Helen Balusik: Sept. 8, 1928 Phillips, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope that the first week of 2017 has been good to you so far. Mine is good. Still have the feeling that this year will be more positive. I must believe.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Helen:

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

                Phillips, Wis.
               Sept. 7-28
Dear Howard:-
       It seems I can never
get around to answer letters
any more. I bet you think
I am a good one.
I have been busy right along
these last few days Vera & I
helped pa with the clover again
and now we have to start in
with potatoes pretty soon. That's
a dandy job, isn't it.
Anna Novy came back from
Ogema she is enjoying herself
very much she says.
 Last night we went to
church- Heard a good sermon
does one good to go. It seems
I could go to church every day
if there was any place to go.
  Just think pretty soon is
fall again. I do hate to have
the good old summer go
by.
All the young folks are

leaving for the city in about
two weeks. Sure will be lone
some around here for a
while.
Yesterday my brother went to
the fair at Marshfield with
his boss in their Buick Sedan
he said he had a good time.
He always seems to be the pet
that's just like his luck.
We are all through threshing
about a week ago. I was
thinking too bad it isn't Howard
that works with this thresher
because you mentioned you
did that. How about it Howard?
I bet you wouldn't like to
come here (Ha Ha) Well I wouldn't
blame you in the least.
  Well, everybody going to
schools now days. I sure
would give anything to be
back at school once more
nothing like school days eh?
  It seems when you

           2
get through school the years
fly by so fast.
Pa is hauling wood now &
is calling for help so, Howard
I will have to make this
snappy after thinking I would
make it a nice long one for
once. If only had the time
I would write you a nice long
one, even tho you would
get tired of it. But even tho
my letters are short make
yours twice as long won't
you? Sometimes it is so
hard to write an interesting
one seeing we don't know
each other very well.
Well Howard, Be good &
don't work to hard.
     May God bless you always.
              Your friend
                    Helen

I wonder how long the letters were that Grandpa wrote. Unfortunately I will never know.
She mentioned that her brother went to the Marshfield fair. That fair is always held on Labor Day weekend. It sounds like to was about that time even back then. I wonder how long it took them to get there from Phillips.It takes a little over a half an hour to get there from Medford today. Phillips is about thirty miles north from here, I think.
She is right about that once your out of school time seams like it goes faster.
It's a nice polite kind of letter, don't you think?

Here are the last three viewer cards from the "Jamaica 1907" set:

 19. The fever camp, showing interior with sufferers.

 20. Types of natives and the improvised shelters.

21. The Myrtle Bank Hotel and the effect of the earthquake.

These are the last I have of this set. I think it is a complete set.
Looking at these pictures I wonder what people thought back then around here, when they saw these kinds of pictures.
Some times I wish this set was in color to make things pop more.

 I have one more set to share with you. It is another one based on a wedding.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

I thought that since she mentioned school I would show you a picture of a graduation class. I'm not sure who's class this is so I can't tell you what year this is.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
If you live around here, stay warm. I plan on not spending to much time outside.I'll be hibernating.
I hope you will drop by again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mabel Elmblade: Sept. 4, 1928 Congress Park, Ill.

Dear Friends,
Well it's the beginning of a new year 2017. In a way I'm glad to see 2016 end. It was a year that was not very pleasant for a lot of different people. Mine was not to bad but the energy never felt good. This year, will be a better year. Things are going to change in different ways. Think positive and better things will happen.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Mabel:

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

La Grange, August 29, 1928
Dear Friend Howard.
I will write you a few
lines. How are you dear
I am fine. We have warm
weather. I received your
welcome letter. I was
pretty busy to I hung
the wash out. and see
and I went to a funeral
today. say Howard
I think of you often.
I sure am anxious to
see you dearest and hope
it's soon too. I imagine
your a kind hearted
boy? You have that look.
I was thinking of your
name it sounds so
pretty. I like the name
Howard. every one asks
me if I'm going to get
married and I said-
it depends on Howard.
I often picture myself with
a nice husband.- well
if god willing we will.
-isn't that right- Listen

          2.
do you intend to stay
on the farm. I hope not
all the time. you say
you often wish you was
married. well we will
notice the future how god
leads things out. I feel
already your the right one
I often said when the
right one comes along we'll
get married. now it's up
to you dear. I look at
your sweet Picture every
once in a while. So
you have a car. Well
there's nothing. like having
a good man. if a girls
suppose to get married.
I think of the time I
always wonder if I'm to be
married. Love- that is
true Love, is a wonderful
thing. I'm in Love all the
time But that's all the
further I get. I read your
letters so many times you
would love that wouldn't you
read letters so many times.

