Mary Kauer: Dec. 27, 1924 Rib Lake, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was drama free. We did get snow Friday night and it ended Saturday morning. We got over 6 inches of snow so everything is once again covered.
Anyway here is the next letter from Mary. It is also the last letter for 1924.

AS always here is what I read.

          Rib Lake Wis
          Dec. 26, 1924
Dear Howard:-
   Thanks very much for
the books. I got them yester-
day so they were a real
Xmas present. But what
do you think? Anton Kauer
brought them out so of
course they all saw where
they came from. My brother
came in with a grin all
aver over his face. When
he saw the books he
asked if he might read

them too.
  How did you enjoy your
Xmas. I hope you had as
good a time as I did. Dad
came home Tuesday evening
and my brother came Wed-
nesday. We trimmed our
tree Xmas eve and then
went to midnight mass. So
it was three oclock before
we got to sleep. On Xmas
day fifteen of us went out to
Scheiders. Rosies brother
built a top over their
sleigh and put a stove

and benches in it. We all
went in that and of course it
was more fun then anything.
 How was Santa Claus to
you? He was better to me
than I expected. Must be
I was pretty good last
year. But then, the Germans
are always good.??
  How did you like that
cold weather we had Monday
or wasn't it cold in Ogema?
Maybe the Swedes are
all so hotheaded that

they keep the weather
warm up, too.
 I got a card from Anna
Rosseen this week and I
saw the letter she wrote
to Rosie. And I got another
card that was signed H.J.
but I don't know who that
could be.
 Well, this letter is as
long as a respectable letter
should be so goodbye
    Love from Mary.

I wonder what kind of books she got? I wonder if it was one of the western books that I know Grandpa like to read.
The weather then sounds a lot like what we are having right now.
I wonder what the sleigh looked like? It sounds like it was a lot of fun. But I wonder how safe it was?
Here are a few random pictures for you to look at.

This is Otto Swanson and Ed Weberg. I wonder what they were doing?

No idea who this could be. But I'm pretty sure it is of someone from Sweden because the back is in Swedish. I wonder what year it is taken?

This picture is from the scrap book. It's dated 1935.

Well that's all I have for you today.
I just want to wish everyone a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
So Till next time.
Your friend,
Sandy

Cousin Walter Walin: Dec. 24, 1924 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Mine was good. I had most of my family here with the exception of my brother and his family, they will up in a few days. My younger sisters husband and son, because they were sick. Everyone else had a good time.
Anyway here is the next letter from cousin Walter:

As always here is what I see when I read it.

           Chicago Ill.
            Dec. 23, 1924
Dear Howard:
      Received  your
letter some time ago and
have been so damn
busy that I haven't
had time for anything.
Have been working
the past
month at
Wards but was laid
off last night for a
couple of weeks as
their business is so
slack now. I worked

nearly every eve until
9 and every Sat. P.M. and
all day Sunday since
I started there but now
I've a few days to loaf
and bum around a
bit. Jobs are scarce
as hens teeth now days.
   We had a few
cold days and a few
inches of snow but
its a little better now.
Fri Sat & Sun it was
about 4 or 5 below zero
and that's a little

chilly in this land of
silk socks and kid
games. Ha! it's about
15 above today tho!
  You asked me
about these people I
met at Rib Lake
It was Knopes and
Rushe. Do you
know them?
  How's your letter
girl over here on
South Port Ave these
days?
  Well I'm going

to take a run downtown
this P.M. to see what's going
on. I wish you were here
to go along and take it
from me you would see
some arounds. The side
walks are 20 &21 feet wide
and even 35 in some places and
still at this time of the
year they are so damned
lamed a person can
hardly move around.
Just move with the
crowd.
  Well news is

scarce so will close
for now. It is to late
now to wish you a
Merry Xmas but I will
wish you a very happy
and most prosperous
New year. Write soon.
      Your friend cousin
          Walter
Greet the folks & Thomas
for me.

I'm glad Walter finally got a job.I hope he kept it.
He mentioned he was working at Wards. I wonder if it Montgomery Wards?
The two people he mentioned that were from Rib Lake, I'm not sure I spelled their names right.
I wonder if her ever met up with Katheryn?
It sounds like sidewalks in Chicago, in places were wide. I've never been to Chicago so I don't know if they are still as wide or even wider then he said.
The weather sounded like it was on the cold side around Christmas time in 1924.

In honor of the season here a few Seasons Greetings from days gone by.

