Cousin Walter: Aug. 7, 1929 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was good. The husband was able to get some hay baled on Saturday. On Sunday we hiked 7.8 miles. The bugs were a bit of an issue but we sprayed ourselves down plus I had my mesh bags with peppermint leaves hanging from my hat. Worked good for me. Husband thought I looked weird. I do suggest you try it.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Walter:

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

                      Chicago, Ill.
                       Aug. 7, 1929
Dear Howard:-
       Received your letter a
long time ago and have had no
time to answer until now and that's
on company time at that. tell Bert
that I'll get some of those pictures soon.
It always slips my mind but some
one of these days I'll have them made.
No doubt you think I'm a busy man
but then there is always something
to do. Ball games, shows, dates, work etc.
   Bought myself a new
Victor radio last night. All electric
10 tube set with attachment for phonograph
so that records can be played thru
the set & speaker. it certainly is a
wonderful set. Wish you could hear
it.
       Had a letter from your
girl friend the other day which no doubt
you already know as you gave her my
address. So she says. Said that Mrs. B
say I wrote to her. Can you imagine
that?

        My Buddy & I took a trip up
to the Dells a few Sundays ago. It was
nice but nothing to brag about.
Intended to go to Detroit next week
but that's off now as I'm nearly broke
after buying that set.
       Had some real hot weather for
a while but has cooled off somewhat
now.
    Must go to lunch now so will
sign off. Let me hear from you.
                  Best regards
                       Walter
Will get you those dice some one of these days.
Did you finish the "Bad Girl" yet? If so
I wish you'd mail it as some of these buds
around here want to read it.



I wonder if Bert wanted copies of some of the pictures he sent to Grandpa.
I guess Genevieve did write to him. I wonder what else she said besides wanting to know if Mrs. B wrote to him.
I still wonder who this Mrs. B is. Was she a busybody trying to stir up trouble for who ever she could.
I wonder how much he paid for the Victor.
He doesn't sound like he was that impressed with the Dells. Not like Mamie was.
I'm going to have to see if I can find anything out about the book "Bad Girl". It must have been something to have so many guys want to read it.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

This is one of the things that shouldn't be done during the spring thaws. The danger of play-
ing on ice floes is obvious from this picture made of Lincoln creek at N. thirty-fifth st. and W.
Glendale av. The boys wouldn't tell the photographer their names- they said they might get a
licking at home if it was revealed that they had been playing on the breaking ice.

I bet that their parents still knew it was them and they still payed the price.

Here is a page from the joke book:

The best costume there is, A smile! Enjoy.

Finally a random picture:

Joe Wojcik. Class of 1956

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

Mamie: Aug. 6, 1929 Minneapolis, Minn.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine was good. Here is something weird that happened the other day. It stated raining. I looked out the west window, and it was coming down kind of hard. I looked out the window to the east, and it was only lightly sprinkling. I kept watching and waiting for it to rain harder on the east side and it didn't. The sun was even shining but it still poured in the front yard and sprinkled in the back yard. Have you ever seen anything like that?
Anyway, here is a letter from Mamie. Not sure who she was or how often they wrote:

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

                        Minneapolis, Minn
                       2641 Bryant Ave. No.
                        August 6, 1929
Dear Howard,
      How's the world using
you? I'm having  a dandy
time this summer for I sure
have seen wonderful scenery
and have had experiences
of all types.
Did you miss me at all
or did you even notice
my absence?
I heard you had called
me up around the fourth
or was it the other fellow
Ha Hon. I bet money than
one has wondered as to
where I am.
I spent two months in
Milwaukee also a few
days at Madison on the
way down and up. We
also saw the Dells of the Wis.
By us mean my girl friend and


cousin. The scenery there
is marvelous. Now I am
in Minnie, I came from
Milwaukee a week ago last
Friday I was at Ellen's, stopped
at home for a short time
while Dick was home u know.
Had a plenty chance to see
just about 24 hours.
This city yet this summer
so here I am traveling is
the life for me. I love it.
It won't be long until school
begins again so I'll enjoy
myself while I can. We'll
be staying here for a week
or more. Pearl is here
also. I think I'll spend a few
days or so maybe move
at home before school starts.
Maybe you'll catch me
home then if you wish to do so.
Hoping you have enjoyed
your summer as well as I have
Write if you have time.
I am             your friend,
                    Mamie

I not sure who she is but, I think her name might have been mentioned by someone else before. With her mentioning school, I wonder if she was a teacher or had something to do with school. Maybe I'll learn more in future letters.
It sounds like she had a very good summer seeing some very interesting places that year.
I wonder how well grandpa knew her.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Where there is a ship there is food, as the sea gulls know. They follow the ships and should the cook dare to open his door they would quickly get the scent of food, and storm the vessel. Caution had to be taken upon entering and leaving the galley. Ducks too, were sighted on the trip, but they are more timid than gulls, and were only noted in open water. This photograph was taken a few miles off Ludington, as the City of Saginaw, pushing forward backing up, and ramming forward again into the ice made its way.

