June 19, 1917 - WEDDING BELLS RING IN NEW YORK!

Well here we are at the big day for Joe and Helen. Below are some of the memories of that special day. Surprisingly, no official photographs were taken. I wear this ring with great pride! Originally it was engraved with flowers on the outside of the band but there is no sign of them. Time has worn them off.

 Date engraved in Helen's ring

 J.G.S. to H.R.

Helen's datebook for the week of the wedding.

JOSEPH SHAPIRO

TAKES BRIDE IN

NEW YORK TODAY

Rabbi Stephen S. Wise Officiates at Ceremony of Widest Interest

A wedding of wide interest was  celebrated in New York at high noon today when Miss Helen Rosenstein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Rosenstein, became the bride of Joseph G. Shapiro, of the firm, Shapiro & Shapiro, attorneys of this city. Rabbi Stephen S. Wise officiated at the ceremony which took place at the home of the bride's parents, No. 545 West 111th street, with the attendance limited to the immediate families and a few intimate friends. Ysaye, the famous violinist was among the guests.

Charles H. Shapiro of this city, was his brother's best man, while Miss Florence Rosenstein was her sister's maid of honor. After a reception, Mr. Shapiro and his bride left for an extended bridal trip through the White Mountains to Canada. Upon their return to this city they will make their home temporarily at the Stratfield, until the new home is completed in Shelton where Mr. Shapiro is the prosecuting attorney. He has practiced law in this city many years, having graduated with honors at Yale. He assisted Homer S. Cummings and the late Stiles Judson in a number of well-known cases, and has represented the Bridgeport Credit Men’s association in legisla­ture. Mr. Shapiro is a member of the Yale club of New York and a member of the Masons, Elks in this city where he has a wide cir­cle of friends.

 

Mr. Shapiro's bride is a graduate of Barnard college, and president of the French club of New York.

Pictures and postcards from the honeymoon to follow.

January 24, 1916 - From Zionism to Local Crime

Here is a letter with many diverse topics. I have linked the areas that I think may need some explanation.

 

January 24,1916.

Dear Helen:
Do you remember remarking that Dr.Wise was not as vehement in his reply to the recent criticisms on Zionism as might be expected from so powerful an orator and debater? Mr. Brandeis told me that Dr.Wise was very ill on Saturday,and was contemplating postponing his Southern trip, unless the physician permitted him to go, and he was rather surprised and happy to learn that Dr.Wise had recovered so as to be able to attend and conduct his services in so able a manner.

During the afternoon,I also had an opportunity to spend some little time with Congressman Garland from the Pitts­burgh district,in fact we dined together,and he being a man of about 350 avoirdupois, you can imagine my envying his appetite. He is the Congressman who introduced a rather unique prepared­ness program,and will probably explain the same in a few days.

What I intended to say, however is that early this morning I called the Metropolitan,and was informed that the house had been sold out a week or so ago,and that there wasn't a thing left to be had. It is rather discouraging, but I have heard such things before. At present I cannot think of any other method of securing any reservation,but then, perhaps a stray idea might come a strolling along to relieve the situation. Do you know whether Tyson's have anything to do with the Opera,or do they only look after the other theatres?

The Committee on Arrangements of our Club that is planning a large Charity Ball in March have left,and the atmosphere resembles the smelting district of the aforesaid Pittsburgh.Did you ever go through the old Hoosic Tunnel? That's what the office looks and smells like at this moment.But they are engaged in a good work, and if they enjoy smoking, let them have it. It reminds one of Bill Nye's stories of Sir Walter Raleigh appearing before Queen Lizzie smoking his first corn cob of uncured green tobacco.

There has been a very revolting crime committed in Shelton some months ago,and the authorities have just apprehended the guilty-that is the suspected guilty-parties; and upon reading one confession,and the notes of the testimony that will be given tomorrow by various witnesses for the State,it simply makes one disgusted. In such a modem time,it doesn't seem possible or even conceivable that relics of the second century before Noah's days, if ever there was such a time,could be found among us.Why in the wildest dreams of depravity or criminology,the normal person could not conjure up such crimes,and I am rather surprised to hear of it. But why thrust this on you?

Oh yes,that cold is rapidly departing,and if it keeps up at its present speed,ought to be quite aways from here by tomorrow or Wednesday."Non mia voce" does not apply at all.

Sincerely,
Joe
The next letter is January 26.

October 28, 1913 - The political situation here . . .

In this letter Joe gives insight into what was happening in the political arena in Bridgeport, CT as election day was approaching. From his tone about the Republican party vs. the Progressive party it is not much different than politics today.

October 28,1913
Dear Helen,
Here's the blue paper again. It was handy, so I used it.
I have made arrangements to be in New York Friday and Saturday of this week; and I might be induced to stay over Sunday. If I am not mistaken Dr. Wise will speak anent* (concerning; about) political times on Sunday morning.

The political situation here is a cross between a flaming caldron and perdition itself. All the parties are split into factions, and they in turn into classes. For example, I am a Republican. So is my brother. Yet his father-in-law is a Progressive and is on the Progressive ticket. It looks almost like father against son. To liven matters, my sister-in-law was proposed as a candidate for the Board of Education on the Progressive ticket. She was persuaded to decline the nomination for many reasons. On of the strong ones was, that she has two babies and plenty of work, as it is, at home, outside of the Republican affiliation of her hubby. But instead, Mrs. Davis is running for that position. She is the wife of the President of the Locomobile Co. of America.

But, then, you have your school work to do, and I shouldn't take up your time.
So with kindest regards I am
Sincerely
Joe

Here is a portrait of Rabbi Stephen Wise taken between 1920 and 1940.

Above is an example of an auto in 1913 made by the Locomobile Co. of America


The next letter will be on November 3rd.