Category Archives: Foster

I’ve Been Thinking (Roscoe)

3 Replies

June 10, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 10, 1944, p. 1

Sat. 6/10/44

Dear Mother,

Just after your telephone call. I’ve been thinking of some of the things you should do or have done. First – I think you should have an understanding about a notice of something like 30 days in case we want the place back. Ours here is 30 days. They may want to use the Bendix since there are no facilities for laundry in the basement, but that is up to you and them. You explain to them also how Geo. Monroe took care of the furnace last winter and then call Geo. and tell him to keep that up this next winter and send us the bill. And emphasize to him that he should release the trapped air in those radiators ever so often. Much of that junk of ours could be burned. I mean things in the garage

June 10, 1944, p. 2-3

[page 2] and lots of Mark’s mess in the basement. Maybe you have already done that.

You can also explain to them that our basement is not finished neither are there sufficient screens to go around the house but we will not do any fixing now because period. If they don’t want it unless just don’t rent it because we are still paying $20 more than they in an inferior house and off the record in an inferior town, but be that is it may – – -. Maybe I’ll like the town better after you come – I don’t like to create a false impression so that you will have an opinion formulated

[page 3] before you get here.

You drop me a note again as to the time, etc. I’ll be there but just so it will be a double check. Bring that sea chest on your ticket but tie some clothes line around it because that is sometimes handled pretty rough.

I was going to get your tickets and Pullman, etc., from here so I cased a $50 check today but that is OK because the lady we rent from isn’t going to deposit the $65 check until we move in.

Just have the renter there deposit the check to our account at the bank and tell Chaffey about it and also have him notify us if same isn’t

June 10, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] done. I suppose I’ll think of dozens of other things to be done but really I hadn’t even thought of renting. The Smiths will probably think we are a fine pair. Anyway they didn’t want to pay the $45 so.

Well, I’m going to take this to the P.O. and maybe it will go out tomorrow. I found I couldn’t ship the bag tonight but could ship send a letter.

Fri. the 16^th seems a long way off – wish you were here now.
Love Daddy

P.S. Get to the train early and get a good seat. Generally those trains form about 15 min. before starting time.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/01/ive-been-thinking-roscoe/

Release Clause (Roscoe)

4 Replies

June 9, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 9, 1944, p. 1

June 9

Dear Mother,

Just wrote a letter to Geo. inviting him to come thru our town on his trip East. I told him we would be here after June 15 or 16.

I did all my talking with the mother of the lady who owns the house when I rented it. And today I got a call from the owner relative to a lease. The reason she wanted that was because her husband is in the Navy and in case he would come home she would want her home in 30 days – the lease is for 3 month. I’m taking it to a lawyer here at the station to see if it is OK. There is a clause in it which releases me in case orders come thru. I haven’t signed and won’t

June 9, 1944, p. 2-3

[page 2] until I get advice from this fellow tomorrow.

The piano will stay in the house and she has an ironer which she if going to leave. The boys will like this – She has had an old colored man take care of the lawn in summer and the snow in the winter and she is going to have him continue at her expense. She is afraid if she lets him go she won’t be able to get him back again.

The drain board around the sink as I recall is a composition substance and isn’t in good condition. That is about the only thing not nice and of course the color of the outside isn’t anything to shout about in fact I think

[page 3] it yells right back at you. I now know why your letters were slow. You missed Tue. because of Zell and the train schedule. You’ll let me know more definite later as to time & place.

My Free letters go just as fast as your air mail letters so I’ll just save my money.

I don’t know what to advise you about the trip. There is a train from Chicago leaving there at 7:00 PM, arriving here at 7:00 AM and the bus trip to Quincy isn’t good. That is about a 5 hour trip from here. I believe the train would be much more comfortable for all concerned.

June 9, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I mean 5 hours each way. Of course I’ll make the trip if necessary.

I ate plenty of green onions for dinner today hope you can’t smell them from this letter. I thought I’d get all those things out of my system before you came down.

Well, Dear I hope this letter writing will soon be over –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/29/release-clause-roscoe/

Train Schedules (Gladys)

6 Replies

June 9, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 9, 1944, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
6-9-44

Dear Daddy –

Went of Laf. today & got a Sante Fe schedule – I found that I can get a train out of Chicago at 10: a.m. as Jacobs told us that gets into K.C. 8:35 – Now we can get the train out of here at 5 a.m. if we can’t get someone to take us to the train in Chi. Ed is going to Hammond one day next week and if it isn’t too soon we will go up with him – I inquired about the train from Laf. and it goes to St. Louis and we would have to change trains so I checked that off the list. I suppose I’ll call you and talk all this out over the phone, but will write anyway.

