Joel Oscar Johnson: 1883-1908

Dear Friends,
I know it's been awhile since I have posted anything. it's just that with the main letters all shown I've been trying to think what I have to show you and how often I should post.
For now I'm stating with my great uncle Joel Oscar.
He was born December 1, 1883.
He died February 12, 1908.

How he died is very tragic. 

He worked for a logging company out in Washington State.

I will post that story next time.

For now since it would have been his 135th birthday on the 1st, I would share his picture and also a picture of a girl friend from the state of Washington.

I do wish her name was on here. 

I would love to know more about her. I wonder if someone, will some day recognize her and maybe tell me about her.

I've decided right now I will get all the info I have about him and share it with you.

In the mean time I would like to wish my Great Uncle Joel Oscar Johnson a Very Happy Birthday in Heaven.

So till next time.

your friend,

Sandy

Post Card from the past

Dear Friends,
It's been awhile since I posted.
I hope this post finds everyone doing good. I know there is a hurricane about ready to make land on the East coast. I hope everyone is able to stay safe.
My life right now is not to bad but, it might, might be getting a bit frustrating for me. Work wise anyway. To much work and not enough time to get things done. So I maybe looking at working more overtime then I want to. Not just me but everyone. They have over committed the work force they have. It will not make a very happy work place.
Enough whining, here is a clipping from Sunday, February 23, 1975:

 Not sure exactly when this postcard is from but I do not see any cars.
For those that don't know the area, Westboro is a lot smaller today.

I decided to share what was on the other side of this picture:

One whole story and two part ones. Enjoy.

Here is a random picture:

No idea who they are or when it was taken.
This picture is on the light side so I did my best to darken it. This is better then the actual picture.
 

Well, that's all I'll share with you today.
I hope you will still drop by from time to time for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Labor Day 1934

Dear Friends,
I know it's been awhile, but it was time for a little break. I've been thinking about what else I have to share with you. I thought since it is Labor Day weekend I would share a story from 1934 from "The Minnesota Union Advocate: The Peoples Voice".
I had to scan it in two parts, enjoy:

 I wonder how this story would be received today?

And here is a random picture:

No idea where this was taken.
I thought with all the problems with too much rain I would show some water from a time gone by.

Well, that's all I will show you this time.
I've got a number of other things I will show you from time to time.
No time schedule this time so you never know when I will post something new
 You can still drop by from time to time to see more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mr. & Mrs. Howard Johnson Oct. 26, 1935

Dear Friends,
Now that the letters are done I thought it was time to show you Grandma and Grandpa together.

This is how I remember them.
I asked if anyone had a picture from when they got married but so far none to show. But I do have something from their 40th Anniversary:

I think I remember this party. But I don't remember anything else but being there.
I might be able to get Grandma's journals that my older sister has. So if I ever get them I will share them with you.

Since this post is about  weddings I thought I would share story about a special song:

When you read this, read the first half of the first one then go down to the longer one before going back to the second half of the first one. No idea what year this story was published.
I found this story in an old Swedish cookbook, which is from 1908.
I will share things from this book from time to time.

I think the cover translates to: "The woman and the home's new Cookbook"

I will from time to time share something from this book.

Well, I know I'm a day a head of my usual post but I've decided to post at random times.
You just never know when a new post will appear. You will just have to drop by from time to time to so some more Fading History.
Till next time.
Your friend,Sandy

Ruth: Xmas soon; Tripoli, Wis.

Dear Friends,
Well believe it or not but my journey through the letters have come to an end. But I think there are a few other letters not as old. I didn't think it would take this long to get through all those letters.I put them in 3" binders as I went along. There are 6 of them. I do hope everyone enjoyed reading them and all the other things I have shown you over the years.
After today I will not be posting as often. There are still more news story I will show from time to time. Plus there is the Swedish newspaper I will be showing from time to time. I have a children's  story book in Finnish I would like to translate and share. There are still more pictures. I also have a cook book in Swedish from 1908. There is a story about my great uncle Joel Oscar I will share with you also. These are just some of the things you will see from time to time.
But before that happens, here is the final letter from Ruth:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what I think it says:

