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: March 12, 1934; Evanston, Ill.

Dear Friends,
Well, I made it through another week with no drama. How about you?
I am looking forward to the weekend. I just hope Mother Nature will make it a very pleasant one.
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:

                 Saturday Night
                    9 P.M.
Dear Howard:-
    here I come again,
do you mind? Wish I could
take a peek in to your
window tonight to see what
you are doing. I suppose
you are having that party
and here I have to stay
at home.
  You know your letters
are very interesting- but
don't kid me that I am
getting sweeter all the time
for every body knows what
an old crab I am. I go
by streaks in my nature.
I will have an open heart
and send you these two
snapshots of myself- They
aren't good but what can I

expect of myself- they can't draw me
any different then I am- ha ha!-
I will be waiting for yours when
ever you have some on hand.
I thought you had some brilliant
ideas for deserts- now I will know
where to ask for information
about cooking, won't I? I think
men know more about good
foods better then women only
that they don't get as much practice
as the women.
Do you think that I believe that
you had only relatives in your
car going to that birthday party
that Sunday afternoon I know
that wouldn't have been so
enjoyable- What I pictures instead
was some young nice blonds
with their arms around Howard
& singing to beat the band- Now
haven't I guesses right?
A little bird told me you had a
very good heart and very generous
now wasn't that the truth?
I often wish I had a nice sweet
way about myself and not only
think of myself all the time.
  Gee, don't you love the thought
of spring being soon here. I do think
thats such a wonderful season
especially for romance- ha! ha!

Well Howard, perhaps if I had some
one to talk to & amuse me tonight I wouldn't
be so sleepy. Am so glad I am
off tomorrow afternoon then
I can finish your letter
well bye by & be a good
boy.
Sunday P!M.
Am ready to go out now, I couldn't finish
your letter last night was too sleepy.
Now I wish you were all ready with
your car waiting for me in the front
For its a grand day out- wouldn't
that be wonderful? Am going to
church like a good girl & see what else
I can learn in behaving.
              By By till next time
                  Sincerely Helen
(Here is the picture she included.)

She looks like a very nice person to me. How about you?
I wonder what kinds of deserts he suggested to her?
Do you agree with her about men just might be better cooks then women?
Not my husband. I do wish he did, but I would still have to clean up the mess he would make afterward.
I hope he did enjoy the birthday party.
As for Spring being a wonderful time, I do agree. But this year, I think Spring was forgotten. It feels like we went from Winter to Summer. How about where you live?

Here are a couple of stories from Thursday March 19, 1936; From The Milwaukee Journal:

 The first one is just one of the stories about the flood In Johnstown Pa.
Now that must have been a very busy phone.
The second story;
It kind of ends unfinished. Not sure if it was continued somewhere else. I just have the one page from the paper.

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

 I like this story.
It makes a lot of sense to me. How about you?
But in the world we live in today, this is something that is next to impossible to do.

Well, I figured that since there was a picture included with the letter I wouldn't share another picture.
So, that is it for today.
I hope everyone has a very nice weekend.
Don't forget to drop by again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Helen Balusik: Feb. 26, 1934; Evanston, Ill

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a good week. Mine was very uneventful. I am looking forward to the weekend. It sounds like it might rain on Saturday, which we need. Weather permitting, the husband and I might go hiking again. But we will see.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Helen:

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

                   Evanston
                  Friday night
Dear Howard:-
   Here I am in my room
hugging the radiator for
its so blame cold in
here.
I better get after answering
letters or else I will have
all to do at once.
well what have you
been doing lately to
amuse yourself?
Last Sunday I was off
from noon time so
I went to see the picture
"Little Women" and I
liked it so well. Its
sad in certain parts &

then its comical. You better go
and see it if it ever gets
that far.
  Yesterday I was off so I took
a trip to Chicago & then to Oak
Park to my sisters place. Its
quite a ride from here.
You bet I would have come
to your partys last summer
but you see now its too late
to go- Ha Ha!
My girl friend & I were to
a Valentines Party. Had a nice
time but we came so late
for we had to get through
with our work first.
Sat. night- you know last nite
as I was writing I fell asleep so
I had to get ready & go to bed so
I'll have to finish tonight.
My folks are having a party
downstairs so I'm glad I can
be here by my lone self. I was
busy all day cooking & baking
Wish you were here for a slice
of the angel's food cake I made
Wonder if you would like it.
Tomorrow I am off again
so don't know what I will do
yet altho I love to go to church

for young peoples meetings.
You know they have some
wonderful singers in some of
the churches that I almost
envy their voices. I think
its grand if a person can sing
or else play don't you?
 Do you have music at your
partys, and so you dance?
I use to dance years ago,
but I don't anymore & I don't
think I would know how
either.
  Wonder what you are doing