Just listened to the Amos & Andy

June 9, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] show. Mark has been out chasing lightening bugs – He worked on his exams today. I found that the report cards hadn’t been mailed – Miss W. refused to give Mark his card unless he took the exams. She said if Mr. Cast wanted to go over her head and promote him he could and probably would – I found myself in the midst of a tempest I had precipitated (unwittingly). It seems there wasn’t the understanding about Mark’s promotion I was led to believe. At any rate I didn’t argue with Miss W. but told her he would do his exams and he did them today.

I have cleaned out a lot of trash to burn but it’s too late tonight so will leave it for tomorrow.

Not much news I care to write but will have a lot to tell you.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/28/train-schedules-gladys/

Very Much Absent (Roscoe)

1 Reply

June 8, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 8, 1944, p. 1

6/8/44
U.S.N.F.P.S.
Liberty Mo.

Dear Mother,

Your letters have been very much absent. Maybe I’m expecting too much but I haven’t hears from you since I talked to you on the phone. I suppose there will be 2 or 3 tomorrow. So far only one letter has arrived and that was written on the 4 & 5^th.

There are a few things I wish you would bring. No. 1. The part of that lesson you typed is not here and that book with the first 3 lessons and the envelopes the lessons have to be sent in are all missing. No. 2. See if you can find any of those feeding charts for babies. It seems I’ll have a few of those to put on a feeding schedule.

I took my medical bag over to sick bay today and had it all fixed up for house calls just in case. There was one call this eve. I had to go out to the other Dr.’s house to see their little boy – he had had an accident. Nothing serious. As I told you they have three. The oldest 3 yrs. old and if I’m not mistaken she is again that way. Maybe she just hasn’t returned back to shape since the last – if so what a shape –

The address I gave you last night should read West Kansas street but I think most people here

[page 2] go sorta by instinct like they do at home.

I wish you would be here in time to meet the Dr. and his family before they leave. They are Jewish from Brooklyn. The people here all seem to like them very well. However, if you come too soon we’ll have to camp you out because it will surprise me lots of these people get out by the middle of the month, but I jess things will work out somehow.

It rained a greater part of today and has been pretty cool. Good weather for chiggers – Mine are still with me but not as bad today as yesterday or the day before.

I guess I’m about run down and maybe I’d better take your advice and drop the folk a line this eve. I should have done that before but it just seemed I couldn’t get started –

Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/27/very-much-absent-roscoe/

Getting Ready to Move (Gladys)

1 Reply

May [Sic June] 8, 1944 envelope

May 8, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
5-8-44 [sic June 8]

Dear Daddy –

Your letter about the house came today. Sounds Ok. Nothing much exciting to report. I still don’t know which way to come – via Chi. or Laf. – or even by bus from here. If you could meet us at Quincy we could go by bus to there from here but I think I’ll call you or have you call me to settle the issue before we start.

Have been working in the yard some. Have the present growth of weeds about eliminated – I suppose it’s a waste of time and the way I ache all over I am not sure it’s worth it.

May 8, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Your shirt came from Seligs – you are going to hate it – it’s very heavy material – even heavier than the first one you brought – at least we got a shirt back and that’s more than we got out of orders so far.

About the train from Laf. – it has to go thru St. L. and would take us from 1:30 a.m. – until 4:30 p.m. to make the trip – could almost do that well on the bus – It leaves here at 10:00 a.m. and gets in Quincy at 7 p.m. – If you could get off on Sun. or any day we might come by bus – but maybe it would be best to come by train. I’ll decide after I hear more from you. Must get this ready to mail.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/26/getting-ready-to-move-gladys/

Work Correspondence (Roscoe)

2 Replies

June 7, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 7, 1944, p. 1

6/7/44
USNPFS
Liberty Mo.

Dear Mother,

Your air mail letter came this morning. I doubt very much if air mail helps much in the delivery of mail. That one was mailed on the 5^th and received on the 7^th.

