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May 18, 1935 – You know that I am one year in the USA yesterday.

May 18, 1935 – You know that I am one year in the USA yesterday.

5/18/35
My Dear Ones,

Bubele’s letter arrived this morning just in time, otherwise this letter would sound very different.

I am very happy everything arrived on time and fitted OK. The photo is very nice. I always liked you with your hair parted in the middle.

The clipping from your paper about the fire in Rogers Park is correct, only they did already find the person who set the fire. The trial is not over yet.  

Erna

Erna

I received a postal card from “Fuchstanz.” I do miss those Sunday hikes. But there are so many beautiful parks here, which I like a lot.

What gray hat was Liss trying to fix? And what new dress are you wearing in the photo? I had a thin light brown skirt made to wear with that new pullover next Wednesday. Only buttons still have to be sewed on.

Is anything I planted on mother’s grave still there? Do not worry about Dr. Samuel. As soon as I have a little extra I will send it to him.

You know that I am one year in the USA yesterday.

You ask what Julius S. said to Aunt Jenny. Practically nothing! I really did not want to listen to him and got rid of him as quickly as possible.

Which Hilde Mayer is going to South America or Africa? My girlfriend?

What gives you the idea that Eddy and Gwen might not be married? I think I wrote you that they will be married 1 year very soon.

Fuchstanz

Postcard from Fuchstanz

I do not know if it is an American custom to sew in bed in the evening, but I like to do it.

Have not heard from Werthahn again.

That I am a little piggy is nothing new really. The reason I took so much at one time to the cleaner is the fact that I saved quite a bit of money that way. Almost ½ the price.

Smarty Ernale, if you had mailed that letter 6 days earlier it would have been here before your boss. This way I did not receive it until 5 days afterwards.

I was very upset when I came home Monday night about 10:00 pm. I had been at home until 7:45 pm, when Mrs. Saunders and I went downtown to see a very interesting slide show from the company where Aunt Henny works.

When we came home I found the calling card from Stefan Demuth with a few lines. He had been there at about 8:45 and would have liked to talk to me. Sorry I do not have such a good nose. I called the number he gave me the next day at noon. Talked to a very nice, polite lady who told me to call again at 6:30 pm, which I did. We talked together for only a few minutes. He was sorry he could not get together with me. He was going to leave that evening and wanted to make several more phone calls. Actually he was only about 24 hours in Chicago and I think it was very nice of him to stop by my place. He will tell you all about it but I was terribly upset of course.

I do not understand exactly why Papa waited three weeks before answering my letter. But I am very happy that he did answer it. I wish my sisters would follow his good example and write me once in a while.

Were those shoes that got soaked waterproofed?

So now those are answers to your letter.

Now for my weekly report. This is about the 50th letter I have been writing to you! Correct?

Click on image for Youtube

Last Sunday we ate a light dinner instead of breakfast. That is the custom in the South where Leonard comes from. It was a nice change and tasted real good. Then we as usual picked up Flora Mae and since she begged us we went again to Beryl and Fritz Samuel. She was so anxious to see the new baby again.

We walked a little and then took Flora Mae home. We walked a little more and I saw for the first time the ex Mrs. Leonard Grossman.

We then rode downtown and tried to decide where to eat. We finally went in a place and there Mr Isi Kosterlitz was sitting at the first table. We sat and he had to see us when he left. He was so shocked to see me again after 4 months that he left without paying after he stopped and talked to us a few minutes. He did come back soon to pay. And I won a pound of nuts. Leonard made a bet that he would not come back and I said he would. Of course I won.

Afterwards we went to see “Cardinal Richelieu” – excellent movie with George Arliss, one of the best current movie actors. In order to cool off we stopped for ice cream on the way home. Almost every evening I have ice cream for dessert.

