Category Archives: Foster

Finding A House (Roscoe)

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April 24, 1944 envelope

April 24, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 24

Dear Mother,

The day passed without too much happening – Joe seems to have gotten settled fairly well but will be worked pretty hard if no more Drs. are attached to their place. He has the nose & throat work of the station.

I got a call today about a house but decided not to do anything about it. It was a large house which rented for $150 per mo. and the gal thought since I’d said the Roberts and us wanted to be near one another we could take the house but I’m afraid that would have its drawbacks. The biggest probably being the chance that one or other might be ordered away leaving the other to hold the bag or rather the house at $150 per mo. I’ve given two Drs. who live in Chicago the word to keep looking in their area for vacancies – maybe if there are enough strings out one will be fastened to something. So we’ll keep

April 24, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] looking and inquiring. One of the fellows wants me to ride into Chicago with him and look around. He really wants me nearby so we can share cars – a pregnant idea for all concerned.

When I was talking about not giving D. any sulfa drug with measles I didn’t mean it shouldn’t but in case ears or throat develops then it would be OK. I’d also forgotten. I looked it up last night – The contagious period may run up to 16-21 days rather than the usual 10 days to 2 wks. so it may be longer before he takes them if he does. Watch for the knots behind his ears. Those appear first.

Well, I’m going to see if I can find a book to read tonight, and relax for a while –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/28/finding-a-house-roscoe/

Birds and Bees (Gladys)

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April 24, 1944 envelope

April 24, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Another “gray Monday.” It has rained and there is quite a wind today. My neighbor braved the weather and hung out clothes, but I didn’t wash any today.

We came home about 4 o’clock yesterday. After we came back I was going to take David for a walk, but the wind was so strong we didn’t stay out very long. I don’t want to do anything that might not be so good for him if he is taking measles. This is the 8^th day and no signs so far, but I’ll watch him closely. I would like to go to Laf. sometime this week. I didn’t get to town this morning to see Mr. Rinard about my glasses, but

April 24, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I doubt if he can fix them. I will try to go down this afternoon. I think I’ll wait until J. & M. get home from school, so I won’t have to take David. I don’t want to expose anyone, and we might do that if we don’t keep David home.

Yesterday on the way home Mark asked me how a Dr. could tell when a woman was going to have a baby. I told him a woman had to tell the Dr. first, then he wondered how the woman knew. I was floundering around for a suitable answer and he said, “Oh I get it, after a woman gets married, she gets a seed that grows.” Now the next time you are home I want you to do some more explaining to Mark. That was the first time he had asked such a question and I wasn’t very well prepared to answer him.

David is in bed, but hasn’t gone to sleep yet. His bowels were normal again this morning. I put him on the toidey after breakfast

April 24, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] and he had his stool. So far that has been all today. He wanted to go bye-bye this morning. He could see the car in the garage and would point to it and say “car.” Once this morning he took his overalls off and put them in the drawer. I think he is going to sleep now, after an hour of playing in his bed.

I opened the box of candy yesterday and it is quickly vanishing. Maybe it is just as well for me to have help on it – I might eat too much if I didn’t have help.

I wrote Mrs. Stanish a letter and will get the M.O. to put in it this afternoon. I didn’t mention the flowers. I suppose if Vince wants her to know how they were ordered he can tell her. I wrote Reader’s Digest your new address. Called Monroe & left word for him to come out and look at the belt. So far he hasn’t come.

April 24, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] David is awake and I measured him – he is 33 ¾” – ¾” taller than a month ago.

I am cleaning out the desk and found T. J. Murphy’s letter – his address is 1508 Banks Place – Lakeland Fla. – in case you want to write to him.

I found the coal bills – $25 & $22 – should I pay them? I paid the Hancock Ins. $70.70 and Mrs. Stanich and our balance is $184.00 – However in another week the $200.00 will come and I can dep. $170.00. Maybe we should pay those bills now (?)

