Edna: Oct. 16, 1925 Chicago, Ill

Dear Friends,
How was your weekend? Mine was the same as always. No real drama for me, I hope the same for you.
Here is the next letter from Edna aka Eddie.

AS always here is what it says:

                   Chicago, Ill
                    10-16-25
Dear Howard,
  How's the old man?
Got your letter to-night.
Also one from home.
  I've been sick all day
came home early.
My throat is terrible.
I must have my
operation. The Dr. said
I should go home &
rest & then have it
done. I'm all run down
my nerves are terrible.
But don't know if I
will or not as Gladys
hasn't been home & I
have.

 Howard I can't
guess what that puzzle
is. Will you tell
me soon. I'll tell
you one maybe. Don't
dare to write it.
Well how's Rose?
I'm invited to three
Halloween parties &
don't know which one
to accept. Can't go to all.
  Don't tell the folks.
But I guess I am coming
home. Please don't tell
them tho'. Maybe soon.
Please write soon.
I go to see Gladys
every Sunday. I'll tell
her what you said
when I see her Sun.
          Sincerely
           Eddie
Excuse
short
letter

I wonder when she had her operation?
I wonder which Halloween party she went to and if she had a lot of fun? Also why she didn't what her folks to know about them?
I wonder what kind of puzzle she told her?
I also wonder what hers was and why she couldn't write it?
So many questions that could never be answered now. They have almost faded away.
I like the little guy she drew behind her name.

Here is a picture from the joke book.

And now some random pictures for you to see.

It says on the back that they are Hanna and Nels Raseen. They are interesting looking couple. But they could also be brother and sister.

This is Roy and Gladys Swanson. ( I don't think that this is the same Gladys she is talking about.)

I might have shown you one like this before. I think it is Grandpa dressed up for Halloween.

Well that's all I have for today.
I hope you will drop by again on Friday for another letter and pictures from a faded past.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mary Kauer: Oct. 15, 1925 Rib Lake, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and maybe looking forward to the weekend as I am.
Here is the next letter from Mary.

As always here is what it says:

              Thursday___3.30p.m.
Dear Howard:-
  I s'pose you think I
forgot to write but I've
been kind of busy.
How do you like nite
work? What does Rib Lake
look like at nite? Better
than in the daytime.
 Say Rose is coming home

Pretty soon. Gee, won't I
be glad to see her. Maybe
you will, too, how about
it. Are you coming to
our basket social Sunday
evening? Or don't you like
our school.
  Well, I went with Alix again
Sunday. I mite just as well
tell you as not. If Mary
Schneider knew you a
little better or had more

chance to talk to
you you'd find out all
such stuff. Of all the
talkers that I ever saw
she has them all skinned
She and Mrs. Bogumill
were in the barber shop at
the same time and she
told her that I have a
Sunday beau and one for
week days. I told her
I'd be awful glad when

she went home again
so she couldn't always
tattle on me. I think I'll
leave Rib Lake pretty
soon. That will be one way
out, won't it?
  Why don't you call up some
afternoon? I don't know about
seeing you, tho. How, when,
and where?
  Well, so long, hope you
get this tonite yet.
                       Mary
P.S. Don't feel blue about this
there's no reason for it

Boy it sounds like Mary Schneider likes to talk about Mary. I wonder what ever happened to her. Did she continue talking about others? Odds are, in my opinion, she did. How do I base that idea? Knowing people just like her who from a young age for many more years making other people's lives their business. Gossips, busy bodies. We all know these kind of people.
I wonder if Grandpa went to the basket social? And who is Alix? Did Mary have more then one beau? Am I a busybody right now. Maybe. But aren't we all to some point.
 
Here's a joke from the joke book:

Giddy Gal- To hear me talk. you'd
never think I was true blue.
Boy Friend- Nonsense! You talk
a real blue streak!


Here are a few random pictures for you to look at.

This is Pearl Noukki and George Green. No idea who they were or even when this picture was taken.

Once again no idea who they are or when it was taken.