This is from my dads cousin Lois Marie family. I don't know what year is was taken. The two little girls are her daughters.

It's kind of hard to read. I see these words, " With the compliments of the Season, Anna & J.T.O.  ???"
I can not make out the last name.

I don't know what year this one was taken.

Well that's about all I have for you today. I hope you all have a good weekend and stay warm. It's suppose to start turning colder here with a little snow on the way.
So till next time.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mary Kauer: Dec. 20, 1924 Rib Lake, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend, mine was drama free. Just trying to get things ready for Christmas. Still lots to do.
Here is the next letter from Mary. Actually it was two letters in one envelope.

The first letter is written in ink and dated Dec. 16, 1924. The second is in pencil, dated Dec 19, 1924.

As always here is what was written.

           Rib Lake, Wis

           Dec. 16, 1924

Dear Howard:-

   Since you say you are

lonesome I'll see what I

can do for you. Here's

hoping it cheers you up

a little. Because I like

to see people happy.

  I got your letter yesterday

and oh, it was a dandy. If

I got one like that every

day I'd never be blue. But

I didn't think I'd get one

from you till today or tomorrow.

  Hilda just came home

now and she said, "Well are

writing to him?" that's the 

time I caught you. I told

her I had a brother to

write to, but I don't know

if she believed it.

  My sister was here

Saturday and she stayed

for the night, so I was

sorry you couldn't come.

I'd like to have you know

her. That was bad luck

for Saturday wasn't it?

The wind was terribly cold.

You might have been

stiff before you got here

and then what? If only

the weather was like the

picture on the card you sent

me. But it won't be for

about 5 months.

  I didn't go home Sunday

It was too cold to suit

me so I just hung around

here all day.

  Say Howard, if you think

you can come this week

come before Saturday, will

you please? Because

our school program is

Sat. and I mite go out.

But I think the weather is

against us, its so cold

again tonite. But if 

you can't come, will

you answer soon? Because

you write such peachy

letters. It tades a

(Swede) to be mushy

doesn't it.

It's getting dark now

so I had better get busy

and go to work.

         love & best wishes

           from Mary

P.S. I won't forget the

   (crazy Swede) for awhile

S.W.A.K.

My letter is all full of

mistakes & ink spots so

you'll have to close one

eye when you read it.

(End of the first letter)

              Rib Lake Wis

               Dec. 19, 1924

Dear Howard:-

    I'm in an awfull

hurry so please excuse

scribbles.

  I got you letter

this noon and of course

the teasing that goes

with it.

  I just wanted to

tell you that I'm going

home Sunday already

instead of Wednesday.

I didn't want you to 

make a trip over

here for nothing.Of

course, the way the weather

is today you couldn't

come anyhow. But

it might by some

miracle, get warmer

again.

  Say, do you know

what Mr. Bonneville said?

He wanted to know if

you were my brother

(not cousin) Must be

that I look like a

Swede after all. Isn't

that a shame? I thot

I was a respectable

German girl.

  Thanks for the

pictures, Howard. I

think I'll show dad

the one of you & your

pets. That's a cute

picture.

  Well as want to 

mail this letter tonite

I'll have to close

now.

          With love from

            your enemy

Wish you a Merry Xmas

and hope Santa is

good to you. He's

generally good to

           Babies.

I"m thinking that she didn't get a chance to mail the first letter and just sent the two together after she got another letter from Grandpa. 

I wish I could have read what he wrote. He must have been some  writer.

She for some reason likes to point out that Grandpa is a Swede and she is a respectable German girl. 

In the second letter she mentioned a Mr. Bonneville. He was the proprietor of The National Hotel that was in Rib lake at the time. I know this because of the return address on the envelope. 

I also think that Mary might have still been in school so, she could have been under 18 years old at the time she started writing and seeing Grandpa.

Anyway here are a few random pictures for you to look at.

This is I think Grandpa with a few of his cats. I wonder if this is the kind of picture Mary was talking about.

Looks like this one was taken after a snow storm. No idea what year it was taken.

I have no idea who they are. I'm sure they are someone that one of my relatives can tell me who they are.It looks like it could be from the 50's or early 60's.

 The next time you here from me will be after Xmas. Here is a Seasons greetings from from Anna Reichert (I think this is the right spelling) from Chicago. I don't know what year it was sent because the post mark and stamp are gone. Collected more then likely by my Uncle Peter.

