Click to enlarge
The five Yegerlehner brothers, sons of Christian Yegerlehner. This photograph was likely taken at the Yegerlehner farm near Clay City, Indiana, circa 1890.
Back row: John H., Samuel, William
Front row: Charles, George
Original image from the private collection of the author, Deborah Sweeney.
©2013 copyright by Deborah Sweeney
Letter transcription:
Jan. 7, 1943
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
Dear Mother,
So far it seems more like what a rainy season should be – rains for a period then clears and then the whole thing over again and still not much rain. And not clear either. Just makes one carry a rain coat where ever he goes.
I think our mailing address has been lost again or something because we are lost as far as mail is concerned. It’s been that way ever since we’ve arrived so we sorta get used to things and hope for the best. One fellow got a letter early that his wife would cable him Christmas but as yet the cable hasn’t arrived so
[page 2] that business isn’t good either. Guess the wires are chucked full of stuff & stuff so that messages more or less personal don’t have a chance.
I haven’t had much ambition for writing people lately – have several to answer but just keep putting it off from day to day. When I get in the mood I’ll sure bat out several in one night. Once in a while I write V-mail to some people but not very often. You write V-mail frequently I believe it will be faster – I’ve said that before but just repeating.
I wasn’t so brow beaten with chow today – Breakfast was fair – and noon day chow was overly good – good roast beef, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes and peaches for dessert – along with soup as a starter. This Eve – we’ll probably have spagitti and some other nonsense. If you get what I mean. As long as we have
[page 3] as good as we are getting now I shouldn’t complain. Just a good old American gripe.
I finally sent two shirts out to have them laundered – got them back in 8 day – pretty good job at 6 francs or 15 cents per shirt. Francs are figured in fractions and if they don’t come out even these natives just make it even to the nearest zero or five – generally going to the one above. I should say always to the one above.
The last Life mag. I’ve seen featured or gave Ind. U some few pages. The only thing I noted that was familiar was the plack [plaque] in the floor of the Union building. Way back there I paid 5⁰⁰ toward that building so I looked at one little speck and claimed it as the 5 bucks worth.
New things and different are hard to think of to write about for as I’ve said
[page 4] many times before things are alike from day to day. At breakfast this A.M.I said something about what day it was and almost got mobbed for even asking because everyone said (asked) “What difference does it make?” I kept still.
I’ll check off now and hope there is mail later this P.M. Later about 3 hours no show tonight due to bad weather so I’ll try to get some letters out to other people maybe the letters will go out even if we don’t receive them. In other words no mail again this P.M.
I just got thru taking a complete bath. Our showers have been turned off for several days and spit bathes have been in order. Sure don’t like to wash my head that way but did anyway.
Well, I must write to Sis and a few others so Solong
Lots of love
Daddy
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/14/what-differenc…it-make-roscoe/
Letter transcription:
Kentland Ind
Jan 6 – 1942 [1943]
Dear Daddy –
Yours mailed Dec 31 (Dated 29) rec’d this morning. You will surely get lots of mail now. I called Funks to tell them about their letters and gifts rec’d but Arlene & Bill are in Missouri but will be back tomorrow or next day. They will probably write to you again. I just read your letter again to be sure and answer questions. The uniform money hasn’t come. I have had Mr. Monroe out twice to look at the furnace. I will have him go over the radiators again. He keeps it oiled. I have been keeping the car checked at Childress. I will have him take a look at the battery this week. In case you missed the letters I mentioned the baby’s feedings, I am giving him Vit C tablets. Now 3 tbsp pablum at 10 AM plus 5 oz milk. He acts like he is going to get fat
[page 2] but he has a good appetite and there isn’t much to do with a baby but satisfy their hunger. However he doesn’t take half the dextri-maltrose the Mead chart calls for. I am afraid he would look pudgy if I put in 6 tbsp instead of 2 ½ – 6 is what the Mead chart gives for 3 mo. old. I asked Jack Byrnes to write to Mead Johnson about baby food – since we use pablum dextri & oleum. I rec’d a letter from the Co. and said they were sending a bottle of Oleum but didn’t mention anything else. I haven’t talked to Byrnes about what he wrote asking them for. There seems to be a shortage of canned milk. I could only get 12 cans from Knowltons, 3 from Bairs, 2 from Fords, that is of Carnation. I went to Laf. again today so got a dz cand of Pet at a store there. If you get all my letters you will wonder about all the trips to Laf. I have been going to Dr. Ade for throat & sinus treatments. I asked him today why it was dragging along so and he said it was