On the back of this one is written, Joe Johnson team about 1918.

Well that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a good weekend and that where ever you are the weather is just right for you.
Till next time.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mary Kauer: Oct. 7, 1925 Rib Lake, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was quiet as usual.
The next letter from Mary,(when I really looked at the date on the letter) was actually written the night before the last one. I wonder if they were put in the wrong envelope somewhere along the line by one or the other of them. Oh well, here it is.

As always here is what it says:

                  Wednesday Eve
                   Oct 7, 1925
Dear Howard,
  Well I promised to write
to you so here it goes.
How do you like this
kind of weather
It is getting to look
rather much like
winter, isn't it?
  So you'll soon have
to put your lizzy
under shelter and
take out your sleighs
So come and take me

out for a sleigh ride then. ha! ha!)
Did you go to show Monday night. What I heard
it was suppose to be a good show.
Webergs and Chad Johnson were there.
There is going to be a basket social at
Sunnyside October 31. Out for a good time then boy.
Well I supose you boys will be home
Saturday night. I bet you all get home--
sick before Saturday night comes around ha ha.
If it gets nice weather I will come and
get you with my green coupe; It is almost
as good as an airplane ha!
Well I guess I better close for this
time as little kids like me ought to

be in bed this time
and my news box is
empty. will write
more next time.
           With Love
            Kauer
answer
soon           SWAK
   (OOLaakvew)

I'm not sure if I got the letters right in the last line. I know it means something but I'm not sure what. It's kind of like their version of texting. Like our LOL kind of thing.
I know that SWAK stands for Sealed With A Kiss.
So if you have any guesses about what the other means, or if I got the first letter right I would love to know what your guess is.
It looks like that fall that winter was going to start early for them. I wonder if that was global warming back then too?
I wonder what kind of show she was talking about.

I was looking through an old photo album, which maybe someday I will show it to you, and on the back of the stand is a small storage box. I forgot there were some more old photos in that. I found some that are very old. I think they are from about 1891. These pictures are on metal. The envelope was post marked Ashland Wis. Jul 15, 1891. Part of the envelope was torn. Inside of that one was this envelope.

I'm not sure if the last name is Johnson or Jorenson. What do you think?
Anyway here are the pictures that were in it.

They look better here then I thought they would. What do you think?
I have no idea who they are that is the sad part. History that has faded from memory.

So well that's about all I have for you today.
I hope you will drop by again on Friday for the next letter and pictures.
Till next time.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mary Kauer: Oct. 7, 1925 Rib Lake, Wis.

Hello Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine was fairly uneventful. My Dad though got a very big surprise. He learn that he will be receiving a Life time achievement award. He is the kind of guy who always helps anyone when asked. He has been involved in different things like he was a fireman for many years. He is still an EMT. he has served on the church council. Was on the board of the Taylor county credit union. He give 110% when ever asked for help. In May he will be honored with a ceremony. I'll keep you posted on it.

Anyway here is the next letter from Mary. This one is post marked at 8am. The next letter is post marked at 1pm. I'll just show you the first one today the next one on Tuesday.

    As always here is what it says.

P.S. It's the pens fault that
this letter looks so crazy
                   Rib Lake, Wis
                   Oct. 7, 1925
Hello Howard:-
    Say, I was surprised
to get a letter from
you this morning.
But you needn't feel
so bad about it. Only
it made me pretty
mad at first, cause
Hilda never used
to say a thing to me
no matter when I got
in or where I went.
  And say, there's no
church Friday nite,
its on Saturday this
week so I spose you

can't go. I told Mary
Schneider to tell you
if she saw you but
she said she didn't
she'd get a chance to
talk to you.
  Do you think well
be able to go sleigh riding
soon? Buddy wants to
put on the skis to-
morrow.
  Well so long and
call up some time and
burn these two letters,
will you?
   good luck M.K.
P.S. I wonder what Mrs. Kipke
would say if she knew
that Mary Schneider had
stayed out till half past four

Well Grandpa is still staying at the Central Hotel in Rib Lake.
I wonder who Hilda was? But she must have been talking about Mary and what she was up to.
I think that Buddy was Mary brother.
I wonder how often Mary Schneider stayed out so late?
We'll never know because it's history that has already faded away.
As for Grandpa burning letters, I don't think he did that very often if ever. If he did this site would not exist.