                  2
tonight- out with some
sweet little gal, Howard?
Wish I could peek & see.
I am just like an
old maid sitting up
here in a comfortable
chair by the heat instead
of being out on a
Saturday night. But gee
a person feels tired after
working all day long &
standing on your feet.
Well Howard I think
I shall leave you now
somehow I have
nothing of interest to
write about tonight.

So lets hope your letter
isn't as short like mine-
it isn't a romantic
night out tonight at
all like it was when
I wrote the last time.
Now its cold out doors
almost freezing point.
I will retire now &
I'm hoping for an
early reply as usual
I didn't wait to long
with my answer did I?
          Well by by
          & be good
           Your Pal
             Helen

Well, it was cold outside. A typical winter time.
The movie "Little Women" I have heard of and I think I may have seen this one. And I have read the book. How about you?
It does sound like she has been keeping herself very busy with different things.
There are always amazing singers to be found in most churches.

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

One of the stories about the flood that was happening at that time at Johnstown, Pa.

Here is a story from Friday, July 22, 1927 from The Milwuakee Journal:

The head line for this story is to big to fit right in my scanner
This is the head line "TWO GIRLS BURNED TO DEATH
                                 AS BOLT SETS FIRE AT OGEMA"

I wonder for how long this story was talked about?

Finally, here is a random picture:

I thought with graduation coming up in many places, I would share a senior picture of someone from a time gone by.
Bob from the class of 1960.

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

E. Halverson: Dec. 6, 1933; Mason, Wis

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a very good week. Mine was uneventful, as usual. I will have a nice two day weekend with no work. it is also our youngest daughters birthday. The big 30. It's hard to believe my girls are that old. I know I should feel older but I don't. I try not to act my age. it does keep me young.
Anyway, here is a letter from I think a sister of Mayme:

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

                 Mason Wisc.
                December 6, 1933
Dear Cousin Howard;
   Got your letter & was
glad to here from you
Tell Anna & Hanna hello
from me please- Guess I'll
add a few lines unto this
too. How are you kids getting
along? we're pretty good at
present.
  You said something
about wanting a house
keeper. I've been out working
quite a bite, but Gramps
needs me home now so
I'll have to stay home. But
Mayme can come down
there. She ought to be able
to do the house work &
cooking & other small
things.

If you want her you
come & get her will you?
come as soon as you
can because she wants
to go so bad & wants to
be down there for Xmas.
About paying her, you
can give her any thing
you want that's for you to
decide. I think she can
justisfy for the job
how about it?
  Gee are we ever having
some weather for December
Hope we never get any
snow. Its pretty cold out
nites though.
  Have a lot of work
to do to-day so I'll have

to pull the hook out
and get busy. Wha ja
think?
  Come down as soon
as you can you both
have a care haven't you.
It would be a nice
trip also, to come & get
your house keeper.
I'm making bread,
cake & cookies to day come
down and have a bite
please.
 Srut every one I know
Love
     Mae, Ede & Gramps.
 Write & come down.

Now I'm not sure which one wrote this letter. But it sounds like they really want to get Mayme out of the house and soon. I wonder if Grandpa ever got a housekeeper at that time.
It does sound like they didn't have much for snow at that time but it was cold.

Here is a picture from the scrap book. March 19, 1936; The Milwaukee Journal:

This is an artist's conception of a scene at the railroad bridge over the Conemaugh river near the Cambria iron works during the original Johnstown flood of 1889, when 2,235 lives were lost. The bridge caused an ice jam and the effect was devastating when the flood water and bridge went out together. The disaster of 47 years ago was recalled by the current flood in western Pennsylvania.

I do wonder how many times over the years that this area flooded.

Here is a joke from the joke book, "Bedtime Laughs" 1956:

I wonder if this is still the case today?

Finally, here is a random picture:

No idea when this was taken. But I think the one on the left might be Grandma.

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