LS Was a Pretty Fun Guy

I don’t know who LS was, but when he came to town with his dog, exciting things happened for the Spielmann girls.

Great-grandmother Margaret received this postcard from LS in January of 1909.

“Coney Island, 1/25/1909. My friend and I. Yours the same, LS”

The back of the postcard.

Later, in August of 1910, LS accompanied Hilda and Lillian to Coney Island, where they sat for studio pictures to send to the folks back home. It seems like Margaret didn’t get to go on this trip, but she did get a postcard.

August 31, 1910, Coney Island. Lillian is on the left, Hilda on the right, and LS in the middle (I’m assuming the dog is Taylor).

The back of the postcard from LS.

Here’s another postcard from the same trip. I don’t know who Gretchen Spellman is — if you do, please, oh please, leave a comment. She was apparently staying (or living?) at the same address as great-grandmother Margaret in August of 1910.

August 31, 1910, Coney Island. Addressed to Miss Gretchen Spellmann, 214 Central Ave. Jersey City Heights. “Regards from Lill, Hill, Taylor, and LS. xxxxxxx”

The back of the postcard.

LS also staged exciting adventures for Margaret and Hilda at Mount Beacon. (Here is some modern-day information about the place. How I love the Internet.)

Date unknown. The back of the photo says, “A Hold Up at Mount Beacon. Hill and LS”

Hilda obviously forgave him for the hold up.

Date unknown. The back of the photo says, “The Surrender at Mount Beacon. Hill and LS”

But, then great-grandmother Margaret took a crack at the villain.

Date unknown. The back of the photo says, “Margie time to hold up L.S.”

Based on Hilda’s dress, this picture could be from the same trip.

Hilda and LS. Date and photographer unknown.

I imagine that LS was an uncle, or maybe he was a family friend who acted like the best sort of uncle. In any case, my great-grandmother Margaret carefully saved artifacts of good times with him. I wish I knew more about him.

(I would also like to point out that Pharrell Williams has nothing on LS, style-wise. The Happy song seems very appropriate, though.)

Date and photograph unknown. The back of the photo says, “LS happy at West Point.”

If you know anything about this fun guy, please, please, please leave a comment.