When the family of Samuel and Etta Snyder packed up their belongings to move out West, they did not rent a U-Haul. Instead, they rigged up a 1929 Chevrolet flatbed truck with a house.
The family of Samuel and Etta Snyder bade farewell to family and friends as they depart from Silver Creek, Neb., on Jan. 23, 1933.
Bill Boyd, right, hitchhiked with the Snyder family at Denver. He is pictured with Ethel Snyder.
The view of Raton Pass as the Snyder’s made their way through New Mexico in 1933.
Jimmy, Mary Etta and Sam Snyder rest on a hike up the mountains in New Mexico to celebrate Sam’s 50th birthday on Feb. 1, 1933.
Two-year-old Bobbie (center) plays with his cousins Jimmy (left) and Mary Etta along the road in 1933.
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Climbing a tall boulder near the Rio Grande River was easier than getting down to ground level.
Abe, Bill Boyd, Verna and Dan rest against the wagon. Bill had hitchhiked with the family from Denver, Colo., to Ash Fork, Ariz.
Traveling through Arizona brought warmer weather and unusual scenery. Ethel and Verna take a silly photo in front of a palm tree.
Along the way, the family picked up another hitchhiker named Alfred “Spike" Orr. He kept in contact with the family and made several trips to Oregon to visit them. On April 20, 1935, he married Verna Snyder. Here, Spike and Verna were pictured together on the road trip in 1935. Danny Snyder crouches in the background.
Breakdowns were too common for the Snyders as they neared their destination. Frustrated with another burned out bearing are Paul (from left), Elmer, Ethel with guitar, Dan with hammer, Spike Orr, Abe, Johnny and Sam.
The family was eating breakfast on the center line of the road when this photo was taken. From left: Bobbie with Jimmy, Elmer, Spike Orr, Abe, Johnny, Russell, Paul, Sam, Verna, Mary Etta (at Verna’s feet) Etta and Danny.
The Snyders arrived in Evens Valley near Silverton, Ore., on March 8, 1933. You can see the house roof peeled back after going under a low railroad bridge. Standing in house, from left, are Russell, 15; Ethel, 24; Verna, 21; Mary Etta, 10; and Danny, 13. Jimmy, 12 is peeking out the window on the side. Standing in front (from left) are Etta, 49; Johnny, 17; Tom, 27; Paul, 19; and Abe, 22.
Most roads in the early 1930s would have been gravel or dirt, as shown in this photo of Verna and Ethel Snyder.
The Snyders arrived in Evens Valley near Silverton, Ore., on March 8, 1933. You can see the house roof peeled back after going under a low railroad bridge. Standing in the house are Russell, 15, left, Ethel, 24, Verna, 21, Mary Etta, 10, and Danny, 13. Jimmy, 12, is peeking out the window on the side. Standing in front are Etta, 49, left, Johnny, 17, Tom, 27, Paul, 19, and Abe, 22.
The family was reunited in Oregon on March 8, 1933. Standing is Paul, left, holding Vance Weigel; Etta holding Marilyn Weigel, Sam, Paul, Charmaine “Mack” Weigel, Ethel and Verna. Sitting is Johnny, left, Danny, Jimmy and Bobbie, Mary Etta and Tom.
Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.
Kristen Sindelar
Agriculture Reporter