              Tripoli, Wisc.
               Xmas
                soon
Dear Howard
                   Don't think
I've forgotten you
kid. I haven't
Hows the world
using you. Me
fair at present
guess I'll come
home couple days
Xmas. Hope I'll
see you then
I'm going to a
dance tomorrow
nite. Was over
to see Lillian
this afternoon

gosh it seems funny
Xmas is so near
Do you take
hint Ha. That's
what they are
all asking me.
If you see Elmer
or Walter ask
them why they
never write.
I had a letter
from Red. She's
having a good
time I guess
I was going to
write home tonite
also. But I have
so many other
things to do

are you going to
have a Xmas tree
it's pretty dead
around here at
present well
Howard Hope I'll
hear from you
soon      Love
             Ruth
But 106

Not a lot here. Just a lot of talk about writing. And Xmas.
I hope everyone have a very nice Xmas that year.

Here is a story from the Editorial Page of Labor; Washington, D.C., Tuesday September 4, 1934:

I wonder how many people believe that to this day?
Sometimes I do get that feeling.

Here is a joke from the the same paper on the same page:

I wonder how well that would work today?

Finally a random picture:

I might have shown this one before. Grandma is the one on the right.

Well, that's all.
I will do another post for sure on Monday. After that I might be post maybe once a week.
I hope you have enjoyed all of the Fading History I have shared with you.
If anyone has any other ideas about something to share I would love to hear about it.
So all I will say is, it's really not over over.
So still drop by from time to time and check things out.
Till  next time.
Your friend,
Sandy

Carol: Nov. 23, 1934; Milwaukee, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a very nice weekend. Mine was nice and quiet. Saturday I stayed home and did housework. Sunday we went to Wausau to the fair and then we visited with our granddaughter. Saturday was on the wet side. Sunday was on the hot side. Nothing else to say.
So, here is the next letter from Carol:

 As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what I think it says:

                            Monday Nov 20-34
Hi Howard,
  Received your letter and I must say
you were very prompt.
   Well what did you do over the weekend.
I went out to a party Saturday nite, and
Sunday we went up to West Bend to
a wedding anniversary- Silver. I was quite
well cared for I had two young men
going up and when we got there, I had
more. Gee I had a swell time, and talk
about food, I never saw so much in all
my life. There must have been about 80
people Sunday and I don't now how
many Saturday. Saturday they killed 4
half barrels and one full barrel of beer.
Sunday we finished 3 half barrels. Oh yes
I drink. Do you? I could have died at
those people especially the kids. They
couldn't get over my colored finger
nails. I always wear the dark polish.

Did you have rain and fog Sunday nite. It
took us 3 1/2 hrs to come home from West
Bend. The joy was just terrible. Nothing
happened to us in the fog coming through the
country but when we got to the city
a car bumped into us. I hurt my arm,
and strained the cords in my neck. My
neck bothers me somewhat.
Also Sunday nite, I had a fight with the
fellow that asked me to marry him. So I
won't see him any more. I don't care tho.
I never liked him any way. I like another
fellow better.
I have the United States Marine Band on
over the radio, and they certainly have a lovely
program.
No Howard I do not know what S.Y.I.M.D.T.N.
means. What does it.
Gee it is snowing out and I am invitied out to
dinner, I suppose I well get all wet.
No I have not seen Hattie for quite some
time. Will have to shut up now.      Love
                                                     Carol
answer soon.

Carol sounds like she likes to party. I do wonder how much of that beer she had.
I do wonder how hard another car bumped into them.
I hope she was not soar for to long.
I do wonder also about the fellow she was no interested in. Did he leave her alone after that night or did he still try to pursue her.
S.Y.I.M.D.T.N. stands for; "See you in my dreams to night". At least I think that's what it means.
At least she was enjoying listening to the radio.

There is one more letter to show you. There are a few others I will still share with you from time to time.

Here is a story from "The Minnesota Union Advocate August 30, 1934:

 Did America aid Germany at the beginning of WWII?

Here are a few jokes from "Labor" Washington, D.C. Tuesday, September 4, 1934:

Are you Americanized?

