Pierre Blanc of New York writes: I collect vintage Western Union stock tickers as well as their associated pedestals, manuals literature, etc.
I appreciate the beauty & history of these machines and have several in my collection. I am always interested in acquiring more machines as well as the any service manuals that might have been used by Western Union technicians in the field to repair the stock tickers.
If you have any of these items or perhaps know of anyone who does, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks so much for any assistance you can offer in locating these items.
Sincerely,
Pierre Blanc
914-498-1960
914-633-5853
se.cs@verizon.net
Linda Squires of Orlando FL writes: My grandfather, Stanley Chappell, was an employee of Western Union. He started working for them in Grand Junction, Colorado, and in the 1930's he moved to Oklahoma City, OK. No one in our family knows anything about him. Is there any way I can track down where he moved when he left Oklahoma City in 1945? I am sure he is deceased but my curiosity is killing me. Thank you for any help you can give. If you can help Linda send her an email at: johnevans2743@hotmail.com.
Craig Talbot writes: I'm hoping you can help me out or lead me in the right direction. I am looking for a photo or someone who knows the color of a 1949 Harley Davidson 165 cc. used by Western Union. My friend has one and would like to restore to it's original color. He has several of these H.D. hummers and can't seem to find anything on the ones used by WU. He has a list of colors offered by H.D. and it might be one of those colors. Once again anything would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Craig Talbot.
If you can help, please email Craig at sluggottmc@ameritech.net.
Frances Padilla-White-Watkins of La Habra, CA writes: If anyone has an extra copy of the WU tariff book, I would like to acquire it. I have many items that I accidentally kept not knowing that some day I would look backwards and relive the good times and happy times working for WU. If you can help me by emailing me back if you know who I should contact.
Frances can be reached at franboruwatk@earthlink.net.
Cindy Craddock Schaut writes:
My name is Cynthia Craddock Schaut. My grandfather worked for Western Union many, many years ago. He was born in 1891 and died in 1973. He was always telling stories about his life. The one I remember most is him telling me that he was the lineman pictured on the pole outside the Lindbergh Kidnapping trial in Flemington, NJ. I would like to see that picture again. I remember seeing it at one time. Attached is a copy of an article about Forrest K. Craddock and his picture. Also, do you have any other information about him? Where he may have traveled on the job?
Thank you,
Cindy
for the
article and photo of Mr. Craddock. Cindy can be reached at
crad_scha@yahoo.com.
Explanar Regional Manager
260 Balboa Park Lane
Redmond, Oregon 97756
golfsavvy@msn.com
541.749.8253
fax 541.548.4259
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jean Callaham" jmcallaham@msn.com
To: richardutz@netpass.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 12:33 PM
Subject: Looking for information about Western Union offices in NYC in
the
1940s
The photos are of my mom and her friend Lois taken during a brief strike.
My name is Jean Callaham and I've been trying unsucessfully for about 8 months to get some information about Western Union in the 1940s. I got your email information off the Western Union alumni website and thought that you could help me find the information I'm seeking.
My father, Henry Golaszewski, worked first for Postal Telegraph and then Western Union after the merger, in the 1940s until he was drafted and sent to war.
My mother, Jean Manno (maiden name) Golaszewski worked for Western Union as a teletypist from 1942 until 1949, when she permanently retired to give birth to her first child (me).
My father recently wrote his memoirs and the passage about how he met my mother when she came to work at the office he was assigned to, touched my heart. This was in New York City, on 40th Street and Broadway.
My mother was transferred to an office in the Graybar Bldg, at 420 Lexington Ave. She said this office only serviced the Graybar Building and was very busy. She also would work as needed at an office in Grand Central Station, which was around the corner.
I have been trying to find the location of this office for sentimental reasons. I know it is no longer there, but something else must be occupying the space. I now work at Grand Central, myself, and would like to see where she worked. I have a photograph of her in front of Grand Central's main entrance, walking a picket line, taken some time in the mid 1940s when Western Union workers went on strike for better pay and benefits, so I know she is remembering correctly that she worked there. Unfortunately, due to age and illness, her memory is not very good now.
I spoke with the Station master at Grand Central, who said he's been there for 56 years (my age) and does not remember a Western Union office in the terminal. I contacted the historian at Western Union who said her records only go back to the 1970s.
I would love to have any information and/or pictures, if they exist, about the Grand Central and Graybar Building offices, and the office at 40th and Broadway, if possible. If you don't know personally, could you direct me to someone who might have some recollection?
Any assistance you can provide will be deeply appreciated.
I can be reached at jmcallaham@msn.com or 917-747-8594.
Thank you.
Ginny (Throgmorton) Bloomfield
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 1:05 PM
Subject: wu office at Empire State Building
Dear Mr. Utz,
Do you have access to, or could you ask your members about photographs of the Western Union office at the Empire State Building? I have tried contacting First Data, but with little success. About 30 years ago, I was the sign contractor at the Empire State. The chief engineer was throwing out the wu sign and asked if I wanted it. The sign was refurbished and now sits on the wall of my den. I'd like to have a picture of it when it was on the side of the building. Any assistance would earning my undying gratitude (and a gift, too).
Sincerely
George Schaefer
718.987.8280
Good Morning Mr. Utz.
I was delayed in forwarding the photo to you: I had to bring the sign outside. I couldn't back up enough to get a clear shot in the house. The letters are 6 5/8" high and the overall size of the sign is 8' 5" The original finish was probably satin grained aluminum with matte finished bars. When I got it, it was painted (several coats) with silver paint. I stripped it down and repaired some of the broken fastenings. Then I applied gold leaf to the letters and painted the rails gold. I appreciate the help you and your group are providing.
Sincerely,
George Schaefer
