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

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. 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 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: Nov. 26, 1928 Phillips, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Well most of it was good, until Friday. I think Mother Nature wanted to show us all four seasons in one week. Oh well we'll live.
Here is the next letter from Helen:

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

                     Phillips, Wis.
                 Saturday eve.
Dear Howard:-
   Yours came this A.M.
and sure enjoyed every
bit of it.
Tonite is such a cold
nite, seems good to stay
home only if I had a
radio now, wouldn't it
be grand?
I will have to write later
for I guess someone is
knocking at the door
see you later!
Here I come again
few minutes later it
was only a friend to
see pa about some
lodge meeting so that's

that.
So don't know whether
you are going hunting or not?
The boys around here can't wait
till the season opens- I hope there
isn't any accidents happen like
I heard of one today.
Two fellas went out hunting
together and after they separated
one of them saw a fox so shot into
it and at the same time this
other fellow was somewhere
near it and also was shot
with the same bullet. So the fella
was taken to the doctor quickly &
from there to the hospital. He
was shot in the hip and today
he died. I knew one of the fellas,
not the one that died. Isn't it
sad when something accidentally
happens like that?
We had our heater put in
yesterday it sure feels good to be
near it just now. wish you
were here instead so I could
talk instead of write.
I sure had to laugh when
you wrote haw bashful you are
to come up here like my brother
was to go to dinner up to his girls

place. Really are you so bashful
as all that? Well, I suppose it
takes alot of nerve, seeing we
never saw each other, but it
doesn't seem we are such
distant strangers does it , all the
letters we have written eh?
I'm sorry Howard, but I really
don't know the name of the people
Gladys Martin is staying at but
i could find out for you next
time I get to see her- I'll do that, eh?
Didn't I tell you I had two
sisters, and one was married?
She lives in Chicago. I surely
am anxious to see her again

                2
she was home only a
couple days last summer
so I'll make her stay
awhile after she comes
maybe two weeks.
Did you read in "The Bee"
Frank Novy came back
from Evanston? He sure
came back quick this
time. I wonder why.
well tomorrow is Sunday
School again. If the
weather isn't too cold I'll
go.
We have church every other
Thursday evening while the
roads are open then I
suppose we have to go
without having any

services. I'm use to going
to church alot so I sure will
miss it during the winter.
Pa wants me to keep house
for him during winter so
I guess I'll have too, altho I
enjoy being my own boss for a
change instead of being under
a boss all the time.
Well, Howard, its now almost
eleven I wonder if you are
atill up or in dreamland.
I haven't had any pictures
taken for a long time, other
wise I would send you a
couple- Wish you had some
more to spare??
Yes, I wish I was in California
now that winter is approaching
don't you? Wait till we get
snow bound
They say green is good for
the eyes (Ha Ha) No wonder
I'm using it eh?
Well Howard, Be a good
boy now and live close
to Jesus daily- Bye Bye
                   Lovingly
               "The Helen"


I wonder who the two fellas were that were involved with the shooting. I wish she would have mentioned their names. I wonder if something like that happened today what the odds are that he would have survived.
I guess we will never know.
As for Grandpa being bashful, not sure I believe it. But then again there is a lot I don't know about him in his younger years.
The Bee, is the local paper from that area.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Washington county- where human shovelers have to precede the snowplow so it won't get
stuck. Highway 41 was practically cleared when this picture was taken a mile south of Rich-
field Wednesday afternoon but Thursday it was snowing again- Journal Staff Photo.

Can you imagine if people today had to shovel before the snowplow could do it's job?

Here are a couple of random pictures for you to look at:

 It kind of looks like what it looks like right now.

I wonder what kind of big job had to be done.

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