Carol Olsen: Aug. 16, 1934; Milwaukee, Wis.

Dear Friends,
Well, I hope you had a good week. Mine was good. It's ending a little on the too hot side though. We did get another hike in on Wednesday, about 6 miles. But it looks like my next week will not start out very good. It sounds like I have to start work 2 hour earlier. Not a good way to start July if you ask me.
Anyway, here is the next letter. It's from a Carol Olsen:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what I think it says:
            1
Hi Howard;
I have often thought of
writing to you, but to tell the
truth, I thought Hattie was
kidding me sorry. I still do
not know if she is, but will
take a chance that she isn't.
A bunch of us kids are
down town, so we thought
we would use some of the
Hotel's Stationary.
This is sort of a funny
letter, writing under these
circumstances.
            2
This last week has been
quite warm, but yesterday
and today has been quite cool.
Next week a bunch of us
girls are planning a beach
party. I suppose as usual
our plans will fall through
hopes heaping they don't
I was out to a party
Saturday nite and had a
nice time considering the
company.
            3
Talk about being ritzy here
we are up in the lobby of
the hotel listening to the
orchestra. Probably I will live
in this hotel up in this room.
Have you been down to
the fair. I haven't but hope to go.
I was out with a fellow
that drives are "Austin" its also
nite. Talk about laughs, you
should have seen me: was a
lot of fun.

The orchestra is playing the
"Chicken Blues". I have got the
blues, but don't know if they
are the "Chicken Blues" or not.
Well what do you do for
excitement? I suppose you are
kept quite busy. I am not working
at the present time. If I do
not get a job pretty soon I am
going back to nursing. I was one
once but quite quit like a
chump.
Talk about men there are
enough here to start one army.
I hope you can read this
writing cause the kids are jiggling
the desk like nobodies business.
              4
There isn't much else to
talk about now. I am all
talked out.
Gee I am getting old. I will
be 23 the end of this month.
Am beginning to feel my age.
I guess the kids are ready
to go now so will have to
close.
Here's hoping you will not
feel feel insulted with this
letter, but Hattie said you
              5
said I should write first. So
here's hoping you will answer
my crazy letter.
Hoping to hear from you
soon.
                  Carol Olsen
In case you care to answer
my address is
Miss Carel Carol Olsen
19oo East Beverly Road
Shanewood
                  Wis.

Well, she was only 23 at the time.
As for where the stationary was from, the hotel is now a Hilton.
As for the song "Chicken Blues", the only song I found is called "Chicken Roost Blues". Not sure if it is the same song. You can find it on YouTube.

I hope this works.
Some of her spelling was a little hard to figure out, but I did the best that I could.
I do hope she meant nursing. But I might have gotten it wrong.
It does sound like she hung out with a kind of rowdy crowd. I just hope they had a lot of fun.
But I do wonder why she chose that moment to write to Grandpa. Usually when your out with your friends, that's the last thing you want to do.
Did Grandpa go to the fair that year?

Here is a story from a newspaper called, "Labor". Washington, D.C. Tuesday, August 28, 1934:

This is a picture of the mayor F.H.La Guardia

Just one of the stories I might be sharing with you.
The head line on this page is:
"PRESIDENT INCREASES WAGES, SHORTENS HOURS FOR 200,000 WORKERS"
Most of the stories from these pages are too big to fit in my scanner.
If anyone wants to see what I can fit, just let me know.

Here is a story from the magazine "Fate" November 1950:

Will this be your next job, "A Snake charmer"?
A little knowledge about Vitamin E.

Finally, a random picture:

I'm not sure if I have shown this one before. I have a couple of them right now in front of me. The two little girls are his daughters. Just think this picture is a hundred years old.

