Modern Rooms at the Plaza Hotel : Johnston City Illinois

From Johnston City Illinois On hotel stationary ~

Dearest Ange, Arrived here in Johnston City this afternoon about 2 O'clock. We haven't played since Tuesday night. This game here in Johnston City, in our opinion, was supposed to have been played th 10th but when we arrived here found out it was for the 11th. Henry Bell said he had to go home Friday night (the 11th) on account of his business at home. Johnny wired Reedy for another machine and driver. If he does not get here we will be stuck, if Henry leaves. I might be home before long. We are supposed to play in Bloomington, ll. the 12th. It is about 250 mi or so from here. If that machine and driver don't come, God help us. I hope you and your mother like those cards. It was the best I could get at the time. Al is sleeping with me. He is in bed now and wants me to turn out the lights. He says that he can't go to sleep. I haven't heard from you yet. I have a few clippings that I am sending home. Go over and look at them. (they are not very much) Well, Ange, I guess I'll have to close now hoping to hear from you soon and more sooner. Love and kisses as everxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Guy Tell Ed , Ham, Snyder) and rest I'll write as soon as I can. Tell family hello. (If I come home soon I will send a telegram) Don't tell anybody about Henry coming home and about us being stuck if another driver and machine don't come.

This letter was written on May 11th, I guess and Pop (Guy) didn't want anyone to worry about them being stuck. I cannot imagine no telephone or almost losing a driver so many miles from home. I do remember Pop's stories about traveling and playing ball. The players were rooming together and it was a crazy time, the machine was a car that they were traveling in and Henry must have been the driver. Everyone would wait to hear from Pop and meet up at his Mother and father's home on West 10th Street to get the news as to how "the boys" were doing, and knowing my Great-grandfather Guy Daines Sr. there would have been hell to pay if the team had been stuck! What a time it must have been there in Johnston Illinois on that summer day in May of 1934.

May 11th? From "The Old Man"

I just found two letters dated May 7th 1934. The earliest one was sent at 6:30 PM from Newport Kentucky to Guy Daines Box 83, Newport KY C/o H. Reed written in the lower left corner of the envelope(the stamp is "in Honor of the Mother's of America" Three cents!) The upper right hand of the letter has 11-34 and I am not sure if this is the correct envelope or what those numbers actually mean. This letter is addressed to as:

Dear Son. Received your letter yesterday and sure was glad you all got there safe. Too bad "Henny?" got lost on the way. Very glad you won even if you did not get any safe hits. You know you can't hit safe all the time, some one is bound to catch them some times. Newport High Lost to Elder Tuesday. There was a piece in the Enquirer yesterday stating it was on account of Al not catching, it said Sandfoss was persuaded to go away with the Kentucky Colonials, a recreational ball Team. Foster is sore as hell I hear. Give all the boys our very best regards and tell hat to keep up the good work. Ange was over to our house last night and showed us the pictures you all had taken on the beach in Florida. Reedie and Helen was also down last night. He told no you could not play your second game on account of one of the players dieing. He says he is trying now to getyou all to go to St, Louis next week. Our radio went on the bum Wednesday night. We had it fixed yesterday it cost us $5.30. Those oranges did not come yet and I don't believe they ever will. I think that man was kidding you boys. You did not go and see about your basketball when you was home did you. You know I don't know your ball. My old machine is sure going on the fritz. I had to throw a tire away yesterday. It blew out. I guess the boys will be over tonight to play cards. You ought to see how nice Ange and Hendrix looked the other evening. They were both dressed alike in some kind of large checked dress with Tam and gloves to match. She looked very nice. Well I can't think of any thing else will ring off. Tel hat and all the boys Hello. Loads of love & kisses all Love and kisses from your Mother dad and little Bro. Mother and Grandma sure was pleased with their Mother's cards. It sure was very thoughtful of you. I feel proud of you that you thought of them, good luck. Your Old Man

Two things I am not sure of and many questions remain long after I type and read through this box of faded letters, to begin for one~ I am not sure of the date on this one as it refers to game (could be baseball or football if this was written in November. It very easily could have been put into the wrong envelope as this envelope is posted for May 11th. I guess we will never know. I will look for an envelope dated November and see if the letter is dated for May. This letter was written by my grandfather's father Guy Daines and sent from 506 W, 10th Street in Newport Kentucky.

