After moving into a new property, most people can't wait to start redecorating to make their new house a home. But one woman came across more than dated fixture and fittings when remodelling her bathroom - and it gave her an insight into the property's history.
The woman uncovered a 43 year old note from one of the previous homeowners after removing the tile from her bathroom walls and floor. Written on May 23, 1979, it reads: "Hi. It is 105 in the shade New Tiles HRE being put in the bathroom tomorrow. The USA is going broke. Carter is our president right now. Hope when you find this, things will be better. Good luck. Rudolph Matejka."
After sharing a picture of the note on Reddit, users searched through online records to find Mr Matejka.
However, they believe he died 10 years after writing the letter, as they came across an obituary dated May 6, 1989.
It reads: "Rudolph Matejka, 87, of Phoenix, a mailman, died May 6 1989. He was born in Chicago. Survivors include his wife, Ella, a son; two daughters; one stepson; two stepdaughters; two sisters; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren."
Commenting on the find, one user said: "His family would probably like having that. I would frame that in a shadowbox if someone found something like this of my dad's."
Another user added: "Imagine if he knew his letter would be seen by so many across the world!"
A third user said: "This is a really interesting thought. Like, this guy probably just thought that I’d be a neat thing to do and maybe be see by a few.
"But so much has changed that thousands will see it and hundreds will comment on it.
"And by a strange twist of fate, though his message reached vastly more than he could have ever well imagined, times aren't all that different than when Carter was president."
One more user added: "You should add to the letter and hide it again for the next generation to find, maybe things will be better then."
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