I wonder if the gull still follow the ships in the same way today.

Here is a page from the joke book:

Jobs of the day. Enjoy.

Finally, a random picture:

This is Bruce Johnson. When he was in 2nd grade.  I don't think he was a relative, just a classmate, I think.

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

Genevieve Smith:Aug. 6, 1929 Westboro, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was good. On Saturday we hung out with our granddaughter. She is growing in leaps and bounds.
On Sunday we went for a short hike. Only 5 miles because it did start to rain. On this hike we did come upon a bear. He took one look at my husband and ran. Husband said he could have been about 300 lbs.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Genevieve:

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

                   Westboro, Wis
                       Aug 5, 1929
Hi low Honey-
  Here tis Monday Morning
and I haven't answered your
most welcome little yet, so
will do so now.
 Ain't this rain grand
and glorious!
Wasn't you home Sunday
afternoon about 3 o'clock!
We were up to your
place and not a soul was
there. Or at least must have
been sleeping, the "dog"
came out to the road
and said some thing
but I can for stay this
language ha! ha!

Yes B_- lies awful
and especially Mrs. We
went up to Kubis Saturday
Nite, there wasn't many
there we new. Clifford
Larson and Clarence Nicola
were about the only two
Those darn Fins makes me
have a head aches in my
big toe they (all four)
came to our place last nite
and sat in front of the
house and blew that damn
horn& finally I had to go
out side So they asked me to
go with them. But I couldn't
gee whiz the four of them
was just four too many
Leonard Peterson is home

             (2)
over the weekend. Do you
know him?! He used to be
a pretty good friend of mine
Ray wasn't here last
Nite, the first nite for a long
time. What shall I do about
it!___ Darn fool has got
my compact again. I'll crucify
him for that ha! ha!
Where are you going Saturday
evening or are you going to
be a good boy and stay
at home! oh oh!
Mrs. B- asked me for
Walter's address now she
wants to write to him
to. I haven't wrote yet
honest I get so many
letters to write. Don't

know when I'll ever get
them all answered. We
might be up to Bert's
Wed. or Thurs. eve so
You try to be there
around 7:30 or 8, if
we blow the horn come
out.
Really sweetheart it's awful
late (so I must close)
Bushels of love and
kisses- answer soon
write a long letter
please_______How many
more bars of          Your friend
candy have you!         Peggy
Send em' right along
ha! ha_____-

It sounds like they hung out with the same people from time to time.
I wonder how much rain they were getting at that time?
I wonder if at least one of the Fin's liked her and she did not like them back and used the fact that it was because they were Finnish.
I guess I'll never know.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Visitors come aboard. Gulls follow the open water, and with the
ice field gradually closing in across the more than 90 miles of water,
they trail in the wake of the car ferries, seeking food.

It's still a common site to this day.

Here is a page from the joke book:

I wonder what kind of information you would get for a good honeymoon from this guy. Ha! Ha! Enjoy.

Here is a random picture:

I wonder if this was the dog that greeted them when they came visiting.
I remember that one of their dogs, named Lassie, would always greet us with a smile.

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

Genevieve R. Smith: Aug. 1, 1929 Westboro, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. As for my work week, it was short. The weather is starting to change around here. It's getting hotter. It's July, it's to be expected.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Genevieve:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what I think it says. There is a different language at the beginning:

                      Cheero- N.York
                      Oct 65, 1499 B C
Isirald Drawds-
Wigatis! Or don't you
firsta'y Dutch?
  At last I'm back home
for the time being any
way ha! ha! Do you know
what time I got home Sat.
eve! You'd be surprised we
left Kabashis at about 10
or 15 minn to one. and went
down to Medford at about
3:30 and the Hotel was
locked so I could not bet in
so we sat in the car talking
to Stellick the sheriff untill
5:15 then I went and got
my things and quit, went
up to Westboro and

      2
stayed out to Bundicks unt-
ill 3:3o Sunday P.M. Didn't
get home untill Sunday
nite. Ray said he seen you
and Bert Sunday P.M. Did
he! he said you and Bert
blame Mrs. B for me not being
able to go out with you and
Bert. Well she tells me not
to cause you and B. would
be too rough its she says
but of course Ray is alright
You know he is Mamma's
bot, I haven't any thing ag-
ainst them but they try to
boss me too darn much-
Say those jokes were pretty
good kido get some more
honey-
Say listen sweetness
will you go to Kobashes this