3 bridges

Three Bridges

Monday morning I came just at the right time to work to see all the bridges over the Chicago River, open at the same time. Some were opening, some closing and the one in the middle all the way open. These draw-bridges are on every street so the bigger ships can go through. On Michigan Avenue the bridge has 2 stories. I was the last person to get across that morning. They were just waiting for me. 20 minutes later, when I looked out of the window, they were all closed again. Just imagine how easy it is to miss a train or appointment, if caught with an opening bridge. They are not on any schedule. They just toot their horns when they want to go through.

Bridges Open

Tuesday evening as usual with Mrs. Saunders.

Then I went to Mrs. Rose Lamarque, my dressmaker. Next morning, before I went to work, to buy some material. In the evening I went again to Bertl S. and for the first time in a long time played cards. Did not go home so late.

Michigan Avenue Bridge

Michigan Avenue Bridge


That by the way is the newest news.

Since 2 weeks, I go earlier to sleep.

Thursday again supper with Mrs Saunders, dressmaker, and 10:00 p.m., bed.

Last night as always on Friday at Samuel seniors. Home a little later – and such a long way – because I would sleep late today. From noon to 2:30 pm at Mrs. Lamarque just schmoozing. Then a haircut, shampoo in my room, and lying in bright sunshine on my bed – I am surprised I do not have sunburn yet – Crocheting.

[Then] fix my hair as nice as possible, get dressed, go downtown to Leonard’s office, eat a very good supper together of course. Now he is sound asleep again. Actually that is the best time for me to write letters.

Aunt Henny visited Mrs. Saunders yesterday and they talked about me for 2 hours. I would really like to know what Stefan Demuth had to say. Honestly — about my living quarters and my landlord Mr. Silver. The latter was avery astonished how well Demuth speaks English, after I explained to him who he is.

Next time you expect some body to come to Chicago please give them my phone number. Delaware 5425. Also Leonard’s office address and phone number. He can usually be reached in his office and knows where I can be found.

A few years ago chain letters were in style in Germany. Now they are big here. I got one too and mailed it to 5 other people. Wonder how many 5 cents I will get. Some people started chain letters with $1 and $5, but that is too much for me. It will take at least 3 weeks before the money may trickle in.

And now my very dear ones I hope to get mail from you soon again. For today I am sending you uncountable greetings and kisses,

Your loving Trudel

Best regards to Liss and all friends and relatives. How is Herr flying Heinrich?


Letter from LJG to Lotta and Erna, 5/18/1935

Dear Lotte and Erna,

They say the way to a man’s heart is thru his stomach, so a good cook is sure to win her man.
But the Adler sisters don’t have to win me by cooking. I knew and loved Trudel without ever knowing even to this day if she can cook water without burning it.

Sweetheart

And in this country a man’s sweetheart is called is “sweet cookie.” [Drawing of hearts.] So it was appropriate and fine and wonderfully thoughtful of you all to send those sweet cookies to my “sweet cookie” and me. I just couldn’t eat enough of them – so I ate too many. Just ate, and ate, and ate your sweet cookies with my sweet cookie. And I want to thank you for every cookie you sent, and for those that may some day come – can I thank you in advance?

So Erna – before your picture – so lovely and gracious – arrived, your cookies – Trudel – the unbaked one- sweeter even than the ones you baked – and the baked ones – had won my heart completely – as Lotte – your dear and beautiful picture had won me long before.

But you know – if a man wants to stay on the safe side a lawyer’s advice is “Do right and fear no man.” Also, “Don’t right {write) and fear no woman.” Now if I write and sign myself “yours truly,” and I am not truly yours, you can sue me for breach of promise. But this week in Illinois the law against breach of promise was passed – so broken hearted ladies are out of luck from now on.

