Maxine Lois Elsner (Sylvia) Gretsch

 

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1917

March 1 The Zimmerman telegram is made public.
The New York Times proclaimed," GERMANY SEEKS ALLIANCE AGAINST U.S. ASKS JAPAN
AND MEXICO TO JOIN HER; FULL TEXT OF HER PROPOSAL MADE PUBLIC. 
Although the telegram was at first met with some question of its authenticity, Zimmerman himself quelled these feeling by admitting, " I can not deny it. It is true." The public was inflamed.
It seems certain that the United States will enter the war.
 
 
 
April 16  War Declared
 
September      17 Maxine Lois Elsner is born in Joplin, Missouri. She is the third child of Hattie Helen Dieter and Max August Elsner.

 

1922
 

  Radio is newest most modern phenomena. Maxine is only five years old and radio is the talk of every household. Perhaps, it is at this time that Maxine decides she wants to make her mark in this new medium.


1923

Maxine in 1st Grade at Columbia School

To see an enlargement, click on the image.

1925

Maxine in 1925 probably 3rd grade.

To see an enlargement, click on the image.

1926

Maxine possibly 1924, 4th grade. the reverse side of this original photo reads" AYRES Photographs, Anything, Phone 897 R2

To see an enlargement, click on the image.

1927

Maxine possibly 1926 in 5th grade (GradeV).

To see an enlargement, click on the image.

  According to a questionnaire Maxine filled out when she began her studies at Northwestern University,  she began studying dramatics when she was ten years old. From age ten until she entered Northwestern she studied speech with the idea of making it her career. Through a small radio station in Joplin, she became interested in broadcasting. Always with the idea of working and writing for radio.

 

1928

 

August 1 On this date, Maxine, not yet 11 years old, wrote this letter in long hand to her Dad:

M.L.E.
Henderson Farm, Noel. Mo.
Wednesday, August 1, 1928

Dear Dad,

I enjoyed the papres (sic) you sent me today. I read allof them. I noticed in the paper where mother accompanied Mrs. Hurlburt and Perry, to Noel., Fine, Eh? I also see that Mr. and Mrs. Elsner, Paul, Ralph and Maxine, accompinid (sic) by Mr. & Mrs. P. K. Hurlburt and son Perry, Jr. moved to Spavinaw Sunday from Noel. Now which am I to believe? I think we will go home with you Sunday. In other words we will come home Sunday or Wednesday.
the boys both wrote before me so I have nothing to say.
Your Namesake , Daughter, &  and (sic) the only person in the family that lookes like you,
Maxine Lois Elsner
 

1931

  Maxine is at Camp Ramona, Galena, Missouri.
She is 13 years old. This was probably a Girl Scout Camp.

 

1932

May 16
8 p.m.
Graduation Exercises of  Jr. High School, Joplin.
Maxine Elsner, graduated.

 

1933

January  Hitler came to power in Germany.

 

June 15



 

On Thursday evening, June 15, Maxine at the age of 15, gave a speech recital at the studio of her teacher Mrs. Thomas Korn.

In the days before television, recitals were popular entertainment events. This very beautiful announcement printed on parchment paper was circulated for Maxine's recital. The silhouette of Maxine which highlights the announcement suggests that it was Maxine's family who took the lead in preparing this circular. The silhouette was copied from the picture below and the over all design was created by Thomas Korn, perhaps, the son or husband of Maxine's teacher.
Click on the image at right to see an enlargement.

An article saved by the family appeared in one of the city papers.
" Mrs. Thomas Korn will present her pupil, Maxine Elsner, in a speech recital June 15 at her studio, 812 West Fifth street. Miss Elsner is a a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.A. Elsner, 620 Jaccard place. She will be assisted by Betty Lou Phillips, a violin pupil of Elizabeth Keith. The public is invited to attend.
"Three Episodes" (Draper)- Miss Elsner.
"Air with Variations" (Doncla)
"So Glad for Spring" (Daley), "Rosa" - Miss Elsner
"Kamazur" (Haesche)- Miss Phillips.
"Biller Sweet" ( Seifert)- Miss Elsner

1933 "Little Woman" was the largest grossing motion picture of the year. Katherine Hepburn played "Jo" and Jean Parker played the part of "Beth."

1934

 

February 8  "The Spy Glass"  a magazine published in the interest of the Joplin High School Student Body reported the first round of the Annual oratorical contest, February 5, 6 and 7. Maxine Elsner, "Who will go?"
 
November
23 & 24
Kansas City State Teacher's College, Debate, Maxine went

 

1935
 

January 10 "The Spy Glass". The finals of the first oratorical contest were held in the High School auditorium Friday, January 4th. Jean Roth speaking on the subject "Constitution" was awarded first place. Eleanor Kincaid whose topic was " A life for a life" was awarded second place. Bernice Payne "Today's Challenge to the World" placed third. Fourth Place went to Maxine Elsner. Her subject was "the Root".

Maxine Elsner and Bernice Payne will represent the school at the district tournament next spring. There will be a contest at the Kansas State Teacher's College At Pillsburg to Strive for the cup which was won by Maxine Elsner last year at Springfield.

Please note, this speech, "The Root" my mother wrote herself. Years later in the early 1960's, her daughter Gretchen ( me) gave the same speech at a contest in New York.
 

February 14,
Thursday
Debating teams, Orange Brocktetls (sp?) and Olympiads
Jean Mills, Anita Raymond, Rebeccah Blair and Maxine Elsner.

Martha Emerson, one of our well known seniors left  January 23 to spend a mild winter in Florida.
She will be missed.
 
   
April 15

Twelfth Night. Ladies in Waiting: Eleanor Blair, Rebekah Blair, Maxine Elsner

April 18,
Thursday
In the final debate of the Annual Spring Intramural Tournament Thursday morning, Maxine Elsner and Rose Marie Montaldo affirmative defeated Allan Seiter and Bob Burke negative by a 2 to 1 decision by the judges.

The names of the two winners together with that of Rebekah Blair , Maxine's Colleague who was unable to participate in the final debate because of illness swill be engraved on the Fleischaker Trophy cup which is the permanent property of the school.

Allan Seiter was adjudged the  best individual debater in the tournament by 6 points. Maxine Elsner was runner up.
 
May 22 Maxine's High School Graduation invitation reads:
" The Senior Class of Joplin High School announces its Graduation Exercises on Wednesday the twenty-second of May Nineten hundred and thrity-five at eight o'clock at Memorial Hall.

1936

March 1
 
On this day the Joplin Globe printed a picture of Maxine Elser and Lola Oliver.
The caption read, " Miss Maxine Elsner (right) a student at Lindenwood College, St. Charles, Mo., and Miss Lola Oliver ( left) of St. Charles were the recent quests of Miss Elsner's parent's, Mr. and Mrs. Max Elsner, 620 Jacard place. Miss Oliver is a senior in the University of Missouri at Columbia and is a member of Chi Omega sorority.
 

 

May 1  Maxine at the end of her first year at Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri, spends the week-end in Columbia, Missouri. May 2nd is the 50th birthday of her mother. No doubt the family met there to celebrate.
 
May 12
This column written by Maxine, appeared in the school newspaper on this date.
To see an enlargement click on the image.
 
May This newspaper clipping with no exact date, and no reference to its source was found among the Elsner paper.
Written in pencil, May 1936
"Miss Maxine Elsner of Joplin had a leading part in the recent play, "Heart Trouble" presented by alpha Psi Omega, a dramatic honor sorority at Lindenwood college, St. Charles. Miss Elsner has written a series of essays for the English department, which were chosen to appear in the literary supplement of the Linden Bark, the bi-weekly publication of the college."
 
May Lindenwood Horse Show
Joplin Globe prints a picture of Maxine and another woman in the show. The caption reads:
these smart equestriennes will tke part in the Lindenwood horse show to be presented next Saturday at the college in ST. Charloes, Mo. Miss Maxine Elsner (left) is a daughter of Mr and Mrs. M.A. Elsner, 620 Jaccard place. Miss Margoire Jane Briggs ( right) is a daughter of Mrs. James Jewell of Bone Terre and Joplin.
 
Summer Maxine, her mother, her aunt Kate and her grandmother all drive out to Colorado together.
  Maxine sends her father (P.O. Box 144 Joplin, MO.-a post card from Estes park, Co. August 31, 1936. On postcard " Longs Peak from Bear Lake, rocky Mountain National Park"
" Dear Dad, We just drove by this lake, Its as pretty as this etching. On our way home now. Love Maxine"
 
December Edward 8th abdicated in England.

 

1937

September Maxine enters Northwestern University.

Tony Randall, the American comic actor who won an Emmy for this work on "the Odd Couple" also attended Northwestern from 1937-1938. His name at the time was Arthur Leonard Rosenberg. He was from Tulsa, Oklahoma. My mother who had lived for a while as a young girl in Tulsa definitely might have met him at Northwestern. They were both in the School of Speech. He was however, two years younger than she. The archive at Northwestern University has his spiral student notebook from his time on campus. His doodling in the margins show his playfulness in trying to decide on a stage name.
 

  Japan invades China
 
  Maxine filled out a questionnaire upon entering Northwestern. I was able to receive a copy of this questionnaire in June of 2005 from the Alumna Office at that university. Here, in her own hand Maxine wrote about her plans for the future:
"When ten years old, I started taking lessons in dramatics. From then until now I have studied speech with the idea of making it my career. There is a small radio station in my home town , and through it I became interested in radio broadcasting. I chose Northwestern University because of its superior speech division and its radio courses. When I finish college I plan to do both writing and speaking for radio."

She is quite clear about what she wants to do after graduation: radio broadcasting. Perhaps, it is her insistence about pursuing her career which attracted Bill. He was not himself interested in getting married.

