Grandma's cocoa cake

1 1/2 cups of sugar,
1/2 cup of butter,
2 cups of eggs,
2 cups of flour,
1/2 cup of cocoa,
1/2 teaspoon of salt,
1 teaspoon of baking soda,
1/4 cup of buttermilk,
1/2 cup of hot water, 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Cream butter and eggs. Add flour, cocoa and salt to creamed mixture. Sift together and add alternately with liquid ingredients scraping sides of bowl frequently. Pour baking soda, buttermilk, hot water and vanilla into tube pan. To sour milk add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar to sweet milk.