Well that's all I have for you today. 

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and that Santa is very good to you all. 

Your friend,

Sandy

Mary Kauer: Dec. 10, 1924 Rib Lake, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope this letter finds you all well. I don't know about you but I'm kind of looking forward to the weekend. I have a lot of things to do this weekend to really get ready for Christmas. I hope the weather will not be to bad.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Mary.

As always here is what I see when I read it.

              Rib Lake Wis
               Dec. 10,1924.
Dear Howard:-
    How do you like this
weather? You didn't
freeze yet, did you? I
was down to the
church last nite and oh,
it was a peach of a nite.
I could have walked for
miles if I had company
It was a regular sleigh-
ride evening.
  But I hope it doesn't
snow any more. I'll take
back my wish. Do the
cars run yet? Or are the

roads drifted too much?
If you think my prayers
will help any, why then
I'll pray for nice weather
for Saturday.
  How did you get home?
Did you have to sit on
your hands again? You
ought to bring some one
along to keep you warm
when you go home.
  I couldn't call you up
Sunday because I went
home at 12 o'clock. We
tried our skis a little
while in the afternoon
but there wasn't quite

enough snow. Rosie &
her two brothers came
over after supper. My cousin
went back to town Monday
morning.
  I told my mother where
I got my cap and she said,
"I spose you asked him to
trade." But I'm not guilty.
"Love me yet, honey?"
I saw the girls that sat
next to you at the show.
They wanted to know why
you didn't buy some of that
vanishing cream.
  Well, I've got to you
go up town yet so

I'll close with lots of love
     from Mary.
          your enemy


(newspaper clipping with letter)
Du Pont, the great chemist, says
that he is going to try to find some-
thing that will take the place of sleep.
"Didn't he ever have a girl?" inquires
Joe the Plodder.

The news paper clipping was interesting but I wonder what her point was exactly.
The way she signed it was also interesting, with love, but also his enemy? I little confusing.
Her mother comment about the hat was interesting.
I wonder what show Grandpa had gone to that vanishing cream was involved. I suppose it was one of those traveling shows that would try to sell you something.

Here are a few random pictures for you to see.

It looks like just a group of friends hanging out. I think the second one from the right could be Grandpa but I'm not sure.

What Grandpas home looked like when he was a young man.

Grandpa plowing snow.

Well that's about all I have for you this time.
So till  next time.
Your friend,
Sandy

Anna: Dec. 9, 1924 Marinette, Wis.

Hello Friends,
I hope this letter finds everyone well. me I had an interesting weekend. All I will say is it was a car problem with brakes. I think a guardian angle was looking out for me and placed my youngest daughter and her soon to be husband were behind me. The car was taken to a garage on Monday to fix the issue.
Anyway here is the next letter from Anna. Boy she likes to write.

 It's a little hard to read in spots, so as usual here is what I see.

                      Marinette, Wisconsin
                       Dec 9, 1924
Hello "H. L. C.":-  Junior is sleeping so
I thought I'd write letters when I could
have some peace. I washed to-day and
now all I have to do is watch in dag.
One lucky thing about it I can hang
them inside.
  I bet you are spinning Lizzy to Rib-
Lake quite often now because soon it
will be snowed in. It just poured down
Sunday night. Lot of people sick here
which can be blamed on to the weather.
  I certainly enjoyed your letter Howard
I laughed till I got "unti Magen". It
was short but sweet and hard to beat.
You won't get a very long letter this
time because I haven't much time to write.
I am making  Xmas presents besides trying
to help with the church program. I usually
get both feet in don't I? except__ stepping
over the hens by your barn I had to take
one foot at the time and step high which
made it very inconvenient seeing the wind
was blowing quite strong.
  I received a letter from Rose the
other day so I found out she was home.
You may tell Rose and Mary I'll write
to them as soon as I can squeeze in the

time.
  It is going to seem mighty funny not to
be home for Xmas. I haven't been lonesome
much. I guess it is because I am busy all
the time good thing to. I am learning new
things everyday after Christmas rush
is over Mrs. Lund and I are planning to go
calling on the different members of the M.E.
church all have invited us. I was asked
to a woman house who is a widow a week ago
last Sun. Mrs. Lund was visiting her sister
who lives about fifty miles from here. I thought
I was doomed for the family album but got
fooled. I had a lovely time. I really think
Han is more lonesome than I. I don't dare
think much of Westboro though or I might
be taking the next train.
  I am glad your mother is getting along
so nicely. Helsa her so much from me,
also your Dad and Tom.
  I was Xmas shopping Thursday and
Saturday P.M. Oh such a mob. I thought
I'd never get out of there. it is a good thing
I only have to go a couple of blocks. I met
a number of people I knew. Mrs. Haslanger- the
woman I work for which is also Hrs. H. has
gone shopping this afternoon. Mr. went to