Well that's all I have to share with you today.
Oh by the way, it's my birthday today. If you must know how old I am, 56.
Enjoy your weekend.
Come back soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Ruth Helene: Aug. 13, 1934; Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was just right. On Sunday the husband and I went to a Dairy breakfast. On the Gumz farms. We got a late start but we were still fed. The sun was shining and it was a very nice day.
I'm on vacation this week so the husband and I went hiking on Monday. We went to Lincoln county and went 8.88 miles. We started early around 7:10 and got done at 11:50. The bugs did bug us some but not as bad as the last time we went. We could hike more this week but it all depends on him baling hay and the weather.
Anyway, here is a letter from someone named Ruth Helene:

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

                        Chicago, Illinois
                          August 12, 1934
Dear Howard,
  Lois and I arrived home
safely. We had a very
pleasant trip and your candy
tasted so good.
 You certainly did all you
could to make our departure
pleasant and I must say that
you succeeded.
Everything looks so nice at
home. It is so different.
I am sure Arnold would
very much appreciate your

                                  -2-
taking him around and
showing him the country. He
loves the woods. He's not bad
company either.
I would rather you did
not tell Slim that I wrote.
It doesn't concern him at all.
I suppose you will be
working hard threshing tomorrow
and I will be pounding the
keys of my typewriter.
             Sincerely
               Ruth Helene
Don't work too hard.


No clue who she is. But I think she might be originally from the Ogema area, maybe.
Boy he certainly like to give people candy. I do wonder what kind he gave out the most?
I wonder who Slim is? And who is Arnold?
I do hope he had a good threshing day.
I wonder where she worked that she worked with a typewriter.

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

The answers to your questions about milk.
I do wonder about the farmer's share being 43%. What is it today?

Here is a story from "Fate", November 1950:

I wonder how long this story stayed in the news.
What was his sentence for this crime?

Finally, here is a random picture:

Grandpa baling hay in 1969.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a good week.
Come back soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Helen Balusik: April 30, 1934; Evanston, Ill.

Dear Friends,
Well, it's the end of yet another week. It is finally officially Summer. Being in Wisconsin you have to enjoy this time of warm temps. I know I do. I just hope it doesn't get overly hot.
My week was not to bad. I look forward to the weekend. I should be fairly nice, I hope.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Helen:

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

                   Friday evening
Dear Howard:-
     Well, how are you
these crispy days? Not
so warm is it?
  Your letter came quite
awhile ago but some
times I don't have time
to write- and you don't
mind do you? I'm sure
there are plenty other letters
you get besides.
Howard, I do believe
all that you wrote that
you liked me & all that
because you don't even
know me good only that
we saw each other a couple
of times- I bet if you knew
me better you would

think differently- don't you think
so? This other fellow is bound
to have me say yes to him
before he goes back- so I don't
know what I will do for I
have known him for so long.
I wish I would have known
you better, perhaps then we
would have been closer
pals. I always have longed
for some one that would
truthfully care for me inspite
of my hot temper once in a
while- ha ha!
I bet there are a lot of girls in Ogema
looking at Howard & his farm
if he would only invite them
is isn't that right?
Last night I was to a birthday
party at the Salvation army
hall- most all of it was in
Swedish so I couldn't understand
much of it. Could you? For
your name sounds like you
should be able to.
Gee, I'm so sleepy that I
dropped my pen while I
write this- Wish you were
here to keep me company

for they are gone out.
I wonder what they will do
tomorrow- otherwise I would
go out.
I am sorry I cannot think
of anything else to write.
But you won't mind that
will you Howard.
next time I will try &
write more interesting
then this time.
           Bye Bye
                Me

Every time I read these letters I wish I could have been able to see what he wrote back, but I know I never will.
It sounds like she might have had another man friend she was more interested in. I wonder who he was.
I wonder how hot tempered she was.
I do wish I knew how to speak and understand Swedish. Maybe some day I will find a way to learn it.

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

  I wonder what was happening with the Finnish people. Was it here or over there?
Well I ever find the answers/

Here is a story from "Fate" November 1950:

Which old wives tale do you like the most.
The one on the bottom:
Is this something they still use today for solar energy?