Also in the questionnaire I learned that she weighted 120 pounds and was 5 feet 6.5 inches tall. She also states that she has never worked for pay.
 

Northwestern
Radio History
In 1931-32, The first course in Radio was offered in the Medill School of Journalism and was entitled, "Radio Advertising Copy".

In 1935, Albert Crews of the School of Speech offered courses in Radio Acting and Writing.

However, before 1935, as the notes below demonstrate radio was being taken more and more seriously on campus. The idea of adult education by radio was being explored nationally and Northwestern University was at its forefront.
This allowed students interested in this very popular medium a fine opportunity to sharpen their skills while working on the various  radio programming for adult education offered through Northwestern University.

 

NB: The following notes are from a paper by Ansel H. Resler, May 1941.

"The history of Northwester University's broadcasting activities has a comparatively early beginning. In !928, Baker Brownell went on the air with his lectures in Contemporary Thought. .Throughout the early 1930's the publicity department of the university planned and produced miscellaneous (radio) programs. ...in these years, the broadcasting activities were of an occasional nature with no stress on continuity of long term programming."

"In 1933, station WENR had carried a series of talks entitled "Twentieth Century Bookshelf". This was a fifteen minute series carried twice weekly from 4:00 to 4:15, and was a discussion of books and evens from the period of 1911-1925. Each week a different professor spoke about the books and events of a different year."

"Also In 1933, Northwestern broadcast a short series entitled "the World of Tomorrow" , described as a glimpses into the future of government, literature, and society". Station WGN carried this series each Thursday evening from 7:15 to 7:30. "

 
In the fall of 1934 NU began to develop more clearly its interest in radio Adult education.

In October of 1934, WGN radio in Chicago ordered and paid for the wire and other charges involved in making it possible for programs from the Northwestern University campus studio located in the basement of Annie May Swift Hall (then the school of speech)  to be broadcast on WGN's radio station. The first program "Reviewing Stand" was aired on October 14.

At the time, Ed Stromberg, the publicity director at Northwestern University wrote " WGN has shown a fine spirit of cooperation. We have been given for our programs very desirable hours, which have been guaranteed for the period of the schedule. In addition ,WGN has agreed to pay wire and other charges involved in broadcasting these programs from out studio located on the Evanston campus."

In June 1935, a contract was signed between University of Chicago, Northwestern and De Paul University establishing  the University Broadcasting Council. Disorganized competition between these local universities was duplicating the form and content of their programming. The University Broadcasting council would address this issue and resolve it. The N.U. representatives were Dean Ralph Dennis from the School of Speech and Ed Stromberg, the director of Publicity for the University.
 

October 6
Wednesday
Article in the Daily Northwestern, the school newspaper:

NU Radio Guild Holds Auditions Thursday at 4:30
The N.U. Radio Guild meeting yesterday afternoon in the Student Building arranged audition for announcers, actors and and actresses. Auditions will be held in the basement of the school of speech building.

Twenty five students all professionally interested in radio were present at the meeting. The organization was divided into three groups: talent and production, announcing and continuity writingHeading these divisions were Robert Danon, Robert Martin and Gertrude Crippen talent and production; Nick Cy Harrice Announcing; Rod Holmgren and Dorothy McDowell, continuity writing.

 

 

October 12 Article in Daily Northwestern.
Two New Radio Series to Start. Northwestern University will inaugurate two new radio series this week in addition to the two already on the air. Dr. James Roscoe Miller, assistant dean of the medical school will conduct "The new Advances of Medicine" over WIND, 7-7:15 every Thursday evening. This Thursday the first broadcast will discuss "Infantile Paralysis" with Dr. James K. Stack, professor of surgery.
On Sunday afternoon, Dr. Shirley Mamrin of the school Education faculty will begin another 13-week series, "The Right Job" to be heard over WGN, 1-1:15. Dr. Mamrin will specialize in Field guidance and vocational counsel to young men and women with real problems. As far as possible during the series, the occupational families of medicine, business, teaching, personal service,  public service, building trades, metal trades and transportation will be vcoveres. a special broadcast will be devoted to occupations for women>.
The program next Sunday will be "Choosing a Voxation." During the 15 minute session, Dr. Mamrin will show students how to decide on a career, where to find reading materials on occupations, and will give positive facts about real careers.
The "Bookshelf" Friday of this week, will again feature John R. Frederick, professor of Modern Letters of the Medill School of journalism at 6-6:15 p.m. over Columbia Broadcasting system. Professor Frederick will review: "Native American Humor" by Walter Blair.
 
  Things are really bad in China. Lots of news in the Daily Northwestern.
 
October 28,
Thursday
While representing the Dieter and Elsner family at the wedding of a distant cousin in Chicago, Maxine first meets Bill Gretsch. Lillian Dieter Cain, the mother of the Groom Louis P. Cain,  is descended from George Dieter a younger brother of Maxine's Great Grandfather, George Wendell Dieter. So the mother of the groom was a cousin of Maxine's grandfather.

At this time Bill Gretsch is working at The Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Company. They have offices at 529 Wabash Ave. He is living at 151 Burton Place in Chicago.

In 2006, Louis P. Cain, the son of Louis Cain and  Mary C. Dale send me this information about his parents' wedding:

"I've checked with my two cousins who attended my parents' wedding as small

children. They confirmed my recollection that it was a small wedding with

family, plus a few school, church, and work friends - perhaps 40 at

most. The wedding was at the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago, with

that church's minister and my grandfather presiding. The reception was at

the home of the bride's brother and sister-in-law, the parents of my two

cousins."

An earlier reference to the Cain family in Chicago can be found in Maxine's mother's travel diary from 1908, Here Maxine's mother, Hattie, describes when she first came to Chicago with her sister Kate and met Lillian Dieter Cain and her family.

"Tuesday June 2, 1908.  Kate and I took the train at 8 o'clock for Chicago to see cousin Lillian Cain. Her husband was at the station to meet us but was too early, so we telephoned to the house, received instructions and went by ourselves. We made our first trip on the Elevated Railway. Cousin Lillian and her two children, Helen and Louis, me us at the Edgewater.  She certainly has a beautiful home. We had luncheon at the Presbyterian Church where her husband is in charge. The church is finished with mission wood. After luncheon Rev. Cain took a carriage and we took the Lake Shore Drive. This is a long Lake Michigan. Then we drove all through Lincoln Park. The park is beautiful. We saw all kinds of animals, birds, flowers  monuments, people and everything. Rushed home, had lunch and hurried to the station. Rev. Cain took us to the Chicago and N.W. and we were again speeding on our way to west Chicago."
 

 

October  30 H.G. Wells spoke at Patten Gym on Northwestern Campus. A crowd of 5,600 attended. Did my mother go? it was just days after she met my father at the Cain wedding.
At that lecture, H. G. Wells forecast a World Community in which all knowledge would be within reach of every intellectual mind, He advocated for a world encyclopedia. Sounds like he was talking about the "net"
   
   
November 5 Home Coming. the parade started at 10 a.m.  at Roycemore Field went south on Sheridan and Chicago to Davis, west on Davis and north on Orrington to University Place and east to Sheridan and back to Roycemore.
The parade route was not far from where my mother lived on Library Place.
 

 

November 19 Daily Northwestern
Page 2.
Five N.U. Students to speak on Radio- Five N.U. Students will speak today over station WIND at 1:30 this afternoon on the history of the school.
Don Heap, Jean Shunway, Mary Alstead, Ruth Coale, Janet Powers will talk under the sponsorship of the Women's business Club of Chicago.
The program which will originate from the School of Speech was announced for Monday over station WJJD bu has been changed because of program complication.

Page 3
Dr. Frederic will be heard over WBBM. Medill faculty member broadcasts reviews every Friday.
 
November 27 At a time when Japanese atrocities in China were filling the newspaper this appeared in "Chicago American, Andover 1234- Chicago's Most Widely Read Evening Newspaper".

On the Bottom right hand corner of page 3 of the above newspaper, the following picture and caption appeared:
(Click on the image to see an enlargement.)

WELL! WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

" A rose by any other name, etc.; and so, a shapely limb in lisle is just as shapely as in silk-this proves it, for the six attractive sets you see here are encased in threads that did NOT come from Japan. And they won't be until Japan restores herself to the world's good graces, so have sworn their owners, who happen to be Northwestern University co-eds. Who are they? Thumb over quick to page 4."

Top of page 4, Large photo of terrified Chinese
Headline "Chinese in 'Flight from Death' at Shanghai"
" Jammed like sardines, thousands of native residents of Shanghai pour down a narrow street as they flee the death of Chapei and seek the comparative security of the International Settlement. Behind them they left hundreds of victims of the unceasing gunfire of the Japanese troops, who took the great city of Shanghai a few days ago after a three months siege.
 


Page 4 bottom right hand corner:
AND NOW TO MAKE BOTH ENDS MEET
(Click on this picture to see an enlargement.)
"Chapter 2- Northwestern's boycotters of Japanese silk stockings, left to right: Betty Philips, Mary Von Lopik, Barbara Jordan, Dorothy Harden, Roberta Racine and Maxine Elsner. Thirty of the university's sorority girls have banded together in their boycott and hope to enlist 1,500 others. (Besides lisle stockings at two bits a pair are a lot cheaper.)" ( Evening American Photo.)
 

  The same picture ( not cut up) appeared the following February in the New York printed publication "College Humor: The Best Comedy in America". The caption read "Northwestern University: Co-eds Betty Philips (left) Mary Van Lopik, Barbara Jordan, Dorothy Harden, Roberta Racine and Maxine Elsner, out of sheer loyalty to a cause, wear lisle stockings instead of silk as a protest against the Japanese occupation of China".

