I guess the big difference for Grandma vs. those out there today is food stamps, welfare, food banks, pensions, disability and various other forms of govt. subsidy. Grandma says the only thing they got from the government back then was time to prove up on the land.
Sure makes life easier knowing you don't have to provide for yourself I reckon. Grandad worked for the Hill Ranch most of the time, till the Feds took it over to go blow a bomb up in the 40s, that was outside of Carthage where they were living at the time, so I've been told.
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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)