Gladys: Oct. 10, 1934

Dear Friends,
I hope your week was good. Mine was a little tiring from time to time plus I have to work Saturday. On Saturday the family is having another get together. I'll have to tell someone I will be there but not till after 1 pm. I just hope this having to work on Saturdays does not last to much longer. No fan of those kind of hours.
Enough whining, it's been awhile since there was a letter from Gladys so here it is:

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

                Oct 10/34
Dear Howard:-
  Thanks for letter
I had these pictures
over so I'm sending
them to you hope
thats O.K. by you -
let me know.
Had luncheon with
Gladys Holm yesterday
& so gave her your
message. She leaves
Friday to spend the
weekend with Edna
in Detroit.
The weather is
glorious here I hope
it stays that way
while Thomas sees
the fair.

Don't wear the old
Ford out so I can
never get that ride
you promised me
"Ha Ha"
So long & let
me know if these
pictures are enough
    Best wishes
      From
         Gladys

As for the pictures she mentioned, they were not with this letter. They could something I've already shown you or maybe they were missed placed.
It looks like his brother Thomas was spending time at the Worlds Fair at that time. I do hope he enjoyed himself.
Still hanging out with Gladys Holm. Who then spent time with Edna. I hope everyone had a very nice time.
The weather was nice at the time.

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

Because of the size of this story I scanned it in two pieces.
I wonder how much this would fit today.

Here is a story from "Fate" November 1950:

I wonder if these snails are still an issue today.

This is the last story from this magazine I will be showing for now. The rest of the stories are more then one page long.
I'm thinking about showing you stories from a newspaper called "Svenska Amerikanaren" The Swedish American Newspaper. From September 11, 1924. From Chicago, Ill.
It is in Swedish so I will have to translate them using Google Translate. I have to be careful when I scan it because it is a little fragile.

Finally, here is a random picture:

Not sure at this moment if I have shared this one before. I have a few picture of this woman. No idea who she is or when it was taken.

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

Bessie: Oct. 4, 1934; Westboro, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a very good weekend. Mine was uneventful. The weather was a little too warm for me but, what ya gonna do. So no hiking for us.
Anyway, here is a letter from someone named Bessie:

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

                   Westboro, Wis.
                   Oct 4, 1934
Dear Howard
  Thanks a lot for letting
us know about the house.
I am very sorry to have
caused you that bother
we found a place here
nearer camp to move into.
Eugene didn't want me
so far away from him
I guess. We are moving
to Pete Fausts house.
Please come down and
see us sometime and
we will do the same.
Your letter was missent
to to Medford and a didn't
get it until yesterday.
that's why I didn't answer

any sooner.
Thanks again for the
bother.
    Goodbye-
              Your friend
                 Bessie

It sounds like Grandpa must have been trying to help Bessie and Eugene  find a place to live. I do wonder what house he found for them.
I think that their names have been mentioned before by someone.

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

 This is a scene on the Minneapolis strike front which immediately preceded the shooting of Henry Ness,
veteran striker, and the wounding of 50 others. Men who tried to carry the wounded from the scene were shot down by police.

Here is part of a head line from the same paper:

The top head line on this page is:

"MILITARY GETS SECRET LETTERS OF CITIZENS ALLIANCE"

Maybe sometime I'll find away to share the whole story that goes with this headline. It covers about 3/4 of the page.

Here is a story from "Fate" November 1950:

I guess my idea about being messed up kind of makes you an expert in understanding others that are just as messed up or worse.

Finally, a random picture:

Not sure what year this was taken but I do remember that being there when I was growing up.

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

Cousin Walter: Oct. 2, 1934; Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
Well the week is almost over. I still have to work Saturday for 6 hours. This week at work it was on the busy side for me. On Thursday I was always moving. I just hope that next week things will be at least a little bit calmer.
Anyway, it's been awhile, but here is a letter from Walter:

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

                 Chicago Ill.
                10/1/34
Dear Howard:
              Received eggs and
letter last week. Thanks a
lot for both. The eggs certainly
were good.
              Was glad to know
that you got back safely and
with out any trouble. It
must have been rather tiresome.
      Esther moved Sat.
and is just about settled by
now. I'm all tired out from
carrying all that junk up to
the 3rd floor. Her new
address is 4132 N Pulaski
Road.
   Let us hear from you
once in a while.
                      Walter
                           &
                       Emily
I sent that glass flower last Wed.
Hope she got it O.K.

We are sending case back
tomorrow. Thanx

It sounds like Grandpa had spent time in Chicago.
I do wonder how the eggs were sent. Would that happen today?
I wonder who Emily was. Was she one the letter writers I've shown you?
I wonder how long Esther lived in the place.
What is Esther's last name?

Here are a couple of stories from a paper called, "Union Advocate; The Peoples Voice; St. Paul Minnesota, August 30, 1934:

I wonder if the book he wrote is still around.

This paper was the Labor Day Edition.
I might sometime try to show some of the longer stories.