The picture appeared in a section entitled "Campus Parade." "College Humor pays $5.00 for pictures like these. Prints must be on Glossy paper and accompanied by details and return postage"

I wonder who sent this picture into College Humor? I wonder who earned the five dollars.

The magazine was sent to Charlotte, Maxine's oldest daughter by Paul Elsner, Maxine's oldest brother in 1986.

 

November 30 Daily Northwestern
"A series of dramatic dialogues written by Walter Kern will be presented by Marjorie Hurtibese and Hugh Franklin members of the School of Speech, at the school of speech and this afternoon at 4 o'Clock. Admission is free and the university is invited.
Kern was the collaborating author of last years WAA-MUU show, a radio script writer of some repute and the writer of several plays and a musical comedy published by Samuel Frish and Row, Peterson and Co. He is a graduate student at the school of speech. His work has previously been distinguished for satire and barbed wit being similar to George Kaufman. The recital today will be the premier of his first venture with dramatic verse form."
December 3
Friday
Daily Northwestern
"Frederick, Crews talk on Radio.
Book Shelf and Reviewing Stand Programs feature faculty members.
Discussion of "Seed from Madagascar" By Duncan Alf Hayward, "I was a sharecropper" by Harry H. Kroll, "The Wasted Land" by Gerald G. Johnston will be carried on during the Northwestern University Bookshelf program Friday afternoon., Prof. Frederick who will speak on the Columbia Broadcasting Systern from 6:15-6:30.
The Reviewing Stand program entitled "listen and learn" will have as its speaker Albert Crews of the Speech School faculty and Parker Wheatly discussing the second Annual Educational Broadcasting Conference help this week at the Drake Hotel. The program is heard Sunday morning at 10:00 on WGN and the Mutual Broadcasting System." ( NB: The first conference was held in Washington, DC, the previous year)
 
December 7
Tuesday
Daily Northwester
N.U. On Air Nine Times During Coming Week
N.U. will be represented on 9 different radio programs, five of which will go over the networks, this week. Seven faculty members and three students will speak on the various programs.
The First program last night consisted of a discussion of Prof. Robert E. Seashire research on vocabulary size, called "How many words do you know?" This afternoon at 5 o'clock , Mr. Margery Carlson of the botany department will be heard on station WCFL on the "Science in the news" series discussing her work in Chemical gardening.
J. Roscoe Miller MS and Ass. to the dean of the Medical School will speak Thursday everying on " The Heart" at 7 pm over WIND. Dr. Miller is in charge of the "Advance of Medicine" series.
John T. Frederic, Professor of Modern Letters at the Medill School of Journalism will present "The Bookshelf" heard locally over WBBM on Friday afternoon at 6:15. Prof. Frederic will discuss "Upper Mississippi" by Walter Hairghurst ( sp?).
Two Northwestern debaters will compete with 2 U of Chicago students in a radio debate on "Can the United States remain neutral?" on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 over WBBM. The discussion will be the sedonc in a series called "Let's hear your side"
Dr. Oliver J. Lee Prof of Astronomy and director of the Dearborn Observatory will go on the air Saturday night in a discussion of " Music in the Spheres" on his "Night Sky" series. Lee will be heard at heard at 10 o'clock over station WGN and the Mutual Broadcasting Station.
"The Reviewing Stand" N.U.'s oldest radio series will be broadcast on Sunday morning at 10 o'clock over station WGN and the Mutual Broadcasting Network.
Dr. Shirley Hamrin of the School of education will appear on "The Right Job"  series again on Sunday afternoon at 1 o'Clock  over station WGN and the Mutual Broadcasting Network. Dr. Manrin will interview a student interested in entering the Metal trades.

 

December 10 Northwestern Daily
Peggy Dunn and Stanley Franket will represent N.U. in a round table discussion with two U of C students over WBBM on Saturday in "Can America Remain Neutral?" The discussion will be broadcast from 3:30- 4 o'clock.

1938

January Over the course of their courtship Bill sent many many telegrams to Sylvia aka Maxine.

The first telegram of their courtship to be saved however is one that Sylvia sent to Bill.

It is dated January 2, 1938. Perhaps, there were earlier ones but they have not yet been found and the bulk of the ones to follow were all sent to Sylvia from Bill.

It is interesting that the first telegram to be saved was from Sylvia. Perhaps, Bill or someone who came after him, did not save the others that Sylvia wrote.

All the telegrams which were saved were found carefully safely stored inside a manila envelope.

On the outside of this very old file folder Maxine had written " Bill's Mass Cards".
The Mass Cards did not survive.

Perhaps my mother (Maxine) discard the Mass cards when she decided to save the telegrams in their place.
Or perhaps someone else after my mother's death in 1964 decided to save the telegrams and not the mass cards.
The telegrams were sent to me by my sister Katie circa 1995.
 

January 2 To William Gretsch, 529 South Wabash Chicago, ILL
ARRIVED THIS MORNING EXTENDED VISIT MRS. STOVER. WEATHER FINE. ENJOYABLE TRIP. SYLVIA
Sent from Kansas City, Missouri

Although this message, doesn't give up a lot of information for us today, it does show that Maxine is now calling herself by Bill's pet name for her, Sylvia.

This telegraph also tells us that the couple are keeping in touch and letting each other know their whereabouts.

We can assume that since they first met a little more than two months ago, they have been spending time together.

Telegrams from Bill arrived at Maxine's sorority house, 628 Library Place, every two or three days over the next few months.

 

March 3 Telegram from Chicago
"CONGRATULATIONS-YOUR HIGH I.Q. QUALIFIES YOU TO BE MRS. WILLIAM=FRED GRETSCH SR."
 
March 12 The Anschluss. the annexation of Austria into greater Germany by the Nazi regime.

 
March 16 Telegram from Chicago
"DON'T WAKE ME UP I'M DREAMING THURSDAY NIGHT CONGRESS LOBBY=RIP VANWINKLE"

I remember a story that Mary Curtis, my mother's college roommate told me. My mother and father had decided to meet in an hotel lobby. My father was very fond of my mother's blond hair. My mother decided to play a trick on him. She and her friends changed her hair color to dark black. They did it as I remember with mascara. Macara was a think coating of dark that was applied to the eyelashes to thicken the lashes.
When my father arrived at the appointed hour, he did not recognize my mother and keep looking around for her. It was very exciting because usually it was Bill who was playing the tricks on eveyone. This time he had been had!
Perhaps, this was the meeting in the Congress Hotel Lobby that she played the trick on him.
 

March 19 Telegram from Chicago
"NO MESSAGE=UNSIGNED"
 
March 20 Telegram from Chicago
"JOPLIN IS BEAUTIFUL THIS MORNING. THE BIRDS ARE SINING-THE TREES HOLD THEIR HEADS HIGHT PROUDLY IN THEIR NEW COAT OF GREEN THE SKY IS CLEAR AND ALL IS PEACE BECAUSE YOU ARE IN CHICAGO LOVE= JOYCE KILMER"
Mach 23 Telegram from Chicago
"Will I still love you when you have false teeth a rat and a corset=Perpetual Youth."
 
March 24 Telegram from Chicago
" Are you cheering your Professors this afternoon?
If not would like you to make a cup of tea this afternoon to refresh my aunt and her mother-who will have two hours in town between trains, leaving at three thirty.
If you can arrange it-tea pound cake lemon- cream are in the ice box- landlady has key wash your poirty neck and wear the while uniform behind door you make tea by boiling fresh water in clean pot for ten minutes=call me Mr. Gretsch"
 
March 25 Telegram from Chicago
"Stand behind Mary grad phone when she stops to take a breath=HOCHACTUNEVOLLBILL"
 
March 26 Telegram from Chicago, 6:58 A.M.
"martex you have brought new color and cheer into our home=the two grateful bachelors."
 
  Telegram from Springfield, Ill. 6:25 P.M.
 "Just visited the home and tomb of the immortal Lincoln. consult lLncoln reference at the Northwestern Library at once understand modern theory is that Lincoln owes his fame to a nagging wife=a Gay Bachelor"
 
March 28 Telegram from St. Louis, Missouri
"Congratulations on leading your cloass we are proud of our Joplin Girl making good= Gov. LLoyd. C. Stark"
 
March 27-

April 1


Click on this image to see an enlargement.

"Gretsch Missionaries at Music Educator's Convention" in St. Louis. Pictured here in an article from Piano Trades Magazine, are many people who will play a big role in Maxine's life in the coming years. Including Bill Gretsch, Duke Kramer, Mrs. Arthur Neu  and Mr. Neu.
Thank you Fritzie Kramer for sharing this clipping with me.
 

March 31 Telegram from St. Louis, MO.
"WHAT MAKES MISSOURI GIRLS SO BEAUTIFUL DUMB AND LAZY?=
THE INQUIRING REPORTER"

 

April 2 Telegram from Hannibal, MO, sent 8:10 pm
ARRIVED SAFELY HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME WISH YOU ERE HERE GOING ON PICNIC IN CAVE=TOM SAWYER
 
April 3 Telegram from Moberly MO, sent 12:40 p.m.
To. MISS BECKY THACKER ELSNER
SPRINGTIME MISSOURI EVERY BREATH SPRING REMINDS ME OF MISS JOPLIN LOVEABLE LAMBKINS SWEET VIOLETS ALONG WHISPERING BROOKS WHITE PINK BLOSSOMS " DIRTY YOUNG PIGLETS" YOUR FAILURE TO QUALIFY AS MY PARTNER BY SKIPPING FIRST MILESTONE BREAKS MY HEART BUT TO KANSAS CITY SEARCHING FOR AFFECTIONATE BRUNETTE WHO CAN COOK AND PLAY PIANO=BACHELOR BILL"
 
April 7 Telegram from Chicago, sent at 12:25 p.m.
"IMPORTANT YOU BRING WHITE THREAD AND BUTTON FOR SUPREME TEST.
THE AGED BACHELOR"
 
April 9 Telegram from Chicago, sent at 9:41 a.m.
"BLOODHOUNDS ON TRAIL OF SOUPSTAIN VEST SO WE CAN GO FORMAL=HACKSHAW OR SCOTLAND YARDS."
 