Well dear I must close as
it's Bed time. So Bye Bye.
              Lover
   Your very affectionate
              Friend
                Mabel
                    E.
       xxxxxxxx
       xxxxxxxx
       xxxxxxxx
My little niece
is so cute. I love
and kiss her all
the time- But I
would love to kiss
                    you
                 and love
                    you
                   dearest
Write
again
soon.


She was doing the best she could to convince Grandpa that she was in love with him.I guesss his picture was telling her there was love there  sight unseen.
But something tells me she did not want to live on a farm.

Here are the next two viewer cards from the "Jamaica 1907" set:

 17. Crowds of starving people waiting to be fed.

18. View of the native huts, showing the conditions.

I wonder how long they had to feed the people and how many they fed each day?
I wonder how long people had to live in the make shift shelters? This one looks very ruff to me.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

Not sure who they are exactly but I know someone will tell me.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
Once again I hope your new year will be an amazing one with many good surprises.
I hope you will drop by again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Harriet: Sept. 2, 1928 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
Well it's almost the end of another year. Where has the time gone? I just wonder what 2017 will bring? I'm hoping it will be a better year then the last one.But I get a feeling I'll be saying, "Hang on it's going to be a bumpy ride." But I'm trying to focus on the good things that will happen.
I don't do New Year promises. I like to say I'm a constant work in progress. Change little things little by little and eventually the bigger things will not seam so big.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Harriet:

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

                 Chicago Ill.
                 Thurs. evening
Dearest Howard.
Received your dear
letter and it certainly
cheered me up to hear
from you.
well what's the
news around Ogema
So and so eh:
What are you
doing for excitement
anyway. I'm not
doing much of anything
- anything to keep

out of mischief- ha!
Well I went out with Walter
Tuesday night. He sure is a
nice kid. He brought his
hay friend along for Margret
And we all took in a show.
Well where are you going
(Labor Day) I don't know just
where I am going.
August Erdman & Walter even
are coming down for Labor Day.
I went to a party last Sunday
night at Clarence's house. Sure
had a wonderful time.
You should of been along.
and (how) eh!
So Clarence has a car now eh!
Seeing he has the car has he
picked his chicken yet. -ha!
So Catherine sill going with
Johnny. Maybe we will soon
hear of their wedding, or
are you the next on the program.

Or are you going to wait for
me. honey- No kidding eh!
Well Howard haven't any more
news in particular will try and
write more next time. Will send some
more jokes as I heard loads of
them.
Will close with "heaps of Love & kisses"
                     Harriet
Answer
at
Once              SWAK


Well she finally got together with Walter. I wonder how many more times they will hang out together?
I kind of like reading her letters. She sounds like a very nice person.
I hope she does send more jokes. I like her jokes. How about you?

Well here are the next two viewer cards from the "Jamaica 1907" set:

 15. Hospital tent and interior, showing cots, etc.

16. The scenes in the Kingston Hospital.

I wonder how long people had to use those tents or stay in the hospital.

It's been awhile since I showed you something form the scrap book.

I scanned it the best I could. I hope you can read it. I like the head line: "Wolf Is Tamed By Isolated Coastguard Crew".

I thought instead of ending this post with a random picture I'd show you another page from the joke book. A kind of the end of the year gift.
Enjoy.