I am not sure why I keep finding myself back here at the computer typing out these letters. I guess there is some hidden need for me to touch my grandparents again, through these old inked and penciled pages. It seems as if there is some tactile transference of something deeper and real through the pages that I hold in my hands. Just knowing that they are a part of a time before me and a time when reaching out through letters was slow and anticipated, sometimes more patiently than at other times. This connection grounds me somehow to a personal and yet shared history that negates time, that touches them as they once were. I feel that perhaps it was not so long ago that they were here, that they wrote, that they laughed, that he fielded and had those hits. I long for just one chance to visit a game and to see him through the eyes of the crowd, as he shined.

It has almost been one year, exactly, since I have written any posts about the Kentucky Colonels and my grandfather Guy Daines. I have not forgotten you Pop. I will resume keeping up starting this weekend.

Kentucky Colonels Photos from Guy Daines

May 23, 1934

Guy Daines is traveling with the Kentucky Colonels playing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on May 23 1934.

He writes:

Dearest Ange,
Arrived here in Sioux falls S.D. this morning about 7'oclock. We drove all night from Marshaltown Iowa a distance of about 320 miles. haven't received any mail from you as yet but hope too soon. We defeated Marshaltown Iowa 13-2 and defeated Sioux falls, S.D. tonight 3-2. It sure is cold up here in South Dakota. The people that watch the games stay in their machines. we are not very far from the Black Hills of South Dakota where there are quite a few tribes of Indians living on gov. reservations. I sure wish I could see them. Since we left home Sunday afternoon we have traveled close to 1500 miles. Every night we have a long pimp to make and hardly get any sleep. Reedy told us we have only short pimps to make. He aught to be along on these "short pimps" himself. Johnny got a telegraph this afternoon from Reedy sending us all the way to Huntington Ind. for Friday night. It is only a "short pimp" of about 700 or 800 miles. We will only be about 200 miles from Cincinnati when we get there, if we do. We have to travel all the way across Iowa, Illinois and almost all of Indiana. If he sends us back up here the next day we ought to tell him to go to hell and come home. I am writing this letter from the Lincoln Hotel here in Sioux Falls. I have just come back from the ball game. How's the weather up home? it couldn't be any colder than it is up here. Well Ange I haven't anything else to write about just now so I guess I'll have to close hoping to hear from you soon

Love & kisses
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxGuy

Tell family hello- also Ed, Ham, Schneider and rest
Haven't shaved as yet their almost a foot long.

Scores so far
K.C. 3 Danville Ill- 1
K.C. 5 Paulina Iowa- 1
K.C.13 Marshaltown Iowa- 2
K.C. 3 Sioux falls South Dakota -2 Wish I was sitting in that swing with you tonight-------------Al wants me to tell you hello!

Postcard and Clippings

This is a clipping from the Kentucky Post April 14th 1934, and below is the clipping that was saved in the box of letters from my grandparents.



This a clipping that was on Page 3 of the 19 of March Kentucky Post in April of 1934. It names the star players and their positions.



On may 4, 1934 Guy sent this post card home to his parents from "the highest spot in Florida" The singing tower located in Orlando Florida. He states that the team was leaving for Illinois.




The singing tower today image from flickr.com:

Monticello Florida April 25 8:30 PM 1934

Postage was 3 cents and the image is an etched NRA stamp "in a common determination" to: Miss Anna Botts 521 W 11th Street Newport, Kentucky.