April 11 Telegram from Youngstown, Ohio, sent 9:11 a.m.
"ARRIVED SAFELY HAVING WONDERFUL TIME ON OUR HONEYMOOM NIAGRAFALLS TONITE WISH YOU WERE HERE LOVE=CHARLIE MCCARTHY.
 
April 13            Sylvia is going home to Joplin perhaps on Spring Break. Bill sents her a telegram at three different stops of her train.
Note all the telegrams were sent at the same time circa 3 pm.
Perhaps, he sent them as soon as he said goodbye to her in Chicago.

Telegram from Chicago to Sylvia, Joplin, Missouri bound A Lincoln 6:34 pm leaving Alton Station, Bloomington Ill, sent at 3:12 p.m.
"MY VICTORY IS HALLOW WITHOUT THE WOMAN I LOVE=JUDGE JARECKI." ( N.B. Jarecki was a Cooke County Judge who went after Al Capone)
 
April 13 Telegram from Chicago to Sylvia, Joplin bound Alton Line Abe Lincoln leave 733 Springfield.
"ALMA MATERS THOUSANDS ARE IN THE STANDS FIGHTING WITH YOU FOR ANOTHER VICTORY BEST OF LUCK= DR. ROELMER.
 
April 13 Telegram from Chicago, sent at 3:11 p.m., to Sylvia Elsner Alton Station arriving on Abe Lincoln from Chciago arriving 9:25 p.m. St. Louis
"SEE DOCTOR MALONEY MELBORUNE HOTEL HE WILL HELP YOU LOVE=GRAND PAPY"
 
April 26 Telegram from Forest Hills, New York at 12:44 a.m. Sent to: THE AUTHORESS SYLVIA=628 Library Place.

"STORY VERY GOOD BUT IT DOESN'T RING TRUE AS GERMAN CATHOLIC WOULD NEVER BET ON A 10 TO 1 CHANCE OR MENTION RENO "UNTIL DEATH DO THEY PART"=DOUBLEDAY DERBY AND CO PUBLISHERS."

This very intriguing telegram suggests that Sylvia made up a story which perhaps Bill read on his way to New York. Had she written a story about a German Catholic boy like Bill? Was she suggesting Reno, as a possible marriage site?

 
April 27 Telegram from New York sent 3:28 p.m. To Sylvia, 628 Library

"ARRIVING COMMODORE VANDERBILT THURSDAY LOVE & KISSES= COMMODORE VANDERBILT JR."

May 4

 

 

May 8

Telegram from Kansas City, sent 11:22 a.m.  To Sylvia, Evanston, Ill.
" PLANE SICK ALL THE WAY THANKS TO BEAUTIFUL BRUNETTE STEWARDESS FEELING BETTER NOW LOVE= CHARLES LINDBERG"
 


Joplin Newspaper Clipping reads:
Personals: Announcement has been made that Miss Maxine Elsner, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. M.A. Elsner, has been initiated into Phi Beta, national honorary speech sorority, at Northwestern universtiy in Evanston, Ill.

 

May 9

 

 

 

 

Telegram from Chicago, To Miss Maxine Elsner, 628 Library Pl, received 10:41 a.m.
"CONGRATULATIONS. VRAISEMBLAMBANCE OF SYLVIA'S ROLE FASCINATING UNTIL CLOSING TELEPHONE SLAM.
PROUD OF OUR DRAMATIC STUDENT= WALTER PILL SCOTT

Walter Dill Scott was president of Northwestern University from 1920 until 1939.
Actually, Walter Dill Scott was well know for his personnel selection methods which included tests to measure certain desirable characteristics and rating scales to rate applicants on necessary skills and attributes (appearance, demeanor, neatness, judgment, accuracy).
So Bill was very correct in his use of Walter Pill Scott to critic Sylvia's behavior.
 

May 9 Telegram from Chicago, sent at 10:29 a.m.
To: Sylvestro (Personal) 628 Libary Place, Evanston, Ill.
" ET, TU SLVESTER=NO SIG."
 

Sylvia must have been really mad at Bill. First she slams the phone done and then she obviously hurt him.
 

May 10 Telegram from Chicago, sent at 2:49 p.m.
"MRS. JAMES MCCARTY 4149 WEST WASHINGTION BLVD=GRETSCH"

 
May 11 Telegram from Chicago sent 7:36 a.m.
" CERTAINLY COULD USE MY SYLVIA THESE DAYS WALLY STAYING AT BURTON LUCILLE WORRIED AND ALONE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS. SYLVIA WOULD UNDERSTAND AND TAKE OUR CAR AND HAPPEN TO DROP IN FOR CASUAL VISIT WHILE " MAXINE" (AT TWENTY) WOULD SAY " BILL YOU EXPECT TOO MUCH OF YOUR RIENDS"= GRETSCH."
 
May 12 Telegram from Detroit, sent 7:01p.m.
"ARRIVED SAFELY WILL PROBABLY SETTLE DOWN HERE FOR GOOD=gILL.
 
May 16 Telegram from Chicago, tTo Miss Sarah Bernhardt, sent 1:05 p.m.
"ACT WELL YOUR PART THERIN ALL THE GLORY LIES= WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR.
 
May 26 Kiddiegram sent from Chicago,
" YOU HAVE MADE THE HONOR ROLL AND IT MAKES US AWFULLY GLAD AND SO, CONGRATULATIONS FROM YOUR LOVING=HERR WAHRHEIT."
 
May 31 Telegram from Chicago, sent 3:37 p.m.
" YDULTS YDULTS YDULTS YDULTS YDULTS YDULTS YDULTS YDULTS YDULTS YDULTS=FROM YDULTS.
 
June 7 Telegram from Chicago sent at 7:21 a.m.
"DON'T RITE TELEGRAM VIA WESTERN UNION=HI MAYAS."
 
June 13 Telegram from Muskegon, Michigan, sent to Sylvia Elsner, 620 Jaccard Place, Joplin, MO. 10:06 p.m.
"ARRIVED SAFELY HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME ON OUR HONEYMOON WISH YOU WERE HERE MR AND MRS WM W GRETSCH."

I wonder what Maxine's parents thought of this telegram. Apparently, it was phoned in at 11:05 p.m.
 
June 15 Telegram from Detroit, Michigan, sent to Sylvia, 620 Jaccard , sent at 11:31 p.m.
"HAIL THE TRIUMPHANT SCHOLAR, BEST WISHES FOR YOUR FUTURE SUCCESS. HENRY FORD."
 
June 18 Telegram from Chicago sent at 3:47 p.m. To Sylvia
"WONDERFUL WEDDING NOTHING LIKE IT YOU ARE NEXT=MARY & ROSS"
 
June 18 Telegram from Chicago, the same station as the previous telegram, To Sylvia
"NEXT?=NO SIG"

Obviously, Sylvia did not go to the wedding of Bill's friends. The Mahoney's became good friends of my mother. The wedding was at South Shore Country Club.
(insert picture)
Date is written on back of picture but not clear.
 

 

June 22

 

Joe Louis ko'd Max Schmelling in the first round of a New York City fight that the world was watching and the Gretsch and Elsner families were certainly discussing.
 
June 23 Telegram from Chicago, sent at 2:42 p.m.
to Miss Maxine Elsner, personal care  Mr & Mrs. Max Elsner
"ARRIVED SAFELY BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FLYING OVER OCEAN DEPARTURE INDEFINITE BUT WILL ARRIVE STJOSEPH TUESDAY LATEST
= MR AND MRS CHARLES E. LINDBERG."

Was this the first time that Bill meet Sylvia's parents?
Note the telegram was sent to Maxine and not Sylvia. Perhaps, he was trying to endear himself to her parents by not joking about their daughter's name.
 

June 27 Telegram from St. Joseph, Missouri sent 12:00 a.m.
"WONDERFUL TRIP TRI FORD MOTORS WORKING SWELL STAYING HOTEL JEROME DISPLAY HOTEL ROBIDOUX=COUNT HUTTON"
 
June 28 Telegram from Kansas City, Missouri
" WAS MARY RITE -OR WRONG=
THE PRESIDENT"

Does this refer to the telegram of Mary's telegram of June 18 saying that Sylvia will be the next bride?
June 29 Telegram from St. Joseph, MO, to Miss Maxine Elsner care of Max Elsner, sent 3:09 pm
" HAVE YOU HEARD OF OUR FIVE YEAR PLAN LEON TROTSKY JOSEY STALIN"

It must have been exciting for Sylvia/ Maxine waiting in Joplin for Bill to arrive.

 

July 3 Bill is visiting Maxine and her family in Joplin. Paul and Lola, Ralph and Max and Hattie are there too.
  Perhaps, Bill took this picture of the family together on their patio on Jaccard Place.
  Picture of Bill on his knee before Maxine.
 
July 10 Howard Hughes took off from Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, the city's first municipal airport and went around the world.

 

September  Hitler annexed Austria..

 

October Northwester University's student magazine " Purple Parrot" published an article entitled "When Charlie Went to Class" by Edgar Bergan as told to Bobette Kobey. "Radio's Only Ventriloquist Tells His Own Story of Northwestern Days."
   

