Snapshot Tales

Charlotte Watson

2010-02-15T18:09:00.006-05:00

Her friends saw Charlotte Waston as happy and comfortable in her recently purchased home. Marty was back from the war, employed, and brought in enough that Charlotte didn't have to enter the workforce to make ends meet. Besides, in the late forties and early fifties two income families were not common. However, Charlotte was not quite what she seemed. The picture above is indicative of her situation, a vacuum cleaner behind the chair, a bottle of beer next to it, and a proper white dress to entertain her female neighbors. One Saturday afternoon in June, Charlotte disappeared. Two weeks later she was found, sitting in a train station, crying, disheveled, and despondent. She spent the next six months being treated with the newly developed Miltown tranquilizer. Another year later Marty and Charlotte had a child and Charlotte found baby Lucille was the therapy she needed. The Watson's lived to see their grandchildren born.

Jane's Husband

2010-01-23T20:35:00.004-05:00

Jane, the woman in the middle with the young lad in front of her, was married to Arthur McKinney. Arthur was a route salesman for a candy distributor in Waukesha county, Wisconsin. At the Ladies of Waukesha annual picnic, Arthur arrived with cartons of Fleer's Double Bubble, and before you knew it, the bubble blowing contest began. Jane of course had the advantage because there was always Double Bubble around the house, and she liked the comic wrapper. But though it looks from this photo that she will be the winner, the prize actually went to Sandy Harper, front left. Sandy took home the cartons of Double Bubble and O'Henry bars. Her dentist was probably very happy.

Kiko Matsumi

2010-01-21T21:20:00.004-05:00

Kiko, her parents and husband, lived in Southern California. This picture was taken early in 1942, two weeks before her husband was visited by California immigration. At the end of the day, Kiko, her husband and both parents were told they were being transported to the internment camp at Tule Lake, Ca. It was there they met over 18,000 "campers". Another 90,000 Japanese Americans were housed in nine other sites. After release in 1945, Kiko worked at an army hospital, treating wounded GIs.

Arthur Floyd

2010-01-04T12:18:00.001-05:00

Coach Gilliland was so frustrated after the team lost in the regional finals, he took the team picture out of the frame on his wall and threw it into his wastebasket. Not the best example to set for the squad. However, Arthur, one of the team's guards and the record keeper, went into coach's office and retrieved it. The following year, while the team was on a travel bus to play rival Edgerton High, a tire blew and coach and three of the boys died. Arthur kept the picture as best he could, but it wasn't easy, what with his riding the rails looking for work. It went from knapsack to grip to small suitcase, but survived to be framed on Arthur's wall when finally got steady work as an assistant gym teacher in Albany, NY.

Francine and Maria Torrini

2009-12-21T10:39:00.009-05:00

Twins Francine and Maria did everything together. Unlike other twins, who are outwardly identical, but have their own personality quirks, the girls were singular in every way. They had the same thoughts, liked the same things, ate the same food, and had the same friends. This wasn't a problem...until they discovered boys. If Francine met a boy she liked, Maria liked him as well. They only way they dealt with the issue was to end the relationship. In 1951 the Torrini's moved to Cleveland and the girls began their senior year in a new high school.
It was there they met Mark and John Armato, identical twins in every way. A double wedding took place December 22, 1953.

Private James Alcott's Wife And Her Sister

2009-12-15T19:55:00.006-05:00

When James Alcott finished his service in the big war, he spent in three years in the military hospital in Antwerp, Belgium. His wife, Lillian, and her sister Maggie, though knowing he was alive and would be returning home eventually, didn't really know what to expect. Then the letter came; "Home sometime on August 18." At 6 a.m., the sisters went out on the porch. A fliver came down the road at 3:25, stopped in front of the house and Private James Alcott was home. His guide dog led him up the path to the total joy he couldn't see, but felt with all his being.

Marcus Chilton

2009-12-13T13:02:00.004-05:00

Marcus wasn't really a green thumb kind of guy. However a cousin came visiting and brought a small potted plant. Marcus thanked her and as soon as she left, he put it out on the fronts steps, figuring it wouldn't last long. Well, it survived for a couple weeks and Marcus felt a bit guilty, so he gave it some water, and then actually went and picked up another plant, just to balance the front steps. Marcus then became known as the crazy plant guy, and he was proud of it.