[page 3] the nature of the “bug” that is around this year. I am not sick enough to go to bed but my throat & sinus keeps bothering me. I have been staying in very close – only go out to make the trips – I went Sat, Mon, today (Wed) and am to go Fri. I didn’t drive during Dec so still have enough gas tickets to make several trips is necessary. He told me today to take neopronticil. I told you in yesterday’s letter I am giving neo to the baby. Dr. Cole says he has a sore throat. He runs a little temp but seems to feel fine. His temp was running 100 every day and now since I have been giving him Neo it has dropped to 99 2/10. I suppose when I get my throat all well he will get over his. It doesn’t bother him. He sleeps good and after the 10 P.M. bottle sleeps till 7 A.M. (next morning). At present gains 1 oz a day, sometimes more. I sent you several picture just before Christmas. Maybe you have them by now. You didn’t mention the pictures Arlene sent, or did you get them?
[page 4] John doesn’t have to go to school tomorrow or Fri – due to exemptions from all exams. Now if you were the bragging type you would tell everyone that. Mark of course has to take all exams because that isn’t done in the grade school. John is going to do David’s washing in the morning – if you can call it that – putting the things in the Bendix & then taking them out – and by the way – the Borax does the trick for the ammonia diapers – we dissolve ½ cup borax and pour it in the last rinse and then we have no odor, otherwise the smell is bad the next time we remove a wet diaper. I am not bragging – just stating a fact. Mark tried out his skates today but didn’t do so well. We are having cold weather again. Just before Christmas it turned warm & the snow melted but it is cold again and there was snow today. Made slow driving but the snow plows were working both sides of the pavement. It seems like we are going to have plenty of cold weather this winter. The snow isn’t as heavy, unless it keep snowing, as it was before Christmas.
The Johnson’s named their heir
[page 5] James Edward or “Jimmy Ed.” I would like to go see Lucile while she is in the hospital but won’t go unless I get rid of this head condition. Now I’ll have to return the buggy and I only used it a few times. Unless the weather gets a lot warmer won’t need one till spring. I rec’d the comb & brush manicure set & flowers for Christmas. I told you that before in several letters – Also the money you sent. Do you think I should put all our money, we don’t use for expenses, in war bonds – Let me know. The bank only pays 1% – the Bldg L. – 4% or they did but that may be cut now. After I get the insurance & taxes taken care of – and all the other first of year expenses will send you a financial report.
Seems like I have covered a lot of paper & not said much either but it is hard to write when the boys (two eldest) are asking questions & talking all the time but I keep hoping I’ll do better next time.
Love
Mother
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/13/answering-questions-gladys/
Letter transcription:
Jan 6, 1942 [1943]
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif
Dear Mother,
Received mail toady – what a thrill. It was dated Oct. 29, 30 & 31. In the 30th letter there were pictures Ruth had taken. It was old mail but I read it as carefully as if I were yesterdays. In one of those you had given me a detailed account of David’s arrival and only today did I learn what his middle name was. I think I know where this mail has been but that isn’t important. The letters were marked clipper and air mail special stamps but that didn’t seem to make any difference. Just plain air mail or V-mail is as good as anything. I was a little surprised at Earl R. coming over because I
[page 2] really didn’t know him very well. Not as well as Joe
I went to town this A.M. with Dr. Porterfield and we had one of our boys along who is a very good French talker. Dr. P. wanted to buy a picture of one of those flamboyant trees. He did but I didn’t. They were photos tinted about 12 in by 12 in. He paid 8⁰⁰ and they had some other for 12⁰⁰. I just figured that was a little and our money could be used to a better advantage. There are lots of things – Lace doileys (sp), arm bracelets, ear rings, coaster mats etc but most are made in America with 3-4 prices so I don’t get the idea. Perfumes are all American (Cotys) so why pay to send things like that back. There were some nice yards goods and dresses but one has to have a ration card to buy those things and after all we aren’t natives so we have
[page 3] no ration cards.