I hope you like these jokes.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today. The next time you will hear from me it will be 2017.
So I hope you will come again soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Harriet: Aug. 20, 1928 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Mine was good. No drama. We spent Christmas eve at our daughters house and then on Christmas we went to my parents house. I just hope all the goodness continues into the next year.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Harriet:

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

          Chicago Ill
           August 18, 1928
Dearest Howard.
It sure is about
time that I am answering
your darling letter
which it is received
some time ago.
Haven't felt much
like doing anything in
this warm weather
not even writing letters, eh
What are you doing
for excitement around
that part of the country
Suppose you are all
through haying by this

time until next time eh
Haven't been out with "Walter"
yet. As he has been working
until late hours for the last
couple of weeks
As he has to make up for
being on his vacation.
But it won't be long now ha! ha!
Think that Freda has gone
back. Good the way cheated
on poor me.
Heard you was up to
see her every night, now
that's going some dearie-
Now don't even let such
a thing happen again or it
will be just to bad-
Have you seen Violet lately
If you see her tell her to
answer my letter
Oh by the way who should
come over the other night but
Helen Oalong & her husband. I
was never so surprised in
my life They act like married
folks now. Not like they use
to be. ha! ha!
They will be at Ogema soon
I guess. So you might get to

see them.
Is Rosenberg still going as
strong as ever Do they have
any more fights out there.
Well Howard I haven't any
more news, so will sign off my
broadcasting station for this time
so will close with heaps of love
and kisses
                   Your sweetheart
                        Harriet
Answer
at ona

(SWAK)xxx

She still has not gone out with Walter. I guess the questions is, "Will she, or won't she?"
I know I got a number of the names wrong. so I will say sorry.
I wonder how hot it was back then?

here are the next two viewer cards from the "Jamaica 1907" set:

 13. Giving natives relief.

14. The high school Building.

I wonder how long they had to help feed the people that survived that earthquake.
I wonder who the person sitting in front of the rubble of the high school. A teacher or maybe a student.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

This is Don Nelson from the class of 1960.
I don't know about you but I love his hair. Ha! Ha!

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

Mabel Elmblade: Aug. 21, 1928 Congress Park, Ill.

Dearest Friends,
I hope you all had a safe warm weekend. I stayed close to home the whole weekend.
I'm trying to get things ready for the holiday's but, the mood is not there.
I did make a double batch of cutout cookies. I do have a few things bought. This is one of those years that it's really hard to get things for most people. I should get into making more things but not much energy when I have the time.
Oh well enough of my whining, here is the next letter from Mabel:

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

La Grange. August 20- 1928
Dearest Love.
I will write you a few
lines so I now can answer
your dear letter. I got
that picture and am send-
ing it back dearest. Seen
to know just by writing
it sure seems stranger
We have nice weather
That's nice you have a
place of your own
I seem to feel good that
I have a sweetheart to
think of. and hope to
see you some day in
the near future. I think
Wisconsin must be a
very pretty place. My
Brother and Brother in law
went there on a fishing
trip. he loves to fish.
Do you. Mother and
sis went to church.
We have a nice place.
Have you ever been
to La Grange. well dear
I will close. with Love and
Kisses From Mabel
Your
sweetie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Write.

Listen dear.
      I'm going to enlarge
          your picture

I wonder if she ever came to Wisconsin?
I wonder how big she enlarges his picture?
Not much to comment here.
She did S.W.A.K. on the back of the envelope.

Here are the next two viewer cards from the "Jamaica 1907" set:

 9. The destruction of the magnificent marble Postoffice.

10. The ruins of St. Michael's Church.

I was trying to find info about these buildings. Like if they were rebuilt but could not find the right info at this time. Maybe you can.


Here is a random picture for you to look at:

This is my dad and mom playing dress up. I don't remember what year this was taken.

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

Mabel Elmblade: Aug. 13, 1928 Congress Park, Ill.