Of course I am not exactly yours truly, because I am all Trudel’s. But she tells me that what is hers is yours. So maybe a small piece of my heart is fastened in Frankfurt by your gracious pictures and the loving thoughts of your Father and all his dear ones. So please give him my love and keep some of it – each of you – for yourselves. I have given all the rest of my heart to darling Trudel – so I can only give you the small diagram of it with the arrow of our love on the other side.
Devotedly your (?)
Leonard


The photographs of the bridges were taken by Trudel from the window of the millinery place where she was working. If you look closely at the one captioned “Three Bridges,” you can see all three are in motion. The one on the right is just about closed. The one in the middle is just past its peak and the left bridge is opening. A boat has just moved past the middle bridge. In the other photo, the boat is to the right of the middle bridge.

 

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May 25, 1935 – I think my letters are even more detailed than a diary.

May 25, 1935 – I think my letters are even more detailed than a diary.

May 25, 1935

Sherman House Stationery

My Sweet Sweets:

I am real fancy tonight. I am sitting at a nice desk in the Hotel Sherman while Leonard went to the barber shop to make him look his best. We are going to Gray’s later and we want to look real nice. Actually he always does.

I never thought I would keep a diary here but I think my letters are even more detailed than a diary.

Well, last Saturday we spent most of the night in the office. We even ate breakfast downtown before going home. Sunday I slept all day and we did not meet until 8:00 p.m. for supper.

Monday dinner at Mrs. Saunders. I finished the pullover from the ripped sweater and started a hat for myself.

hhorwitz

H. Horwitz Co,

On Tuesday we met downtown for breakfast. I took a beautiful silver vase Leonard bought for Mrs. Gray to have it engraved at Horwitz’s, the company Aunt Henny worked for at the fair. Dinner at Mrs. Saunders. Finished my hat, made 2 flowers and 1 bud similar to what I made at my test in the trade school. Wednesday I had to wait for 1 hour until the engraving was finished.

Wednesday: Dinner at Mrs. Saunders again. Change clothes: brown shoes, beige hose, beige new skirt, new crocheted sweater with hat to match, brown pocketbook, long beige kid gloves and navy blue coat. At 9:00 pm we went to Gray’s. I think I really looked very nice and never knew brown and beige would look that good on me.

We had some real nice warm days, but naturally that Wednesday when the birthday party was planned to be on the roof garden it was colder and raining. The party was anyhow very nice. I followed Papa’s good advice and had only 1 beer, 1 cocktail and a cup of black coffee.

I saw Len only when he brought me a plate with bread and cold cuts. He was sitting as far from me as possible with a few ladies and I far away with a few nice men, all kinds of professions including a newspaper reporter. It was very interesting and nice. We took 2 ladies home on our way. Leonard was trying to apologize for not being with me all evening but I assured him that for us 2 to be together we do not have to go to such a party. We went there to meet other people.

DoubleDecker

Double Decker

Please excuse my bad writing and making everything as short as possible. I am anxious to have this finished by the time Leonard comes back.

Enclosed I am sending you a petal of a rose I swiped and pinned on my bosom. It smells so wonderful, I want you to have a little part of it.

More explanation about Gray’s penthouse will follow with my next letter. It is too hard to do now. One of the nice things at Gray’s party is the fact we did not go home so very late. We left there already shortly after midnight. As a result I was not any more tired on Thursday than I am usually.

(Leonard has no car. He mostly takes taxis. He drove some years ago but had an accident and will not drive any more. I do not know what really happened, since I noticed he does not want to talk about it.)

Palmengarten

Palmengarten


Thursday: Ate again with Mrs. Saunders. We did want to go to a movie but the 4 films showing in our neighborhood we did not want to see – either one of us had seen it already or it did not sound good. So we saved our money and went to bed at 10:30 pm after doing some very neglected

Yesterday, Shabbos, I was again at Samuels and did not get home until 1:00 am. I often have that trouble going home from there.

Going I had a beautiful ride on the upper deck of a double decker bus, along the parks and the lake. The “Palmengarten” is very beautiful but no comparison with these parks for miles and miles. The Chicagoans do not really appreciate that beauty.