Say I just happened to remember or it just came to me – I send you a belt buckle and you say you have to buy a new dress to go with it. And I send you a necklace and you say you have to have a new dress. Suppose I sent you a pair of Step inns – Well I haven’t bought any yet so you won’t have that problem to consider – I really got a kick out of your new dresses to go with the things I sent. Hope you’ll get them. And that “my day,” don’t put that in parenthesis because it makes me think of where it came from.
The weather which has been so pleasant except for the brisk breeze has turned very hot without much breeze and just seems like rain. This has really been dry for rainy season but I think it’s too early to be saying anything yet. Our P.M. mail delivery isn’t up yet so don’t know what or if anything
[page 4] will come. During this season there are apt to be storms in this area and travel by air is uncertain so I imagine both our mails will be slow. So write V-mail rather frequent write both. I’ll finish later – have work to do yet just now.
Almost 10:00 P.M. The show is over and no mail on the P.M. delivery so it is now about one month again – sure is disheartening but there isn’t much to be done as far as I can see.
The show is over and it was too sad for out here – “How Green Was My Valley.” I don’t know if you saw it there or not but I do remember hearing that title back some years ago.
We had hot – very hot chilli for supper with rice and green beans and all I ate was a bowl of rice with milk. You are supposed to mix the chilli with the rice but I still don’t like it too hot. So I just ate the rice. Had to do something – My space and time is up so solong love Daddy
P.S. Sending a little souvenir
Souvenir Roscoe included in the letter
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/12/souvenir-of-ne…ledonia-roscoe/
The Book of Me – Written by You is a weekly blog prompt created by Julie Goucher of the blog Angler’s Rest. This is a fifteen month writing project to highlight my life so that I will have something to leave behind for my descendants. The Book of Me prompt for week 7 is Grandparents.
What were their names?
Where were they from?
Were they related? – Cousins perhaps
Where were they born? Another County or state/area?
Photos
What did they do?
Did you know them?
What was your relationship with them?
If you didn’t know them have you researched about them?
I was fortunate enough to know all of my grandparents. All four lived into their eighties and beyond. The first of the four to die lived past his 84th birthday and the last lived to celebrate his 100th birthday. Both my grandmothers lived into their 90s. Growing up, I lived near none of them so I only got to see them during summer vacations and special holidays throughout the year. After my parents’ divorce in the mid 1970s, I didn’t get to see my paternal grandparents as often as I would have liked. I often wish that I had lived closer to family growing up. As an adult, I made a conscious choice to live near part of the family. As a result, my children are growing up knowing and interacting more with at least one set of their grandparents. Now if I could only figure out how to make the commute to New York City faster….
Despite the distance between us, I got along with all my grandparents and loved them dearly. As an adult, looking back, I struggle with my feelings regarding my maternal grandparents’ chosen profession as religious missionaries. I know that they were well respected by their students and they maintained many friendships with them over the years after they retired and returned to the United States. I have many strong feelings against the practice of sending missionaries to convert native peoples. However, they were my grandparents and they lived in a different era when such practices were acceptable. I think I inherited some good qualities from each of my grandparents. I hope that I am honoring them and keeping their memories alive by writing their stories.
“We’re all ghosts. We all carry, inside us, people who came before us.” — Liam Callanan, The Cloud Atlas
Roscoe, circa 1920s
Roscoe Schiele Yegerlehner was born in 1904 in rural Clay County, Indiana. He was the son of a farmer and his second wife, born the sixth child out of seven. His father’s family descended from Swiss immigrants who arrived in the United States in the early 1850s. His mother’s line was equally all German, including descendants of a small Protestant German sect that settled in the Pennsylvania Dutch area in the 1730s. Although Roscoe was not related to his wife, he was related to himself. He was the product of several degrees of cousins intermarrying across the generations.