Finally, a random picture:

No idea who this is or what year it is from.

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

Helen Balusik: April 15, 1934; Evanston, Ill.

Dear Friends,
How was everyone's weekend? Mine was I little too hot and wet. At least the lights didn't go out at home again. No hiking this weekend.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Helen:

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

                     Evanston
                     Apr 15
Dear Howard:-
   Your nice letter came
the other day & I sure do
enjoy them you can be
sure.
I'm surprised that you
even dreant of me, did
you really? And you
wouldn't even tell me your
dream- now was that
nice?
For a change we are having
some snow today altho
the grass is growing fast.
I have been rather blue
for the past week-worrying
about something. I wonder
if I should tell you.

You see one of the fellas that I use
to go with from home came over
here & he mentioned something
about hitching up some time
this summer, but oh its hard
for me to make up my mind
since I get such sweet letters
from you. You know I just
hate the thought of matrimony
I don't know why- I guess its
because they all say thats when
your troubles begin. wish that
I could always be my own
boss.
Well tomorrow night my folks
are going to a dance, so Howard
don't you want to come over
for awhile? Then I will give
you all the kisses you want
for that candy- would that
be O.K? I can hear you say
no - Just think I will be here
alone excepting for the children-
I often wish there wasn't any
children here for then whenever
they go out I could go too.
oh well perhaps some day
I can go out as much as I
please, don't you think so?

Howard dear, I am sort of sleepy
tonight so I won't be able to
write a longer letter like I had
planned.
So can I hear from you
soon again even tho my
letter is so short I think
of you just the same.
Well by by & be a good
boy, won't you?
           Sincerely
           Helen

Well, I wonder if she ever decided if getting married was right for her or not.
Did she hitch up with the other fella?
I wonder how many children she looked after.

Here is a picture from Friday, March 20, 1936; The Milwaukee Journal:

Every street a river- that was the condition Wednesday in Johnstown, Pa. after its second great flood. This picture made from a chartered airplane, vividly shows how Johnstown is situated in the valley of the Conemaugh river, prey for flood waters pouring from the river's narrow channel.- A.P. wirephoto.

This is one of nine picture from one page.
The headline on this page is:
FLOOD WATERS SWEEP INTO THE OHIO VALLEY AFTER CAUSING DEATH AND DAMAGE IN EASTERN STATES

I thought with all the rain we've been getting around the north woods, I would share more pictures from a flood in the past in another area.

Here is a story from the magazine "Fate" November 1950:

Maybe that explains why we are so messed up today.

Finally, here is a random picture:

This was developed around jun 1964. No idea where it was taken.

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

Helen Balusik: April 5, 1934: Evanston, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a good week. Mine was nice and quiet, just the way I like it. Well, almost. The lights went out on my on Wednesday morning as I was getting my breakfast going. So I ended up with a very luke warm  tea and oatmeal. No toast. The husband the light came back on around 6am. By the way they went out at 4:15am. It wasn't even storming at that time. The sky was clear. It did storm a few hours earlier though. This weekend is suppose to be on the hot side with possible storms.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Helen:

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

                    Evanston
                   Tue. evening
Howard Dear:-
    It isn't long ago
since I send you a letter
so will you mind if you
get another one so
soon as this?
Now see the big box of
candy came Monday after
I had mailed you the
letter- and was I
surprised when the mail
man said the package
is for you.
You sure were a dear
to send me them & how
good they are- Yum Yum.
Why didn't you take
some out for yourself
for I sure will gain

waight weight if I eat all of
them by myself. The Mrs. asked
me & who is that from so
I told her from a fellow. She
said some body must think
a lot of you, altho that I
don't know, do I?
How did you spend Easter
did it rain like it did here?
It rained till about three
o'clock then it turned out
to be a grand warm day.
You know today it was
72 in the shade & it felt grand
to have that warm wind
blowing. Seams like winter
lasted so long.
I am all ready for bed now
no one around only can hear
the clock ticking.
How I wish I was out with
some one tonight in the cool
breeze & the birds singing - I
always thought romance was
a wonderful thing don't you?
Maybe I am mistaken (Ha Ha)
Do you like gingerbread
Howard? We had some tonite
for desert & it didn't turn out