I just had a thought, idea or what have you. In case you would find an apt. now and would have to take it in order to get it, maybe we could come up for a week-end, even if you had duty – Just an idea, in case something comes our way. I think I could drive thru without assistance of anyone else. Of course the chances are we won’t get one so soon, but in case we do it would be a pleasant way to spend the week-end.

John & Mark are home and I must go to town –
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/27/birds-and-bees-gladys/

Back at the Station (Roscoe)

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April 23, 1944 envelope

April 23, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 23 Sun. Eve

Dear Mother,

We arrived at the station about 5:15 after an uneventful trip. Had our chow at the hospital. Joe got all singed in in about 10 min. That is all that was necessary for today. He really could have taken about 6 more hours. Six hours we lost – Too bad. We really did enjoy ourselves at least I did and I hope you did. Hope you didn’t have any difficulty in getting home.

While waiting for Joe abt we were parked out behind the hostess house – I just waited in the car. A sailor and his wife or girl friend came out and engaged in a terrific embrace, or at least she did. He just more or less stood there with his arms at his sides but she didn’t – You know how I mean. Then after two hitches he backed off a little way and got out a big white hankie and wiped his mouth to remove the lipstick. The last I saw of them they were going back into the house he still wiping his mouth. Was that good or was that good?

April 23, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Joe and I went for a walk but it was cut very short by a storm – or rather thunder and lightning cut the trip short. So far it seems to have missed us, however, and it is now about 9:00 and will soon be bed time. Our radio is going – seems to work good with only a short antennae.

Joe is writing also so maybe you both will get letters Tue. I’m running out of things to write much just now. It’s been only a short time since I’ve seen you and things haven’t happened so much as yet. I guess I should write the Folks one of these days but just can’t seem to get started on such.

Well, hope you aren’t too down in the dumps tonight –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/26/back-at-the-station-roscoe/

Home for the Weekend

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Roscoe did indeed make it home for the weekend. David reached the milestone of his 19th month while “Daddy” was home. Without an exchange of letters, the only remaining details of the weekend were recorded in the baby book.

David’s baby book, dated April 23, 1944

April 23, 1944

David’s 19th month – 26 1/2 libs – 33 3/4″ tall

Daddy is on duty at Great Lakes (reported Apr. 13) and got to come home for the weekend – was home the 23rd the day David was 19 months old. We took some pictures of Daddy and David together. David has learned to say, “No” and shake his head accordingly when asked if he wants to be put in his bed for misbehavior. He is saying Mammy at present for Mother but we hope to teach him to say Mother correctly. He says “tee” for train. He doesn’t try to tell us when he has to toidey. Still has [to] wear thumb guards – Apr. 24 – David doesn’t wear thumb guards now – We put “Thum” on his thumbs and he quit putting them in his mouth – Now wears training panties but doesn’t cooperate much. Apr. 26 – climbed up on the radio in John and Mark’s room, pulled it over on himself – cut his lip and had to have two stitches taken. One upper front tooth is pushed back out of line.

Walk to Town (Gladys)

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April 19 & 20, 1944 envelope

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

I wrote one letter this morning but thought I would start one this afternoon while I was thinking about what I wanted to write.

I took David out for a walk and he kept going until we were on Main street so I got the paper & a few articles I needed at the drug store. I saw Coke and she wanted to know about when you would be home. Said they wanted to see you, etc. I asked her about Dr. Baer and he is a MacIntyre. They live in a town close to Great Lakes, but it isn’t Lake Forest. She told me the name but I don’t remember. Maybe it was Highland Park. I am not sure. At any rate coke wants you to see Dr. B. He is a Commander now. I saw Alma and she said the evening we tried to call them was the only evening they were away from home, and on Wed. evening

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] before you went to G.L. they didn’t go to the show, but were downtown. We just didn’t see them.