Jack and Julia

2009-12-08T08:05:00.006-05:00

Both on the gymnastics squad at Clinton HS, Jack and Julia first joined a traveling circus in 1933 and were billed as the Jumping J's. They worked up an act that culminated with Jack climbing a high stack of barrels, falling down and (almost) breaking his crown, and Jill (Julia) tumbling after. Over the next five years they worked in six different circuses and three carnivals. The big break came in 1938, when traveling was getting a bit much, and they were looking to settle down. While attached to a circus that was performing just outside of Chicago, Jack saw a handbill for a $1000 dollar prize dance marathon. The money they won financed the J&J Cafe. Good food, a circus like atmosphere, and a waiter who could juggle plates.

Harry Henderson

2009-11-30T10:55:00.005-05:00

June and Arthur Henderson couldn't carry a tune, dance a step, or recite a line. Nevertheless, their son Harry was a showman from the day he was born. Shown here at age nine, Harry was ready to hit the boards of vaudeville, and with mama June initially at his side, he began a long and successful career that even included a brief stint in Hollywood. Eventually Harry opened a studio, and for thirty years gave instruction and inspiration to new generations of would be singers and dancers.

Judith and Martin

2009-11-24T13:56:00.002-05:00

Martin paid Judith 50 cents to switch their catches before taking this photo. Judith didn't care about the money or seemingly landing the smaller fish. She was out to land Martin and this was just one more way to reel him in. And she did.

James "Jimmy" Ames

2009-11-21T15:01:00.002-05:00

Jimmy Ames was teased throughout his school years because of his name. "James Ames, but always misses.", that was the constant taunt. And he did miss; classes, getting on the baseball and football teams, and friends. Jimmy didn't miss out on getting what he wanted though. He found it quite easy to lift whatever he wanted from the local five and dime, the candy store, and lockers of students who gave him a hard time.

Then he got his first car and was ready to move up to more lucrative pursuits, specifically the liquor store two towns over. Now no one calls him James Ames. For the next three years he is just number 4386, D Block. Note: this photo was taken three days before the bungled burglary. His father, Alton Ames, is number 1325, A Block.

Arthur Wilton

2009-11-19T14:12:00.005-05:00

Arthur was a normal kid, liked to play with toys, run around the yard, hold his parent's hands, and was generally happy. Like most boys, however, as he reached his teen years, Arthur wanted nothing to do with his boyhood; it was time start acting like a man. So toys were replaced with hunting gear, and parents replaced with friends and girlfriends. Eventually Arthur found the right woman and popped the question. About one year later Arthur junior was born and Arthur senior started thinking about his own childhood again. He went back to the old house, where Betty and George Wilton still lived, and asked his mother for his old wagon. Betty sighed and said, "Arty, when you grew up, I didn't think you would ever want it, so I gave it to the Olson's for their boy Rob, and they moved away."

Muriel Chambers

2009-11-17T08:24:00.004-05:00

Muriel's parents owned and ran the Shady Cove bungalow tourist rest stop. Twelve units, each with its own shower and fresh towels. Muriel supplied the towels, made the beds and gave directions to the (few) attractions in the area. She delighted in seeing the young families and honeymooners who usually spent one, and sometimes two nights at Shady Cove.

However, as Muriel matured, it became clear the world was passing on by and she was standing still. Change came in the form of Arthur Marks, a salesman for John Deere. He was attending a farming convention and Shady Cove was convenient for his three day stay. Muriel and Arthur chatted a bit, and had dinner together on his last day of the convention. The convention was an annual affair, and for the next three years, Muriel and Arthur enjoyed each other's company, with Arthur actually getting his sales route changed to be able to see Muriel monthly. Mother and father died that third year, and Muriel inherited Shady Cove. Now she could never leave, but Arthur was tired of traveling and together they made the beds, supplied the towels and gave directions to the (few) attractions in the area.

Charlotte Manners

2009-11-13T14:09:00.005-05:00

Charlotte "Lotte" Manners was two years younger than her sister Vivian. Unlike some families, the younger daughter wasn't the darling; Vivian held that title and didn't let Charlotte forget it. Vivian married Charles Edgar and Charles was perfect, not like Eddie, Lotte's high school beau and husband of three years. Charles worked in the local bank, a real up and comer. Eddie worked for Marleton Auto repair. But Eddie loved Lotte with all his heart and for her 26th birthday, used all the money he had saved to buy Lotte a Roto-Broil 400, the newest and best Rotisserie/Oven available. Lotte took this picture and sent it to her sister. Vivian received it the very day her husband was arrested for bank fraud.

