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February 13, 1935 “This was the first time I was asked to talk before an audience.”

February 13, 1935 “This was the first time I was asked to talk before an audience.”

Feb 13, 35
Lunchtime

My dear ones:

Since I did not write to you last week I want to start this now. I did send you a map of Chicago on New Year’s eve, with a menu and a photo of Gwen and and one of Leonard with Yogi Roy etc.

LJG and Yogi Roy

LJG with client Yogi Roy

Now, I guess I have to write you exactly where I go so you can find it on the map. After the last letter I wrote you I did one in English for Ilse and then fell fast asleep in the chair I was sitting. As a result we left the office very late and I slept almost all day Sunday.

I eat almost all my dinners with a lady [at her apartment]in my building. She is very nice and I fell quite at home there. I spend most evenings with her, reading the paper or sewing with the music on the radio or she plays the piano and sings too.

Last Wednesday I was again at Gwen’s. Since I sent her picture, now you know what this Goldmench looks like. Last week I was really very lazy. We did not have much work and I slept late every day.

Aunt Jenny is begging Pappa to get in touch with Aunt Dortche in regards to her will. She thinks she could give her some good advice.

Enclosed are a few photos I took recently. Last Saturday I had my picture taken and I will send you one soon. Tomorrow is “Valentine’s Day”. That is for people who are in love. That means one sends cards with hearts to anybody one likes a lot.

I had a big copy made of the photo of me, and cut some red crepe paper like a frame for it and will put it in Leonard’s room tomorrow. Since we will not see each other tomorrow. Now I received today already a 1 lb box of very delicious chocolates, in a red heart shaped box with a beautiful card.

Vintage Heart

Valentines Chocolates

Saturday night I was again in a movie. “The Iron Duke” with George Arliss, very good. When Blucher appeared on the battlefield near Waterloo he said, “It’s done!” Before the movie, 6 of us had dinner together. Alfred Hamburger and son Joe, Singers, Leonard and I.

Arliss-Iron Duke

Iron Duke

Sunday we really had a big day. I wrote you already that Leonard is working Qfor the first woman running for mayor of Chicago. He makes 3 or 4 speeches every day in different places for her. Sunday at 3 p.m. her husband picked us up with the car and drove us to the radio station in Hammond, Indiana, south of Chicago — about as far as from Buckenheim to Seckbach, just off the map I sent you.

Trudel New Year

Trudel

Mrs. Grace Gray, the mayoral candidate and Leonard discussed politics with questions and answers. It was very interesting for me. We then drove back, spent almost 15 min with Flora Mae. Mrs. Gray is about 48 yrs old, Grandmother, goes daily horseback riding, both her parents are still alive and she is still married to the same man for 28 yrs. She is a wonderful, nice, smart woman.

We then drove back, spent almost 15 min with Flora Mae. The 4 of us had dinner together at the Madison Park Hotel on 51st St. and Dorchester Av. Of course at a front table so everybody could see us. You can imagine how I felt.

After supper we went to the North Side 3300 N. Broadway to a political meeting in a church where Mrs. Gray was one of the speakers. Of course Leonard did introduce her in his wonderful way.

LJG and Flora Mae

LJG and Flora Mae (click)


I met some very nice people there. We then drove to Gray’s house. 4500 N. Ashland Av. They have a beautiful house where Great grandmother, Grandmother, Mother and Child and grandchildren are living. They served chop suey and drinks and then we just sat and talked. They drove us home about midnight.

Fortunately I did not work on Monday. Mrs. Saunders where I frequently eat and I went downtown. As we stepped in a drugstore for a cup of hot chocolate somebody said “Hello” to me. It was Grace Gray. I really did not see her when we came in.

Just after we got home, Aunt Henny showed up unexpectedly. She is looking for a room in my neighborhood.

I have been asked to join the Chicago Business and Professional Women’s Club. Mrs. Gray is the President right now.