Roscoe graduated from high school in 1922. He worked as a teacher in the rural county schools for several years, while attending the Indiana State Normal School in the “big city.” During this time he met his future wife and they married in 1929. Roscoe continued to teach and eventually moved up to the high school and became principal for a while. During the 1930s (The Great Depression), a shift occurred and Roscoe decided to become a doctor. He continued to teach while attending medical school and eventually the family moved north to Kentland, Indiana where he practiced medicine for almost 30 years. He was a Mason, a Rotarian and he also served on the school board in Kentland, Indiana.
Gladys outside her office where she worked as a stenographer, c1924
Gladys Ruth Foster was born in 1905 in Terre Haute, Indiana. In comparison to her husband Roscoe, Gladys was the sophisticated city girl. Gladys was the youngest of 6 children born to her mother. Although the census records of 1900 and 1910 show that Gladys’ father lived with the family, by 1920, he was mostly out of the picture. Gladys’ mother kicked him out after she had enough with his alcohol problems. Gladys graduated from high school and afterwards took a stenography course. She worked as a stenographer until she married in 1929. The first few years that Gladys and Roscoe were married, they lived in Clay County with Roscoe’s parents. When Roscoe went back to school to become a Doctor, Gladys took a beautician’s course to help support the family. Afterwards, she handled the correspondence and accounts for Roscoe’s medical practice. Gladys’ ancestry was mostly English and Irish. One branch of her family descended from the early Quakers who settled in Pennsylvania with William Penn.
Eugene, c1950s
Eugene Oliver McGraw was born in 1909 in Falmouth, Indiana and grew up in rural Fayette County and Centerville, Indiana. He was the oldest of four sons. His father was a farmer and harness maker. “Mac” graduated from high school in 1927. He attended university at both Earlham College and Oberlin College. Eugene became a minister and a teacher, and eventually a missionary in Asia. He met his future wife in Malaysia while working for the Methodist mission.
The ship burning after it was bombed (Photograph by Eugene McGraw)
In 1941, they married and less than a year later, they were forced to flee back to the United States to escape the Japanese. They narrowly missed being on their ship when it was bombed in the harbor.
Eugene’s ancestry was a mix of German, English and Irish immigrants. With the exception of his Irish great grandmother who emigrated from Ireland in the years prior to the potato famine, all his immigrant ancestors arrived prior to the American Revolution, with several serving in the conflict.
Louise – College Graduation, 1936
Estelle Louise Leonard was born in 1915 in Holbrook, Massachusetts. She was an only child. Her parents separated before she was born (although they reunited many years later). Louise grew up with her mother and her maternal grandparents. When she was a few years old, the family moved to California, living in both Oakland and Alameda. Louise graduated from high school in California and then attended the state Teacher’s College in New Jersey (near where her father lived). She became an English teacher. After graduating, she worked on several Indian reservations in the west teaching English before she joined the missionary service. Louise was also related to herself. She was a descendant of several Mayflower passengers as well as several early 17th century immigrants to Massachusetts. Over the generations, many of these lines crisscrossed and tangled. On one branch alone, she was descended from same ancestral couple six or seven times.
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/12/book-of-me-pro…7-grandparents/
Letter transcription:
Kentland Ind
Jan 5 – 1943
Dear Daddy –
Yours of Dec 26, 27 & 28 rec’d. Also John and Mark each received theirs today. Thanks a lot for the picture. Altho I recognized only one face I was glad to get the group picture. That will be something to keep and for you to look at after you are home – You can tell us then all about everything and everybody. So you got your laundry and cokes. I had written that I had a surprise in the box & that was it. I was afraid those cokes would stop off before sailing. The pictures for Lentz was in a box I mailed for your birthday but is was sent before the laundry box so it may be last. In that box I put a camera & two roll of films also various other things. I do hope you get it and all the letters I have written the last two months.
