Cousin Jane, born in 1887, was a Home Economics teacher from about 1910-1940. I found this recipe on a piece of yellowed paper stuck in the notebook where she had all her recipes for class. She was my husband's grandmother's cousin.
Pour 1 c. boiling water over 1 c. chopped dates & 1 tsp. soda. Let stand while the following is mixed.
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter
Cream
Add 1 beaten egg
Sift:
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. b.p.
1/3 tsp. salt
Add flour mixture to creamed sugar & butter, mix. Then add the cooled dates. Add 1/3 c. nuts chopped, & add 1 tsp. vanilla. Bake in sheet pan (no larger than 8X12) 35 min in moderate oven.
Icing:
3 tb. brown sugar
2 tb. butter
4 tb. cream
Boil 3 min. & spread over cake. Sprinkle nuts & coconut over frosting if desired.