Finally, a random picture:

No idea who they are or when it was taken exactly. Maybe someone will be able to tell me.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
I just counted the letters left, 8. But I know there are a few other with dates from somewhere in the thirties, forties and maybe fifties dates that I have not really decided when I will show them. I will let you know later what I plan to do with this blog.
So, I do hope you will still come back soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Carol Olsen: Sept. 11, 1934; Milwaukee, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a good 4th of July. Mine was good. nothing bad happened. I didn't watch any fireworks because I still had to go to work on Thursday. Not as early as Monday. I did listen to the booms from my bed though. But I also now have to work on Saturday. The weather is suppose to kind of nice this weekend. Maybe we will be able to get a hike in on Sunday. Time will tell.
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:

                            Milwaukee Wis.
                              Sept -11-34
Howdy Howard:
          I received your letter this
morning; so I thought I would
answer rite away. Talk about being
prompt- That's me.
No I haven't been to the fair
and do not think I will get there
Again no we did not have our
beach party. The weather has
been very miserable.
I started to keep a diary
last week. It is a lot of fun.
Say Howard if I ever had
my picture taken it would
break the camera. How about
you sending me a picture of
yourself?
Last Wednesday I turned my
ankle. Talk about pain. That
was it. I couldn't walk for a
day. I went nuts that day sitting
around and doing nothing.

This morning it rained for awhile
and then the sun would come
out.
I am invited to an Italian
birthday party the 22 of this month
I do not know if I am going or not
  Next week I am going to start
nite school. I do not know what
I am going to take up yet.
  Wasn't that a evitable fine
on the bout? That makes a person
think twice before they go on a
bout.
Well have you been going any
place or doing anything exciting? I
have been going out quite a good
deal I am getting so tired of going
out that it isn't anything funny.
Sorry I haven't any decent stationary
to answer your letter with, but
I haven't been down to the "Hotel"
for a long time. But I still have
an envelope left as you see.

                 2
There is only one reason that
I do not like to write letters
and that is cause I am such
a rotten writer. So you can
read what you can an and
emagine imagine the rest.
I made some keen fudge
yesterday as a friend of mine.
She has 4 children so you can
imagine how long it lasted.
I am visiting my girl friend
and believe her lobbenesry and the
baby yellcry makes it nulker hand
to conceulate or a business
letter oh yeah.
You should see me. I am
sellery here chewing my cud
like a ordinary cow!
My brain refuses to function.
so will have to close. Bye
Answer soon   As ever
                        Carol
over

My address is
Miss Carol Olsen
 1900 East Beverly Rd
   Milwaukee
          Wis.

This was another challenging letter. Between the write and her spelling, this letter was very challenging. I know there are some words that are wrong but I wasn't sure what she meant to say. Or maybe some of the words are Swedish. Maybe you can do a better job then I did figuring them out.
I wonder if she ever sent a picture and did Grandpa send her one.
It sounds like she was a good cook.
I wonder how often people used stationary from hotels without staying there?
I think she went to an Italian birthday party. I wonder if they did anything special at an Italian party?

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

This is a very interesting story. Could it be something that would apply to what's going on today. Remember this was WWII going on in Europe.

Here is a story from "Fate" November 1950:

 Are there still apes on Gibraltar? I'll have to look it up.
I looked it up, yes they are still there. About 300 today. Here is a picture of one:




Finally, here is a random picture:

It looks like they have hay down that might be ready to be raked. Grandma is the one walking forward. This might be from 1968 but developed in 1969.

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

Ruth Helene: Aug. 27, 1934; Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was okay. It was too hot plus we didn't hike because of the hot temps and it also rained a bit. My work week started too early. I had to get up at 2:10 am because I had to start two hours earlier. This makes you hate Mondays even more. But I lived through it.
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
                   August 26, 1934
Dear Howard,
  I received your two letters
and it was nice to hear from
you.
I feel as though I haven't
had a vacation. It doesn't
take long to get back into
the old rut, but I wouldn't
mind spending my next
vacation in Northern Wisconsin.
  I haven't heard from
Arnold, but I am sure he
appreciated your taking
him for a ride.

           -2-
We went to the Fair today
and went through the Transporta-
tion section of the Fair. I saw
Barney Oldfield and his Hell Riders
at the Chrysler exhibit. They put on
the standard lit. show. It is about the
biggest drawing card at the
Fair. It is wonderful. At least
so I think.
We have had a lot of rain in
Chicago; that is, we had a couple
of bad storms. Did you have any
rain?
     Best wish to you
                          from
                           Ruth Helene

Barney Oldfield was a racer.


This is a picture with him taken at the 1934 Worlds Fair. ( He's the one in the center with a cigar)
He was also known as the "King Of Speed".
He began racing in 1902 till 1918.
He was the first man to drive 60 miles per hour.
I wonder what they would think of the way they race today. or even drive down the highway.

I wonder if she was able to vacation in Northern Wisconsin?
I also wonder how much time she spent at the Worlds Fair that year.

Here is a story from the paper "Labor" Tuesday, August 28, 1934:

There is a lot of truth in this story. It still applies today.

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

Has Fate ever touched you when you least expected it to?

Finally, a random picture:

No idea where this waterfall is. Or what year it was taken.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope everyone has a good Fourth Of July. Stay safe.
Don't forget to drop by again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

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