Sherman House

Sherman Hotel

Today I slept late, visited with Mrs. Saunders for 2 hours, then sitting in the sun on my bed I altered a dress and a hat, took off cape collar from my coat (it is too warm now), went downtown and picked up Leonard. Now after a good dinner I am sitting here in the lobby of the Sherman House, as I mentioned before. In the meantime only a toothache joined me.

I am glad Leonard left his fountain pen with me, otherwise I would have had to stop writing a long time ago. But that is it now. I am getting writer’s cramp, because I am trying to write real fast.

So now more next week.

A million greetings and kisses

Your Nudelsupp
[Noodle soup – A nickname for Trudel.]


At the end of this page of her translations, Trudel wrote:
Comment: Now that I have translated the letters of my first year in Chicago I will pick out only the highlights. You all know that I eat and sleep every day. It is really not important when or where. From here on it goes “diary style,” only different or interesting occurrences.


In the 1960s, many years later, Trudel would herself work at H. Horwitz Co. at 36 S. State Street in Chicago’s Loop.

 

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June 9, 1935 – One has to be lucky and I really was.

June 9, 1935 – One has to be lucky and I really was.

6/9/35

Trudel’s highlights for the week:*

Sunday: Visited with Flora Mae. It was the warmest day so far this year, so we walked a little and went home early.

Make blue skirt 6 inches tighter.

Monday: Breakfast downtown which costs only about ½ of here in the neighborhood and is much better. Aunt Henny and I spent 2 hours together and visited several people in their offices. We ate at a very reasonable restaurant and she went home with me, where I started a hat for her and made one for a friend of hers. She went home at 11:30 pm. In the meantime, Eugene Weil called and gave me the address of a hat shop where I might get a job.

[Trudel’s translations do not mention that she is not working although she mentioned there being less work in her previous letter.]

Tuesday: Went early to apply for a job there. Waited for one hour for the boss, left my address and phone number. “Maybe” if they get busier.

Now in a beautiful neighborhood with beautiful stores. Stopped in one store to ask if they could use help for sewing alterations. Hired me to start next day for a few hours. One has to be lucky and I really was. Afterwards I straightened out my room.

Wednesday: Worked from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Thursday: Worked from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Friday: From 9:00-1:00 and again from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Then the pleasant bus ride to Samuels for Shabbat dinner. There I met a very nice refugee girl who also lives on the north side like I do, and we went home together via Leonard’s office.

Saturday: work from 9-1. Then to visit Rose La Marque. Aunt Henny visited me all afternoon.

In the evening Leonard and I went to a movie, “Let ’Em Have It.” Very good. Afterwards I helped Leonard in the office by finding the books he needed and opening them on the right pages. He worked until 7:00 Sunday morning. I went home much much earlier.

Sunday: We met Mr. Goodman, his former partner and picked up Flora Mae. She and I played in the yard while the two men wrote speeches for Mr. Goodman’s case in the State Supreme Court in Springfield, where Leonard defended him the next day. He expects to be back on Wednesday.


*After over 250 handwritten pages of translations, Trudel decided to translate only the highlights.

Take a look at the letter Trudel wrote exactly one year earlier, “June 9, 1934 “I have already one order for a hat.””

 

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July 3, 1935 “I fell almost asleep last night while writing.”

July 3, 1935 “I fell almost asleep last night while writing.”

July 2, 1935

My Good Sweet Dear Goldkind:

It is midnight and I just went to bed. But since I have not written to you in three weeks, I feel very conscious of guilt and will write now. Thanks for mail received. Hope you received those I sent.

On Wednesday, June 12, Leonard returned from a successful trip to the Illinois Supreme Court. We had dinner together but I went home immediately to alter a dress.

Thursday I had dinner at the family of my new boss.

Friday, June 14, I had Sabbath dinner again with the Samuels in Hyde Park.