Dearest Friends,
Another week gone and that much closer to the end of the year.
I don't know about where you live but things around here are very cold and now the snow is going to be piling up. Are you read for what's coming?
Anyway, here is the next letter from Mabel:

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

La Grange, August 10, 1928
Dearest Friend Howard
I will write and answer
your letter again. I sure
love to hear from you.
I feel I'm in love with
you. We have chilly
weather now. I am
kept Pretty Busy now as
mother needs me and
isn't well. Sure feel
sorry for her. she went
thro a lot. well god
has a reward for her.
I'm glad that we have
a kind loving father
in heaven. that we
can put our trust in
for everything. I've got
the blue and feel
bad today. maybe
you know what it
is to long for some
one. I know I do
and sure wish you
would come and
see me dearest as
I'm so lonesome

       2
for you. Love is sure
a wonderful thing. it
helps us in Life. I hope
in the future to come
out there if god willing
it's best to have gods
will done. and then
we feel good. God leads
our thoughts and heart
put in us to do the
right. everything works
out good for them that
love the Lord. I can't
live without god. I
love to read his word
and think of him as
a Personal savior my
sister died a christian
and there's nothing better
I was born in October
the 27th. Yes I'll return
that Picture after I
get it. I belong to the
seven day Adventist. But
that doesn't maybe
any difference  as long
as a Person is a christian.

         3.
Yes dad is well. he
cuts the grass and
does little errands-
I sure long to see you
Love. I'm in Love as
far as i know. and
get lonesome for you.
Say dear. get some
one to stay on your
farm while you come
out to see me can't
you dear? I'm waiting
for you to come-
write when you come
dearest. Will now close
with Love and kisses
  and a Longing
        for you
     So Bye Bye
       as ever
          Mabel
          answer real
            soon.
       send that
        picture
write me
a long
letter
xxxxxx
xxxxxx


 Boy she loves god and Grandpa.
She sounds like she could be very intense or maybe a little on the desperate side. I hope she found the one that would really make her happy.
The envelope was SWAK.

Here are the next two viewer cards from the "Jamaica 1907" set:

 7. Interior of the Governor's residence.

8. Sailors putting up tents on the Hospital Grounds.

I wonder if the Governor's residence was fixable and if so how long it took to get it done.
I wonder how many tents were put up and how long people had to stay in them.

Here is a random picture:

It's a winter scene from days gone by.
Just my way of saying, stay warm and safe this weekend.

Well that's about all I have to say today.
I hope you will come back soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mabel Elmblade: Aug. 11, 1928 La Grange Ill.

Dearest Friends,
I hope everyone had a good weekend and didn't have to many problems with snow like we did around here. We got about 7 inches this weekend. Now it will be getting very cold. Below zero. Not looking forward to that.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Mabel:

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

La Grange Ill. August 10 1928
Dearest Sweetheart.
I received your most
Loving letter. sure glad
to know you love me
still honey. I think we
could be happy dear Lord
I sure would love to
have you come and
see me dearest? I am
glad you are Swedish
then. I got my rationality
I never thought I would
get a Swedish fellow or
rather married Swedish
I have a lovely sweet
mother. We own our
house. We have 9 rooms
a nice lawn and Big
yard. I have a dear
sister dead. Her name
was Lillian. well.-
dear I'm very affectionate

I hate my nature. only I'm
a little bit too sensitive
I like affection I have a
strong constitution Listen
dear send me a picture
a Bigger one in your suit
Won't you. Your name
sure is pretty I was
Busy today Listen
can't you come up here
and visit me dearest
if you love me you
will honey. I'm sure
I trust you will it's
impossible for me this
summer to come as
mother isn't well. and
I can't leave her. I'm
thinking of you often
I'm getting thin thinking
of you. I'm trusting that
you will be my
future husband if it's

gods will. We will Pray
about it. You to-
dearest. Be sure and
come.- I'm in Love
with you even tho I
haven't seen you. I talked
with a minister and he
said he thinks I ought
to pick you out because
a Christian means a
lot too me. I can't
live without god. be
so good and kind
and merciful to us
and hope you still
Love god. Well I think
I will close as it's Bed
time. So Bye Bye. Howard
                              dear
xxxxx               Your Loving
xxxxxxxx          girl Mabel
xxxxxxxx          Write soon
xxxxxxxx           and answer
xxxxxx

She did include a pamphlet. So here it is:

 I was hoping there was a copyright date but there was none.

It always make me giggle a little when someone says Howard is such a pretty name.
She was doing her best to become Grandpa's number one. I always wonder what was going through his mind when he read a letter like this one.