I stopped to see Mrs. Krull and she says the suits wouldn’t make over for John. Says she wouldn’t tackle the job and a tailor would charge $15.00 to do the job. I was wondering if Ralph or Clarence could use a suit or two. Mrs. K. just made one of Nick’s old suits over for Dorothy. I wish I had used one of yours for myself instead of buying the one I did. I still would like to have a black suit and could take the pin strip and have one made for myself.

I stopped at Johnsons and Jimmy had been sick. I saw someone sitting in the living room and opened the door and David ran in. Lucile came and said Jimmy had been sick but was feeling better and temp was normal. He was quite sick last night and had a temp of 104 4/10 (rectally). He had a convulsion last night

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] but seemed perfectly normal today. The Dr. thought he might be taking measles or something but evidently not or he would be breaking out. His throat was sore and the Dr. swabbed it. David was with him Sun. & Mon. afternoon and Lucile thinks he was starting a temp Mon. so if he has anything D. has a good chance of getting it from being with him Mon. Of course at the time Lucile didn’t know he had a temp, but we were in the restaurant together and before that she had Jimmy out here, and when she started home from the restaurant with Jimmy, said he got fussy and she had to carry him home. I hope he doesn’t develop anything. Are children who are subject to allergies more apt to have convulsions than others? The thought just occurred to me, because of Jimmy and the Wilson baby, Michael, was like Jimmy when he was small (covered with eczema) and he is subject to convulsions. Or is it due to the high temperatures?

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Bobby came up with 25₵ and asked Mark to buy him a plane to build so Mark is at Funks now making Bobby a plane. John asked me if he should go to a party Sat. nite, since you were planning to come home he wasn’t sure it would be the thing to do, but I told him he could see you Sun. and I thought he should attend the party since he stays home most of the time.

It is 6 PM by the living room clock, so that means chow time for David. He should have a good appetite after walking to town and back. I thought maybe he had walked too much and John said, “Do you realize if he had been home he would be walking around here all the time?”

Thurs. a.m. – the mail hasn’t been delivered yet – I am finishing this for Mark to take as he goes to school. It is cloudy this morning and looks very much like it will rain anytime. I did have ideas of washing some but now have a good excuse not to.

Love Mother

P.S. Highland Park is right.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/24/walk-to-town-gladys/

Strong Woman (Gladys)

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April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

The mail carrier was around earlier than usual – in fact before we had breakfast, so I had your letter mailed yesterday to read before breakfast. It is nice and sunny today. I will have to take David out for a walk. He does love to go out of doors. Martha came over to ask if I wanted anything from town (her mother was going) and David cried when Martha left. I gave him a cookie and that fixed things up pretty fine. I have been upstairs cleaning some this a.m. I didn’t go into spring cleaning, just dusted and straightened and cleaned the bathroom floor. I think I’ll have to get back on my vitamins. I feel a little out of pep after I work a while.

April 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I just have one unicap left. I think I’ll get another bottle. I believe they help me as much as anything I have taken. I think I forgot to tell you I got a heart reaction from the last liver & Vit. B shot I took, so am afraid to try that again for a pick-up.

Our neighbors arrived home from Fla. yesterday. It was nice in the morning but by mid afternoon it had clouded up, turned cool and rained, but the weather is ideal this morning so maybe they won’t feel a chill.

Mrs. Zell had their car yesterday and I went to town with her and got David’s milk. She was having dinner guests (Shanlaubs) so I helped her get ready for them. She didn’t have the house straightened up at 4 PM and I didn’t have anything in particular to do so helped her. She is having a birthday party

April 19, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] for Virginia after school today. It is for the girls in the 5^th grade. This is one party J. & M. will miss, no boys invited.

I think I’ll go see Mrs. Krull today about cutting a suit down for John. I wish I knew someone your size who would buy some of those things and just buy John a new suit. I am going to have to do something soon if he keeps growing because his legs & arms are getting too long for the suit he has now.