 

December 29 On January 1, the Joplin Globe reported that on this date Thursday, December 29th, Miss Hazel McDaniel announced her engagement to Armand Helm at a party in Joplin attended by Miss Martha Emerson, Miss Martha Dennis, Miss Mary Margaret Alcott, Miss Nadine Sharp, Miss Maxine Elsner, Miss Rebekah Blair, Miss Gwyneth Waring, Miss Josephine Davison, Mrs. C. W. Helm and Mrs. H. V. Peters.
December 30 On January 5, the Joplin Globe reported that on this date Friday, Miss Maxine Elsner entertained with a surprise shower Friday night at her home, 620 Jaccard place in compliment to Miss Nondas Mc Daniel, whose engagement to Armand Helm of Pine Bluff, Ark., was announced recently. Refreshments were served. Bridge prizes won by Mrs. C. W. Helm and Miss Mary Rupard, were presented to the honor guest.Other guests included Misses Nadine Sharp, Martha Ruth Kendrick, Josephine Davison, Martha Emerson, Mary Louise Jennings, Rebekah Blair, mary Margaret Alsott and Margaret Dennis, Mrs. M. A. Elsner and Mrs Hazel McDaniel.

 

 

1939
 

January 1 Mike Dieter, son of Maxine's cousin Gus Dieter and his wife Willodean is born.
 
January 1 Telegram from Richmond Hill, New York to Sylvia , 628 Library Place,
"GREETINGS FROM NEW YORK, CHANGING ROUTE COURTNEY SURPRISE WEDDING  MIAMI WEDNESDAY PLANNING TO ARRIVE CHICAGO SUNDAY=ALWAYS AN USHER"
 
January 5 Thursday. The Society page of the joplin Globe reports:
Miss Maxine Elsner entertained with a surprise shower Friday night at her home, 620 Jaccard place, in compliment to Miss Nondas McDaniel, whose engagement to Armand Helm of Pine Bluff Arkansas announced recently. Refreshments were served. Bridge prizes won by Mrs.C.W. Helm and Mary Ruppard, were presented to the honor guest. Other guests included Misses Nadine Sharp, Martha Ruth Kendrick, Josephine Davison, Martha Emerson, Mary Louise Jennings, Rebekah Blair, Gwyneth Waring, Eleanor Blair, mary Margaraet alcott and Margaret Dennis, Mrs. M. A. Elsner and Mrs. Hazel McDaniel.
 
January 7 Telegram from MIAMI FL to MISS SYLVIA ELSNER 628 LIBRARY PL
'YOU SHOULD WORRY LOVE= SALLY"  Possibly this is the sister of the grown Courtney Fitzpatrick who had just gotten married in Florida. This wedding is remembered by Marian Gretsch Wells as being very wild.

Fred Gretsch is there too for the wedding.
Someone told me a story one time about how the groom had gotten really drunk at a wedding in Florida and my father put him on a boat to Cuba. It was a really wild story. Maybe this was that wedding.
 
January 18

Click on the image for an enlargement. You may have to also magnify the image.

This poem was found among Maxine's papers. Did she write the poem on her father's business stationery, or did her father write it or did perhaps, Fred Graves whose name appears on the letter head write it. This strange poem entitled "Pillars of Society" was submitted to "Pictorial Review" a magazine based in New York. The repetitive beat of the poem is reminiscent of the German troops who are marching across Europe at the time 

This poem can be read is a stern indictment of how unfeeling men can be. Or it can be read more naively in praise of men. It should be noted that Maxine's father was a member of the Kiwanis Club which is mentioned in the poem.

Perhaps, this was written by Max and his daughter found it and kept it.
 

January 30 Telegram from John in Jamaica, New York to Richard Gretsch Hollywood Athletic Club LosA.:|
Arrived safely saw Bill Chicago had lunch with him and quite a gang appreciate your thoughtfulness spoke to Freddie tonight hes sailing auitania saturday call me when you get back.

this telegram paints a pretty lively picture of what the Gretsch boys were up to in 1939.

 

February 6 Telegram from NEW YORK to SYLVIA 628 LIBRARY PLACE
"CONGRATULATIONS ALL TWELVE AUNTS AGREE WITH YOUR JUDGEMENT ALL OVERCOAT BUTTONS ARE LOOSE OR MISSING=
AN ADORED NEPHEW"
 
February 11 Paul and Lola are married at her parents home in St. Charles, Missouri. Maxine lit the candelabra. Years later Lola remembers the pranks that Bill Gretsch played at her wedding. I don't think she was too thrilled with these unforeseen additions to the celebration.
 
February 21 Maxine comes down with the Grippe and visits the infirmary at Northwestern University.
 
February 23 "Telegram from Chicago, Ill. to Maxine Olivia Dione Elsner, Evanston Hospital, Evanston, Ill.
" I FEEL PROUD=PA PA DIONE GRETSCH"
Apparentely, Maxine has been admitted to the hospital most probably to deal with the Grippe.
 
  The same day that Bill sent this telegram to Maxine in the Evanston hospital, the Joplin Globe reported that " Mrs. M. A. Elsner was assisted by Mrs. Clause E. David and Mrs. C. R. Henrick in entertaining the Unity Literary Club Monday afternoon at her home, 60 Jaccard. place. Mrs. J. W. Jackson reviewed "Grandma Called It Carnal" (Bertha Damon). Mrs. Mary Williams and Mrs Edwin Perkins, formmer members of the club were guests. a shower of handkerchiefs were presented to Mrs. Kirby S. White, president of the club who is leaving the city. A dessert bridge was served. Mrs. H. B. Sanders, 120 Moffet avenue will be hostess at which time officers for the club for the coming year will be elected.
 
February 25 The infirmary at Northwestern University again reports a visit by Maxine because of the Grippe.
She is reported as 5 feet 6 1/2 inches and 120 lbs.

 

 
Click on this image for an enlargement.

The Gretsch company gives a party for their new salesman, Duke Kramer. Note in this picture Margaret Mitchell.
Thanks Fritzie Kramer for sharing this picture with me.

 

March 7 Telegram from Louisville, Ky to Sylvia Y.S.  628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
 "CONGRATULATIONS YOU CERTAINLY HAVE PICKED A RITE SPOT FOR FIVE HUNDRED BEAUTIFUL RUINETTE (SIC) PIANO PLAYER=FGGG"
 
March 12 Telegram from Richmond Hill New York to Sylvia, 628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
 "HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS CONSIDERING SPECIAL WORLDS FAIR "BILL GRETSCH WIVES" WILL YOU JOIN THE MOB? GROVER WHALEN
Grover A. Whalen was the World's Fair president and chief spokesman. He was also the official greeter of the New York World Fair.

At this time, Bill's cousin and his wife, Ted and Kay Clauss were both working at the French Pavilion at the World's Fair. They had something to do with the selling of musical instruments there. Bill must have been spending lots of time at the Fair, doing advertising for the business there.
 

March 14 Telegram from Boston, Mass. to Sylvia, 628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
" ARRIVING NEW York TONIGHT HAVING WONDERFUL TIME BUT A GUILTY CONSCIOUS= PAUL REVERE"
 
March 15 Hitler invades Czechoslovakia.
 
March 17 Telegram from New York, to Sylvia, 628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
" CHICAGO LASALLE STATION SATURDAY 8:30 AM COMMODORE VANDERBILT"

 

 

April 4 Telegram from Chicago, to Sylvia personal delivery only= 628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
" RUFF.GRUFF. X=   BLUE BEAR
 
April 5 Easter recess begins at Northwestern.
 
April 8 The Joplin Globe reports on April 16, "Miss Maxine Elsner entertained with a "knick-knack" shower for Miss McAllister at her home, 620 Jaccard place, Saturday night (April 8). The guests were Miss Martha Emerson, Miss Gretchen Hurlbut, Miss Rebekah Blair, Miss Louetta Kendrick, Miss Martha Ruth Kendrick, Miss Mary Ruppard, Miss Nondas McDaniel, Miss Mary Von Lupik, of Castle Rock, Colo., a house guest of Miss Elsner, Mrs. Mc Allister and Mrs. M. A. Elsner." " A Sunday night coffee was given by Miss Gretched Hurlbut in her home at 635 North Moffett"  Maxine and Mary and Hattie also attended with many other.
 
  The paper further reports that last Sunday night April 9, a dinner was given in compliment to Miss McAlister at the Lou Davis Tea room. Miss Elsner and Miss Von Lopik were there among others. Miss McAlister left last Monday for the east. She had attended Joplin High School and Lindenwood College and the university at Fayetteville. She was married to Cecil W.Wight of the U. S. marines in D. C. last Wednesday.

April 11, classes resumed at Northwestern.
 

April 16 The Joplin Globe also reports on this date that "Mr. and Mrs. Max A. Elsner have returned to their home 620 Jaccard Place after visiting their son and daughter in law Mr. and Mrs. Paul Elsner in Fulton, Mo.  They were accompanied to Fulton by their daughter Miss Maxine Elsner and Miss Mary Von Lupik who were returning to Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill."
 
April 21 Telegram from St. Louis, Mo. to S-y-l-v-i-a (DON'T DELIVER AT W C T U HEADQUARTERS)=628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
" ARRIVING FRIDAY CHICAGO AND ALTON UNION STATION ONE FIFTY THREE AND ONE HALF FROM STLOUIS= DON T KUTKLASSES
 
April 25 Telegram from Chicago, to Mary and Sylvia Giggle=628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
"PLEASE PROCURE SERVE TONIGHT SIX ARLINGTON FRANKFURTER SAUERKRAUT=TWO HENRY THE EIGHTS.
 
April 28 Telegram from Chicago, to Sylvia 500-908= 628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
"THANK GOODNESS FOR YOUR PENDING GRADUATION AND YOUR SPEEDY DEPARTURE FOR JOPLIN MISSOURA USA, ALWAYS A BACHELOR
 
April 29 On this day, Maxine sat at her typewriter and filled out a questionnaire for the alumni office. I was able to get a copy of it in June 2005.
She named two people other than her parents who will always know her address: Paul A. Elsner, 1212 N. Vine St. Fulton, Missouri and Nondas Mc Danials, 2319 South Wall, Joplin, Missouri.
She named Mary Van Loppik  Class of 1939 and Betty Lewis, Call of 1940 as two of her best friends at school.

Have you secured a position following graduation? No.

Honors,scholarships Awards: member of Phi Beta, honorary professional speech and mucis fraternity, Member of Alpha Psi Omega, honorary speech fraternity
First Prize, Oratorical contest, Lindenwood College, 1937.


 

May 3 Telegram from Chicago, to Sylvia Limberger, personal care Mrs. Lewis, 628 Library Place, Evanston, Ill.
"WOKE UP DREAMING OF YOU=WAT A BREATHE"
May Lou Gehrig reported as stricken with infantile paralysis. This is the wrong disease but it was widely reported. Bill had the same disease as a child.

 

June 6 Tuesday, The Joplin Globe reports " Mr and Mrs Max Elsner of 620 Jaccard Place will leave today for Evanston, Ill. where they will attend commencement exercises at Northwestern University. Their daughter Maxine Elsner will receive a degree in Speech at the ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Elsner of Fulton will accompany them. They plan to return home next week
 
June 8 Bill's best friend and first cousin Ted Clauss and his wife Kay's first child is born, John Edward who was always called Jed.
He was named after each of his grandfather's John Clauss and William Edward Quillen, his mother's parents.

Maxine would have been well aware of this because Bill would be very much involved.
Jed was born as was all of his following siblings at Brooklyn Hospital. He was delivered by Dr. Winfield Stumpf whose father with the same name was a medical missionary in China. Kay had once dated this doctor who delivered her babies.
 

June 10 It rained all day.

President's Reception at Deering Library ( 2006, The University Archive is Deering Library)
7:30 p.m. Bacculoriate Service at the First Methodist Church.
8:00 p.m. Band concert.
8:300       Illumination Ceremony. Deering Meadow was too wet for this traditional ceremony. It was held in the Great Hall of the Methodist Church
 

June 10
Friday
Maxine graduates from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech. 5 PM Dyche Stadium.
 
  Telegram from Chicago to Miss Maxine (Sylvia) Elsner=628 Library Pl.
"SO PROUD OF YOU AND CONFIDENT YOU WILL DO EVEN BETTER IN THE GREAT SCHOOL OF LIFE= BILL GRETSCH"
Notice the use of real names. Perhaps, Bill is aware that Maxine's parents are in town and that calls for some formality.
Perhaps, Bill did not attend the graduation because they were feuding. He was obviously in town.
 
June 28 According to the Joplin Globe of July 2, Nondas Ruth McDaniel, daughter of Mrs. Hazel MacDaniel, was married on this Wednesday to Armand Helm in First Community Church. Maxine was maid of honor. She wore a gown of iris net over taffeta with ribbons of dusty pink. Nondas graduated with Maxine and went to business school in Chillicothe. The couple will live in Columbia. Large picture of the bride.

 

July 12 Maxine's father signed power of attorney over to his son Ralph. Did Max know he was leaving town?
 
  The Ozark Press in July printed the following artilce:
Mr. and Mrs. Max elsner of Joplin spent the week end at Henderson Camp on Elk River, Mr elsner and "ye editor" made a float trip to the state line Monday and several fine bass and some perch were caught. Artificial bait, both flie and plugs, were used, the largest, a four pound line side bass was caught on a River Bunt plug.

A picture accompanied this article with the caption: Line side bass caught on ELk River newa Henderson Camp by Max. A. Elsner of Joplin, Mo.

Noel, Ozark Press, July 1939 is written in long hand across the clipping.
 

July 25 Telegram from Chicago to Sylvia=620 Jaccard St Joplin Mo=
"ARRIVED CHICAGO WELL VERY BUSY YOUR CHARMING LETTERS WAITING HERE LEAVING SOON SATURDAY HOTEL NEW YORKER= ANDY HARDY"
  Telegram undated from Brooklyn= Sylvia. Personal=720 Jaccard St
CONGRATULATIONS PERFORMANCE SPLENDID IN "HARDY OUT WEST" INTENSELY GRATIFIED TRIUMPH OF GOOD SENSE IMMENSELY HEARTENED==BRISCOL
July 29 Telegram from New York to Sylvia=620 Jaccard st
"TUNE IN ON AMERICANS AT WRK CBS 7 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME=FLORENZ ZIEGFIELD.
   

 

August 4 Telegram from New York to Sylvia 620 Jaccard Joplin Mo
"LEAVING FOR FOREST HILLS TONIGHT CHICAGO NEXT WEEK HAD GREAT CONVENTION VERY TIRED NOT SO SOBER   BILL
 
August 21 Telegram from Chicago to Sylvia 620 Jaccard
"ARRIVED SAFELY AFTER SWELL FAST TRIP INSPIRED BY YOUR WONDERFUL SEND OFF MANY THANKS= RALPH DEPALMER.
Bill was visiting Maxine in Joplin apparently. Ralph Depalmer was a very famous race car driver.
 
August 28 Telegram from Chicago to Sylvia Teacher 620 Jaccard Joplin M0
"CONGRATULATIONS ON NEW WEBB CITY POSITION ADVISE WHERE WE SHALL SEND MEDALS AND GOLD DIPLOMA DR. FRANKLYN SNYDER"

It seems to me a little late in the year to be getting this position.

Maxine took a job at Webb City High School. There she taught English and Speech. She was the debate coach, the dramatic coach and the sophomore class sponsor.
 
  Maxine's Aunt Kate and her grandmother Helen Dieter move from the large family home at 410 North Pearl to a home they had built at 321 North Pearl.
   
UNDATED Undated telegram from DETROIT MICH to SYLVIA TEACHER 620 Jaccard st=
"CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO YOU WISH I WAS IN SCHOOL AGAIN. LUCKY COUNTRY BOYS= HENRY FORD
 
  (These three following telegrams are printed on the same paper as the above which obviously was sent right after Maxine took the job at Webb City High School. Therefore, I enter tham all here. Perhaps, they were received during the summer before Maxine secured her job)
 
UNDATED Telegram from CHICAGO to SYLVIA=620 JACCARD ST
"CONGRATULATIONS BUT YOURE NOT A MIND READER PLEASE ADVISE PERMANENT ADDRESS TO SEND MY MEDAL= BERNIE JEFFERSON"
 
UNDATED Telegram from NEW YORK to SYLVIA=720 JACCARD ST="CONGRATULATIONS YOUR KNITWORK WINS FIRST PRIZE IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE ALL COMPETITION=  NATIONAL KNITWORK CONVENTION."
 
UNDATED Telegram from CHICAGO to SYLVIA=620 JACCARD ST=" CONGRATULATIONS YOUR FUDGE WON COOKING CONTEST=
THE COMMITTEE BILL BEDLOW
SI SWANSON  ARRON SILVERMAN
JERRY GARARD CARL BAUSCHKE
TINY HOFF DEWEY BLAINE BILL GRETSCH
 

 

September 1  Germany invades Poland.
 
September 3  Prime Minister in England on the radio " This country is at war with Germany". Almost before the words were said, the sound of air raid sirens filled the air.

 

UNDATED Undated telegram from Chicago to Miss Maxine Elsner Personal DLVY ONLY WEBB CITY HIGH SCHOOL WEBB CITY MO=
"CONGRATULATIONS ON DISCOVERING PERPETUAL MOTION YOUR DEMONSTRATION OF AN ATOM NEVER AT HOME SUPERB= WILL CALL"
 
September 13 Telegram from CHICAGO to MISS MAXINE ELSNER PERSONAL WEBB CITY HIGHT SCHOOL WEBB CITY MO=
"BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO MISSOURIS MOST BEAUTIFUL TEACHER TELL THOSE HUSKY BOYS IN YOUR CLASS TO ADMINISTER TWENTY TWO HARD WACKS FOR YOUR CHICAGO FRIENDS= BERNIE JEFFERSON.
 
September 14 Telegram from CHICAGO to SYLVIA= DELVR BEFORE 7:15 AM THURSDAY 620 JACCARD
"THE BEST OF EVERYTHING TO YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS= BILL"
 
September 14 Telegram from CHICAGO to MAXINE ELSNER, PERSONAL, WEBBCITY HIGH SCHOOL WEBBCITY MO=
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SYLVIA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU=
BILL
 
September 21 Telegram from CHICAGO to SYLVIA( DLVR AT 7 AM IF POSSIBLE) 620 JACCARD ST JOPLIN MO
JIMMY FITZPATRICK WILL BE BURIED MONDAY, YOUR LETTER CAN REACH SALLY CARE  D CAMERON BAKER 7321 SOUTH SHORE DRIVE, WILL TAKE CARE OF FLOWERS SINCERELY, BILL
 
  Undated telegram from CINCINNATI OHIO to SYLVIA (PERSONAL) 620 JACCARD
"MAY THE SOLEMNITY AND SPIRITUALITY OF YOM KIPPUR STRENGTHEN ALL FRIENDSHIP= THE OHIO MUSIC CONVENTION

 

November 5 Telegram from CHICAGO to SYLVIA, 620 JACCARD ST, JOPLIN, MO
"CONGRATULATIONS-ON YOUR SWELL LETTER TO SALLY.
O'SULLIVAN THE KING HEEL
November 22 Telegram from CHICAGO to SLYVIA, JOPLIN, MO
"LEAVING FOR NEW YORK FOR FEW DAYS "TRYING' TO PLAN TRIP TO JOPLIN DEC 7-8-9
BILL
There were the dates for a three day session of Missouri Music teachers that took place at the Connor Hotel. Gerald Prescott leader of the University Band of Minnesota was the guest speaker. He was a friend of Bill's. See pictures of Fall party hosted by Bill and Sylvia in 1946 in Minnesota with Prescott. Bill Rivelli and others.

 

UNDATED Telegram from CHICAGO to SYLVIA, PERSONAL= 720 JACCARD ST
CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE LIFE-SEE DEC NINETEENTH ISSUE=JOE FITCH
 
December 15 Telegram from CHICAGO to MISS SYLVIA MAXINE ELSNER, 620 JACCARD, JOPLIN MO.
"CONGRATULATIONS YOUR THOUGHTFUL GIFT WILL KEEP OUT OF MANY A DITCH YOURRE A THOUGHTFUL WITCH.
JUST A ITCH"
 
December 20 Telegram from ELKHART IND  to  MISS MAXINE LOIS ELSNER,=620 JACCARD ST=
"NEWYORK BOUND AFTER HECTIC WEEK WRITING AIR MAIL LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BOTH TUESDAY=
BILL"
Was Bill planning on coming to Joplin the day after Christmas?
some Christmas telegrams but not sure of dates, could be '38 or '39.
 
December 23 According to the Joplin Globe, Maxine Elsner was at a shower for Miss Nadine Sharp at the home of Mrs. Hazel McDaniel and Mrs. Armand Helm. Rebekah Blair was also there.
 
December 29 Nadine Sharp's wedding. Maxine's name not mentioned in paper nor was Mrs. Armand.

 

 

1940

January 19 Telegram from LINCOLN, NEBRASKA to WILLIAM GRETSCH=CARE OF A J LAUER 175 WEST JACKSON BLVD=
AT LEAST SEND MONEY FOR BABY FOOD AND CLOTHES=SYLVIA.
 
  Telegram from CHICAGO ILL to BILL GRETSCH 151 BURTON PLACE=
SYLVIA WIRES FROM NEBRASKA WANTING MONEY AND CLOTHES FOR BABY=MASTER.  ( In long hand is written "Guess Who?")
 
  Telegram from CHICAGO ILL to MISS MAXINE ELSNER=WEBB CITY HIGH SCHOOL WEBBCITY MO=
CONGRATULATIONS ALL THE WORlD WILL LISTEN TO YOUR PUPIL WENR NBR 8:30 TONITE=BILL
 
January 30 Telegram from CHICAGO to MISS MAXINE ELSNER 620 JACCARD ST=
ARRIVED TIRED OUT THIS MORNIN BEEN ENTERTAINING BEAUTIFUL GIRLS OF STPAPUL & MINNEAPOLIC WRITING SOON= ROMEO BILL
 

 

February 14 Fancy Valentine Telegram from BROOKLYN to MISS MAXINE ELSNER= 620 JACCARD ST=
IF YOU WERE SEVEN AND I WERE NINE,
I'D SAY "PLEASE BE MY VALENTINE"= LORD "FORTUNEROY"

 

March 2 Telegram from CHICAGO to MISS MAXINE ELSNER 620 JACCARD ST  JOPLIN MO
ARRIVED CHICAGO WED HAVING GRAND TIME EATING COOKIES AND READING LETTERS WRITING SOON-WONDERFUL-MARVELOUS- MARCO POLO LAUER
March 16 Telegram  from CHICAGO TO MISS MAXINE ELSNER 620 JACCARD ST JOPLIN MO
CONGRATULATIONS ON MY MESSAGE BEING CENSORED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT A HITLER
March 27 Telegram from TOUR= WH CHICAGO to MISS MAXINE ELSNER=WEBBCITY HIGH SCHOOL WEBBCITY MO
ARRIVING KANSASCITY TEN TWENTY LEAVING TEN THIRTHY TONIGHT=WILLCALL.

 

April 3 Telegram from LOS ANGELES CALIF to MISS MAXINE ELSNER 620 JACCARD ST JOPLIN MO
HAVING A GREAT TIME WITH BEAUTIFUL GIRLS IN SPITE OF RAINY WEATHER AND EARTHQUAKES BILL
April 12 Birthday Greetings Telegram from CHICAGO, ILL to MISS MAXINE ELSNER WEBBCITY HIGH SCHOOL WEBBCITY MO
AGA FASI BETU ABALLE BAYASE BENZA.
KANDY CID
April 19 On this Friday, according to the Joplin Globe of April 14th, Miss Maxine Elsner directed the Webb City High School senior play. "the Green Vine" whose plot centers around an old mansion and its former owner and occupant, Uncle George who is a practical-minded old country gentleman, returned in spiritual form to help his nephew with several of his problems. Staring Max Meyers and Elroy Thomas among others.

 

June 14

 (early June)

German troops march into Paris and Paris surrendered.

Dunkirk, British troops evacuate from France.

The Battle of Britain begins.
 

June End of Maxine's (Sylvia's) teaching job at Webb City High School.
 
July 12 Sylvia is with Bill in Chicago.
 
   
  (Click on the image to see an enlargement.)
This picture has the date July 12, 1940 written on its back.
 
Sept.20 Hattie in Kansas City with her sister Kate.
 
September Picture of Maxine and Hattie on the street in Kansas City. Maxine looks very irritated with Hattie.
Maxine is wearing the same jacket she looked so happy in the July 12th picture in Chicago with Bill.
 
September 7  The beginning of the London Blitz.

Edward R Murrow began making his spectacular radio news broadcasts from London. The power of radio was at its height.
Sylvia/ Maxine who was trained in radio must have been very attentive to these broadcasts.

There was so much going on in the world of radio. Radio is what Maxine trained for and dreamed of all her life….no wonder she and my father disagreed over her career…she wanted to work in radio, he no doubt wanted her to stay closer at hand…..she was off to Texas after her job at Webb City was over….she would search for a job in radio.

Perhaps, she saw herself working in radio in a different place than Witchita Falls, Texas. Perhaps, she had more of a world view. But the situation with her parents might have forced her to settle in Wichita Falls with her mother for the moment. Perhaps, this is the crux of the stress between my mother and her mother on the streets of Kansas City in this same period.

Knowing this about Edward R. Murrow and his radio addresses to American, and seeing my mother as  a young college graduate gives a little more clarity to the situation my mother was in, in the summer of 1940. Her desire to work in radio was large, the world situation opened up lots of opportunities and her family situation, her parent split forced her to curtail her ambitions for the moment.

She left her job in Webb City teaching High School speech and debate. But intstead of being off to see the world, she went to Texas with her mother, her aunt and her grandmother, to comfort her mother. Her father had gone off with another woman perhaps.

She took a job (in June of 1941) at a local radio station ( KWFT). She would sharpen her radio skills in that small Texas station.

But what was she doing all this time between her job in Webb City which ended in June 1940 and the time of writing radio copy in March of 1941. Living already in Wichita Falls with her grandmother and mother?
 

   
December 29 The most terrible night of the London blitz. A night of terror intended by the Germans to bring England to her knees. Thousands of incendiary bombs let loose on the city causing fires everywhere.

1941

January 6 This week's issue of TIME magazine pictured Churchill on its cover proclaiming him "Man of the Year" quoting from the Foreign News " Blood, Toil, tears and sweat--and untold courage".  In homage no doubt to the on going bombings of London.

In the theater section of the same magazine, a long article Mantel of Barnum described  the new Michael Todd Theater Cafe which has just opened in Chicago in the old Rainbow Ball Room which once housed the high priced French Casino during the Chicago World's Fair. Below is a picture of Bill and Sylvia at this "hot" new nightclub. It is located on Clark street between Lawrence and Ainsle.

Michael Todd was 33 years old at the time. He had just recently run four of the biggest and most popular shows at the New York World's Fair. Described by TIME as a "showman" worthy enough to wear the mantel of PT Barnum. Michael Todd would go on to marry Elizabeth Taylor, find the wide screen process of Todd A-O and finally die in a plane crash in the early 1960's.
 

 

(Click on the image to see an enlargement.)
Bill and Sylvia with friends including Tiny Hoff and his wife at Michael Todd's Theatre Cafe located at 4812 Clark Street, Chicago. It was billed as the world's largest night club. It seats 3,700 people and has a 400 foot balcony bar.
 

  Wichita Falls, Texas City Directory lists: Helena Dieter (wid Aug) h. 1507 Speedway, Maxine Elsner, continuity Director Wichita Falls Broadcasting Co. r.1607 Speedwell. Mostly, Maxine was already living there in 1940 when the city directory was compiled.
  Maxine and her grandmother are living in Wichita Falls. Perhaps, Kate is also living there. Perhaps, Hattie is also there. 
  There is no record of contact with between Bill and Maxine during this time. Was my father really angry that my mother took this job in Texas. Perhaps, she did it to be near her family. Is this time that Max left Hattie?
 
February 1 Ralph marries Betty Ann Heinz. Max and Helen are not there.
  Joplin Glove in the announcement of Ralph and Betty's engagement states that "Mr.& Mrs. Max Elsner of Kansas City, formerly of Joplin"
  I imagine that this was time of big trouble.
  Maxine was maid of honor. Paul was best man. Large article in paper.
February Hattie's in Fulton, Mo visiting Paul & Lola, Bill & Maxine are there?

