Sunday's Obituary - Fern Bruce Warren Williams, Mt. Vernon, IL

Fern Bruce 1920's

Mt. Vernon Register News 28 Jun 1958

My great-grandmother, Charlotta Ruth Banks Wade Berry's half sister, Fern Bruce.  Fern was the daughter of Sarah Eva Talley and Frank Z. Bruce.  She was born 6 Jul 1900 in Mt. Vernon, IL and died 28 Jun 1958 also in Mt. Vernon.  She is buried at Oakwood Cemetery.

Travel Tuesday - Valentine Sentiment from L & N Train Station, Mt. Vernon, IL - 100 Yrs Ago Today

L & N Train Station, Mt. Vernon, IL ca 1910

Although not a Valentine's Day card, I thought this postcard of the L & N Train Depot in Mt. Vernon, Illinois sent on February 14, 1912 was very fitting for today's post.  The postcard appears to have been sent by John Barlett Jr. to his wife, Mrs. Jno. Bartlett, Jr. at 1028 W. Thorman (?) St. in Springfield, MO.  Evidently, for whatever reason he was staying in Mt. Vernon and sent this very loving message to his wife:

2/14/12:  My own darling, Rec'd your loving letter today and was more than pleased to hear from my lover. As I do not intend to come back up town tonight I bought some postals to mail instead of a letter.  Will write a long letter tomorrow night.  Am sorry indeed to hear that Eugenie is not so well.  As ever your own, John.

There is a numeral 2 circled on the back as well as  a "#2" on the front which possibly indicates this was the second of two postcards mailed.  This postcard for some reason was postmarked Feb 14, 1912 on the back and Feb, 15, 2012 on the front.  It sounds like John loved and missed his wife very much. Very romantic even though it was not a Valentine,  wish I knew what the first postcard said.

Those Places Thursday - 1954 Fort Lauderdale on Andrews Avenue

Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 1940's - 1950's

My Smith relatives (grandparents, great-grandparents, grand aunts and uncles) began moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Mt. Vernon, Illinois in the 1950's.  This postcard depicts Andrews Avenue which was once a popular destination for shoppers and visitors in Fort Lauderdale.   This card which was postmarked 1954 gives a good feeling for the times.

Workday Wednesday - Mildred's Beauty Salon 1941

Ad from the Mt. Vernon (Illinois) Register News (1941) for my grand aunt Mildred Wade Smith's (1917 - 1995) beauty shop.  If you look closely under "Operators" you will see her name as well as my grandmother's Doris Smith, her sister. Doris and Mildred Wade, sisters, were married to two brothers, Diamond (my grandfather) and Claude Smith. They lived in Mt. Vernon for most of their lives until they moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL in the 1950-60's where Aunt Millie opened another salon, the Curl & Swirl.

Millie and Doris - Ft. Lauderdale 1954

Those Places Thursday - Jordan Street - Mt. Vernon, IL

A postcard depicting Jordan Street East from 8th Street in Mt. Vernon, IL circa 1910.