Bun Walkup delivered some peat moss to Statons yesterday. I told him to haul our clinkers the next time he hauls trash. He was asking about you. Thought you hadn’t been home long enough to be back on duty. He said Iva Jean wondered how I held up under your being away. I suppose she was greatly

April 19, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] relieved that Bun didn’t have to go. I told Bun to tell her I am a “strong woman” – however I don’t feel that way at all sometimes, but I don’t go around sounding off my weakness. She would find out like anyone else whose husband is in Service who we stand it. It isn’t easy.

So far today David hasn’t had any accidents in his panties, but that isn’t his fault. I have been trying to watch him. He woke up about 1 a.m. and I put him in bed with me. He was wide awake and kept bothering me so I put dry pants on him and put him back in his bed. About 7:45 he woke me and I put him on the toidey. He had a B.M. After breakfast I put him on and he went, then again while I was working upstairs. It is time to check again – He just ran by me and I missed it – pants wet. I made thumbs stalls but didn’t get them just right – he can slip them off – but he hasn’t been bothering his thumb at all so maybe our battle is about over.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/23/strong-woman-gladys/

I’ll Be Home (Roscoe)

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April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Wed. Apr. 19, 1944

Dear Mother,

No letter again today. I’m just beginning to wonder if you are writing every day as you used to do, etc. I suspect the letters are getting crossed up in the mail and two will come tomorrow, at least I hope so.

Well, it’s all set. I’ll be home Sat. eve. I got the papers all filled out and in my pocket now so I’ll be there for supper but possibly you had better not wait too long as I’m not sure what time I’ll leave here. I’ll try something during the PM but may not get away until after working hours which would be 4:30 and that would get me there by 7:30-8:00.

Nothing much has been different today just the same old measles & mumps or rather German measles & mumps. We get rid of several each day and

April 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] get in several new ones each day just to keep things on an even basis.

It’s going to be a close run on the gas tickets but I think I’ll have enough to get the car back. That seems a dirty trick. Bring the car back to you with no tickets. Joe and I together can get a book for his car when he comes up and I’ll make him share a few tickets. When one gets a C card they want someone else to sign that he is riding with the C card owner. I didn’t have anyone else to sign for me and even if I had I couldn’t have signed for Joe – That must all sound very clear. I’ll explain more fully when I get home.

I’ll not write now until I see you again so lots of love, etc.,
Daddy

Haven’t Any Ambition (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 18, 1944 envelope

April 18, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-18-44

Dear Daddy –

Just finished breakfast and thought I would write you before the mail man comes around so he can take this up when he comes. Mark has gone to school so can’t send it by him. It is cloudy today & forecast for rain. David isn’t going to like this I am sure. He was out so much yesterday. I had him out in the yard in the morning then in the PM. Lucile came out with Jimmy and we walked to town. I banked $235.00. Our bal. according to the bank was $75.00 but surely some check wasn’t in yet because I am sure there was a ck or two I hadn’t put down. Well, I’ll find out when the statement comes.

I saw Al Cast and he told me Socky had seen you and forgotten himself for a minute and greeted you rather loudly. According to Al, Socky was afraid he would be seen by someone who would not approve of his behavior – anyway he was scared for a minute or two. I saw Tibby Tilton and he was inquiring as to your address.

April 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] He has to be back Sat. morning and wanted to look you up, so you may have a caller some time Sat. I told him you were coming home after duty Sat. I saw several boys (sailors) on the street yesterday. I think Emory Richards was home and Jr. Morton.

– – Your letters of yesterday & Fri. just came. The one was posted the 15^th and posted again the 17^th at Hobart so must have been mixed up with some other mail. You explained your meeting with Socky in your Fri. letter.

In one of your letters you mentioned something about Joe – I had been thinking about when he would go up and if he is in a hurry to report in, it will cut your visit home short, since you won’t get here until late Sat. nite. Do you want me to contact them and make arrangements for you to go back with Joe? Of course if you can’t come home, I’ll be anxious for Joe to go early, but I am hoping you get to come home if only for a short while.

