The Great Depression

I never knew anything about the Great Depression, one of the banks closed in our town but the people that had money deposited there were given stocks for the full amount, eventually gaining the amount back with interest and increased value. In our store, during these years, Dad issues “script,” to the Lakewood School Teachers which enabled them to purchase their foods needed and when the Depression came to an end, Dad received full payment for the bills owed from our town. He also, fill the “Poor Orders”, for people that did not have money for groceries, a family was entitle to one “Poor Order”, each week, from the town, Lakewood, NJ. Barrels of salted meats were sent to our store to give to customers. There was a ration of some foods, such as sugar, meats plus other items that may be considered a luxury.

This Depression was no big deal, tho, on the East Side of Lakewood, NJ, everyone took care of each other, in every way. Our church supplied clothing for those that needed some. Each family saw that their neighbors and children were cared for and each group of families shared their happiness and sadness with each other. There were some that didn’t conform but there were few. Most every family had their own vegetable garden and chickens, men went gunning for rabbit and woman canned fruits and vegetables, for winter months. It was entirely different type of living, sharing, and caring. I look back on those days and greet them with fondness. Betty Anderson DeCamp, a neighbor, stated the Harry Brown did something unreasonable and her Mother replied that she should never speak a work out of line about Harry, he took care of all the people on the East Side when he had the grocery business, she had nothing but the highest regard for him and his family.