good. I often am surprised I
haven't been fired yet for I sure
do make a lot of blunders in
cooking.
Well Howard I am getting
sleepy as usal so I will have
to go whether I want to or not.
  I hope I have a letter
from you this week or
don't I? I always long
for your letters.
         Will say goodnite
            now & someday
         perhaps I can give you a
         nice kiss for all that candy
                       By By Helen
Thank you
very very
much
Howard

I do wonder what kind of candy did he send and how big was the box?
It does kind of sound like she wants a little romance in her life.
I wonder if she was as bad a cook as she like to say about herself.
The weather at that time sounds a lot like what can happen around here. Or maybe it was the beginning of global warming.

Here is a story from The Bee out of Phillips in Price county; Thursday, February 1, 1940:

I thought that with it mentioning my home town I would share this one.

Here is another picture from the same paper:

I thought that celebrating their 49th was worth showing. I wonder how much longer they were able to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Here is something from the magazine "Fate" November 1950:

 All I can say is, "Smart kid".

Finally a random picture:

No idea when or where as taken. I do wonder who the people in the boat are.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope your weekend started better then mine did today at work. Electricity was out at work for almost 6 hours. So not to much work got done on our shift.
Don't forget to drop by again for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Helen Balusik; March 29 & April 1, 1934; Evanston, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a very good weekend. I did. We celebrated our granddaughters 1st Birthday. She even got her own cake to smash. She enjoyed herself. On Sunday the husband and I went for a short hike. Only 2.55 miles. He wanted to bale some hay.How was your weekend?
Anyway, here are two things from Helen:

This is an Easter card.

Here is the second letter:

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

                  Mar. 30-34
                  Evanston
Hello Howard:-
   How are you tonite
I wonder? I feel quite
ambitious so I think
I'll scribble few letters
before I get sleepy.
The Mrs. got herself a
brand new type writer &
so she gave me the
first lesson on it this
afternoon- My, how
I do love them & it
saves time writing.
Maybe some day I
will be rich enough
to get one of my own.
then I'll let you use
it too if you rather

then write.
Yesterday another year was
added unto me so I feel
quite a bit older since I
wrote you last (Ha Ha) But it
happened it was my day off
so I had my hair all fixed
& then in the evening went
to an Easter concert- but it
wasn't so grand- They always
remember to pass the basket
for the collection no matter
what occasion it happens
to be.
Easter day my girl friend &
I are invited to Oak Park
to some friends of mine.
So I'm hoping I get through
in time so we can be there
for supper - how I love some
one else's cooking, but I'm
not good at it at all so I often
said to myself I pity the poor
man that gets me- Ha Ha
For he sure will be slim if
he never was slim before.
Doesn't that sound terrible?
  Yes I have a twin sister
that is married in Phillips.

She lives about two miles away
from my fathers place. She
has to do all his baking &
cleaning while I am gone but
I should think he could be
able to afford & pay her for all
that work. He is very independent
when some one stays at home!
Like last summer all he did
was complain & talked about
others- that I was glad to
get away & go to the city again.
You know this Spring weather
gets me very lonesome for