Our address will be 324 Kansas street but I wouldn’t use that because people still live there. There will be time enough to change the address after you come down. I’ve been wondering when that will be. Guess I’ll hear in a few days when you have your reservations, etc. I’m really fed up on hotel life but there isn’t much that can be done until this Dr. leaves. He is home on leave at present. His folks let live in Brooklyn and he wanted to see them before going west.

I’ve been working on this correspondence and have the first lesson done – ready for typing. I’m just marking the places in the book for you to copy, and it’s all much clearer that way – we can either get a typewriter at the station or arrange for you to come to the sick bay and do the typing. So you see I’m anxious for you to get here – To work correspondence.

You can inform the boys that the lawn here hasn’t been moved lately. People here don’t keep their lawns very nice. Possibly let them grow in

June 7, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] order to have a place for the ciggers to hide. My bites are gradually subsiding but once in a while I have to stop and scratch. I’ve got bites in the most funniest places, and that is plural when I say bites and places.

While over at Olathe Kan. The other day I saw Francis Kenney. He has been around these parts for some time. Just happened to run into him. We had quite a chat. That place is about 60 mile from here but it is our nearest hospital. He wants us to get together when you come down. Do you know who he married?

It is now almost 2000 and I think I’ll spend the evening working on the next correspondence lesson. It doesn’t take long to work the course this way and I believe you can type it just as well if not better.

As soon as you find when you are coming and on what route let me know so I can plan to meet you and also plan on disposing of you until the house is ready. I talked to the Dr.’s wife last night and she said they were going to be out by the 15^th but I don’t know how much fixing will have to be done before this other family moves out of ours. The Dr.’s wife didn’t go East. She stayed with the children.

Well, lot of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/25/work-correspondence-roscoe/

Invasion (Gladys)

4 Replies

: June 6, 1944 envelope front

: June 6, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

June 6, 1944, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
6-6-44

Dear Daddy –

Well about all we have heard today has been invasion. Mr. Zell went to Delphi to a Rotary meeting and was going to find out about the train from Laf. and reservations but he didn’t have time when he came home to give us the info but will when he comes home this evening. In case we can’t get train reservation we can get bus connections from here to Chenoa, Ill., and change there. That bus goes thru Quincy and into Kansas City but the bus trip all the way would require 18 hours. I thought

June 6, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] You could possibly meet us in Quincy if we have to go by bus, but we will come by train if we can get seats.

It is so cold today, the heat kicked on, but I turned the therm. down so it wouldn’t get so hot.

Mildred Morton’s mother died yesterday. She was in St. E. and was recovering, satisfactorily they thought, and her death seemed to be rather unexpected.

We had a dust storm yesterday and it was warm enough to have all the doors open and the house is very dusty throughout today. I washed some things today. The water got hot enough – the hottest it has been for a long time.

June 6, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I went to the dentist & took Mark along. He said there was nothing to do about Mark’s teeth in front, but he did put some filling in. My tooth was just sensitive and nothing to be done now.

Lucile said they couldn’t get lumber enough to build Jimmy a play sand box so I told her to come out & see if they could find enough here. They came, but while we were looking Lucile thought about the supper she left cooking on high so they left before we found anything.

I waited to talk to Mr. Zell before finishing this and didn’t get it mailed Tues. He found that we could

June 6, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] get a train out of Laf. at 1:30 a.m. that would get us into Kansas City sometime around 11:30 or 12. I called Chicago and there are no day trains out of Chicago to K.C. or Liberty, so I think we will go from Laf.

It is some warmer today but was very chilly yesterday. The sun is shining today again.

I am forwarding a letter from Geo. Wingfield – why don’t you write him and ask him to stop off in Liberty and see us while he is on his way to Chicago? Here is another v-mail from Lentz – am trying to sew, so will sign off.

Love Mother

Your first letter came today –

News from George Wingfield, Jr.

1 Reply

[George Wingfield, Jr., served with Roscoe in the Russell Islands and New Caledonia. They shared a tent together at one point. This letter was forwarded by Gladys in her June 6th letter.]

June 2, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

June 2, 1944

Dear Yegie,

Am home again on a week’s leave and while I’ve been away, new orders to Naval War College, Newport, R.I. came thru, so shortly I’ll be leaving S.D. in time to get there by 1 July for a 5 month course in tactics, strategy, etc. – then a staff job somewhere. Expect to stay in Chicago 2 or 3 days with my mother Mrs. Paul D. Hamlin, 1301 Astor Street, sometime between the 22 – and – 27^th. In case you have a local phone number eave your number there for me. She’s in the book.

