The Foreign Observer

My parents were kids during the 1930s Great Depression. In the "Crash of 1929," thousands of banks across the US failed, wiping out the life savings of millions. Unemployment soared to unimaginable heights. Families struggled throughout the economic crisis, and did anything they could to put food on the table. My father's family was particularly hard hit when their father died suddenly at the age of 52, leaving my 35-year-old grandmother from Ireland with two teenage boys to raise alone. My dad was 12 at the time; his older brother Jack, just 15.

A few months after their father's death, the boys decided the best way to raise money would be to publish a newspaper. The Foreign Observer was published "fortnightly," cost two cents, and was "an independent newspaper devoted exclusively to the review of foreign news." Our uncle, John (Jack) Butler, was the Editor, and Dad was Assistant Editor. Shown here are three issues from 1937.

On these early editions, check out the tiny handwriting and miniscule illustrations they created. The map of London shows the route of the Royal Coronation of King George VI (from the movie "The King's Speech"). Dad signed the plane illustration when he was 13 years old.

Copies of The Foreign Observer were printed on a hand-cranked mimeograph machine. The brothers reported on the rise of Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and the hostilities throughout Europe leading up to World War II. On the lighter side, they reported news of Harold Vanderbilt's racing yacht "Ranger" winning the America's Cup. Interesting tidbits also appeared—like "Swearing has been prohibited in the Italian Army”

As events around the world escalated, The Foreign Observer became a weekly and was renamed The Globe. From Shakespeare's “Hamlet,” "Report Me and My Cause Aright" inspired a new tagline. Type replaced handwritten editions, and their friend Edward Meany became the new Associate Editor.

An ambitious enterprise for two teenage boys and a job well done. With great admiration—here’s to you Dad and Uncle Jack! 

Peter Butler

Ed. Pat Butler

Oyster Bay Cove, Spring 1951

The color and quality of these old family slides is a bit faded but thought I'd post them anyway, simply because they illustrate the universal joy and happiness of a young couple in love with a new baby. Taken in the spring of 1951 at Uncle Jack and Aunt Ruth's place in Oyster Bay Cove. Mom and Dad are visiting with baby Paul. Accompanying them is Dad and Uncle Jack's mom, our Irish grandmother. The beaming grins on their faces tell the story. 

Mom and Dad left their apartment in Jamaica, Queens, picked up Mom/Nana/Nance in Sea Cliff, and drove out to Oyster Bay Cover on Long Island for a family day in "the country." Mom and Dad told us about beautiful, bucolic Long Island before the massive over-development began shortly after these photos were taken. 

 

Dad picks flowers in a nearby meadow to present to Mom, relaxing in a lounge chair next to blooming irises. Nana Butler, sporting a sprig of hyacinth on her jacket, is obviously in love with her first grandchild. Little did she know there were five more to come! Then there is gentle soul Uncle Jack, who no doubt staged all these photos, and glamorous Aunt Ruth, always well-dressed. 

Most likely this is Easter, although we can't be sure. They were well-dressed for any outing. The shot of Dad leaning against the fence strikes me as myself at the same age. 

Still standing in its bucolic setting, the house is unfortunately deserted, unkempt, in disrepair. The wrap-around front porch collapsed a few years back. But if its forlorn walls could talk they might tell of a delightful spring day when a happy family gathered in the joy of their firstborn, seventy years ago. 

And let's not forget the roadsters . . .

Or the beautiful bay, across the street.

And the proud father, beginning his legacy.

Peter Butler

Ed. by Pat Butler

With thanks to Tom Butler for unearthing these slides and building a home scanner to send us more family history and treasure. 

Lewis Benedict Butler ~ An Adventurous Life

Many of our ancestors survived incredible ordeals. Our paternal grandfather, Lewis Benedict Butler, had nine lives, surviving several brushes with death, particularly during WWI. He recorded one experience in his log book:

 

On February 13, 1916, at the age of 32, Lewis boarded the schooner “Frederic A. Duggan” as a Merchant Marine in Queenstown, Ireland. Queenstown was a bustling harbor at the time, especially during the war. A Captain Hansen mastered the schooner, which carried a cargo of clay bound for Cardiff, Wales. During the harrowing winter voyage across the Irish Sea, the schooner was beset with terrible storms and was on the verge of sinking, with 8 feet of frigid water in her hold and the pumps clogged with clay.

 

 

The schooner hove to off the coast of Wales and awaited rescue, with the crew bailing the sinking ship by hand with bucket brigades. Fortunately, schooner and crew were rescued and towed into Barry, Wales the following week. The crew spent a few weeks there repairing storm damage to the schooner. Two months later, the “Frederic A. Duggan" was again ready for service, anchored just off of Barry. But gales and heavy seas continued throughout the following weeks. On April 25th, the ship dragged its anchor and slammed into a French steamer.

 

 

Shortly afterwards, Lewis Benedict Butler received new orders: he was discharged from his present duties and issued an emergency passport. The Merchant Marines fell under the Navy’s jurisdiction. The crew was recalled to the United States after German submarines sank seven US merchant ships.

 

On May 6th, 1916, Lewis Benedict Butler left Liverpool, England aboard the “Carpathia,” the famous ship which had rescued the “Titanic” survivors and brought them safely back to New York Harbor. 

 

By Peter Butler, grandson, February 17, 2019

Uncle Jack's Wedding Day

 

Uncle Jack's wedding, 1950

Dad, left, chats with his brother John, our famous family favorite "Uncle Jack." The brothers are looking dapper with their boutonnières, champagne, and cigarettes--an unfortunate trend back in the day. With a film noir look, they could be extras in The Great Gatsby film.

 

Dad, a newlywed himself, recently married our mom, Dorothy Hyett, on September 10, 1949. We're unsure of the venue here except that it would have in Sea Cliff, Long Island, NY. It looks like a private home, possibly of the bride's family. Since Uncle Jack looks tense and the brothers are smoking, maybe it's a pre-wedding pep talk from Dad?!

 

Uncle Jack was an intelligent, kind soul, and an incredibly talented artist. At his death, Dad discovered  hundreds of his pen-and-ink drawings in the attic (hence the name of the blog). Uncle Jack's drawings, sketchbooks, and paintings, with some photography, have now passed to our generation. Of his many themes, we've cataloged shore birds, ships, lighthouses, early aviation, and local scenes of Long Island's north shore. No doubt many were inspired by Uncle Jack's Coast Guard days and the brothers' own adventures in Sea Cliff as sea scouts.  

 

Best friends throughout their lives, these two young men overcame daunting obstacles together--from childhood into old age. Brotherly love at its finest. Cheers to you, Dad and Uncle Jack! We miss you dearly. 

 

Thanks to Peter Butler for photo and text, edited by Pat Butler.