BETTER FOR THE HARD TIMES

My mother's parents came to Goose Hill in about 1910 from Poland. My grandfather Stanislau Musial and one uncle worked for Swift and Co. Two of my uncles were employed by Hunter Packing and another uncle was a government meat inspector for the USDA. My parents were married in this town in 1929 and my dad worked at Swift's for a short time also. My sister was born in Goose Hill. The folks left for central Wisconsin (my dad's home) in 1936 due to hard times and unemployment.

In reading your book and looking at the many pictures I am reminded of the many good times I had in visiting my relatives that lived in this town. Toward the end of the lives of these relatives, they resided in an area of 900 to 1100 Lynch and Lake Avenues.

Your mention of Kruta's Bakery still makes my rnouth water and I remember the 5:00 a.m. trips there to purchase Apple Strudel and Hard Rolls in the early 50's. I have traveled far and wide and never have found anything to compare to that bakery.

Every few years I am compelled to travel to East St. Louis to remember where we came from. I have some family pictures from the late'20s of Goose Hill and hard times. But I would have say that I am a better person because of East St. Louis and those times. The only thing that I don't miss is the pungent odor of the National City Stock Yards.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Brown

Janesville, Wisconsin