In the car were Ruth Meredith (19), her brother, Jimmie (14), and her parents, Jim (45) and Lottie Weekes Meredith (39). They were leaving their yellow-tan stucco two-flat in the Austin area of Chicago -- and their cares -- behind. The Merediths had bought the two-flat, originally a house, in 1922 to add extra income. They rented out the smaller two-bedroom flat above them. They had a changing cast of characters as renters, some just fine and others who disappeared to avoid paying the rent, often leaving a mess behind them.
Ruth's diary said, "We left about 8:40 and arrived at Deer Park (30 miles from Chicago) at 10:15. Had coffee and a big lunch we prepared before we left. Played ball, etc. It was cloudy most of the day."
At 4:30 the Merediths headed back toward Chicago. After 25 minutes, "the rain came down in sheets." All but Lottie dashed out of the car, soon soaking wet, to retrieve the protective curtains from where they were stored and secure them. "Didn't get home until 7:30 because we had to wait in lines of cars miles long when we came anywhere near (3 miles) of a busy crossroad."
This was a time when families took Sunday rides for fun into the forest, farmland or small towns, though this one didn't turn out as planned!
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