Saturday, I had dinner with Leonard, then we stopped at his office and went home.

Trudel's Skates

Trudel’s Skates

Sunday, June 16, we had beautiful weather. I sat three hours in sunshine in a park. For the first time in 14 years I went roller-skating, but only 2 blocks. The shoes with the skates which I had borrowed were too tight. But it was fun.

Trudel on Rollerskates

Trudel on Rollerskates

After one hour walk we had a wonderful dinner and then we sat for about one hour in my room where I gave Leonard a fashion show of all my clothes.


Continued 7/3

Good morning. I fell almost asleep last night while writing.

Monday, June 17, I spent all day at home.

Tuesday, I had a date with Aunt Henny. After waiting for her for one hour I went home again. It was raining too hard – she could not come!!!

Wednesday I worked overtime and ate downtown. In my ½ hour lunchtime I got soaked shopping for a birthday present for Leonard.

Because of everything I did [in the past few days] my back and shoulders still hurt.

Thursday at home. Sewing.

Steamer Theodore Roosevelt

Steamer Theodore Rosevelt


Friday, June 21, Gwen and Eddy picked us up for a boat ride. Grace Gray had arranged a party of 12 people in the captain’s cabin. This boat trip took 2 ½ hours. I wore the altered chiffon dress, a new hat, white shoes, linen coat, white purse and gloves and a lot of makeup.
Flora Mae and LJG

Flora Mae & LJG

Afterwards we ate downtown in a very nice place. Unfortunately it was raining all evening.

LJG Plays Tennis

LJG Plays Tennis

Saturday, June 22, Leonard played tennis for the first time in three years and of course was very tired afterwards. We had dinner at a very nice rooftop restaurant with a very good with a nice floor show. Excellent orchestra and very good food, except that Leonard found a long, rusty nail in his steak. Fortunately he did not get hurt.

Sunday, June 23, I was with you in thought at the cemetery. [I believe that was the second anniversary of Trudel’s mother’s death. -Ed.]

Chinatown Squad

Chinatown Squad

That day we spent time with Flora Mae. Also met Hans Kösterlitz. After dinner at a park, we went on a “merry go round” operated by foot and then on a “wippe [teeter totter or see-saw].” Leonard was 210 pounds on one side and Flora Mae and I (together) about 200 pounds. Up and down and down and up. It was hilarious.
On Gray's Roof

Flora Mae, LJG, and Trudel

We stopped on the way home at a movie, “Chinatown Squad,” and a very good stage show.

Sunday, June 30, We picked up Flora Mae and spent afternoon on Gray’s roof. Fireworks on way home. Weather very hot, too hot to even go swimming.

On Gray's Roof

On Gray’s Roof


On Tuesday, July 2, I had a date with a nice girl from Nürnberg I had met at Samuels. She helped me tie together 43 little packages I had wrapped for Leonard’s 43rd birthday which is July 4 (tomorrow).

1000 greetings and kisses,

Trudelchen


Trudel’s translations and notes did not include a letter specifically mentioning what they did on July 4, LJG’s Birthday, but her photo albums did include at least one photo taken that day.

Trudel, Flora Mae and LJG

Trudel, Flora Mae and LJG in the park on July 4, 1935



You may enjoy taking a look at the letter Trudel wrote exactly one year earlier.
Follow this link:http://is.gd/qZxq2E

 

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December 5, 1936 – Just Married

December 5, 1936 – Just Married

My mother, Trudel Adler, and my Father, Leonard J. Grossman were married on her 24th birthday, December 5, 1936. This post includes the events of that day and the next few days. Please click on the headline “Big Bill O.K’s ‘Wally’ – Won’t Give Away Bride” for an interesting and somewhat amusing account of the wedding. Most of the other images can be enlarged by clicking on them as well. Enjoy.

Leonard Grossman
One of Trudel’s sons.