Here is a special bonus image of a Roto-Broil 400 in action. Interesting true note: The Roto-Broil was invented and sold by Leon Klinghoffer and family. Leon died in 1985, during the Achille Lauro incident, when he was pushed overboard in his wheelchair.

Lillian Hanneman

2009-11-10T13:02:00.003-05:00

Lillian was twelve when she wrote on the back of this photograph. "Grandma Gordat-Dad's real mother. She died when dad was only 3 years of age. She was very young when she died. She was my real grandma. I bet I would have liked her a whole lot." Lillian had a long life and saw all six grandchildren graduate college and start families.

Charlie Martin

2009-11-08T08:32:00.003-05:00

Charlie Miller hadn't ever seen a real professional baseball game, though some traveling teams did occasionally play at Hinkel Stadium two towns over. However, on clear nights he could hear the Cubs at 670 AM on the Atwater Kent dial, beamed from the 50,000 watt powerhouse, WMAQ. Charlie's actual baseball playing was limited to his mom, Frances, pitching the ball, Charlie hitting the ball, and Rusty fetching the ball and returning it to the ball pail. His mother kept track of his hits and misses, just like a real manager. Such was life in rural Ohio. The closest thing to a happy ending came when Charlie, at age 24, got married to Gail, and they honeymooned at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The route to Elkhart Lake takes you right through Chicago, where they spent two nights, one at Wrigley Field, watching the Cubs beat the NY Giants.

Lynn, Audrey, Marilyn and Jeanne

2009-11-05T10:29:00.006-05:00

Lynn, Audrey, Marilyn and Jeanne were four of the real housewives of pilots in the newly formed Strategic Air Command, headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Military life was nothing new for Lynn, Marilyn, and Jeanne, but for Audrey, whose husband was just out of flight school, this was not an easy time. As much as the girls gave their support and swapped stories that all had happy endings, Audrey worried about the looming potential of the Korean conflict. Carl was smart, tough, and graduated with honors from flight school, but jet planes were still relatively new and untested. She needn't have worried though. Carl did two tours and came home from the second in time for the new arrival in the family. Lynn's husband was MIA, Audrey's husband became a commander, and Jeanne, who's husband was restationed shortly after this picture, finished his term and together they opened up a diner in Newark, Delaware.

Lars Gilden

2009-11-03T11:17:00.005-05:00

Lars Gilden, and indeed all of the farmers living and working around Poseyville, in southern Indiana, could sure use fifty dollars. 1931 wasn't a good year, and about the only thing to look forward to was the county fair because it got people from the neighboring towns and counties away from the land for three days. The flyer at Musselman's Feed and Grain was where Lars learned about the fifty dollar prize. "Unhitch Dobbin, hitch yourself up, and race your buggy to the fifty dollar first prize." For a full week Lars pulled his buggy up and down the road leading to the farm. It was fully loaded with his wife, Margaret, and his daughter, Stella. They spent the prize money on real curtains for the windows and a hat for Stella. The balance, $31.67, went in the rainy day jar.

Gordie Marks

2009-10-31T19:59:00.004-04:00

Gordon "Gordie" Marks wanted to become a photographer. He was intrigued by the latest gear, read all the photo magazines, and took his camera with him everywhere. His inspiration? You might think it was Weegee, the photojournalist whose stark images grabbed the pages of the New York papers. Perhaps it was one of the great WPA photographers who documented the great depression and left us with some of the most enduring images of the twentieth century. No, those weren't who drove Gordie, it was Flashgun Casey, Crime Photographer, whose radio show ran for some 400 episodes, featured his assistant Ann Williams, and their meeting place, the Blue Note jazz club. What more could a young man want. Unfortunately, the picture above was taken by his brother, the only one in the family who could take a picture that was in focus. Gordie eventually traded in his gear, and started down a new path after hearing his first episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

Loretta Walker

2009-10-29T15:47:00.003-04:00

Loretta Walker worked as a secretary for Montgomery Dry Goods. Montgomery carried linens, clothing, shoes, hats, notions, and sewing supplies for retailers and end users. 18 traveling salesmen covered all the territory from Boston and New York to Chicago. One June morning Loretta said to her boss that she would also like to be in sales, and could really relate to the end buyers. Her boss smirked, "The traveling salesmen jokes and asides will doom you to failure as soon as you put your foot out the door." The answer was no. However, that night Loretta went into the warehouse, loaded her (trusting) brother's car with items of every type. Her boss thought she had quit, but three weeks later she returned with cash, orders from retailers and ideas for new items in the line. In two years time, four more women joined the sales force and Montgomery was hailed as a leader in furthering women in the workplace.