Mates Frericks and Howell

June 2, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] are still “put.” Jim Gardiner called me when he returned. He’s with the Marines near San Diego.

Got registered while I am home as otherwise I couldn’t have voted in the coming election – and I did want to offset a good new deal vote with mine – and will!

Feel great and the fishing is good. I’m ready to lick bears or Newport socialites – come what may.

Jack’s letters to others indicate that the Japs may have infiltrated as far back as New Caledonia! How times do change.

Regards,
George

Cokes Would Be In Order (Gladys)

1 Reply

June 4, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 4, 1944, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
June 4 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Will start a letter this evening and maybe I’ll have something to add tomorrow – Howard & Ursula came to see me this afternoon. Helen is home and is going to come over and see me. She lived in Kansas City, Mo., 10 yrs. If she comes tomorrow I’ll tell you anything that might be of help to us. Howard asked me if we would rent our house. I told them our little attempt with Smiths – They agreed with me our house is well worth $45.00 – said they were getting $40.00 for theirs in the country. Mrs. W. said she thought our house should be worth $50.00 – The new

June 4, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Ag teacher is looking for a place & Mrs. Z. asked me if we were considering renting. I told her I didn’t know yet – we would have to see about “Mo.” first.

Arlene came up and Lucile brought Jimmy so we really had “open yard” this afternoon. Mark got the idea cokes would be in order so he & Virginia loaded up some bottles and went to the Station and bought cokes with his money – without consulting me. I had the same idea so was glad he had acted before I told him to. Jimmy Ed & David both got a share of their mother’s cokes – Jimmy is a veteran coke drinker but David seems to like the stuff pretty well too – Arlene has a new girl – one that seems to be the answer to all her desires for a helper – She even lives there and so Arlene has a little more time off.

June 4, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] When Arlene loaned us the “Thum” bottle, she decided to pour a little out in something in case she might want to dab a little on Donnie “in case” – The only thing she saw at the time was a “shot glass” so poured some in it. She told Bill what she had done and he told everyone she was trying to break him by putting “Thum” in his glass. I am certain that would break anybody of anything – after getting the tiny bit in my eye.

I wrote to Ruth M. today. You should drop your folks a line now and let them know you are in your new location. As soon as I get news from you of a house I’ll call for train reservations.

Love Mother

June 4, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Monday afternoon –
So far I haven’t talked to Helen. I saw Coke this morning and strange as it may seem they haven’t any K.C. connections. I thought perhaps they would know someone there.

I cleaned half the basement this morning – Try to finish the other this evening. David got an ink bottle this morning and spilled ink from davenport to kitchen so J. & M. cleaned living room & dining room floors – however it needed to be done. The house looks like the one at Lake Forest – I have rugs all over the place to catch the black marks –

Hoping to see you soon –
Love Mother

David, Jimmy Ed Johnson & Donald Funk, dated June 4, 1944

Liberty, Missouri (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: June 4, 1944 envelope front

: June 4, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

June 4, 1944, p. 1

Colonial Hotel
Liberty Mo.
June 4, 1944

Dear Mother,

Just back from the party I told you about on the phone. I met most of the officers, their wives and children. It seems the medical department is composed of me and that is the dependants care as well as anything else navy that comes up. It was interesting meeting all the outfit in one group. About all types and kinds were represented. The skipper and his wife are ex farmers from Southern Ill. And seem to be very fine. There is also the flashy type who sorta feel they should demand attention, and I might say the children are all types and kinds also. It se

It seems they have parties like this rather frequent. It was an outdoor

June 4, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] hamburger fry with salads, onions, olives, cake, ice cream, etc. Just a harmless get together. Outside of hot weather, I believe the duty here should be OK but that remains to be seen.

I hope a room here at the hotel without bath. There are none with bath available. The price of the room is $1.25 per day. There is a lavatory in the room but the bath is community and a tub. There is a shower at the sick bay so I’ll have my bath there.

I have to be at the base by 7:45 and after sick call it’s more or less here and there.

The Dr. I’m relieving is still here. They have 3 children, the oldest of which is about 3 years old. They seem to be very well thought of and a little hard to follow maybe because they were well liked, but we shall see.

Well, I’ll write more tomorrow night but the night letter of tomorrow night should get there first –

Lots of Love
Daddy