Letterhead: Hotel Clinchfield Spartenburg, S.C. Hotel Washington is scratched out and Monticello.- Fla. is written

Dearest Ange:
Have not heard from you for a few days. Couldn't find much time to write fron New Symrna Fla. because we got into the town, played and was on our way again. We defeated tarpon Springs 18- 2. I got two out of five. last night we defeated New Symrna 14- 0. I only got four for five. Two home runs, a triple and a double. I am leading the team in batting so far. We drove all night to reach here. This is a small town of about 1900 people. It is only 13 mi. from the Georgia State line. Tomorrow we got way back up into Florida again. We have gone over 3000 miles already. If anybody ever asks me if I've seen Florida I'll tell them to go to h----. I'll be glad when we get out of this state. Please excuse the writing paper because this is all I could pick up at present. On the way over last night we killed a dog. We was going about 50 mi. and hr and the dog ran out in the middle of the road and set down. He looked right at us. We couldn't stop so we hit him. If we had tried to stop to avoid hitting him we might have turned over. It sounded like when you hit your hands together. I got a letter from Vince yesterday and will write to him as soon as I can. You, tell him, will you if you see him. This hotel we are sleeping at looks like the last rose of summer. It is the only one in town. The boys were throwing pots around in the halls and Glenn fixed Sroufe's bed so when he would lay in it, it would fall apart. He didn't lay in it though. Instead he threw a pillow on it and it fell apart. This hotel isn't the worst one we have stayed at yet. we stayed at one hotel on the way up the boys called "the roach hotel." They were running roaches around the hotel all night with baseball bats. This ballfield we are playing at tonight is terrible. They use a 14 in. outseam ball and have lights inside of dispans for reflectors. The handles are still on the dispans. There is a hole for the pitchers box you could lay down in. well, Ange, haven't much more to write about just now so I will close hoping to hear from you as soon as possible. Love & kisses Guy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx P.S. Tell mother art,Ed, Aunt, Sarah, & rest hello.

Merry Christmas

Who remembers : Breakfast at Shillitos in Cincinnati 1972 (My very first job as an elf!)







http://acincinnatihistory.blogspot.com/






http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=AB&Dato=20101216&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=12160804&Ref=PH

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play
My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go


Remembering the days of Christmas past

Growing up the Christmas season began with Breakfast with Santa at Shillito's in Cincinnati. After visiting the Tea Room and all my grandmother's friends from work there, we would walk around downtown Cincinnati and look at all the decorated windows on our way to Cincinnati Gas & Electric where my grandfather worked, and pay a visit to the trains, always leaving there grasping a huge sugar cookie in our mittened little hands!

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/ourhistory/2010/12/16/shillito%E2%80%99s-elves-need-a-home/





As the days approached Christmas Eve there were numerous fittings of my Christmas dress, which by the way my mother made, and usually we would match!





Oh that stopped about 5th grade. Sorry to say the 70s arrived and I needed to be cool and wear a "MAXI" dress of crushed velvet that year! Mom made it for me though, knowing how heavy it would be to walk around in, never the less. With my long straight hair and my "maxi" bib dress out of royal blue velvet I was all the rage, and by the end of that night the hem was torn and tattered from tripping over it.