December 7, 1936 – It is midnight, but I want to start this letter because I have so much to tell you. It is bitter cold again. On my birth-wedding day it was snowing as I had wished for. Last week it was much warmer, changing all the time. Good weather for colds. But we both are OK keeping each other warm.

Just married

December 5, 1936 – Just Married

Do not feel too bad when people move away. You should be happy for them, actually I fell that it would be foolish for you 2 to leave as long as you both have your jobs. But of course I can and should not advise you from here – so far away.

Here thousands of people are jobless. Money is not laying on the streets.

I cannot wear a pair of stockings more than a week, they rip so fast. When there is a run in them nobody mends it. Just put a little clear nail polish on it.

LJG Big Bill Trudel

LJG, “Big Bill” and Trudel

Now to something that may be more interesting to you. Friday evening I went to my sweetheart’s office where he gave me my “trousseau”: 1 pink lace nightgown, 1 pink set underwear, 1 pair pink undies, 1 bra, 1 pair brown gloves, 1 pair brown shoes, and a beautiful brown leather pocket book, 6 pair hose, 1 blue dressing gown, 1 pair slippers and a few more little things. By the time I came home, I was so excited I was afraid to be alone in my room. So I spent the night at Rose LaMarque. Which means I was with her over night, but could not sleep.

Leonard and I had an early breakfast and after talking to my friend Trudel Batzner on the phone for ½ hour I met Leonard in his office at 11:20 a.m. and at 12:50 we left with Leonard’s secretary, Carol with whom I have gotten very friendly lately, and an old friend of Leonard’s as witnesses.

We went to the Congress Hotel in former Mayor William H. Thompson’s room. There were quite a few friends and acquaintances there. “Big Bill” had his piano tuned and a very nice girl played the “Wedding March” while a lot of photos were taken. We ate appetizers and had a few drinks. I wore the dark red lace dress with matching hat and the new shoes and 3 beautiful orchids.

wedding story.

Click on the headline to read complete story.

Cont’d 12/8 at 4:30 pm
From the windows of the 10th floor, I kept looking east over the lake because I knew you would be there, far, far away. Judge Padden, a very nice old friend of Leonard’s performed the marriage and fortunately talked only very short but very nice. Too bad you could not have been here.

After a while we went to Leonard’s office where a lot of people came to congratulate us. Somebody brought champagne, others wine, a large wedding cake, etc. Too bad Alex, whom we sent a wire, could not come. [Her future brother-in-law, Alex, was in Ohio on business.] I would have been so happy to have at least 1 person from home there.

We received a lot of presents and wires. I did not realize how many people I know here. We had planned to go to L’Aiglon for dinner and asked several people to join us there. Fortunately we said we phone first. When we got to our room we were too tired to change clothes and I suggested that we rest a bit before going out. Well, we both slept soundly from 8:30 pm until midnight. Of course we did not go out any more. So I moved in with Leonard and will give up my place Dec. 31st.

L'Aiglon

L’Aiglon

The next day we had breakfast in our room at noon. Then we went as usual on Sunday afternoon to the “Townsend Sunday Afternoon Club” where Leonard is Vice President. He was to be the main speaker that day. As we entered the hall some lady took my coat off, somebody played wedding march and the 800 or 900 people gathered there all rose out of their seats. A friend led us through the mirrored room to the stage. I thanked everybody and discovered Aunt Jenny and Alice in that crowd.

That’s when I realized that this had been planned before and I was the only one who did not know anything about it. My sweetheart talked more about me than about the “Townsend Plan.” If all the good wishes from these good people will come true I will be extremely happy. Afterwards we took Weils and another friend to the L’Aiglon for dinner. They too greeted us with the wedding march, since Leonard had reserved a table.

LAiglon Postcard

Post Card from L’Aiglon


My new sister-in-law Madge invited us to visit them over the holidays. Maybe.

Shortlink to this post http://wp.me/p1yA95-nq

 
 

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