Ruth Helene: Sept. 26, 1934; Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a very nice weekend. Mine was good. We were able to hike on Sunday. We did a little over 9 miles. A little farther then we planned. It was a little on the hot side. it was still a very nice hike.
Anyway, here is a letter from Ruth:

I'm not going to rewrite this one because it is typed.

It looks like she worked for Standard Red Crown Gasoline.

This is what a gas station could have looked like. This one was in Saint Louis. Not sure what year this is from.
I'm not sure if any are still open today.


I wonder if Grandpa was able to mail the card in.
It does sound like he did go to the Worlds fair that year.
I do like the paper she used. Very different.

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

Water in Pittsburgh's business district was slowly receding Thursday as the flood moved westward, gripping Wheeling, W. Va., and other Ohio river cities and towns. This picture shows the flooded streets of downtown Pittsburgh near the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. -A.P. Wirephoto.

I wonder how long it took this area to get back to normal or I should say get cleaned up.

Here is a story from "Fate" November 1950:

I wonder how many Earth like world are out there.
Will we someday be able to move to different planets or is it just a dream?

Here is a random picture:

No idea who they are, when it was taken or where.
I'm sure someone might tell me, eventually.


Well, that's all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a very good week.
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

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

Ethel and Earl G. Aug. 26, 1933

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine was so so. I do have to work this Saturday, darn. Oh well, that's life. The weather is suppose to not be very nice. Rain with maybe some snow thrown. Winters way of still hanging on just a little longer.

Anyway, here are two little notes that were not in envelopes. One is dated and one not.:

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

Dear Howard,
Its me again
Say was wondering
if you'll do me a
favor to-morrow
night I'd like to
have you take us
to wellington. If you
aren't busy come over
this way ---------
- to-morrow then we
can talk more about
it okay?
  Will be seeing
you
   Love Ethel

I wonder if he picked them up and if they were able to talk about it. I wonder what it was?

           Howard Johnson
           Earl Garjenn
Between   Aug 26-33
If roan horse
is not a good
worker and about
j eight years old
I agree take said
horse back in exchange
for one that is
and roan is to
be service able sound
    Earl Georgeson

I'm not sure if I got some of the words right. I tried.
It almost sounds like someone got a horse and maybe wanted to return it.
At least that's how I understood it.
How about you?

Here is a story from  The Milwaukee Journal Thursday, March 19, 1933:

 It's to bad he had to feel like that was the only way out.
He must have made a huge mess of things.
How many other people lives were messed up from his actions?

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

 An old favorite.

Finally a random picture:

Maybe this is the horse in question.
Ya never know.

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

Gladys: June 9, 1933 ; Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a very nice weekend.Mine was good. It did snow Saturday morning, about 6 inches. I wasn't sure if the husband could get it plowed out but he did on Sunday. You would think that would be the end of the snow but it's not. It's snowing right now. When it's all said and done who could end up with over 11 inches more. I really wish Spring would stand up and tell winter to knock it off. It's Spring time. I want to see green grass and green trees. Plus the flowers should be getting ready to shine. It feels more like Christmas time not Easter time.
Enough whining, here is the next letter from Gladys:

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

                       June 9-33
Dear Howard:-
  Well we got back here
O.K. but I've been so dreadfully
busy since our return. and
the weather has been so very
hot and still is. yesterday
the temperature was 97 in
our apt. So think what it
must have been outside
in the sun.
  Well seeing you went
riding with the other Gladys
on Sunday! you did not
get your picture taken
like your little brother

Now I wish you would send
me Thomas's address as I
want to mail a picture to
him so do send it soon please.
It was so nice of you to take
us too & from the station
again this time.
Well I must close now
hope to hear from you very
very soon.
            as ever
            Gladys
399 Fullerton pkwy
c/o C.A.Avery.

It sounds like she might have been visiting around here.
It sounds like it was very hot at that time. 97 in the apartment. I wonder how many people got heat stroke at that time.
I wonder if she got Thomas's address and if she was able to send him a picture.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

This little boy kind of looks like he could have been one of the Johnson boys.

