I've begun a running blog article called "Old Stuff From Readers Like You" at http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2010/12/old-stuff-from-readers-like-you.html which will contain vignettes I have and will receive from blog readers when the content isn't large enough in content to make a full-flown article. Anyone is welcome to offer such contributions.

The initial post contains 3 postcards from Oklahoma City to a great grandmother living in Frankfort, Kansas, submitted by a grandson & great grandson living in Kansas City.

Two of the postcards mention the "grip." If anyone can explain, in a couple of sentences, what the "grip" is/was, I'd be glad to learn the meaning. A pair of contemporary New York Times articles that I referenced in the post weren't all that helpful.

The post will be expanded as new stuff is received. Small versions of the 3 post cards included in the present post are shown below:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/vintage_stories/bodinson1_1909_03_06_a_510.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/vintage_stories/bodinson2_1910_03_15_a_510.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/vintage_stories/bodinson3_1910_04_05_a_510.jpg

If you're curious about the back side of the postcards, 1 in 1909 and 2 in 1910, the backsides are shown in the article.

Doug, can we add those someday to Retro Metro?

Of course. Anything I have.

I've added 2 vignettes ...

#2 - Brenda Lewis, from Texas, On Her Great Grandfather Capp Julius Jefferson. I added some research of my own ... he was a highly respect member of the black community beginning in 1897, 3 times running for the Republican nomination for the 5th Congressional district

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/vintage_stories/capp_j_jefferson.jpg

#3 - By Ron Kiser, Oklahoma City -- the Santa Fe Parade Train.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/vintage_stories/ronkiser_atsfstreettrain2.jpg

Have you ever seen one of these before? I hadn't. He's also looking for more information about the item which, sadly, I was unable to give.

http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2010/12/old-stuff-from-readers-like-you.html

"The grippe" or grip was a colloquial term for the virus infection that we now call influenza. It was common usage in these parts until at least the mid-30s; I remember my grandmother (who died in 1941) using it...

Usually I've read "the grip" or "La Grippe" associated with the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Usually I've read "the grip" or "La Grippe" associated with the 1918 influenza pandemic.

My grandmother used to use that term regarding her younger sister who passed away in the 1918 flu epidemic...the term seems to describe how fast and hard it hit it's victims...

Hey Doug, Let me know if you want to use any of my stuff.

Of course ... but I don't remember what it was! Give me a call or e-mail.

I have posted a few pics on the OKC skyline thread if you want to take a look.

See my PM.

The 4th and latest addition to Old Stuff from Readers Like You (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2010/12/old-stuff-from-readers-like-you.html) is Doug Hamilton's courtesy showing of the Original Boston Bloomer Girls appearance at Delmar Garden on June 12, 1910. Doug figured that he had a unique treasure and intended to sell the original postcard on Ebay -- which he did for $299.99. Before he did, he game me a scanned copy and consented that I publish it in Doug Dawgz Blog, and it appears at http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2010/12/old-stuff-from-readers-like-you.html#4. The principal image is shown below (click on the image below for a higher resolution image):

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/delmar-wheeler/delmar_1910_bostonbloomers1_800.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/delmar-wheeler/delmar_1910_bostonbloomers1.jpg)

See the blog post (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2010/12/old-stuff-from-readers-like-you.html) for additional information.