Family Dynamics

To Master Lester W. Hall and Mrs. H.C. B. Hall, Corwen, West Virginia.
Dated March 15, 1911

Dear Lester
You tell mama and Aunt they need not expect a letter from me this week. Everyone is getting along all right. Now that this is a sunshiny day you can be out; as you are getting over whooping cough. Of course you are helping make garden and other things that are to be done. Good Bye. Grandma.

Gee, can you say passive-aggressive? Addressed to the grandchild, grandchild asked to be messenger…. What kind of family fight is implied for grandma to write everyone is getting along all right. Is grandma indirectly writing to her daughter or to her daughter-in-law? Either implies some interesting family dynamics. What unconscious message is being sent by grandma with this postcard? A pretty pink rose on a gold background, but note the poetry: “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may/ Old time is still a-flying;/ And this same flower that smiles today,/Tomorrow will be dying."

Oh I wish at times I could write like Muse Swings and come up with a great backstory.

viridian

Peek into Boston, 1949

One of the postcard blogs I follow pointed out that in the past, people sent postcards the way we send instant messages or twitter updates. (I wish I could remember which blog - I would link to you.) The heyday of sending postcards - lots of postcards - was early in the 1900's, but here is an example from October 25, 1949:

to Arthur Knowlton, Farmington, Maine.

"We are at the station in Boston & have had some coffe. [sic] Now we are going to get a taxi and go to the hotel. Love, Irma."

Would that fit into a tweet? I don't use twitter so I know there's a limit on characters, but not what the limit is.

Irma (who is traveling with her?) could be writing from either North Station or South Station in Boston. If she was writing home, then it would be North Station. The Mass. Highway Dept. has a great photo taken within months of her postcard. Think of the haze and dirt from the coal-fired steam locomotives.

Did I mention I love Google, and finding information and images so easily?

New York City, 1930 and PFF

To: Mathews & Taylor, 505 8 th Ave. New York.
Image of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Diamond Jubilee Souvenir.
Postmarked Nov. 8, 1930.

“My Dear Friends: many many thanks for the lovly [sic] donation for our large bread line. We had today 1644 in the morning and 1500 in the afternoon. Respectfully, Brother Gabriel”

This postcard is from Brother Gabriel Mehler, founder of the breadline in 1929.
St. Francis of Assisi Church is at 135-141 West 31st Street, between 7 th and Ave. of the Americas, half a block from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station.

November 1930. It’s been about a year since the 1929 stock market crash. It was in early 1930 that then-President Hoover said “Prosperity is just around the corner.” These are the days of apple-sellers on the streets of New York. And the priests and brothers of St. Francis of Assisi, serving an unimaginable number of people, each day.

From the breadline’s webpage: “The Breadline reassures poor men and women that no matter how bad life gets, we will be there to help them start their day with a meal and a kind word -. every day for as long as it takes them to get back on their feet. Every morning at 7 a.m. we head out onto the sidewalk in front of Saint Francis of Assisi Church to greet about 200 people who line up for a cup of coffee and a couple of sandwiches. Within just a few minutes they disappear into the crowds of commuters rushing by. We don't know where they go, but we know they will be back, and we will be there waiting for them.”

“The Breadline is needed today more than ever, and that is where you can help. For just $15, you can feed a hungry person for an entire week. For $75, you can feed five people for a week. That's a pretty significant accomplishment, and it's something we don't take for granted. We will use whatever you can give us to ease the suffering of those who seek our help.”

This is a view into the past that moves my heart. Consider contributing to the breadline; I did.

viridian

Peek into old New York

Postcard addressed to Miss Ethel Conklin, Freeport, Long Island, New York. Dated 12-29-1908.

"Having a swell old time. The Majestic last night & the Orpheum tonight. Harry" (in fountain pen)

What a party boy! Is this addressed to his sister or his maiden aunt? The Majestic Harry refers to is the old Majestic at Broadway and 59th, at Columbus Circle. (I just love Google - and I love the dedicated people who keep up web pages about every topic imaginable.)

Even better: John Kenrick has a web site where he has compiled the book musicals that have played Broadway over the years (I think this means not vaudeville shows). So I can tell you that Harry probably went to see "The Pied Piper", which opened December 3 that year. Probably wearing tails or at least a tuxedo.

I can find less information about the Orpheum. The current Orpheum is on Second Ave. (STOMP is playing there now) but I can't easily find info on its history. Maybe this is where Harry was going.

Party on, dudes!

PS. The days when you could send a postcard to Freeport with just the recipient's name are long over - Freeport is now a huge suburb on Long Island.

Viridian