Here are a few random pictures for you to look at.

No idea who these girls could be or when it was taken.

A couple of pictures showing Grandpa being on different kinds of boards.
My dad (Clement Johnson)  has followed in his footsteps.

Dad will be honored for a lifetime achievement on May 2nd. The article also mentioned Dave Fleegel who is the person of the year. The story tells of all things both men have done over the years and continue to do.

Well that's all I have for you today. I hope you enjoyed reading the things I have offered to you. I hope you drop by once again on Tuesday for another look at a fading history.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mary Kauer: Oct. 6, 1925 Rib Lake, Wis

Hello Friends,
I hope you had an enjoyable weekend. Mine was good. I little shopping on Saturday and then some house cleaning on Sunday. Nothing exciting. It was nice a warm or I should say warmer then it has been. So i enjoyed that.
Anyway here is the next letter from Mary. Grandpa must have been staying in Rib Lake at the time because the letter was addressed to Rib lake at the Central Hotel. Maybe he was logging in the area and it was easier to stay there.

As always here is what it says:

                    Rib lake, Wis
                    Oct. 6, 1925
Hello Howard:-
    Say I just wanted
to tell you not to come
over Wednesday evening
and don't phone either.
Mrs. H. gave me a real
talking to for staying
out so late. She says
if I don't quit it she'll

tell ma on me. What
do you think about that.
If you want to go along
Friday come at about seven
and I'll be ready. If you
want to you can ask Mary
if there are services.
But I think it was every
Friday during October.

Well so long I don't
know what else to
write and I think that is
enough. I hope you get
this before tomorrow
evening now.
         Well so long
               M.

It has been been awhile since there was a letter from Mary. But something tells me they were seeing a lot of each other and letters were not needed.
I wonder how late they were staying out together? I wonder if Mrs. H. had tell on Mary to her ma?
I wonder how often the mail was delivered back then?
So many questions that will never be answered.

Here are a few random pictures for you to see.

I thought since Grandpa could have been working at a logging camp I'd show you a logging picture.

This is Gerda Gustafson. No idea who she was. Her name is on the back of the picture. I have two copies of it.

This could be a picture from Sweden. I think I translated what's on the bottom. It says, Junipers in Skane. (there should be a circle above the a.)  I wonder who the people are?

Well that's all I have for you today.
So enjoy the week.and I hope you will drop by again on Friday for the next letter on Dear Howard.
Your friend,
Sandy

Edna and Gladys: Sept. 20, 1925 Chicago, Ill

Dear Friends,
I hope you are enjoying the nice temps around here, that is if you are from the same place I am. If not I hope the weather is just right for wherever you are.
Here is the next letter. most of it was written by Edna aka Eddie and the last bit was written by Gladys.

As always here is what it says.

                      Chicago, Ill.
                      Sept. 20, 1925
Dear Friend,
   Well here comes a long
delayed letter. I've been so
busy of late. Have had no
time even to write home.
I'm home every evening
almost. But still there
are a hundred and one
things to be done. So
please excuse me for
waiting so long.
  I'm at Techny  Ill. now
came out last night
right from work. I went
to the new Union Station

First time I've been there.
It sure is magnificent.
"Hur mor du i dag?" Ha!Ha!
How's that for an old swede?
Can't speak it you know
so it is about time I'm
learning as I might go
to the old country some
day. Ha!
 Well how's everybody?
Hope fine. Didn't have
my operation yet. Can't
have it yet for awhile.
  Friday night &
went to a dance given

at a club house. All
the girls wore neckties
& boys aprons. Sure had
some time. Everybody was
dancing the "Charleston" or
"Flea-hop". I don't like
either. They look too
much like chickens.
  Well guess there is
no news so I might
as well quit. You'll
he so sick of this
scribbling you'll cease
to recognize me letters
from now on. eh?

