Guided Primary Source Analysis: A Preacher Tries Farming
The page shown above comes from a transcript of a 1930s oral history interview with George Strester who remembers a memorable Thanksgiving time when his father, a preacher, tried farming in Nebraska in 1873. Click the links below to browse through some related images, then read Strester’s whole story. Describe how the images enhanced your understanding of the story.
- young family, near Woods Park, Custer County, Nebraska
- sod house near Woods Park, Custer County, Nebraska
- Mrs. Debusk, West Union, Nebraska
- family in front of sod house with team of oxen in foreground, Custer County, Nebraska
- ox team in front of S.D. Butcher’s gallery, Broken Bow, Custer County, Nebraska
- onion farming
- root cellar
- Nebraska sorghum (cane and mill)
- wicker-covered demijohns
“We seemed to be enjoying the height of prosperity when alas, several things happened to mar our happiness,” says Strester in the last paragraph on page 2 of the oral history interview. Go through the whole story to discover each unfortunate incident, making a bulleted list summarizing each one that Strester recounts.
Work with a group to create a graphic novel relating Strester’s story. You may use primary source images or create your own illustrations (just be sure that they accurately represent the time period).
What other observations, reflections or questions does this source inspire? Let us know!