arrived for our trip home. After thanking our hostess warmly we arranged ourselves in the car and as soon as we pulled away Gramma let loose! Her granddaughter was an embarrassment, choosing to talk with the “help” rather than returning to the hospitality of our hostess. Hmfff. The trip back to El Dorado was very quiet!
A visit to Uncle Jethro’s and Aunt Josie’s farm (not really my uncle and aunt) opened a new world. I watched Aunt Josie do the miracle of butter. I watched Uncle Jethro (at the break of day) milk the cows, a hard, steady stream zinging into the pail. He let me try. I will never forget the feel or look of the soft, pink “faucets”. I squeezed and squeezed but not a drop came out! Aunt Josie and I fed the chickens and collected eggs and I fell in love with the baby chicks.
My visit coincided with harvest time. Ladies from other farms came over with dishes piled with food. At straight up noon, I had the thrill of ringing the big brass bell, signaling the men to come in from the fields. They washed in the basins lined up at the side of the house, and hot and tired, entered the huge kitchen with the bulging table, sat down and started eating, not stopping to talk until most of the serving bowls and platters were empty. Then they brought out their “smokes,” leaned back, and enjoyed some light banter. After a little rest and conversation, they went back to the scorching fields. This scenario was repeated from farm to farm until all the fields were harvested.