   Please answer if you
care to. Don't know any jokes.
Do you?
    Will hang up now.
         Sincerely,
            Eddie
Hello there how are you?
I have been away out here
for such a long time that
I almost forget everything &
everybody whom I used to
know. How are your folks
I hope your mother is feeling
better greet her from me.
            Gladys

I like the way Gladys added her own brief note. From time to time this will happen with them and other letter writers.
I tried to write the Swedish words but right now I'm not sure how to write some of the words that have symbols above certain letters. Like there should be a o above the a in the second word. In English the sentence is, "How are you today?"    From time to time someone might say something in Swedish. I will do my best to translate it.

She mentioned a couple of dances, the"Charleston" and the "Flea-hop".
I've heard of to Charleston but I don't know if I've heard of the Flea-hop. But watching a video of it, I have seen it before.

This first one is of the Charleston.

I tried to find on older video of the Flea-hop but could not. This is the closest I could come. It's a lesson including the flea-hop.
I thought it was funny when she said they looked to much like chickens. I wonder what she would think of the dances they do now a days?
I wonder if she ever had her surgery? if she did i hope she didn't have to suffer to long.
As for Gladys, I guess it was just her way of staying in touch. or maybe to let people know she has not forgotten them.

Here are a few random pictures for you to look at.

This is a picture of Gladys Swanson. I'm not sure if it is the same one who wrote the note of not.

Not sure these guys are. One of them could be Grandpa, but I'm not sure.

This is Mike Swenson age 5. Just one of the old school pictures.

Well that's all I have for you today. I hope you enjoy this wonderful weekend. The snow is almost completely gone, almost. Now if only things could be not so wet and sloppy so cleaning up would be easier.
Till next time.
Your friend,
Sandy

Edna: August 26, 1925 Chicago, Ill

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend? Mine was on the short side but I enjoyed the warmer temps. This week the temps are suppose to be in the 40's and  50's. By the end of the week hopefully almost all the snow should be gone. The question is will it stay gone or will it come back again and again before we can enjoy a nice spring.
Anyway here is the next letter from Edna:

As always here is what it says:

                          Chicago, Ill
                         August 26, 1925
Dear Friend Howard:
    I am at taking
time to answer your letter
which now has been in my
possession for some time.
Really tho: I've been very busy
of late. Have not had time to do
a thing for myself or anybody
else.
  I have now been at my
new position for almost two wks.
I'm working for the manger.
Like it very much. There sure
is enough to do here as I'm
doing secretarial work also.
  It sure is lonesome with-
out Linnea. I should die
if it were not for my
books. I am reading more
thou I really ought to.
            2
  next Thursday, if possible,
I'm going to have my operation.
Maby then I shall feel more
like living. Today I really
ought to be at home. I
feel miserable. My throat
is so sore and swollen I
can scarcely eat or speak.
   Well, you say._____
wears rolled stockings. That's
nothing. Here half of
them go without any.
But I don't even wear
mine rolled. Besides,
we would be fired here
if we should be caught.
  Do you think Julia
or Frida have changed any?
I don't. I think they are
the same. We sure had
a picnic when Julia stayed
with us, just before they
               3
left.
Last Saturday I went out
to Gladys. I stayed there
over Sunday. Had a very
nice time. We walked about
two miles. On our way
back we found some
trees and we sat there
in the shade till it
was time for her to go
back. We sang all the
old songs we knew. I
came home Sunday eve.
  You say you have
heard many more
jokes. Why don't you tell
me? You promised me
also that you would
send me that book to
read. I know no more
jokes. I told you all.
  Guess I must stop

now.  Please answer if
you care to.
                In haste,
                     Edna

Not a whole lot here. I wonder if maybe she was going to have her tonsils taken out.
I wish I knew what kind of jokes Grandpa shared with people back then. I do have an old joke book but it is from the fall of 1940. Maybe I'll tell you one of them. Or maybe I'll start by showing you the first page.