I am trying to rest a little and write at the same time. Clara M. came today to help and I couldn’t relax very well while she was here, but she just left. She is good help and I am having her come once a week now. After having
[page 2] taken so much sulfa I was afraid my blood count would be down but while in Cole’s office yesterday his nurse made a count and it wasn’t bad, but I had my liver & B along so he gave me a shot. He examined David and found he had a sore throat. He had been running a temp again since I had my last “round,” so I am giving the baby neopronticil. What a mess, but his temp is going down – was just 99 2/10 at 2 P.M. The strange thing about it you (I) would never know he had anything wrong if I hadn’t taken his temp. Well he did sound a little nasal and that was why I took his temp. He eats regularily – and takes all his bottle every time besides pablum every morning. I was afraid he would be hard to get along this week because the boys talked to him so much last week but he has been fine. Has found his hands and plays with them so much. He chews his fingers sometimes like he might be getting ready to cut teeth, but there isn’t any sign of teeth. Sucks left thumb. Weighed 12 – 9 oz.
I called Dorothy this morning and she said the Johnson’s have a 8-11 boy.
[page 3] I wanted to tell Dorothy you got the cokes. She knew when I sent them. We were afraid they wouldn’t get to you. John and I decided then we should have sent you some dry ice so you could have them cold – might do that sometime.
I saw Dr. Ade again yesterday and he treated my throat and I am to go again Fri. It feels good but he says he want to see me again. In case you haven’t some of my previous letters I had a throat infection. It would come & go – I thought I was all over it after I tool sulfathiaziole but it came back and I had a sinus infection too – so I went to see Dr. A. and he treated me and now I feel much better. After looking at my throat and treating it he said the baby had good resistance to get by as he did – with only a slight temp & sore throat. Now please don’t worry about us, we are all better and hope to stay well. After this at the first sign of a sore throat I am going to Dr. A. and have a treatment. He and his wife are in the same office now and he has rooms & rooms. The waiting room is very large so they can have several waiting and it doesn’t seem like they are so rushed. However I think he is as busy as ever. I think he said a Dr. Holliday or maybe Halloway is back. He has been
[page 4]abroad and is I suppose home on leave. I mentioned in last night’s letter that I got a new coat. It is just plain black seal but what I liked and it was on sale for $108.95. I looked at several different kinds but this suited me so bought it. Also got a silly hat that will do for spring. You would like it – it is “red.”
Mrs. Zell went with me and did some shopping for their 3 girls. She bought snow suits for each and her total bill was over $40⁰⁰ – but wraps are being made with poorer material all the time and she was afraid to wait until next fall to buy. I should get Mark a new coat now too. He needs one – is wearing John’s old coat now.
I bought a new innersprings mattress for David’s bed (the one Mary Parttens loaned me) and Mark has wanted a new mattress for a long time. He didn’t say much because it was for David but I think he would like one too. I told him I wouldn’t get one for him until he quit jumping on his bed. John doesn’t say much.
David has been good all afternoon and seems to want some attention now. John is practicing on the sax – Mark did practice on the cornet but is now eating candy – about all the Christmas candy is gone —
Love
Mother
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/11/so-you-got-your-laundry-gladys/
Letter transcription:
Jan 5, 1942 [1943]
Lt (JG) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.
Dear Mother,
This is one time I didn’t forget to put the whole address at the top. It’s almost a letter in itself to put that much on and really it’s supposed to be on every page. That’s one reason why V-mail is harder – Two addressees on one page – but write V-mail because it will be faster this way I think. No mail today as yet. It’s very discusting [disgusting] but will just have to get used to waiting. Dec. 12 was the last letter from home.
Our show last night was “The Fleet’s In.” Was a pretty funny show and was really what the boys like and need. It gives them a chance to “whoop and holler” and mothering to restrain them. That show has been out some time, as well as most of ours here have been, but
[page 2] that doesn’t matter as far as I’m concerned because they are all new to me and but some fellows have seen the same show 2-3 times but and they still go.
I did some laundry again today. It was the first for some time – sent some out and had an enlisted man do some but it takes so long when they it is sent out and I didn’t get all my things back when the enlisted man did it. So I guess the best thing to do is – do it yourself. I don’t mind the washing but I don’t like ironing – we don’t have a regular board and a flat table or desk top isn’t so good.
When I get home I’ll have to reform in lots of ways or you’ll find me out in the back washing and another thing I’ve gotten very bad at is not cleaning up my plate at meal times. Just today we had Lamb – potatoes, corn and bean & carrot
[page 3]salad. All I ate was the lamb and the potatoes. And I don’t suppose I’ve eaten more than one doz slices of bread since leaving the U.S.A. The bread on ship was kept in the ice box frozen and none no fresh on the whole trip so that about turned me against the stuff. Ours looks good here but our meals are so top heavy with carbohydrates that I just pass it by.