                 2
fishing & out door sports.
I wonder from one day
to another how long I
will be able to stand it.
I have always wished
I could meet a city
fellow that I would
settle down here rather
then the country but
too I'd hate to give up
country life - I'm so
use to both city & country
that I don't know where
I would like to be.
I always have enjoyed
it because I'm working
& can always have
spending money & go
places where in the
country I'm always

broke & you can't go many
places if you haven't a
beau or a sweety I mean.
I have lots of fudge here in
my room wish you were
near enough so you could
help me with it.
  I hear Mildred's brother
did pass away didn't he?
How old could he have been
it wasn't one of the older boys
was it? I certainly was sorry
to hear that. There were quite
a few from my home town
that went to his funeral.
Yes, those things do happen
sometime & we have to
take it whether it agrees
with us or not.
 Well Howard, I better go
down see how my children
 are behaving for i notice
they have gone out & that
means Helen take care of them
then in case they want
anything.
I am already beginning
to get sleepy I sure am a sleepy

head. Come over & have a visit
with me tonight Howard? I would
make you some hot coffee &
we have some apple pie in
the pantry 0 would that be
O.K.?
I suppose you will get this
until Monday but anyway I
hope you had a very
nice Easter- and think of me
once in awhile for I am lone
some too.
             Well by bye
            and write soon I
            Lovingly H.B. am waiting
                                  for the ready.

It sounds like she is torn between wanting to be a city girl or a country girl. I wonder which life she was able to choose. She sounds like me. I like the country but sometimes I want to live in town.  But not a big city. I like small town life. It can be a little calmer. But it has it's moments too.
I wonder what happened to Mildred's brother.
I wonder how old she was then.

Here is a picture from: Wisconsin REA News, March 1949:

Here Price Co-Op Lineman
Anton Benard climbs up to energize
member Elsome's line. Benard is
connecting the transformer on the
pole to the line with a "hot stick".
The transformer is energized by con-
necting the transformer lead with its
hot line clamp to the 7200 volt pri-
mary wire leading past the Elsome
farm.

I wonder how long he worked for the Co-Op electric company?

Here is a story from "Fate" January 1950:

More about a drug that makes things grow, again.

Finally, here is a random picture:

Jame Swanson age 11.
One of the neighborhood kids.

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

Mrs. J.C. Albers: March 27, 1934 Phillips, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine was very calm and quiet. Just the way I like it. This weekend we will be celebrating our granddaughters 1st birthday. It should be a nice day. At least we hope so.
Anyway, here is the next letter from J.C. Albers:

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

                       Phillips, Wis.
                         Mar 27, 1934
Dear Mr. Johnson,
    I'm writing you again about
your incubator, if you haven't already
sold it, please save it for me. I think
I can get part of the money by about the
middle of April & the rest perhaps by the
first of May. I'll try hard anyhow.
I'll have your quilt done by the middle of Apr.
too and I wonder if you could deliver them
both at that time, if I haven't all the
money I'll let you take as security my
set of community silver, until I can pay you
the balance. please let me know at once
if you can do this, as I have earned a
goodly lot of duck eggs & would like to
set them as soon as possible, and then
perhaps run out a batch of turkey eggs,
(they are just starting to lay now.
I may be able to have more than half
the money by the time mentioned and
perhaps earlier I'll try as hard as I can.

I've got a lad in bed now with what seems
to be rheumatism and it seems like both
days and nights just sail by. I can't get done
as much as I'd like.
Hoping to hear from you in a few
days, Very truly yours.
                          Mrs. J.C. Albers
                                   Phillips
                          Rt 3           Wis
P.S.
Does the incubator need any repairs such
as thermostat wafers etc?

Well, it looks like they are still trying to come to a deal for the incubator. Hopefully all worked out for the best. I also she was able to hatch out a lot of ducks and turkeys that year.
And that Grandpa got the quilt.

Here is a story from Thursday, March 19, 1936 from The Milwaukee Journal:

   I wonder how long this went on at that time. Also I wonder what triggered this rioting.
It does not matter what time you live, violence will always be there.

Here is a story from "Fate" January 1950:

Most people that drink to much, usually don't eat much food. But I think the opposite is true. People who drink too much, do not have good eating habits, usually.

Since there has been so much talk about hatching eggs, I thought I would show a picture that I've already shown:

Someone with a bunch of chickens. No idea what year this was taken.

well, that's all I have to share with you today.
Have a good weekend.
I also hope you will come back soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy