Letter from Harry Truman

Shirlie had a friend who was a Rennaissance man of sorts ... an author, a photographer, an inventor, a book publisher and a dabbler in politics. Hal Stewart. This is a letter from ex-President harry Truman in Dec 1956 responding to a request ... or inquiry ... from Mr. Stewart. (At the time, I believe, Stewart was pursuing with the military an invention of his for an early warning air raid detection system/alarm.)

What makes this letter interesting is that ... one, it does appear to be Truman's actual signature, and two, his lament that he is no longer insider. (The image is poor, as I scanned this years ago when memory was precious.) The letter reads:

Dear Mr. Stewart:

In reply to your letter of the 14th, I am sorry I am not in a position to give you any information on this subject. I have been a complete outsider since January 20, 1953.

It seems to me that the best approach would be to contact the ?? Research Institute yourself and tell them what you want.

It is a great institution and has made many very valuable contributions to the welfare of this country.

Sincerely yours,

Harry Truman

This letter is in a private collection.

Sandor Szabo & Lee Henning ... The Suplex Body Press

I was searching through some newspapers online for information on a cousin ... family history stuff ... and Lo & Behold! I found one of Shirlie's wrestling photos in a New Mexico newspaper in 1949! This is a photograph of Sandor Szabo applying his famous "front suplex drop" on a helpless Lee Henning. OUCH! This body press move was his patented maneuver. 

Sandor Szabo was one of the wrestlers we used to root for back in the 1950s. One of the "good" guys! This photo is not credited to Shirlie, but it is one of hers ... for sure. It was carried in the Deming Headlight from Deming, NM, August 26th 1949.

These are some other photos of Szabo ... and Henning too. All of these are from Shirlie's archives (now in a private collection).  

Sandor Szabo wearing his Championship Belt

Sandor Szabo and Ronnie Etchison ... West Coast Tag Team Champs

Henning saying "Enough" as Szabo has him in a choke hold

Szabo taking advantage

Szabo on top

Lee Henning ... always the culprit

 

Bon Anee 1943

Simple, clear and heartwarming ... this little New Years' Greeting sent to Shirlie on Christmas Day 1942 wishing her Bon Anee for 1943. Notice the interesting postmark from U. S. Army Postal Service A.P.O., the censorship stamp and tape.

Happy New Year!

Happy Christmas and New Year - All Well and Safe 1943

Leonard Farmer was off in the military "somewhere" on November 14th 1943 when he sent Shirlie this Western Union telegram greeting ... the equivalent of an email today! His message is rather poignant.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR. ALL WELL AND SAFE = LEONARD FARMER.

I guess you could not ask for a happier message ... considering the circumstances of a world at war! "all well and safe" ... praise to the Lord.

Merry Christmas from Shirlie and her Friends

Merry Christmas from a South Sea Coral Isle 1943

Shirlie's friends were in far off places during WWII. Among her letters I found this fantastic Christmas Card from "A South Sea Coral Isle." Whimsical graphics and poem. Love Santa in his flack helmet singing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" as he trudges up the sand to the palm tree lined shore.

The sailor's lament about Christmas ... missing the comraderie at the bar and good beer. His close is super ... "I hope we were Home & Free in '43 or jump and jive in '44, Out of the sticks in '45, Golden Gate in '48. 'Amen.'" (I think his years were off in the rhyme, but it doesn't matter, does it?)

The letter was mailed Dec 4, 1943 through US Navy mail and had to pass through the Naval Censor.

San Jose's Electric Light Tower

A Century Ago San Jose's Famous Electric Tower Collapsed!

In May of 1881 J. J. Owen, editor of the San José Mercury, suggested a project to light up the city of San Jose and surrounding areas with lights attached to a gigantic 237-foot tower. On Dec 13th he saw the culmination of his bright idea with the lighting of the tower in the intersection of Santa Clara and Market Streets. While interesting and visually spectacular, the tower was a bust as far as illuminating the valley. But the tower was a landmark and brought folks into the little country town south of The City ... San Francisco. Unfortunately, the tower was damaged in an August storm in 1915 and collapsed in another storm on December 3rd 1915. Fortunately no-one was hurt ... except for some egos!

Here are a couple of postcards we have from 1911 with the famous San Jose Electric Tower on them. One of them has a message to Shirlie's mom ... Mantie Beuck ... when she was living in San Francisco before she married Rea.

For more about the story of San Jose's Electric Light Tower see these two sites:
History San Jose
The Soft Underbelly of San Jose

The World's Biggest Kangaroo!

Found this photo in Shirlie's archive. 

Love the note: Speaking to the Biggest Cangaroo in the world in Australia. March 12/1925. To Blonde from Carr Lynn ... with love to a clever girl.