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

So true.

Finally a random picture:

This is Grandpa and Thomas. I think Grandpa is with the first team.
I wanted to show a more summer picture. Maybe Mother Nature will get a hint and finally make it stop snowing.

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

Ann: June 6, 1933; Gary Ind.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine included, the husband having surgery, which went very well. The weather could have been a little warmer. Spring is trying to spring but winter still has a grip on things around here. If I could I would tell Winter "Just let it go, Please. You come back the middle of November". But I don't think it wants to listen, yet.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Ann:

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

                            June
                             1933
                             Gary Ind.
Dear Howard;
                I got your most welcome letter
was very glad to hear from you how are you?
I hope fine, I'm very sorry I couldn't write
sooner, I was working house work and they
Lady I took care of was sick she didn't eat
much and 2 weeks ago she died, as I felt bad
because I work 4 months there and was so
used to her anyway, you know I could be
busy not going home, but once and week,
and being with her, I didn't have much time
tell me what are you doing now there
have you been out enjoying yourself much?
Are you going yo the Worlds Fair, this June
or September? I wish you would, I know
I'll be there, I'm near it and won't miss it.
have you missed me much? I wonder, I wish I
were there, I haven't a chance to get there
no how. I wish i could find a way there.
have you heard from Helen Westberg or
Wm. She hasn't answered my last letter
when you see her tell her to answer
my letter, Gee I have been to a few
dances and movies lately but I'd much
rather be out in Wisconsin having

fun, tell me all about yourself what sort
of a fellow are you? and what sort of a
girl can you like or fall in love with
must she be good looking or just plain
clean and wise or inocent and domb?
if you were ever married how would you
treat you wife? how would you want
her to be? Please write me a whole
lot about yourself and about the girl
you would marry some day I love to
get interesting long letters to read so
you know my weakness, I'll be writing
more often after this I'm not working
just staying home and Howard Please
send me a picture of yourself and of
your friends girls and boys both I love
to have my book full of snaps and all
kinds of pictures I'm sending a few small
pictures of my cousin, here she is with a girl
friend she's on the left and alone on the next
one here's one of my alone, answer soon
                 Your Pal forever
               all the luck in the world
                Howard        
                    "Ann"

Here are the pictures that were with this letter:

The top one is of her.
But I'm not sure if this was the right picture of her cousin because there is only one girl in the picture.

It looks like she was able to have a job for awhile since the last letter. To bad it didn't last longer.
I'm not sure if Grandpa went to this Worlds Fair or not. I did have some things from a Worlds Fair but I'm not sure if it was the same one.
I do wonder how Grandpa answered her questions about what he was looking for in a wife. Now that is one letter I would have loved to have read.
I did leave some of the miss spelling in just because of how wrote some of the words. Like "innocent and dumb" being misspelled.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Though old Mrs. Swanny,
Who lives in the Shoe,
Has babies galore--
She knows just what to do!

She bathes 'em with Swan,
From their heads to their heels,
The soap that is purer
Than finest castiles!

Now we know the name or the old lady in the shoe, finally!

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

I bet that's one little boy that will never what a bee again.

Since there were a couple of pictures included with the letter I decided not to pick a random picture.

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

Ann: Mar. 25, 1933; Gary Ind.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a nice weekend. Mine, I worked on Sat., then visited our granddaughter for a while. Sunday we went grocery shopping but spent the rest of it chilling at home. Now this week is going to be a challenging one. The husband is having his surgery so my week will not be a very calm one. I'll keep you posted on how every thing goes later.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Ann. The post mark says March but the letter itself says Jan. So I don't know if it was put in the wrong envelope or if she wrote the wrong date.