Since I went looking for a room with Aunt Henny I came so late to the meeting that Leonard, who was the guest speaker that evening, was almost finished with his speech. There were only 20 women, and which Grace Gray greeted each one separately. I was very much surprised when she asked me to tell the ladies how much I like it here. I talked for just a few minutes and said that this was the first time that I was asked to talk in front of an audience.

The ladies all commented on my good English. No wonder with a teacher like Leonard. We all left in several cars. Leonard and I with 2 ladies in Gray’s car. Mrs. Cerf and Aunt Henny with several other ladies.

We all went to visit Yogi Roy whose photo with Leonard in the newspaper I mailed you a few days ago. He is a Hindu and because of his healing methods was sued by the City. Leonard is his lawyer. The case is the talk of the town. Sure hope he wins that case. (I am writing this letter riding the “L” train on my way to Gwen Bishop.)

We spent only a short time with the Yogi, but he demonstrated how he can put a big needle in his arm without bleeding since he held his breath. Of course Leonard is studying all about that stuff and knows already more about it than the Yogi.

Yogi Roy in Court

Seeing's Believing - Click to read

After we left there we all drove to another political meeting. We were very heartily welcomed and Leonard had to speak again. Even Mr. Gray had to talk. It was a really very interesting evening for me. I hope to attend some more evenings like that before the election on Feb. 26.

We got home very late and of course I was very tired the next evening but still made a new hat for a new customer. Mrs. Saunders my friend here in the building was nice enough to deliver the hat this morning. I hope it was o.k. and she collected the money for it.

By the way I just remember to tell you that my little black suitcase has come in very handy recently. Leonard uses it for carrying books and papers to court very often. I also almost forgot to thank Ernale for her nice letter. Unfortunately I do not have it with me, so I can’t answer it now. I did not receive a postal card from Feldberg. Who were the 2 people you met in Obereifenberg? Loatte Thyson lives in Obereifenberg. She would have loved to live with you.

That is all I can think of now and my paper is at the end and I am just getting to my stop to get off and home for supper.

Millions of kisses yours,
Trudel


 
 

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March and April 1936 – I will be glad when the election is over.

March and April 1936  – I  will be glad when the election is over.

Trudel continued to abstract her letters into brief notes so I have consolidated March and April 1936 into one post. [April is below the first movie trailer.]

3/20/26
A fortune teller told me that Papa was not feeling well and should watch his health much more. Right? Leonard is very busy making speeches for Governor Len Small for mayor of Chicago. I will be glad when the election is over.

Easter Sunday 4/12/26
Happy birthday to Erna. [Erna’s birthday was April 25th.]
Leonard with speeches, also on radio, and I with hats, are keeping both of us very busy. I Try to go with him when I can.

Last Friday Rose LaMarque and I saw “The Great Waltz.” Wonderful.

4/26/36
Although Leonard was not elected as a judge, he is still much better off than the other Republican candidate who spent $25,000 and lost too with only ½ as many votes as Leonard, who did not spend 1¢. I am glad it is all over but it was very interesting for me and I learned a lot.

Papa’s letter had been opened by the Germans, by the foreign exchange department.

I Have not moved to the Seneca Hotel with Mrs La Marque yet, but will tell you the advantages I will have:
1. The landlord will not misplace my mail
2. All phone calls and visitors will be told me as soon as I come home
3. Home right after work (in the building)
4. Not so much alone
5. For the same money much bigger room
6. Telephone in the room
7. Private bathroom
8. Much better neighborhood
9. 1st class hotel service
10. Restaurant and grocery store in building
11. Closer to the beach in summer
12. Radio
13. Sewing machine
Etc., etc.

Went to Klemm and Addie Eggner’s wedding last Sunday. Although Leonard was not in the mood for it since his 85 year old Father had died 3 days before in Sumter, he went with me anyhow. He could not go to the funeral since it was the next day and it would have taken 2 days to get there.

I saw best movie ever, “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town”: serious story; excellent performances.


I have been unable to find any information about the judicial elections in Chicago in 1936. It would appear that there must have been some kind of open primary or Trudel may have combined the primary with the general election in her mind, which would explain how LJG could lose to “his opponent” and his opponent could also lose.

 

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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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