This P.M. breeze has almost turned into a gale again this P.M. My laundry is whipped a lot but it’s been out about 2 hours and still not dry. The atmosphere here must be damper than at home. We have no clothes pins so have to tie them on with string and that takes time. It seems that I’ve said many of the things before that I said in this letter so please excuse it’s just because things to write about are few and far between.
[page 4] Haven’t taken any pictures yet because cameras are supposed to be taboo in most instances so I’ve kept this one pretty well hidden.
Today is pay day but there won’t be any to send home. I’ll let it pile up some and send it later. You had better get yours out or it will seem so much a part of the bank account that it will be hard to pry it loose. If you don’t want to buy your coat put it in bonds. I believe that is a little better interest than saving. Or better still split it. Or maybe you’ll have to use it to keep the wolf from the door. Do as you think best.
All for now love
Daddy
P.S. – no mail so no more to add.
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/10/things-to-writ…between-roscoe/
Letter from John – January 3, 1943
Letter transcription:
Jan. 3, 1943
Dear Daddy,
The letter you wrote to Mr. Bartlett was published in the paper and we all read it. They left out the New Caledonia part of your address and said you were stationed on an island west of San Francisco.
We went to LaFayette yesterday because Mother wanted to see Dr. Ade about her throat and I wanted to see about the records which were to be my Christmas present but which didn’t come. The girl said they might not get there for a month yet and maybe not even then. She said wouldn’t be obligated to take them because they were meant to be a Christmas present. So I decided to take a Beethoven Symphony instead.
When we got home Uncle Floyd and Aunt Ruth were there. Uncle Floyd showed us the movies he took and today he took some pictures of David, Mother, Mark and I.
Christmas vacation ends today. I want to go back to school and I don’t
Your son
John
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/09/a-special-treat-part-ii/
Everyone’s family history can be thrilling. There are skeletons in most family closets. Roscoe and Gladys, like most people, had theirs as well. Several babies were born out of wedlock, an uncle became a counterfeiter, another aunt was locked away in the state mental hospital, several people divorced, and various scandals abounded. As the family researcher, I have found many of them, but I am sure I have not found all of them yet. One very interesting story makes a good post for Thrilling Thursday.
Nancy with her first husband, Theodore Walker, circa 1888 (Image courtesy of Jane Riley)
Nancy Mae McCoy Schiele was the oldest daughter of Elizabeth (Krieble) Schiele. Nancy later adopted the surname of her stepfather Michael Schiele. Rumor has it that she was Elizabeth’s illegitimate daughter, born eleven months prior to Elizabeth’s marriage to Michael, although Michael was not likely the father. Michael’s first wife gave birth to twins girls two months after Nancy was born. Mary Schiele died in childbirth along with one of the babies. According to legend, the father is believed to be James McCoy. No record of this man has been found thus far. Neither has a marriage record been found in either Clay or Owen counties. Now, it may be possible that Elizabeth and James were married, but the record has been lost. Nancy was conceived in the summer of 1865 after the Civil War had officially ended. Much like the years preceding her birth, Nancy’s life was filled with turmoil. One of my father’s cousins, a son of Clarence Yegerlehner, wrote to me in 1995, “My Dad says that Nancy must have been quite a person – especially for those days – she was married 2 or 3 times (for that time, I’m sure considered rather immoral.) One of the men she went with wanted to marry her – she refused – and he took a gun and shot her – I don’t think he killed her – merely wounded her.”[1] This was the first reference to the shooting that I had come across.
Later I found a write-up in the History of Clay County by William Travis.[2]
I hadn’t thought about this story much until recently when I became connected with some of Nancy’s descendants. I started to do a little more digging. This month I found a couple contemporary newspaper clippings about the incident.