              3
Saturday evening. I'm going
up there and plan to see
you to. Look for me hub, and
when Mrs. B, starts to dance
I'll go with you see. Ray
don't care so much any more
he is getting used of it ha ha
Say kido will you please
give me Walters address
so's I can write once
Mrs. B said he wrote to
her. Did he, honest I don't
believe her any more she
tells me too many lies-
am tunning in on the
Radio now so have to stop
pertty much. so you'll
have to excuse my awful
writing have 11 other letters
that must be answered
pertty soon. Ain't that nice
of me to write to you

             4
first ha! ha! - am trying to
write long letter but for
my part I'd rather talk its
much easier for me any way
Well good nite honey boy
and please write to me
very soon and write a long
letter.                  With Love
                          Your friend
                              Peggy
PS                      or Genevieve
I love you big
I love you little
I love you like a little pig
        _____
If you love me as I
love you, there is no
nife can cut our love
into!    S. W. A. K


I tried to figure out if the beginning was Dutch but I could not find the right way to translate the words. Maybe you will have better luck.
I like the way she dated it. I wonder why she used it the way she did. I think she was a very interesting person to know.
I wonder who this Mrs. B. is. She sounds like a real busybody.
I wonder why she wanted to write to Walter. I guess when you write to so many people one more will not matter. I think I would get writers cramp if I wrote to that many people all the time.
I decided to include the misspelled words. More real, not fake.

Here is a picture form the scrap book:

Mist, on the early part of the trip and before the great ice fields were
reached, combined with snow, covered the upper deck of the City of Saginaw
with ice, as shown above. Patches of ice covered the ship.

It must have been a very fascinating story to follow.

Here is a page from the joke book:

 Enjoy.

Here is a random picture:

No idea when or where this was taken. Grandma is the one on the right and I think Grandpa is in the back No idea who the other people are.

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

Genevieve Ruby Smith: July 28, 1929 Westboro, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone had a weekend. Mine was good. We even hiked yesterday. A little buggy but not to bad because I had had my triple protection.
Anyway, I finally have a last name for Genevieve, so now you know. Here is the next letter from her:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what it says, ( I'm guessing in some places):

                    Caralina
                     maan s.
Dear Sweetheart,
Just happened to
think I still owe
you a letter so will
try my best to
call this an answer!
Gosh kid, you
can't blame me when
I can't come up when
I promise to as Ray
always drives and
he goes just when he
feels like it --!

        2
As much as I know
about it we will be
up either Monday
or Tuesday evening
(depends if it rains or
not.
We were up to Berts
with him untill 1.15
a.m. Friday went up
around 7 then went
to Medford, and up to
Ogema ect so on ha! ha!
What did you do Saturday
eve! I was a real good
girl and stayed right
at home.- altho
several wanted me

        3
to go to a dance.
I sure could warm
you up if your realy
cold- every body
says I'm awfull warm
hot blooded Irish
man huh--.
Bert was down to
Westboro the other
day. I saw him down
town ain't that fine.
Do you know Clarence
Nicola, he is a good
friend of mine Bert
knows him real well
also John Linpeck he

      4
leaves for Mich. this
Wednesday realy Howard
don't you feel for me
he ain't coming back
untill Christmas
think of it!
So you were lonesome
for me. I feel for you
but can't reach you
honest kid. I don't
see any thing on me
for a guy to get lone
some for, Do You!
Lots of the guys
say so tho.- Last
nite some guys

       5
I never seen B/4 asked
me to go for a ride
but I'se got pertly
cold feet ha! ha!
Have you ever seen
Mildred ? lately!
I haven't for a dog's
age.
haven't any more
time must mail this
now as its train
time.
For lands sakes
Howard why

    2
don't you write
a real long long
letter for a change.
I have burnt up
both of your letters.
Please answer very
soon.
With bushels of
love and kisses
    Your Pie faced
          Pal
       "Genevieve"
Drink your teas
"            " Coffee
But don't forget to
write to me  honey

When you and I my
     love shall part,
Can sorrow break
    thy loving heart
I some distant lands
          may roam
Sleep, Dreams, and
think of me alone!
All of this I wish
           to say
Night hids me go I can
               not stay
With sorrow great upon
              my mind
You can in this
        a question find!
       Can you find it!

 I like the little artwork she did on the first page.  She sounds like she was a character.
I also like the poem at the end. I wonder if she wrote it or just repeated one she liked.
I do wonder how often they did get together and hang out.
I could not make out Mildred's last name. Maybe you can.
I did leave some of the misspelled words alone, i hope you don't mind.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Praise for the seemingly tireless crew came from the five passengers, including M.I. Mc-

Carty, Ludington, Mich., left, and Ted Beranek, La Crosse, Wis. officers remained on duty

without sleep through watch after watch, true to the traditions of the sea to stand by their vessel

while danger prevailed. And the radio operator was always at his key.