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

                         Jan,   1933
                         Gary, Ind.
Dear Howard;
      I received your most welcome
letter and was glad to hear from you. How are
you? and everything? I'm alright but I worry
a little because I'm not working yet, anyway I
wouldn't mind being out there, when you work
you, work for yourself, and hear you got to work
for someone elese else, to make a living. and
to tell you the truth, your better off, out there
well Howard I hope your enjoying life and
having all the fun, you really can have.
I think some thing will happen to me
I've been having strange dreams lately,
such as having a lion chase me or seeing
snakes crawl, I wonder what they mean
I don't think its good, to dream of such.
anyway to get back to my writing, your
going to a lot of parties and swell places,
I wish I were you? I'm staying home
mostly, my sister is working out of town
and comes home once in two weeks and
then goes right back so, I haven't got time
to go to a party or dance. because I hate
to go myself, there are boys but most of
them don't know how to treat a girl so,

my mother & Dad won't allow me to
go out much. ain't that awful? and
now that my sister has found the
right man she's doesn't think much
about me, she goes to dances with
him, he has a car, and I stay home
go to bed early, some day it will be
different things will change, I hope so
Gee I wish I could be my own
boss, like you! do as you please
go where you like, that's swell
Please Howard send me a picture
or more I'll send some of mine
but you'll haven't send some first
now I'll close. wishing this letter
find you well and happy
To the kind little boy I know
                     Yours forever
                        Ann
P.S. answer soon and don't forget about
the pictures all with kindness love to
all that are good to me    "Ann"

She sounds sad. She wants to be free. She feels trapped. I do hope she was able to find a way out of her kind of depression. At least that's what it sounds like to me. Her dreams tell me she feels very afraid of the direction her life was going in. That and the fact her sister found her man. I do hope she was able to get out there and find her forever after.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

June 1943
5 cents

This little boy kind of looks like my dad. I wonder if that's why it was kept.

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

I wonder what she wanted from him.


Finally a random picture:

(written on the back)
Kenneth & Jim Beaumont
marching back to be
congradulated
    May 1960

Kenneth, is who I always call, Uncle Kenny.

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

Gladys: March 16, 1933; Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
Well it's the end of another week. How did it go for you? Mine was the same old, same old. I do have to work tomorrow but I am off next week because the husband is finally going to have surgery on his foot. So I guess you can say next week will be a kind of roller coaster for me. Don't forget Easter is next weekend too. Things are a changin'.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Gladys:

It looks like there are more pages but the paper was to long to scan at once on a couple of them so I had to split them up.
As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what I think it says:

                    Mar 16-33
Dear Howard:-
Thanks for your letter also
the Valentine if I have forgotten
to do so before. My! My! how
flattered I am to hear that you
have been thinking of me every
day. How could you do that
when you were buying a horse?
If you thought of me when
you bought the horse, Well!
What kind of a horse was it?
Laying all jokes aside I
will try to give you a little
news and answer your letter
I was delighted to hear all news

about clippings you sent me.
Gee! I don't know if I'll get
home this summer or not Maybe
some week end only because
can't afford to loose my pay
while I have it, have not had
any cut yet, but for a week
end I would not be docked.
I am interested in the glee
Club play, of course I'm sorry
you are not in it.
Say I sent a book home
that you can borrow to read
It's one of Willa Cathers, called
"The Song of the Lark". I am
sure you'll enjoy it.
Yes I did hear about you
& Edw raising chicks all I
can do is wish you a
heap of luck and you know
I really do think we've started
on the up road at last.
While out driving today it
seemed to me that people
looked happier, I am so
tired of seeing such care-
warn sad faces all over
as I have seen for the last
6 months, of course I do
think our president has
come forward & done the
main thing that was
necessary to lead us on
to better times. Now at least
we have the government
behind such banks as have

been reopened. Of course
the government was thought
& supposed to have always
been behind such banks &
all the time gangs & politicians
seem to have replaced the
government; so of course
things could not help but
weaken under crooked
management & all else that
has taken place. I think
lots of things these days.
& I know a few also for
instance In This Mornings
Tribune I read that some
one had put a plea (to
our government) at Washington
for a $250,000 memorial