The Christmas Eve arrival of friends, neighbors and relatives included,Uncle Glenn and Aunt Betty, Uncle Ed, Uncle Art and Aunt Millie and their dog Dude(who by the way, always stole my sandwiches), Aunt Bevie from next door, Grandma Bobbie and Poppie Guy, Uncle Guy and Aunt Penny and Little Guy and later, Stephanie, Mr. and Mrs. Ebert, Hueston, Aunt Sarah, Charles Herman, Jerry Herman, Cousins, Bruce Botts and many others who would come and go throughout the years making memories never forgotten and always cherished. The beginning of Christmas Eve was ushered in by a lot of food. Stategically positioned on the big table, a pingpong table, and some still on the stove included ham, cheese, a crown roast of pork, bread, all the fixings for sandwiches, navy beans, shrimp, stroganoff with rice and cookies with punch and a very secret frozen drink my Pop made with orange juice that grown-ups added 7up and a little something extra! There were high balls and Tab and Coke and anything or everything you wanted and never had except on this night--it was simply terrific! As a kid, it was presents and loud talking, laughter and more. One year Uncle Glenn taught me an amazing card trick that even though I botched it, I still felt a raving amount of success. It was a smashing party and when it was time to leave Gram and Pop's and drive to my Aunt Sarah's house on Park Avenue in Newport, Kentucky, Gram would put everything away and if it was cold enough, those left-overs were sanctioned to an area on the screened-in porch. At Aunt Sarah's everyone crammed into her little house and ate more ham and cheese, deviled eggs and chips and lots of candy treats. We all waited eagerly to watch the exchange of the gifts where her two sons, Charles and Jerry would always bicker back and forth over who Mom loved best, carefully counted and measured by the amount and size of presents they received. I loved the gifts that Aunt Sarah would give to me, a candy cane filled with M&Ms and little tiny whimsical presents from Woolworth's that I cherished for years! Jerry had a tattoo of a a Hawaiian dancer on his forearm that he would make dance for all of us, and he made me laugh as a child, and that is a special holiday memory for me. We would depart Aunt Sarah's just when the party started to get going and all of Aunt Sarah's friends would begin to arrive, and walk together as a family to St. Johns United Church of Christ at the corner of Park and Nelson Place, and sometimes on the walk back, after the candlelight service it would be snowing, which was just magical for me. We went to the Christmas service there for years together and our family was in everything from the choir to angels and even Mary and Joseph with my little brother Jackie as baby Jesus one year. I sang and absolutely horrendous rendition of Away in a manger one year--horrible! After all the good byes and wishes of Merry Christmas hugs and kisses we traveled home to sleep and wait for a visit from Santa Claus. I always tried to stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve to hear the animals speak--I never made it. I wanted to know what my dog, Pixie would have to say to me.

I have tried to recreate those same easy memories for my own family, but long for the days of the red, white, and blue Christmas lights proudly displayed when my Uncle Guy was in Vietnam.



http://www.kentonlibrary.org/genphotos/viewPhoto.cfm?imagename=di34797


We still have our Crazy Christmas Eves, where we drink Pop's secret orange frozen drink and share loud laughter,hugs, and kisses... but the days are different -- still magical, though just different. We all are living in different cities but in our hearts we remain in the basement of 6 Douglas Drive, or for my Mom and Uncle Guy, Thornton street, and in our hearts and on our faces there is a rather large smile that only Christmas can bring. Thanks Gram and Pop!


I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

the very real meaning of the Season

I don't really do this very much but a dear friend of mine owns a lovely knit shop on Monmouth Street in wonderful Newport Kentucky. She is an amazing light-filled and giving person whose spirit touches so many who enter, knit, and relax among the gift offered by the beauty of yarn. I would like to share a message from her website that I believe in. As the season of giving approaches reapidly among us all, take time to touch others in any way that you can. So visit this link and buy your beautiful yarns at Knit On! and knit sox or share the gift of a smile and your heart this year in any way that you can! http://www.knit-on.com/ and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQEXj6Rmn1s

May 10, 6:30 PM 1934

To: Guy Daines
Box 83 Newport Ky [scratched out]
Forward to
D.E. Kane Soft Ball Blooming ton In

(To H. Reed) [scratched out]

Dear Son, Newport Ky.

Wednsday 9-34

Just a few lines to let you know we were still thinking of you. Hope you had a good trip over there. I hope you showed them people over there how they play the game in old Kantucky, also hope you boys beat them. I was up with Oak View Jr.'s last eve. They win 8-2. Ange and that Hendrix girl were over last eve. I did not see them I was with Roy. They want me to be their coach but nothing doing. Boy was I tired yesterday. Went to bed at 3:30 and had to get up at 5:30. Your mother was all in yesterday too. How does Al like it. Give him all of our best regards and tell him to make good. What do you think of our Reds beating New York yesterday. I did not see any of the boys since you went away. Dr. Higgins was down last night. we might play Friday. he has not played all year. Give all of the buoys our best regards. I sure hope you boys make some money this trip because you all are sure entitled to it. Well as I don't know anything to write this soon will have to close Loads of love from all. Mother , Dad and little Bro

Letter from Guy May 9, 1934 ILL.