This ship and the issue must have been a real interesting thing to who ever was collecting all these stories.

Here is a page from the joke book:

I wonder if this where fake news started? Enjoy.

I decided to share a picture I've shown you before because it is the 4th of July and it is a patriotic kind of picture:

Happy 4th Of July to all!

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.

Enjoy the holiday and don't forget to come back real soon for more Fading History.

Till then.

Your friend,

Sandy

Eluira La Lince: July 20, 1929 Minneapolis, Minn.

Dear Friends,
Well it's the end of the week. I hope you had a good week. I did. I was on vacation all week. Plus my birthday was yesterday. The husband and I went hiking. We hiked 9.33 miles. I learned it was also Mud Day and what better way to enjoy it then to go trucking on a muddy trail. It was a good day. we might be going hiking again this weekend, maybe. Weather and field work permitting.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Eluira:

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

                     Minneapolis Minn.
                    July 29, 1929
Friend Johnson,
   Please excuse this paper, but
it's the only thing we have around
here. Should have answered your
letter long ago but they have been
working me twelve hours a day.
So I am too tired to write after I get
home.
I rec'd the pictures. Thanks for
some. I am sending you a picture
of my sister Elleve and myself.
Gee it's been Raining all day
again. Hope it quits for I want
to drive home tonite and see
my little boy. You didn't know
I have been married and have a
three year old boy. I usually go
home over the week end, for my

mother is taking care of him for
me while I'm working.
I left my husband almost two
years ago. You asked about me
so now you know, oh no you
don't know how tall I am. I'm
five feet and one inch weigh
one hundred and eighteen pounds
gee I must close the boss is coming
in. Will mail this when
I get thru work-
           I remain as ever
            Euire La Lime
excuse paper please.

I'm still not sure how her last name is spelled. So I hope you will excuse my confusion.
Well, she has a three year old little boy. I wonder what grandpa thought about that when he read it.
What would you think?
I wonder why she left her husband.
I wonder what her job was to be working 12 hour days?
She sounds like she is about the same size as me.
I wonder if there was a picture included or if she plans on sending it in a future letter.
I wonder how much rain they were getting around that time.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

To the rescue! The U.S. Coast
Guard Cutter Escanaba, with its tur-
bines strained under the terrific
resistance of the hard packed ice,
breaks its way a few inches at a
time, to free the City of Saginaw
from the clutches of the ice field so
that it could make port at Ludington.

I wonder how long they were able to use this cutter before it was finally replaced.

Here is a page from the joke book:

I wonder if she loved him or not?

Here is a random picture:

Since it is suppose to be haying time, I thought I would show you a harvest from the past.

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

Walter Walin: July 19, 1929 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was good. I hung out with my new granddaughter on Saturday. She sleeps a lot. But she is a new born. Hopefully in a few weeks she be more aware of more things around her.
On Sunday the husband and I went hiking.. It was on the cool side around here but that was good. Not so many bugs. We had three kinds of protection against bugs. Lots of bug spray, bounce dryer sheets and a pouch of peppermint leaves. The next hike we take will be a better test to this kind of protection. I'll keep you posted.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Walter:

Since it is a typed letter I will not repeat it. So enjoy.
I wonder who Gen was and how long Grandpa was with her.
Did Olive look up Walter? I hope not. He is beginning to sound like a real hound dog.

Here are the pictures he included with the letter:

 I think Grandpa is hiding in the back but I'm not sure. Thomas might be the one on the left.

 If that is Grandpa he is hidden better and Thomas is gone.

 Not sure who this is.

 I know Grandpa is on the right. I wonder if the other one is Walter.

 No idea who this is.

 Again not sure who they are.

I'm not sure which town this is. It could be Ogema.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Despite the great odds
against it, the Pere Mar-
quette car ferry, as well as
sister ships and similar ves-
sels of other lake lines
have carried on during the
worst winter in the history
of the lake. Hundreds of
tons of water were taken
on board by the City of
Saginaw in an effort to
weight her down so that it
could plow its own way
through the ice mountains.
At the right is shown mem-
bers of the crew with pike
poles chipping ice away
from the sides of the ves-
sel so that a better view of
the ice as it packed against
the sides of the ship could
be obtained. While the
crew bent to its task the
passengers, comfortable in
their quarters, spent the
hours tramping the decks.

I wonder if this year was the worst in history or if it has happened again after that.
How would you like a job like that, chopping off the side of the ship by hand?

Here is a page from the joke book:

 Enjoy.

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