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[This page is handwritten]

Eva Sulkusky (8-14-72) House #113

I. In the 1920 era there were small board
bridges which traversed the ditches along side
the road. Each house had one of these small
bridges which connected their property to the
road. This was a favorite spot for the women
to meet. Several women may sit on one of
these bridges & chat, nurse their children, or
do mending during the warmer months. Also, the
women may sit on their own respective bridges
& chat back & forth.

II. The oldest child in the family had the most
responsibility. It was this child's responsibility to
help around the house. This usually meant that
the younger children were to be watched over
by the older child in the family. The oldest
girl in the family had a great deal of responsibility
in that she was to assist the mother in much of
the housework--cooking, cleaning, & care of the
children. About age 14 or 15, many of the boys
would go to the mines to work, the money they
made would help the family make ends meet.

III. In large families the attic, if present to the
home, was used as a sleeping area. Beds were
placed in the attic, & several children would
sleep there. In the summer time the attic was
very hot. In the winter time the attic was
extremely cold. Many times the children would
awaken to find that it had snowed, & that
some of the snow had come through open spaces
in the roof & had landed on the floor, or
even on their blankets. In the very cold
winter time, the children would run up stairs
& dive in their beds because the attic was
so cold.