April 18, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I think I have a bladder irritation but won’t take any medicine but the water treatment. I will drink lots of water today and I’ll see what that will do. Other than that I feel pretty good. Washed what clothes were dirty yesterday and ironed last night while J. & M. did arith. I was very tired when I got thru but went to bed and slept good all night so feel pretty good now. David is feeling fine this morning. He had 2 B.M.’s before I got him downstairs. He ate a lot of applesauce yesterday. I am going to give him cottage cheese today and try to stop him up a little.

The sun is breaking thru a little so David may get his play out in the yard. His new lower molar is thru enough to show up when he smiles.

I saw Marg Carlson yesterday and I hadn’t sent in the form for her scrapbook. I asked her what kind of a picture she wanted so think I’ll give her the picture we kept on the table, take in Noumea.

April 18, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] That is a good face picture and that is what she wants. I should give her one like you carry in your billfold – (or should I?).

I must get to work – not that I have any particular ambition today – it’s too early in the day for my pep to rise – I missed the mail man so will send this by Mark at noon.

Dorothy is taking Marie S. to Billings this week for a treatment. I was in the restaurant a while yesterday and she was talking about going up. Lucile said she would possibly have their car a day or two this week and if she does we plan to go to Laf. about Fri. and do a little shopping. I tried to get a new collar for the black dress. (I finally got the flowers off) at the dress shop but they didn’t have anything, so I have an excuse to go to Laf.

As I said before I must get busy, tho I haven’t any ambition yet.
Love Mother

Coming Home (Roscoe)

2 Replies

April 18, 1944 envelope

April 18, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

4/18/44

Dear Mother,

No mail today – maybe it takes it longer to get here if you address it to the station but on second thought I guess it’s because it was Sunday when you would have written a letter which should come today so that probably solves the mystery of the missing letter. I mailed one on Sunday but I’m not sure that it leaves the base on Sun.

I had a talk with a fellow who has the rental of houses and he seems to think we will be able to get a house. He took my name & address, etc. I’ll keep looking otherwise myself however.

So far so good on my coming home this weekend. My plea is in to the commanding officer and I believe it will go thru from the way the assistant executive officer talked. If one lives more than 75 miles he has to put in for leave so that in case an accident

April 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] or some such he will be legally covered. Then when the leave is over the paper is destroyed so that the leave isn’t counted against you in Washington. Just an old Navy custom.

We had a medical meeting at the base so I just stayed and ate there and it is now after 10 PM. It was a lecture by some Chicago Dr. on infections of the hand. It is one of those you must attend things so I went.

Yesterday I got a letter telling me I hadn’t done my correspondence work in the past two years and a little not was added to the bottom saying this is the second warning. I’ll have to drop in and give them the glad hand or something.

Well, it’s bed time so I must stop and see what I can do about some shut eye
Love Daddy

Nothing New (Lentz)

1 Reply

V-mail, dated March 15, 1944

Letter transcription:

From:
E.T. Lentz
Comdr. (mc) USNR
Navy 133 BH4
FPO San Francisco Calif.
Mar. 15, 44

To:
Lt. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) U.S.N.R.
Kentland
Indiana

Hello Junior – Nothing new in medical staff, still intact except three promotions – Andy, Cath & myself as you can see by return address.

Well – by today you should have arrived and I imagine it was a momentous day when you set foot on U.S. continent. We were all thinking about you and several of us have gone so far as to say we miss “Yegie.” Maybe, I’ll be seeing you soon.

Your laundry was sent as promised and you should get it by ’45.

My extracurricular activities have not been deterred, am playing golf as much as ever but not better. Received 18 golf balls (12 were reprocessed – just like new).

Write when you can –
Regards,
Ed

John W. made it
Porterfield also
See Alnav

[Editor’s note: ALNAV was a bulk communication and messaging system used by the Navy, a form of which is still in use today.]