Colonial Hotel, European Plan, phone 414, Mt. Vernon Illinois:

Joe N. Marquis, Jr., Prop.
Jerry Bond,Manager

Dearest Ange:
Arrived here in Mt. Vernon, Illinois this morning about 11:30. we got lost on the way up here and went 87 miles out of our way. we are only 65 miles from St. Louis. The team we played tonight was named the liberty Goodrich. We defeated them 3 to 1. The run they got was given to them by us. Bailey walked the first man up and Forg threw wild trying to get the man at second. Glenn picked up the ball in center field and threw wild to me, the man scoring. Sroufe pitched the first 6 innings, and Bailey the last three. They got 2 hits off Sroufe & none off Bailey. This town is pretty big for its size. The population is around 12,750. The kids down here kept us busy all evening signing autographs. You ought to see Al- laugh when some of the kids come up to him and ask him for his autograph. I never got a hit tonight. None out of four. I flied out to the outfield 4 straight times. In the first inning with one out and Callery on third I drove him in with a long fly to outfield: Sandfoss got two hits. A double down the third baseline and a fly ball to the infield that the S.S.[short stop] & 2B.[second baseman] let fall bet.[between] them. He sure is holding his chest out now. The fellas are kidding me about him showing me up tonight. I don't pay any attention to them if they only say it once or twice but if they keep it up it hurts my feelings. We passed through New Albany, Ind. on the way down here. After we got lost we had to go through there. It is a pretty big town. Well, I don't know where we will go from here but I am getting ready for a good night's sleep. I guess I'll have to close now, hoping to hear from you, lots of love and kissesxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I remain as ever!
(How's this) Guy.

Tell your mother-Ed-Art-Sarah-Kale-Aunt-Charles-Jerry-Earl-and rest Hello.
I received Francis's Letter & tell her I said "thanks" for writing me. Will drop her a card. What's her address. Don't go on too many Moonlights.---------------

Forward to D.E. Kane Bloomington Ill.

May 8, 1934

May7, 1934

Dear Guy;
I suppose that you think that I am a fine one for I told you that I wasn't going up on sixth & York, then I went up anyway. I really meant it when I told you, but after I came home Mon. nite mom didn't want me to stay home by myself. Sarah said that we would stand some place where none of you could see us, that is why I changed clothes and put on dark shoes, hat and coat so that you wouldn't recognize me even if you did happen to see me. We were on our way home when your Dad picked us up. I really wish that he hadn't seen us for you were the last person that I wanted to see Mon. It wasn't that I didn't want to see you for you know better than that you didn't want me up their.

Betty Bane and I are going down the carnival at 3rd and Washington tonite. I suppose that we'll spend a pleasant evening watching that fellow eat rats.

Love Ange

P.S. I don't want you to be mad about Mon. nite for I'm truly sorry it turned out the way that it did. Everything went wrong. I hope that you arrived in Ill. safe. Ange

Card from Guy

Avolon Hotel May 4, 1934

Dearest Ange,
Arrived here in Orlando, Fla at 3' O'clock this afternoon. We left Savannah, Ga. at 8'o'clock this morning. Not bad for a 315 mi hop, eh! I received 3 of your letters today postmarked the 26th and 27th. Sure was glad to get them because I hadn't heard from you for a couple of days. Also got a letter from Bob and one from ham. They never had much to say. Bob still mentions Dorothy's name in his letters. You ask me if Dorothy was over to my house. she never was. Dad might have mistaken her for Ed's girlfriend. Well Ange, I don't know where we will go from here. We are lying idle for two days now. These long hops sure is killing us. we have traveled over 4, 000 miles already since we left home. 675 mi of it the last two days. These hops cost us more than we take in down here. If it keeps up like this down here we might be home next wk. or in a few wks. I can't say this to be true but it is just what I hear. How would you like to see me in a wk or two. I sure would like to see you. Saturday night will be exactly one month since we left home. It doesn't seem that long does it. Well Ange can't think of any more to write about so will close, hoping to hear from you soon

Love and Kisses
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Guy Jr.
Tell your family hello!(MOTHER-ED-ART-SARAH-KALE-AUNT-EARL-CHARLES + JERRY and rest!)