monument to be erected in
memory of our departed mayor.
I think it's really horrible to
even whisper such a thing
in these times and in the
condition our city is in, for
instance, all the hunger &
suffering amongst  the living
Oh! I'm very angry at many
things these days.
Tomorrow evening Aunt
Hildegard & I are going to
hear a quartet at Messiah
Lutheran Church.
How did you ever remember
Dad's birthday. Gee! I wish
I could have spent it with

him, but as it is. I must
"Work for the night is
Coming" by that I mean
old age & I hope I can work
enough while I'm able so as
not to be too dependent later.
Our patient is gaining again
the Dr. was very pleased with
her condition this morning
Miss Gustafson is having
her wedding dress made
now & it will soon be June
& they will be married very
soon after ordination. Her
minister got a call from
one of the largest Lutheran
Churches in Duluth Minn.
So after a wedding trip to
his home in California there
is where they will be.
Well I really haven't any
news Howard. Every thing goes
on here in the same old
way day in & day out.
Next Monday I go on 2 wks
night duty again.
Do write me soon
again & greet Thomas &
all my friends. I hope
you notice the all "Ha Ha"
guess I have very few up there
but friends who don't believe

in you are not worth
having- That's the way I
feel. When I have a friend
no one can turn me
against anyone just from
what I hear. I must really see
& know for myself.
Well so long & do
write me soon again
& give me all the news.
             as ever Gladys

Wow! Now that was a letter. Boy did she nail the problems of the government on the head. Gangs and bad politicians. It's still happening today. I agree with her about them spending money on a monument when so many people were going hungry.
It does sound a little like people were starting to feel better but I think they had a long way to go at that point.
I hope the other nurse had a very nice wedding. I wonder how long they lived in Duluth.
I wonder if Grandpa was able to read the book she suggested.
I do like her idea of true friendship.I believe what she believes.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Shirley Temple, curly topped screen starlet, is seen above
dressed in a cowgirl's costume, riding a trick pony at Palm
Springs, Calif., where she is spending a brief vacation between
pictures.                       (Wide World Photo)

I think I've seen this picture before.

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

Now this can be taken in a couple of different ways. Which one are you thinking about?

Finally, here is a random picture:

The Johnson children from a time gone by.

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

Edna: March 8, 1933 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a good weekend. it is finally getting warmer and the snow is finally melting. Birds that fly south for the winter are being seen. We have seen Red Wing Black birds, Robin and the husband has seen a couple of Cranes. I'm really starting to get Spring fever. I look forward to being able to do something outside, once the mud drys up, after the snow is gone.
Anyway, it has been awhile since there has been a letter from her, but here is the next letter from Edna:

Since this one is typed, I will not repeat it.

It does sound like she has been very busy. It's good to hear that she was able to work at that time since it was the depression and many were not. Maybe working for a magazine publisher was a very good thing at that time.
She mentioned that she was to go for a sleigh ride but the sleigh never showed up so 17 girls all piled into a Lasalle. Now that is a lot bodies. I have looked up what a Lasalle looked like in 1933.

 
Maybe it looked like this. Notice the trunk on the back. That is where Edna and another girl rode. They must have been a sight to see.
As for Grandpa getting married, I don't think he was seeing Grandma yet. But I don't have her letters so I'm not sure exactly when they met.
Spring sounded like it had sprung around there. I'm not sure I'd say crows sing wonderfully.A nightingale might be a different story.
It's to bad the play they were going to put on fell through. I wonder if they planned another one for the summer?
It sounds like she was still hanging out with Gladys Holm's.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Trinidad Del Rio, 22, is pointing out the object to be shot
while her sister Delores, 17, and her brother Paul, 12, look into
the camera in The Journal photo studio. Paul is also shown
standing at William Westman's knee. The combined weight of
the sisters and brother is 53 pounds.    (Journal Staff Photo)

I wonder why they were hanging out at the Journal. They do look familiar. I wonder if they were by any chance in The Wizard of OZ.

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

So that's what happens when you scare  newspapermen.

Finally, a random picture:

Not sure who they are or when it was taken. But the photographer was Glander from Manitowoc, Wis.

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