Here are the next two viewer cards from the "Jamaica 1907" set:

 5. Burning dead bodies on the Produce Wharf, Kingston.

6. The residence of the Governor of Jamaica.

That must have been the worst thing to do back then. Burning bodies. I suppose they had to do it that way because of the number of people that were killed at once.That is something I don't see being done today, do you?

Here is an update picture of the Governor's residence:


I think it is the same building but modernized .

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

Do idea who they are but they are dressed for cold weather, like today.

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

Harriet: Aug. 8, 1928 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you stayed warm this week. That is if you live near me in Wisconsin. Winter is finally here to stay. I'm not crazy about the freezing temps and below 0 wind chills. But it's just something we have to except.
Oh well, here is the next letter from Harriet. It's a long one plus a few jokes:

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

              Chicago Ill
              August 8, 1928
Dear Howard
Received your darling
letter and sure was
glad to hear from
you again.
Yes we having some
hot weather and I
don't mean maybe.
I almost wasted to-
day down at work.
Suppose it is nice
and cool up there at
(Ogema) tho.
I heard that Ruth
and Freda are home
Have you seen

         2
any of them yet
Suppose you live by
now ha! ha!
By the way your
Cousin (Walter) called
me Friday night.
Sure was surprised
and how.
I'm going out with
him some night this
week. Then I can
hit Clarence off ha! ha!
Of course that doesn't
worry me a bit.
Sure am anxious
to meet Walter tho.
Will tell you all
about it in
my next letter.
i mean how I
like him. Don't take

              3.
me wrong ha--
Have you been
to any of the dances
lately. Suppose they
are going as strong
as ever.
I went to one last
Wed. had a wonderful
time. The Co. I am
working for is giving
one this coming
Saturday.
Wish you was here
dear so you could
come along.
That would be O.K.
 wouldn't it-

           4.
Oh well just wait
until next summer
h
Have you heard
from Mabel lately--
I met a cute shiek
on the train when
I came down and
oh am I having a
time between him
and Clarence ha!
Think I got fun ha!
What get heck
from the telephone and
who do you suppose
called but Walter
again.
That's going some
isn't it-
Well what's all

         5
the news up
around there.
Have you seen
anything of Violet N.
I had a permanent
last night so oh you
wouldn't know one
if you saw me ha!
Will have my
picture taken and
send you one dearie
Still news  is
rather scarce of course
there's plenty there
nothing that you
would know or
interest you

So think I will sign
off and I am going to
Riverview Park with
some girl friends
With hug ( love & kisses
           Your girlfriend
                Harriet
P.S. Be sure and                 SWAK xx
answer immediately

Here are a few of the
jokes I heard--
1. What does a new
born baby owe her
mother?
(ans.) a nine months rent.
2. How is a baby made?
ans. Two bodies and a
connecting rod-
       -3-
There was a butcher
and every nite night
before he le close up
he sprinkled saw dust

on the floor and every
morning he found foot
prints so got excited
and decided to stay awake
one night-
So about two o'clock his
daughter comes in the
butcher shop goes up to
where the sausages were
The next day a lady
comes in and wanted to
buy sausage but he said he
hadn't any. She saw the
one and said Why there
is one hanging there
Oh yes he said but
that's my. (Son-in law)
Tell me some
next time-

 Now that was a letter. It sounds like she did go out with Walter. I wonder how often they went out?
I liked the jokes. I don't think she was very good at writing the long ones out the way they should have been. I did have fun at work telling them at work today. Everyone liked the one with the butcher. That one was my favorite too.
I wonder what Grandpa told her about Mabel? Or did she know her?
Just more things that have faded away never to be known again.

Here are the next two viewer cards from the "Jamaica 1907" set:

 3. Panoramic view of the City of Kingston and the Blue Mountains in the distance.

4. Birdseye view of Kingston and the harbor.

Here is what the harbor looks like today:



I wish the cards I have were in color. It would be a lot easier to see the damage that had happened back then.
I wonder if Jamaica has many earthquakes these days?

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

I just reached in to one of the boxes and pulled this one out. Not sure when it was taken or what year this car is. I'm no car person when it comes to knowing when a car was built. I know a number of people will know right away.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a good weekend and stay warm.
And don't forget to come back again soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy