The Tension (Gladys)

: September 24, 1943 envelope

: September 24, 1943, p. 1

: September 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 24 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 13 came today. You said you wanted to know something about me – well I weigh 100 ever. I broke my glasses, or rather David did and I am going without them just to see if I can. So far no bad results but I may get a headache and have to have an eye exam & get new lenses. My hands got over the bad attack and pealed off and now are sore in spots again, but more of a weather irritation this time. Pauline has been doing all the soap & water work & hanging up clothes to keep me from exposing my hands but they will get sore when the weather turns cool in spite of precautions. Yesterday was a better day for a birthday party than today would have been – However Wed. was warm & we could have entertained in the yard but it was cool enough to stay in the house yesterday after taking pictures. I had been taking shots every month, then I started ahead of time the last three or four times and didn’t get shots so haven’t had Theelin or anything for several months but get along without it. I am going to see Dr. Cole tomorrow. I have been having some indigestion and have so much has all the time I really don’t think it is anything but thought he might give me some suggestions on diet. I really think it is the tension – you know what I mean – Mother so ill – trips to Laf. – etc. Too much hurrying around. I really feel

[page 2] pretty good but think I will have to be careful of my diet! David is getting so he doesn’t wake up so early and I don’t know why, but if I can sleep a little longer in the a.m. I feel better – now maybe if I would go to bed earlier that would help, but seems like my pep always raises in the afternoon and I feel more like doing thing later in the day & that usually runs into the night. When your mother was here she said she like to work in day but not in the evening. I suppose if I got up as early as she does I would be ready to quit by evening.

Mark has gone to the football game – It was raining some & I wasn’t going to allow him to go, but told him he would have to wear rain coat, hat & rubbers and in order to go he agreed. John decided he would rather stay home & practice his music lesson than go out in the rain. I was glad he did because it doesn’t help his allergy any to get cold. He doesn’t cough much anymore. His headaches come & go – Dr. V. said his glasses are correct so I think the headaches must be due to maybe his age. His voice sounds so funny at times when it gets off the “sound track.” He says he doesn’t notice that it’s any different.

It’s about time for Mark to get home – here he is – Kentland won 48 to 12 – Knox lost. He (Mark) is all out of breath telling about it.

David is due for smallpox vaccination but has a little head cold so don’t know whether the Dr. will want to give it to him or not. He acts like he is going to cut more teeth. Still has just 6.

Love Mother

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/02/the-tension-gladys/

Book Preview

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Two more days until the book giveaway! While everyone is waiting here is another preview from Dear Mother, Love Daddy from the first chapter – Introduction:

During World War II, Roscoe Yegerlehner and his wife, Gladys, began and continued an incredible daily correspondence. Gladys was meticulous about saving every letter that Roscoe wrote. She even managed to save several of the letters that he wrote to their boys. It is somewhat amazing that any of those letters survived, considering that the recipients were 10 and 12 years old in 1942. At the beginning of Roscoe’s service, when he was stationed at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia, Roscoe did not save Gladys’ letters. He threw them away after he read them. After he was shipped out to the Pacific, the letters meant much more to him; they became his lifeline home. He kept them and brought them home to Kentland.

Some of the letters were lost. For example, some of letters that Gladys wrote during the month of September 1942 were never delivered. Roscoe had just been assigned to a new post. Those letters were probably lost by the Post Office, misdirected by the Navy, or destroyed while traveling on a transport vessel. Luckily, the vast majority of the letters did survive. In fact, about one thousand letters written between May 1942 and May 1944 still exist today.

After the war, Gladys organized the letters. She sorted them into piles, tied up each bundle with string, and labeled each with the writer’s initials, RSY and GRY. She also included the month in which the letters were written. She packed them away in a box, and stored them in a closet. Many years later, she was cleaning house when her youngest son, David, was visiting. She told him to just put those silly old letters in the trash. Thankfully, David disregarded her instructions and took the letters home with him. Again, the letters were stowed away in a closet, until one day, when David’s daughter became obsessed with genealogy. The letters were packed up in box and shipped across the country. For the next decade, they remained in another closet. And then, finally, the letters came out of their box for the last time. Some of the letters were lost. For example, some of letters that Gladys wrote during the month of September 1942 were never delivered. Roscoe had just been assigned to a new post. Those letters were probably lost by the Post Office, misdirected by the Navy, or destroyed while traveling on a transport vessel. Luckily, the vast majority of the letters did survive. In fact, about one thousand letters written between May 1942 and May 1944 still exist today.

Don’t miss out! Enter the book giveaway here!

Smallpox Epidemic, Part LXXXI

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EIGHT CASES OF SMALLPOX

Seven in One Family on the Edge of
Vermillion County.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
COVINGTON, Ind., April 27. – George W. Rowland, M. D., of this city, has reported a case of smallpox near Silverwood, in the southern part of Fountain county. The patient is a boy sixteen years old, named Austin Whitford. He contracted the disease from a family living in Vermillion county, two and one-half miles southwest from Perryville, where the doctor found seven cases in the family.

A man from Arkansas went there recently and is supposed to have spread the disease. The infected localities have been quarantined and a strict watch has been placed over them.

“Eight Cases of Smallpox,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 28 April 1900, p. 2, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 3 February 2015).

Whooping Cough (Ruby Brewer)

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LIEUT. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
NAVY 60 U.S.N.R.
FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO – California

R.C. BREWER
209 W. HIGH St.
MOORESVILLE INDIANA
SEPT 24 1943

Dear Doctor:

Our weather is quite different from yours as we had quite a frost this a.m. and have a fire in the furnace. The leaves are starting to fall and a few are turning colors. Chas. has the whooping cough and I really have a time. It makes him so mad when he whoops hard. The other day some “whooped” up in his hands and he threw it across the room and you might imagine the mess. I could have spanked him. Art and Vivian were home this week. They weren’t here long as it took them so long to come and go on the train. Art said to ask you if you ever cared for his pals the SeaBees. He has seen Caroll Wittenburg Sr. He was at Art’s camp for a while. Red went out in the woods and got a squirrel a few days ago. When he brought it in Chas. Said “Daddy has it got its husk on yet?” Red said “What?” and Chas. Said “Oh I meant have you shelled it yet?” He has a stray kitten now to add to everything else. His dog doesn’t like the cat and such fusses with Chas. in the middle. Red has had his yearly round of flu so hope he is set for winter. We had had another Dr. sent here, a young Dr. that the Army rejected on account of his eyes. We are pretty well supplied but for a while it was rather a sin to get sick here. Chas. was going to start to Kindergarten but took the whooping cough and I had a time explaining why the other children could go and he couldn’t. Red said they probably wouldn’t have him anyway – he is such an Indian. Space is short so will close trusting that God will keep you safe and bring you home soon.

Ruby – Red – Charles Brewer

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/01/whooping-cough-ruby-brewer/

Smallpox Epidemic, Part LXXX

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Prisoner Had the Smallpox.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
SOUTH BEND, Ind., April 26. – George Smith, aged twenty-one years, of Chicago, was locked up by the police last night as a vagabond. This morning the discovery was made that he had smallpox. The station and four officers are in quarantine.

“Prisoner Had the Smallpox,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 27 April 1900, p. 2, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 3 February 2015).

Slaughter House (Roscoe)

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: September 23, 1943 envelope

: September 23, 1943, p. 1

: September 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m a little late in writing today but in plenty of time for the outgoing mail. I had to spend most of the morning at the Slaughter house inspecting the beef as the butchering was being done. It seems I’m getting to be more of a Jack of all trades more and more each day.

The date I see has a particular meaning since D. is at his first year. I’ll bet the boys are making a to do over his birthday and his Mother also. Even his dad is thinking about little D. a little more today than otherwise. I suppose by

[page 2] now he has the birthday present I sent him. I’m certain I can be nearer to him when his next birthday rolls around.

Our mail is a little slow again but it usually comes along so we just wait and then seemingly out of the blue a bunch come in. It’s been some time since I’ve written John & Mark but one of these days I’ll break down again.

Just repeating – I sent $250⁰⁰ on Sept. 16^th so if you haven’t received it let me know. I’ve kept all the numbers, etc.

Well, since I’m late I’d better stop and get this out.
Love Daddy –

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/28/slaughter-house-roscoe/

Smallpox Epidemic, Part LXXIX

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Two Cases of Smallpox.

Edgar and Hazel Hawkins, whose father, Bert Hawkins, was sent to the contagious pavilion of the City Hospital several days ago suffering from smallpox, have both taken the disease and were removed to the City Hospital.

“Two Cases of Smallpox,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 26 April 1900, p. 11, col. 7; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 3 February 2015).

First Birthday (Gladys)

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: September 23, 1943 envelope

: September 23, 1943, p. 1

: September 23, 1943, p. 2

: September 23, 1943, p. 3

: September 23, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 23 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

David’s birthday & party over. Lucile brought Jimmy Ed, Arlene Bobby & Donnie, Clarice & Myra Jane. The two older Zell girls, Jimmy Staton, a Mrs. Bowen & baby from Kent apts., Mark brought Tommy Britton home from school. We took pictures of the party then I took a picture of David by his cake. He put his hand in the icing just as I snapped the picture but in rolling the roll off it got off the track so part or all of the film may be ruined. Dorothy took some movies of David too. He received $15⁰⁰, a sailor doll, a cat, an elephant, four suits, four pr. sox, a pull toy with Donald Duck on it, dusting powder puffs & two cards. Zells’ wanted to pay the hospital bill when David was there but I said no, so they gave him $10⁰⁰. You sent $2⁰⁰, your Mother sent $1⁰⁰, Statons $1⁰⁰ & Mrs. Plummer $1⁰⁰ – I am going to buy him another bond with all his money. He seemed to enjoy his party very much. I hope the pictures are all good. He had a pretty nice birthday. I weighed him just before bedtime and as close as I could get it he weighed 21 lbs. & measure 30 in. He reaches over and plays with the scale and it’s a hard job to get it correct.

David sticking his finger in the cake icing

[page 2] He gets three meals a day now with a glass of milk in between. Breakfast about 8 0 orange juice at 9:30 or 10 – Dinner at 11:30 – Milk about 3:30 & supper at 7 – I started him on that schedule yesterday & he has done fine on it. It saves a lot of time not to give him that big meal at 3 in the afternoon. He goes to bed soon after supper. Sometimes he cries about it, but usually settles right down. He still sucks his left thumb but not much.

Glen went to Laf. today to see Mother. He says she is so weak she can hardly take a drink of water. I intend to go down Sat. afternoon. Glen thought if we could have taken her to Mayo they might have been able to do something for her. I told him they are just Drs. and with a case like hers I believe Cole is doing everything that can be done. Mother told your Mother she had not felt right for sometime – that I did not know. I knew she didn’t have as much pep when she came back in May but at her age I didn’t think so much about it. I know when Cole first saw her he didn’t think she had a malignancy but didn’t have x-ray done because of her bowel condition. Probably couldn’t have gotten any better x-ray then than they did later.

[page 3] I am at Zells. Mr. is out to a meeting & Mrs. wanted to go out & three girls are in bed. Mrs. Zell has always helped me out when I needed her so I thought I could sit here & write while they are gone. I left just in time to miss washing dishes. John had homework so Mark was to help. Glen is all chocked up this evening. He doesn’t know what to do about going home. He hates to leave now with Mother so low & is about out of money. I don’t believe I told you before what he had been doing – He was a bartender, but got a notice from his draft broad to get into essential work. They had enough saved for him to come on the train but he wanted to bring the family. He got gas to make the trip so that is how they all come. He of course intended to go back much sooner but as Mother isn’t getting any better hates to leave. I hate for him to go too. He says he has a job on the police force when he goes back. He should go because his asthma is beginning to bother him quite a lot. He has been telling tales about what he used to do when he was a kid – things that happened when I was too young to remember about them. He has an art to telling those things. I told him

Chicken Every Sunday

[page 4] they would make a good book and I believe you could write the book if you had the information. What gave me the idea – John was reading a book review from Reader’s Digest & I said I believe Glen’s tales would make better reading. The book I mentioned was “Chicken Every Sunday,” and the true story of a boarding house written by the daughter of the lady who had the boarding house. If you get a Sept. 1943 Digest you will read it.

Yours of Sept. 11 & 14 came today. I am still sending some v-mail, but not as much as air. I saw in the paper that Capt. Dye has returned to Hawaii. He was home for 10 days. That would be nice but I would rather wait a little longer and have you home longer.

Mrs. Plummer came out today to bring David’s birthday gift & John a belated $1⁰⁰ – She gave David a plate, cup, spoon & fork & $1⁰⁰ – I forgot to mention the set before. I hadn’t seen her since before Mother got down but I couldn’t go much of any place all summer.

Arlene is surely carrying this baby well – She doesn’t look any larger than she did several weeks ago or either her dress was clever enough to makes her look small. Donnie walks alone now & weighs 25 lbs. He really is a big boy.

Ruthie sent David the Navy doll so I must write & thank her.

“Love Mother”

P.S. Jim gave me $100⁰⁰ to help with Mother’s expenses.

September 23, 1943 Birthday guests

Smallpox Epidemic, Part LXXVIII

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Quarantine is Raised.

The Board of Health yesterday raised the smallpox quarantine on the following residences: F. Durand, 1125 Nelson street; Arthur Neiger, 807 South New Jersey street; Fred Roth, 1220 South Senate avenue; G. Peterson, 503 Dougherty stree, and H. Kellermeyer, 330 East Minnesota street.

The patients are yet at the contagious pavilion at the City Hospital.

“Quarantine is Raised,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 25 April 1900, p. 8, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 3 February 2015).

Book Giveaway!

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It has come to my attention that the link to the book giveaway yesterday is not working. Soooooo….this is my solution: Make a comment on this post – tell me how long you have been following the letters or tell me something you like about Roscoe or Gladys. Then, if you can, share the news about the book on your blog or post a link back to this post.

The book is now available!

UPDATE: Here is the link to the book on Amazon.

I will chose 3 random winners total from the blog and the Facebook page on Tuesday, March 3rd. I will announce the winners in both places. The winner will receive an autographed copy of the book.