Brazil Register, 28 February 1884
A TRAGEDY
A Young German Near Clay City, Shoots His Sweet-Heart and Himself
CLAY CITY, Ind., February 25. – Yesterday about 11 o’clock a terrible tragedy was enacted one mile of north of town. Louis Oberndorfer, a young German, shot Nancy Schiele twice, the balls going through her arms and lodging under her shoulder blades. He then fired two balls into his own breast, then followed the girl down stairs and tried to shoot her as she ran toward the stable. Failing in this he went up stairs and shot himself again in the bowels, the ball lodging in the back near the spine. It seems that Oberdorfer had wanted to marry the girl, and had been refused yesterday; in the absence of the girl’s parents he procured a revolver with the intention of ending her life if she refused him again, and the above was the result. It is thought the girl is not dangerously hurt, but the young man is thought to be fatally wounded. At last accounts they were both resting tolerably easy. (Brazil Register, 28 February 1884, p. 1, col. 5.)
Because the event was so tragic and amazing, multiple papers in the region wrote about it.
Attempted Murder and Suicide
CLAY CITY, Feb. 25th, 1884
In a fit of madness yesterday, about 10 o’clock, Louis Oberdorfer attempted to murder Miss Nancy Schiele for refusing to marry him, by shooting her twice, one shot each entering under each arm and lodging under the shoulder blades. She, with the assistance of young sister, eight years old, succeeded in escaping from him, when he shot himself three times, one shot entering his right breast, another the left breast, and another passed through the stomach. His wounds are considered mortal, while Miss Shiele is seriously wounded, but not considered fatally by her physicians, although she will probably be a cripple for life.
Oberdorfer is a young German, 23 years old, has been in this country 18 months, and for the past six months has made his home at Mr. Michael Schiele’s house, who is one of our most prosperous German farmers, living one mile north of town.
The sad affair created great excitement as all parties were highly respected and such results were never thought of. The young lady is unable to lie down, but is resting easy as possible in a sitting position. Mr. Oberdorfer is provided with a comfortable room and bed in the house of Mr. Schiele, and at the last reports this morning was still alive, receiving good attention from the family and his friends. At the time of the shooting Mr. Schiele and the rest of the family were away from home with the exception of Miss Nancy and two younger sisters and Mr. Oberdorfer. (Clay County Enterprise (Brazil, Indiana), 27 February, 1884)
Two details from this article jumped out at me. The first is that after Oberdorfer shot his daughter, Mr. Schiele allowed Louis Oberdorfer to remain in the household. The second is that this article mentions that two younger daughters were also home at the time. The eight year old was Lovina, my great grandmother and Roscoe’s mother.
And just in case, you thought the story was over….it does have a tragic ending, at least for Louis.
Louis Oberdorffer, the attempted murderer and suicide, was removed from the residence of Mr. Schiele, last Thursday afternoon, to town. It was hard to convince him that the number of men who went to assist in his removal was not a mob wanting his life. He seemed to continually grow better until Sunday forenoon, when he suddenly began sinking and died about 12:30 o’clock, having lived probably two hours over a week from the time of the shooting. He was buried on Monday.
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
[1] Duane Yegerlehner (Indianapolis, Indiana) to Deborah Sweeney, letter, 30 October 1995; privately held by Deborah Sweeney, Elk Grove, California, 2013.
[2] Travis, William, A history of Clay County, Indiana : closing of the first century’s history of the county, and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth (New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1909), 484-485.
For those of my readers who have been following along you might already know this, the majority of the letters published on my blog are by my grandparents, Dr. Roscoe S. Yegerlehner and his wife, Gladys. Occasionally, letters from other individuals were also saved. Today and tomorrow the blog will feature letters from Roscoe and Gladys’ two oldest sons to their father. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Letter transcription:
Kentland, Ind.
Jan 3, 1943
Dear Daddy,
Yesterday I went to Lafayette and I got a “32” lockeed P.38. It was .40¢. But I haven’t tried to put it together yet. I got a pair of ice skates for Christmas and uncle Floyd was here today and put them in my bed. That made me mad. Well, anyway he’s a good sport. Well this is the last day of vacation and I don’t like it. Well I guess that school is school. The wind is blowing now and maybe that there may not be any school tomorrow. I sure hope so.
With love,
Mark
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/08/a-special-treat/
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