 

 

March 7 Max applies for a social security card. He lists his business address as: Beach Hill Inn, 27 Main Street, Santa Cruz, California.
He lists his wife as Hattie Helen Dieter. Perhaps, she is living with him. Perhaps, he is hoping that she soon will.
Oddly, Max lists his name as Max Fritz Julius Adolph Elsner. His name was August not Adolph. Max also lists his father's name as Adolf. It was in fact, Gustave Adolph. It seems a strange time to be using the name Adolph so much.
 
March 17-
April 1
Maxine writing copy for radio in Wichita Falls, TX
March 11 Lend-Lease came into existence with the passage of the Lend-Lease Act of  11 March 1941, which permitted the President of the United States to "sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government [whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States] any defense article". Roosevelt approved US $1 billion in Lend-Lease aid to Britain at the end of October, 1941. ( Wikipedia)

 

 

May Hattie is in Wichita Falls with her mother, her sister and Maxine.( see photo)
 

 

June 3 Paula Elsner, Hattie's first grandchild, Maxine's first niece, is born in Fulton, Mo.
In Paula's collection of letters, there is no letter from Max, her grandfather. the first letter from Max comes one year latter when he is living in San Francisco with Hattie.
 
June 9 Hattie writes a letter from Wichita Falls, to Paul, Lola and Paula. So Hattie is in Texas. Has she been her awhile?
  "Maxine is so tickled about her new job and not yet fired...send the bed spread in care of KWFT ...& she can get it at the office." "Our address now after tomorrow is 1821 Collins or 321 North Pearl." " We hope to be in Joplin Saturday or Sunday providing we get to leave." Sounds like Hattie is living with her mother and sister, at least for awhile.  She also writes " Your announcement sound swell. We are anxious to see them. Whatever you do, do not send one to the Cardens--we are enemies-----" Is this a clue to what the trouble was with Max?

Note that Mr. & Mrs. W.E. Carden sent an undated graduation card to Maxine, either in 1935, 1937 or 1939. The card suggests that the Cardens and the Elsners were at one time friends.

Note that Hattie is clearly stating her address as 1821 Collins while Max is writing in his February S.S. application that they are married.

Hattie must have decided to stay in Joplin while Max went to California. Later, in the year, Hattie would join him there.

   
June Maxine is in Wichita Falls, TX with Willodean

 

August  Maxine writing radio copy in Wichita Falls,TX.
 
August 5 Helene Dieter, Hattie's mother writes her will in Joplin. Witnesses are Mary Laird, Kenneth Schuessler, Cowgill Blair, Jr.
 

 

 

December 6 The bombing of Pearl Harbor. Max and Hattie are living in Califormia. There must have been lots of worry and talk about the bombing but nothing is mention in the existing letters.
 
December 7 All of America huddled around their radios listening to President Roosevelt ask congress to declare War on Japan.
Maxine is in Texas working at her job. She is planning on going to Joplin at Christmas.
Bill is probably in Chicago thinking of heading home to New York for Christmas.
Max and Hattie are together in San Francisco. Hattie must have arrived there between September and late December.
 
December 26 Telegram from JOPLIN MO to WILLIAM GRETSCH PERSONAL= 37 SHORTHILL ROAD FORESTHILL LI NY ="FIRED TUESDAY (three days ago) CAN MEET YOU KANSAS CITY FULTON YOUR CONVENIENCE BETWEEN DEC 29TH AND JAN4TH JOB HUNTING WICHITA FALLS THEREAFTER PLEASE ADVISE SOON AS POSSIBLE=SYLVIA

Sylvia is in Joplin with her Grandmother and her Aunt Kate. The war must have been their main topic of conversation. Imagine, Grandmother Dieter's distress to know that we were going to war with Germany again. She sill had at least one sister living there and many nieces and nephews. She and Katie visited as recently as 1936.
 

  This telegram is the first record I have of Bill and Maxine ( Sylvia ) in communication since July 1940. Notice that Sylvia mentions first that she has been fired.

I remember hearing previously from my mother I think, that my Dad did not like her working in Texas. He wanted her closer to him. So her being fired was "big news" for their relationship.

Pictures suggest that they were together earlier in the year in February. Perhaps, they were having lots of phone calls and meeting in person often so that telegrams were necessary. Or perhaps, their arguments around my mother working in Texas has "split" the relationship and now they were beginning to come together again.
 

December 29 Telegram from KANSASCITY MO to WILLIAM GRETSCH PERSONAL=37 SHORTHILL ROAD FORESTHILLS NEW=CONGRATULATIONS YOUR APPOINTMENT PROPAGANDA CHIEF. ARRIVING CHICAGO TUESDAY 9:30 PM SANTA FE DEARBORN STATION=SYLVIA
 
  Telegram from ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ILL to WILLIAM GRETSCH=DELIVER 37 SHORTHILL ROAD="ARRIVING TUESDAY  (December 30th) EVENING 9:30 DEARBORN STATION=LUCILLE

( This was from Lucille Jacobus who was good friends with both Bill and Maxine. She obviously wanted Bill to know that Sylvia was coming to town. Bill was obviously home for Christmas.)
 

December 30 Maxine writes " Dear Mother and Dad, Just a note to think you for the million presents which arrived yesterday.
    The mission bell is wonderful. Betty is borrowing it till I have a room to call my own again. The ring and pin are perfect on my turquoise blue sild dress. The bed jacket has already been initiated. It's terrific for reading in bed---a real luxury, and a beauty if I ever saw one. And the spoons are loves , too.
    I'll tuck part of the candy in my suitcase, the rest is in Ralph's ice-box.
    Tomorrow I leave for Chicago to spend New Year's Eve. Then on to Paul's called him Monday and he said he'd probably still be in Fulton next week---if he has a rush call he'll let me know and I'll dash right down to see him, then stay a few days to visit with Paula and Lola.
     Betty is playing cards this afternoon. I had planned to leave today so she accepted the invitation. But then I changed my plans. Ralph was mad that she didn't call off her bridge game but kismet.
    This stationary is part of Dieter's Christmas to me. I surely do like it.
     Will stay with Lucille and Wally in Chicago at 112 Derbyshire Lane.
     Got a lovely Indian bracelet from Mary Van Lopik. Forgot to send her anything.
     Surely would like to come to San Francisco now. Let me know at Paul's how the "Help Wanted" adds run. I'm foot loose and fancy-free.
     Again--a million thanks for my present, The Toyan (sp?) berries are in a vase at Betty's and really look smart-
     All my love, Maxine  P.S. Here is wishing you the happiest new year ever! M.
   

 

1942

Fulton, Thursday, (January !?)) Dear Family in K.C., S.F. , and J.
Boo....here I am! ( She has obviously been out of communication for awhile while visiting Bill in Chicago.)
Well, let's see. I arrived in Chicago on New Year's Eve at nine thirty...and Bill had a lovely party set up at the Illinois Athletic club. Wore my brown taffeta, and had a marvelous time.
Stayed with Wally and Lucille in Arlington Heights.... New Years day, calls around church, back to Arlington. By then we had discovered that my big suitcase with all my clothes in it was frozen in Wally's trunk, so I had to wear the same dress from there on out. Friday. Lucille and I did a little shopping and then saw "Claudia" one of the big shows. Saturday dinner at Barney's....with the Mahoney's, and then all night with them. Sunday, church visits, Arlington Heights, Monday, Bill worked a little in the morning, and we had dinner at the Yar, the fancy Russian spot, then I took the eleven fifty train for here. Missed connection in St. Louis, so arrived in Mexico late Tuesday morning. Slept most of yesterday...had my pictures taken for an application I want to get in, and a quiet evening at home.
This morning I used Lola's washer on my accumulated dirty clothes, then ironed everything I own, and now here I am. Mean to write business letters  all the rest of the afternoon.
Hey...don't get a bigger apartment in S. F, yet! There's a job in Port Arthur, Texas, I might want, and I've got some awfully good leads around here. I'll also write to California, but won't make any definite plans for a week or so yet....not until I get more answers from more letters. I might decide, too, to return to Wichita Falls.
Tante, had your letter this morning (sic) , wondering where I am. Here. Sure enjoyed visit with you folks, and will be back soon if I'm still welcome. Plan to spend a day or so with Ralph , then Joplin for a spell.
Gramma, sorry you're having a little relapse, will it be hard on you if I come down. Tante, I'm definitely planning to see you off for Kansas City and Fulton soon after I arrive.
Ralph and Betty...I'm staying over here until the week end so that you can come get me. Lola and Paul are looking for you, and Paula is so excited about all the company she can harldy wait.
Paul is really as extraordinary as you all said she was....as a matter of fact, she's some babe! I was ready to leave town after watching her first feeding but her parents insisted that it wasn't always like that so I stayed for a second one, and I guess they were right.
Paul says to tell you that they all, including Sugar, say hello."
Bill also asked about you all, and told me to wish you a Marry Christmas and Happy New Year. He's coming down for the week-end ...arriving tomorrow night or Saturday morning, depending on weather he drives or takes the train. He may continue (sic) on to Kansas City Monday, on account of business. IF you don't make it down, Ralph, I'll arrive Monday either with Bill or on the bus. I'll arrange to arrive at a decent hour, and call you when I come in. No...on second thought, don't expect me until I let you know more definitely. May decide to stay here a little longer.
Paul and Lola tried out their Chinese soup spoons today, and they liked them a lot.  And I have my cinnabar rign and pin, and ladt night mafe further use of my bed jacket.  Also have on my Joplin Barbason Slip. Do I like Christmas?
Will try to keep you a little better posted in the future. love, Maxine
 
 January 6  Mission, Kansas

Dear Families,

In the first place, congratulations, Dad on your job which is one hundred percent wonderful! I was thrilled to death when I heard about it, and I know every one else was too. That's really a tidy sum of money to make, and I;ll