Here is a sample of a couple of the jokes:

"How can I cure a sleep-walking habit?"
"Sprinkle tacks on the floor."
or
Some women grow old before their
time trying to look young after their
time.

Those kind of jokes. Maybe from time to time I'll include a joke or two from the book.

Here are a few random pictures for you to look at.

The name on the back of this one is, Rosalene Preston. No idea who she is.

A logging picture that was made into a postcard.

Not sure who this is. It almost looks like Grandpa but I could be wrong.

Well that's all I have for you today.
Enjoy this nice warm weather and hope it stays.
Your friend,
Sandy

Anna Rainila: Aug. 6, 1925 Eagle River, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope this letter fines everyone in good spirits. Me, not to bad but, I do have to work again on Saturday. I just want to know who is eating all that cheese?
Enough whining here is the next letter from Anna.

This one is a little harder to read so I'll do my best to copy what is written, wish me luck.


                        Aug. 6, 1925
Dear Friend Howard:
    I have received your
affectionate letter some
time ago but as usual
must look for an excuse
for not being prompt.
I have not been in very
good health lately. One day
we were rather busy &
we're sweating like thunder
altho otherwise it was
rather cold I mean the
weather we all work
evening & we stayed in
quite a while & i caught
a cold & got terrible cramps
in my arches& ever sense
my feet cramp just
terrible. I had fever 102 &
101 for a long time & was
laid up a few days.

but now I feel better again
I am bustling around. As
they call me happy Anna
(haha) Where ever I go
they all give me so many
nick names I just have
to laugh. haha. I work
on 6 tables & 24 people
at present so it keeps
a girl on a hop when
all come in at once
but thats what we're
here for. We we're talking
tonite that in a month
or so we will all be
leaving again. I hate
to think of it. So do the
rest. We haven't had hardly
any rain this summer but
we sure have had enough
today it poured like from
a sieve this evening & still
you can hear rat tat tat tat.
on the roof. has the show
"Silent Watcher been

there yet. We went to
see it last Sunday
nite & sure was good
I have changed a lot too I
don't care anything about
dances or running around
I'll be a genuine old maid
when I come home unless
they think I'm a flapper
(haha) They can suit
themselves so what they
call me. Hey wat
(haha) guess I'll hustle
& sew collars & cuff on
my uniforms & clean
my room up & it
9.30 as it is. So that
shows no time for
fooling. (haha)
   Mr. Ulrich is Mr. Krotan
uncle & Mr. Krohn is manager

now. but Mr. Ulrich used
to be so this is old stationary
Bobs sister is married
to Mr. Krohn. Understand?
             So long
                      from Anna
P.S. I have made about
$67.00 in tips (haha)
But it seems to go too.

I did the best I could to copy it down but some words were a little hard to figure out, sorry.

She mentioned a movie she saw Silent Watcher, I found a picture and a little info on it.

The story is about a lawyer who is running for congress and decides to end his relationship with a show girl who then commits suicide. His secretary then claims he was in a relationship with the girl thus ruining his new marriage. He is later cleared of guilt over the show girl but because he lost his true love he then decides to kill himself. He cleans the house then his wife comes back just in time to save him for going through with the deed. Plus he learns that the lawyer is elected to congress.
Sounds like a tale that could be told today.

The Hemlock Lodge was like the one portrayed in Dirty Dancing. A summer get away for some people.

I wonder what ever happened to Anna. Did she get married or was she an old maid till the end?

Here are a few random pictures for you to look at.

    

No clue where this picture was taken. It could have been on a camping trip taken by maybe Uncle Kenny.

I think this one might be from Copper Falls. The one closest might be Grandpa. It's hard to tell.

No idea who this is sitting in the snow. Is it one of us grand kids or one of Grandpa and Grandma's?

Well that's all I have for you today.
So have a good weekend and enjoy the warming temps.
Till Tuesday.
Your friend,
Sandy