Finally, a random picture:

Not sure who this little one is or when it was taken.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope you'll come back again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Carol: Nov. 13, 1934; Milwaukee, Wis.

Dear Friends,
Well, it's the end of yet another week. At least I get to have two days off. An actual weekend. Yeah! I'm not sure what we will do because the husband I think still has to work Saturday. Oh well, I'll just get housework done with no interruptions.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Carol:

As always for those that find it hard to read, here is what I think it says:

                       Monday
                       Tuesday Nov. 13-34
Hi Howard;
  Bon Voyage! Ooops guess I
got my words mixed up, but
any how, what I mean is, how
are you? I am fine thank you.
  You bet your boots you
owed me a letter. I answered your
letter the day I received it. So
that's that.
Gee it is miserable today
cold and dreary.
What have you been doing
for excitement? I have been going
out every nite for the last 2
weeks. Saturday nite I am going
up to west Bend to a wedding
anniversary with a fellow we
expect to have a good girl.

Oh ya, am I getting ritzy -you
don't know it but I wear
glasses, and now I am getting
a pair of Oxfords you know the
kind they wear with gold chains.
Boy I look like a society Jane
with 'em.
Am I thrilled or am I thrilled
the fellow I am going to West
Bend with asked me to marry
him. But the funny part of it
is I hate him. So that is off. But
anyhow if I am an "old maid" I
at least can say I had a proposal
of matrimony. ha!ha!
I may go to Cleveland Ohio for the
winter and Spring to stay with a friend
but if I do I will give you my address.
Saloon-- until next time Carol xx

I just want to ask why does someone go to a celebration with someone you hate?
I do hope she had a nice time anyway.
I wonder how many proposals she received over the year and did she stay an old maid?
I do hope she enjoyed her new glasses.
Did she go to Cleveland for the winter and Spring?
So many questions where the answers have faded away.

Here are a few stories from the editorial page of "Labor" Tuesday, September 4, 1934:

 Just a few things to give you something to think about.

Here are a few jokes from the paper and page:

So true about stories. They can grew  bigger in different ways over time.

Finally, a random picture:

No idea who they are or when they were taken. This is two different pictures.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
Remember there are two letters left till I start taking longer breaks between posts.
I do hope you will still drop by again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Ruth: November 5, 1934; Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. I know a lot of places are having a lot of trouble. I hope that very soon things will start to settle down and become safer for all. My weekend was short and a little expensive. My dryer broke on Saturday so we had to get a new one. Sunday we tried to go to the fair after 4 o'clock. There was not much there by the time we got there. So we ate at the 4H stand, took a lap and left. That's what happens when you wait till the last minute to go to the fair.You miss everything.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Ruth:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what I think it says:

                    Chicago, Illinois
                      November 4, 1934
Dear Howard:
How are you feeling these
beautiful fall days.
The Fair closed Wednesday
and I was down there in
the mob. We had a peach
of a time. We had to
hold on to one another or we
would have become
separated. It was so
packed at 23rd  Street that
we couldn't go beyond there.

                -2-
We had to go on the Island.
Everyone was feeling so
happy and half of them
tight. I was glad I went.
We couldn't get in any place to
eat. Couldn't buy a thing.
Everything was so jammed.
It's closed now and I guess
a lot of people are sorry they
didn't go more often. I have had
many good times there.
That's enough of that.
Yesterday I went to the
Chicago & saw Mrs. Wiggs
of the Cabbage Patch.

               -3-
it was very good. Did
you ever read that story?
Have you been over to
see Arnold lately? I got
a nice letter from him
when I got your last
letter. I take a long
time to answer don't I.
I am writing to him
today too.
Well, I'll have to sign off
as we are going to a dance &
it's time to leave.
             Ruth

I wonder how many times she went to the Worlds Fair that year.
It sounded like that fair ended with more attention then our fair did here.
As for "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch", it was a film at that time based on a novel written in 1901 by Alice Hagan Rice. This was the 3rd time it was made into a movie. The first was in 1914, the third in 1919. There was also a fourth one made in 1942. I think it is time to make another one since the entertainment business is in to remaking everything now a days.