Chicago today on a business trip. We
don't fuss with the cooking so much. He goes
on trips quite often.
  I stayed with Junior and Jane Thanksgiving
while Mr., Mrs. and Bob went to Appleton to
a football game. I took the kids to show in
the afternoon and went to church at night
after putting the kids to bed. They had a social
time after the program and of course I enjoyed
myself. I had to be there to play so Mrs. H
got a woman to stay with the kids that
night.
  Have you found any more good parking
places. Ha! They don't park their cars in
Marinette which of course is a very good
thing.
  I can't write anymore now because
Junior is awake and into things.
   Write soon again
         As ever
             the same old Kid.
                    Anna
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Kind of early.

             P.S.
I just found out that Carl Olson was
papa. I suppose a year from now you'll
be blessed with a little fortune. I have good
practice of being maid so when you and Mary
settle down to hopeful bliss I'll come and
be your maid and live in the house across the
road from your place and Em & Ed on Hornslands
place or "The Riger Place". Work for you & Mary
Mon.,Tues., & Wed & Em & Ed on Thur., Fri.&
Sat then go home to ma on Sunday. Ha!
Was it you that I told was going to have
twenty children; that night I went away I
was telling fortunes, do you remember?
  I was looking in National Catalog
the other night and turned to the page where
the stocking were illustrated and found dawn.
  I suppose you are terribly good now
I am gone. No one to spoil you or teach
you bad habits of talk.
  There is not much going on in either
Westboro or Ogema  is there. I go to church
and invited here and there. I enjoy myself but
not as much as the goffy times we use to have
last summer. Have you heard from Selma
lately. I hope when I go home next summer
she will be to your house so I can see her.


She may have promised a shorter letter but I think it was close to or as long as the last one. Lets see some of things I will comment on are:
Unti Magen, I looked it up on a translating site and the word Magen means "stomach" in Swedish. I think unti might mean "until the". So I think she meant until her stomach hurt.
It sounds like she is looking after the children of Mr. And Mrs. Lund. I wonder how old Junior was at the time?
Shopping around Christmas time was a challenge back then also.
As for her being a fortune teller, I hope she only did it for fun because she was not very good at it.Grandpa did not have twenty children and did not marry Mary (reasons will be explained in future letters.).
Grandpa must have told her about finding places to go parking (if you know what I mean),

I just asked my Dad if he remembers Anna and he said he did. She never married and neither did her sister Hanna.

Anyway here are a few random pictures for your viewing.

I do not know who these people are. It was taken by A. Henke at Gresham, Wis.

This could be a picture of Grandpa. If you look behind him by the house you will notice something by the window. To me it looks like a person on a ladder.

This is a picture of Mary. I wonder if the hat she is wearing is the one she mentioned in her last letter.

Well that's all I have for you today. I hope you have a good week.
So till Friday,
Your good friend,
Sandy

Mary Kauer: Nov. 26, 1924 Rib Lake, Wis.

My Dear Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well. I'm as good as can be expected. With each day we get closer to Christmas. Are you almost ready? Not me. I can't seam to get in the mood.
Anyway here is the next letter from Mary.

As always here is what I read when I read it.


             Rib Lake Wis.
             Nov. 26, 1924
My dear Howard:-
   Now Howard, this is not
going to be a sweet letter
I'll say(nice) things to you
if you come over Saturday
but I can't write them.
  How did you get home
Sat. I hope you did not
have car trouble on your
way.I was home Sunday
so I know how the
roads are. I'd never
go to see a girl if I had
to take such roads.
  I wished for nice

weather every day but so
far I've had no luck. Do
you know that the week
seems awfully long from
one Sat. to the next? I
hope this Saturday will
be nice. I hate to see
you freeze going home alone.
  I got your card Monday
and I certainly was sur-
prised. I think that
girl (the one on the card) ought to be ashamed
of herself, don't you? She
has no modesty whatever.
(It's naughty but its nice)
  Did you write all
those letters already?

  I'm glad that I have
no cousins to write me
eight pages and expect
me to answer as much.
   Rosie isn't home
yet but she's coming home
pretty soon. I guess
Mrs. Youmans always
coaxed her to stay, but
Mrs. Kauer says she will
have to come now when
the boys go to camp.
  That show that was at
Westboro is here now. I did
not go to see it yet. I wanted
to go tonight but I thot
I better write this letter

or you would not get it
before Saturday.
  I almost got into trouble
on account of your cap.
They all wanted to know
where I got it. Did I buy it
or was it the kids cap?
Joseph told my mother he
thot I got it from you
but I just let them keep
on guessing------------
Well, this is as much as
I can write so goodbye
         Love from your
                  M. Kauer
S.W.A.K.

It sounds like he shared a lot of things with Mary. Telling her about how long the letter was from his cousin and expecting him to write just as long one back to him.
Giving her a cap. I liked how she kept others guessing how she got it.
I think this is the first letter she signed  Love.
S.W.A.K. I think stands for "Sealed With A Kiss."
This one was easy to figure out what it stood for. Later there will be others that could be more challenging to figure out.
As for the mention of Rosie, I wonder if the two of them were friends.
I wonder what the card looked like that he sent her and why Mary makes it sound like the girl was not very
 modest. I might see if I can find something that might fit the bill. But not this time.
So many things that have already faded from history.

Here are few random pictures that are slowly fading away.

A couple of pictures that were at one time in I think some kind of album. No clue when they were taken or who is in them.

No idea who this little girl is or when it was taken.

A couple of Grandpa and Grandma's boys with their pet goat.

Well that's about all I have time for so I will close for now.
So have a good weekend.
Your good friend,
Sandy

Cousin Walter: Nov. 18, 1924 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope this post finds you all well. Me, a little on the tired side. We helped our daughter move into her first house on Saturday. So we are all a little on the sore side today. But that's done so now we can start focusing on the next big thing, Christmas. Me I have a lot to do and not much time or energy to get things done.
Anyway, here is the next letter from cousin Walter.

As always here is what I think it says.

                Chicago, Ill.
                 Nov 18 1924
Dear Cousin:
                 Read your
letter some time ago and
as I have lots of time now
I'll try & answer it. Meant
to answer before but I
kept putting it off for
each day.
           Well I suppose
you are out hunting
every day now. Gee
I'd give a lot to be up
there with you chasing
around in the woods.
Al Id you get yours

yet oo him about it.
Tell me all about it.
When you write. I'd
have lots of time now
because I'm not working
as yet. All that I lacked
was the price of the fare
and after loafing around
all summer its no
wonder I haven't got
that. Jobs are so damn
scarce here but it won't
be long now. I've been
looking around for 2
months now and there
don't seem to be any
descent jobs at all. In
fact there are none.
When ever there is
a concern hiring there
are thousands of men

to apply for those jobs.
   Yes I knew Josephine
Sulko was here because
I was over there one
day last week. Her
and Juluis are pretty darn
thick I guess.
      So you are still
writing to that girl here.
Is it that one that
lives at 3510 Southport
Ave.? That's only a mile
or 3/4 of a mile from
here. Tell her a friend
of yours,lives here & he
wants to call her up some
time if it's OK with her

Ask her if it is and I'll
call her some time. Also
I may be able to date her
up & take her out some
time. I'll show her some
speed for a farmer. Ha.
    Well Howard
news is pretty scarce
so must close. Please
write soon and
tell me all the news.
Greet the folks & also
Thomas.
                Your friend
                Walter.
Had a letter from Bill W.
the other day so I'll write
him now too while I'm
at it.         I heard
Elmer Johnson was married
is that so? 

Well, it looks like he still does not have a job. I wonder what kind of job he was looking for. I thought that employment was hard in the 1930's and not so much in the 1920's. I guess it doesn't matter when you live jobs are always hard to come by.

I think he was referring to Katheryn. If he was I wonder if he was able to date her up and take her out some time. I love that phrase "Date her up" it kind of makes me smile a little at how corny it sounds.
I wonder if Elmer Johnson did get married?

Well here are a few random pictures for you to look at.

I don't know who anyone is in this picture for sure but I'm hoping someone will know.

Grandpa is the one on the left.

This one is very faded. I hope you can make it out. I don't know who is in this picture. I think it was taken at a logging camp.

Well news is scarce so I'll close for now.
Till next time.
Your friend,
Sandy