Martha Lewis

2009-10-27T11:03:00.003-04:00

Martha Lewis had never won anything. She tried magazine contests, radio shows, Bingo, church raffles, and even punch cards at the local store. When she and her friends went to Atlantic City for the annual teacher's convention, Martha, a math teacher, had already calculated her chances of winning anything. Zero. Yet it would be fun she supposed to squirt the water at the ducks revolving around the big orange wheel. I've thrown away a quarter before, she thought, so why not now. Since I won't win anyway, I'll do it with my eyes closed. She named the prize Bright Eyes.

Martin

2009-10-24T17:53:00.004-04:00

Martin, it should be understood, didn't like to be called Marty. He was small for his age, but a very serious boy. Martin didn't say much, but one day, out of the blue, he said to his parents that he should like to play the violin. His mother asked why, his father scoffed, and his brothers laughed. His third performance with the New York Philharmonic garnered more praise than any other violinist of the time.

The Morgan Family

2009-10-22T11:32:00.005-04:00

Michael Morgan announced to the family that since they had never been out of the country, it was time to take a trip. Henry thought about France, Irene and Colleen dreamed of Ireland, and Jimmy was up for anywhere Michael wanted to go. No one guessed Michael was going to buy a car and drive the family to Tijuana, Mexico. Colleen, who noted on the photo that they were in Tia Juana, had a wonderful time, as did all the family, except Irene, who drank water from a well.

"Coco" and Henry

2009-10-20T17:23:00.004-04:00

Henry spent three months in France during the great war to end all wars. Coco had a small notions shop in Paris. During a two day leave, Henry went into Paris to buy his sister some genuine French perfume. Coco made several suggestions, Henry made his purchase, and asked Coco if she would have dinner with him. Henry and Coco, back in Malone, NY., went to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon, and Coco kept up her French with visits to nearby Montreal.

Grandmother Pedersen

2009-10-19T11:52:00.003-04:00

Grandmother Helga Pedersen knew how to raise the kids. She always gave them room to explore. Even though she had walked this sidewalk with five of them over the last 15 years, she let each one discover it anew, staying back far enough that it became their own big adventure. Lars, shown here, became a travel writer.

Louise Chambers

2009-10-18T08:14:00.004-04:00

Louise read all she could find on how to know when you found your true love. Your heart is supposed to skip a beat, hers hadn't; your spine would tingle, you would feel faint, she didn't tingle or faint. All the other girls said it had happened to them, many times, and that in itself was confusing. "How did you know that daddy was your one true love?", she asked her mother. That summer mother's two word answer became clear. "Our eyes".

John and William Collins

2009-10-16T11:40:00.003-04:00

John and William posed with mother Mildred Collins. "Pop" Collins took the picture. Pop said he never felt so proud. William, on the right, was killed in France. Pop never took another family photograph.

Frank, Annette, and Ann

2009-10-15T18:58:00.003-04:00

Frank's mother told him, always look your best and you will be a success. Frank knew good advice when he heard it. He became one of the top salesmen in his firm. Annette went to Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school. She was about to start a new life in Saint Agnes convent when she met Anthony, one of the sharpest dressers she had ever seen. Annette and Anthony had four children.

Earl Jenkins

2009-10-14T19:08:00.004-04:00

Earl Jenkins played football in high school and then went into the service, becoming a radio man on supply transport planes. When recalling his experiences for his friends, he sometimes forgot to remove the helmet before recounting his air corps days. Earl was happily married and his wife said he could always make her laugh.

Sara Elmont

2009-10-13T20:36:00.005-04:00

Sara was named captain of the basketball team and led them to the state high school finals. They won the silver cup, Sara graduated, began college and the war started. She began work as a welder while continuing school at night. Sara graduated after the war, and got a job as a Phys. Ed teacher. In her first year, the Montville High School girl's basketball team brought home the gold.