Letter from Ange dated May 1,1933 (1934?)

(In the top left-hand side of this letter Anne has it dated as May 1, 1933; but, the post mark on the envelope is dated May 2, 1934-- slight oversight of my grandmother's?)

Hello Darling;

Guess who I'm listening to, Yep, your right Ben Bernie "The ole Maestro". Arline Judge, Alison Shipworth and some other movie stars are speaking. I just finished working a cross word puzzle, that is all that I could do of it.

Sunday Dot came over and we went over on 12th St. to watch Ed and Bob play ball then we went up to the strand and saw some pictures that Joan Blondell, and Pat O'Brien played in, it was real good. we came home and washed up a bit and left right away for Covington. We went to the Liberty to see Convention City with Joan Blondell, Dick Powell and Guy Kibbee it was swell.There wasn't a good picture in Cincy. George Arliss, Wallace Berry and all "goofy" players like them were over there.

I went on the Moonlite last nite with Dot and Mary Ricker and Arline Steinhauer. We had a swell time. The boat was packed you could hardly dance.

Your Dad gave me that circular yesterday. The one you sent today is kind of "spiffy" isn't it? Does every town have circulars printed that you play in? Well Glenn does hit that apple once in while doesn't he. Was there anyone on base when he hit either home run?

Guy, I heard that "Murph" Callery is supposed to be sent home for going out with a girl. Is that right? Sis Hitty told me, she said that Deaver wrote "Yip" and told him. I guess that it's just another rumor that's out. If Agnes hears that it will be too tight for "Murph" she'll catch the next train for Florida.

I ['ll] be so glad when you get back, are you glad that you're coming home? I guess not.
Guy I don't know what's wrong that you're not getting any mail from me. I sure write you plenty of letters.
Glenn hasn't been sending any clippings home lately. He sent some home at first. he sent tha big write up that "Tiny" got about inhaling sandwiches and drinking "coca cola" bottle and all. We let your Dad take it home to let your Mother read. You didn't send that one home.
Ed wrote you a letter over a week ago. I don't guess that you received that one either.
Stay out of the water if it makes you sick. The team can't afford you to be sick can they. Love xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ange
(over)
P.S. Don't forget to send me a picture
Are you listening
oodles of love and kisses for you

Just me



Johnny Kinsella took all of opur clippings including the two circulars and put them up on his "Bulletin Board" up in the salon [saloon?] He's going to take good care of them and give them back so he said. He better. Thank's a lot for the circular. Well I think I told you about all the news & gossip that I can think of right now so I close. about time isn't it.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

May 2nd postcard from Guy

little gift cards sent to Ange

My grandmother had these saved in between the last letter and the next one, dated May 2, 1934. These are just nice little tokens of remembrances. I though I'd share these.

May 3,1934

Dearest Ange,
We defeated Savannah, Georgia tonight 9 to 4. They got 4 runs in the first inning off Sroufe. Sroufe complained he didn't feel well before he went in. After they got those 4 runs, we believed it. Bailey then went in and struck the next 15 out of 18 batters. Only one reached first base and that was by a walk. We played at the Municipal Stadium here. It seats 40,000 people. The people that we had in there, you could hardly see them in the stands. After the game the wanted to play us another game. They said if we played there way they could beat us. They pitch slow down here and they wanted our pitchers to pitch slow so they could hit them. We could have beat them again, slow pitching or no slow pitching but we were too tired to play. We have to jump all the way back to Orlando Fla again, 350 mi. We just came from winter Haven, 395 mi away, last night and will have to go almost all the way back again. Reedy sure keeps us on the jump. Hops like that cost us a lot of money and if it should happen to rain when we get there, we would just be out that much. I hope we won't have to jump back again. well, Ange, I haven't heard from you in two days. I hope you haven't forgotten me. I got a letter from dad today, it was mailed direct to Sav. Georgia. I haven't much more to write about so will close with love and kisses.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I remain Gut Daines Jr.

(Getting ready for bed have to leave here 6:A.M. in morning. Drive all day and play same night.

Scrapbook of Guy Daines