If there was a worse year in the Depression than 1931, it was 1932.
Unemployment rose to 23.6%. 13 million people, almost 1 in 4, were unemployed. Many had lost their savings, and many had lost their homes and farms.
The economy shrank another 13%.
1931 was arguably one of the worst years of the Great Depression.
2,294 banks failed during 1931. 28,285 businesses failed.
Unemployment rose to 16%. The economy shrank by 8.5%. Prices fell 9.3%.
By 1931, most American had been impacted by the Depression, and realized that it wasn’t going away soon.
Tom and Mary Agnes Gallagher had married in April 1930. They were home from their wedding trip. Now it was back to everyday life – work, children, and family.
The stock market had crashed six months earlier. How did that affect our families in Sedalia and Junction City?
Tom Gallagher was the manager of Cole’s Women’s Shop. Mary Agnes Riley worked there.
Mary Agnes lived in her parents’ home at 1406 West Broadway. Tom and his children Kathleen and Buddy lived there too.
Tom and Mary Agnes spent a lot of time around each other.
There was talk.
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1929, of all years, must have held the most highs and lows.
From booming business to the market crash, from birthday parties and romance to family deaths and car accidents, it was a year of contrasts.
Or, maybe, these things happen every year.
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Family Nibbles 