Chapter 2: And The Twenties Roared Part 1

Chapter 2: And The Twenties Roared

"But I Don't Care"

Agnes Moorehead

January 20, 1920

Reedsburg, Wisconsin

Tuesday

Dear Agg,

Today will be another cold day, with the daytime temperature barely above twenty-five degrees.

There is a frosty layer of snow lingering because it is so cold. This morning, I was looking out of a window in the parsonage, just enjoying the glittering trees and ground. Everything was all frosted over like a fairy kingdom decorated for a coronation. As I gathered my books from my bed, I thought, "Oh, I wish Agg could see this." It's her favorite thing, mornings like this." I had to Wisconsin-proof myself with layers and layers of clothes. I  kissed Mother on the cheek before I went out the door into the freezing wind. It funnels up the streets here like a vast engine about to start. Agg, I nearly ran. Well, it was more like I waddled to junior high school. By the time I got to the front door, I had an entirely different view of the weather in Wisconsin. Oh, dear Aggie, I hope you aren't too lonely in Ohio! I will write a note each day so you will have lots and lots of mail. All the other girls will be so jealous! I love you, Agg.

XXX

Pegg

That was Peggy constantly worrying about me being happy. How was she to know that I was having the time of my life? I couldn't write to her about it because Mother was nosey, and I would be in great trouble if she read what I got up to at Muskingum. Instead, I had to rely on my trips home to tell her sister what was happening at school. We would stay in my room at home and talk for hours about how different college was from St. Louis and Reedsburg schools.

We laughed so much at my antics. If Mother and Father ever found out I had gone wading in the creek, having removed my shoes and stockings in public, or that I had put on a pair of boys' pants to go sled riding, they would have locked me in my room, and thrown away the key! I operated on the principle that what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them. I certainly wasn't going to tattle on myself, and she knew that Pegg would lock those secrets up in her heart and divulge them to no living person. Aside from my studies, music, theater, and athletics, My first year of college has been an eye-opening experience! She had never gone anywhere unchaperoned before this freedom was glorious! 

January 21, 1920

Wednesday

Reedsburg, Wisconsin

Dearest Agg,

Today, Father was installed officially as pastor! So many people were there. Mother let me stay home from school so that we could attend together. Pastors came from neighboring towns and other churches in Reedsburg. Papa looked so handsome in his black suit. He truly was born to be a minister. Mother was beaming all day, and the church women gathered around her like she was their mother hen. She loved it, of course! Because of all the attention, she might have gone into raptures at the reception afterward. Mother does love attention! I was just happy they had cake and a place I could hide to eat it!

You know, in St. Louis Agg, we were only recognized in church or our neighborhood, but here everybody sees you. They are all so kind and polite. The other children at school still call me PK, but it means something different here. It's as if it were a title, you know! Like Princess or Queen. Everybody already knows my name. When we are out in the village, everybody waves to Mother or stops to talk with her. Papa did pick the perfect place. I feel as if I'm Royalty! It is lovely. School is alright. How are your classes going? I'll bet you are studying so very hard, aren't you? Mother says you have joined the Glee Club! That is wonderful. I know you hate your voice, but honestly, Agg, it is beautiful. Oh, my sweet sister, I hope you are well. I miss you desperately, though. You know what Mother is like, and now I'm the only target in the house. I know that's selfish, but it's how I feel. Please do write SOON!

XXX

Pegg 

It's a beautiful letter, isn't it? Peggy was true to her word and wrote me a daily note. She was also right when she predicted all the other girls would be jealous. I was so sad I could not be there when Father was installed. I can tell you, though, that he was the face of that church right up until 1925. Papa loved that church with all his heart, and it showed. The congregation grew by leaps and bounds because of him. Papa would have remained at Reedsburg much longer than he did, but it wasn't to be. I will get to that later.

The following Sunday, Papa would step into the pulpit and deliver his first sermon but not his first speech. Father's first speech happened four days earlier in the same church. It was a speech on the death of "John Barleycorn." You see, Papa was an absolute believer in alcohol prohibition, and when he chose to speak on the matter, he was genuinely passionate about it. He could carry a room away with his speech. People may have arrived thinking they didn't hold with the notion of prohibition, but by the time Papa was through with them, they would have taken up the cause with zeal! He was really that good. My Father was a magnificent speaker. He could spellbind the room.

I even had a letter from my Mother detailing this celebration against John Barleycorn. Mama would have said the church was decorated with white streamers and bows, and the church's interior was like a giant gift, wrapped with all these beautiful bows and streamers that gleamed white. Mama and Papa had fought so long for this that Mama probably felt they had to celebrate it as if it were a holy day! On January 17, 1920, the much-dreaded alcohol prohibition went into effect. Since Papa was a virulent prohibitionist who had fought for years to pass this law, he delivered a rousing speech supporting it, and this celebration seemed fitting. According to the paper sent by my Mother, many attended the speech and the sermon because John Moorehead gave it. Papa adapted to this environment with a vigor we had not seen since his days in Hamilton, Ohio. It was good to hear that everything went well and that Peggy got cake and punch. I know she was beyond happy! Pegg would make a fool of herself over cake.

Authors Observations: 1920

The remainder of 1920 was quiet for their family. They were the very picture of a loving family. John performed marriages by the score. John just loved weddings. He may have seen it as being the beginning of a new life for the couple and that the idea of wedded bliss was a real thing you could see. He also did many burials. John was peculiar about funerals. He didn't see them as an ultimate ending, just a transition from the world to God's house. Molly worked with him, singing at every one of the beginnings and endings, aiding John in his work for God. It was a team effort. Molly directed the choir and was in charge of all the music for services of every variety. Molly had a beautiful voice. Peggy sounded just like her. It's like listening to two angels sing God's word when they sing together.