 
Wikipedia has a very good description of this story.

I do hope she enjoyed herself at the dance.

Here is a cartoon from the newspaper "Labor"  September 4, 1934:

The question is, Is it still an answer to Wall Street's prayers today?

Here is a poem and a few jokes from the same paper:

Enjoy. There are a few more jokes from this same paper that I will share with you over the last letters. Remember after this one there is only 3 more letters to go. After that I will tell you what I will try to do with this space.

I thought since there was so much talk about a fair I would show a picture from a fair gone by:

A lot of very interesting things on display.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope you will drop by again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Thomas Johnson: Oct. 15, 1934; Chicago Ill.

Dear Friends,
Well, it's the end end of yet another wee. But my work week will not end till Saturday. I wish this overtime on Saturdays will end soon. I enjoy two day weekends more then one. How about you?
Anyway, here is a letter from Grandpa's brother Thomas who was in Chicago at this time to go to the Worlds Fair:

 As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what I thin it says:

                 Oct. 15 1934
Dear Howard
We were over to see
Hildings Sat. we and
they are fine greetings from
them and old Walins
I think I will be home
Thursday eve or Friday
The reason I am writing
is so as to let you
now when to expect
me. Hope everything is O.K.
have had warm and nice
so far, don't now
much to write now. We
are going to the fair today
Esther send best regards
            Your Brother
               Thos.

I guess just a brief note from Thomas.
I wonder how often he was with Esther.
I do hope he enjoyed the fair.

Here is a story from "The Bee" Thursday February 1, 1940:

I love the wording in this story. I wonder if this kind of story could be written today and what would it sound like.

Here is something I found  about a movie:

The picture came out in 1930.


Finally, here is a random picture:

This might be mas but I'm not sure.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a very good weekend.
Don't forget to drop by again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Ruth: Oct. 14, 1934; Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a very nice weekend. Mine was short but busy. Had a family get together on Saturday. I forgot my camera, so no pictures from me. On Sunday the husband and I went for a hike. About 5.1 miles. I know it was shorter then usual but with his ankle not being in the best shape the length was just right.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Ruth:

 As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what I think it says:

                    Chicago Illinois
                      October 14, 1934
Dear Howard:
   I am not in a very good
writing mood, but I must
not delay answering your
letters any longer.
We are having some beautiful
weather. It is just glorious.
I went to the Fair last
Sunday and saw a few  of
the Village shows. Did you
see the Black Forest Show?
It was excellent. Did you
see Little Egypt? She was
rare and daring.

I received a letter from
Mrs. Fick and she said you
had called on them. They
think you are quite all right.
Is Slim working now?
What made him quit his
job.
I cannot think of anything
else to write so I had better
sign off for the time
being.
            Ruth

It looks like she went to the Worlds Fair.  I don't think I have anything from the Worlds Fair. But on line I did find a couple of post cards from there. Here is one.


As Little Egypt, she was a Belly dancer.  I did find a number of Little Egypt's but I'm not sure which one appeared in the Worlds Fair 1934. I imagine she drew a crowd back then.

I guess Ruth was just not in a very good mood that day.

Here is a story from the newspaper "Labor"  Tuesday September 4, 1934:

Now that's what happens when you get matching luggage.

Now here is a poem from a newspaper called,"Svenska Amerikanaren" The Swedish American Newspaper. From September 11, 1924:

I will translate using Google translate:

You asked for a song

You asked for a song, dear
on a cheerful and happy melody.
How would you like this?
My song cannot be fun.

The instrument, my sick heart,
have no cords anymore,
and the string, as the recitals of narrow,
only twisted gnash ger.

Once there was a jubilee in the game,
for you sang where melody.
Then you went to the wrong place
in the harmony of strings.
                                      N.K.

It's a nice little poem. What do you think? I do wonder who N.K. is though.

I might scan a small story from time to time and try to translate it. It will take some time to do it though.

Here is a random picture:

No idea where or when this was taken. It doesn't look familiar to me.

Well that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a very good week.
Don't forget to drop by again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy