Category Archives: Foster

Local News (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-14-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail today but two letters yesterday. Rec’d a letter from Jewell with a picture of Dot’s baby Janey – she is about a month younger than D. Jewell and Uncle Geo. had been to Roscoe Snedeker’s funeral. They had seen mom & dad. Jewell said she thought mom didn’t look so good but mom had the flu pretty hard so I imagine she doesn’t look so good as she did last fall. I wish we have gone there for Christmas but I was afraid to risk the trip at this time of the year.

No school today due to exams being over and teachers grading papers. J. & M. have been steel wooling the floors today. Buddy was here to spend the night and at breakfast Mark began to make plans for the day when I told him what I had planned. In “nothing flat” Buddy decided he must go see his mother and off he went to the restaurant. After he left Mark said, “Did you notice how quickly he decided to go when you mentioned working on the floors?” We have been doing the house today. After changing the beds, I cleaned the upstairs and John started the washing and after doing the lunch dishes I decided I needed a little rest so am writing to catch up so I can clean up the mess on the floors the steel wool makes. This job is pretty monotonous but seems to be necessary ever so often. – – Pause. I stopped writing to help with the floor work – we have stopped cleaning for the day. David woke up so I wrapped him up and put him out in his buggy – It has turned so much warmer. Mark is out in the yard entertaining David with his football. Bobby

[page 2] is out there now so David should be well entertained. It is so much warmer today I didn’t have to wrap David up so much. He have has a large blanket that was given to him last year that I kept nice and when I take him out on very cold days I wrap the blanket all around him up to his chin. – Mark just brought him in – Mark saw the others going to the pond to skate and couldn’t stand it. It’s much warmer but not warm enough yet to melt the ice yet. However if this keeps up it won’t take long.

I was looking over the Newton Co. E. for news items to include but see none I think would interest you. However I heard that Harold Portteus had an operation for hernia this week. I suppose he is in the hospital at Watseka. Clarice is there and I had thought about driving over to see her. Have to go to Sheldon for meat and it wouldn’t take much longer to run on over to Watseka.

I have never thought to mention about Bair’s niece Mary Eldeen, the girl they raised. She had a new baby last Oct. and is just now out of the hospital. Had to have a few blood transfusions. She has a baby about two years old and her trouble this time dates back to the first birth. I don’t know just what the trouble was but for a while she didn’t improve and Bair’s were awfully worried about her. Her husband is in Service and she is living with Bairs.

You wondered about Dr. Van. I mentioned him a time or two but you must have not rec’d those letters. I don’t know whether he knows me or not but I know him when I see him. One day I was downtown and saw Laura Milligan. She and John were in town visiting – John was enroute to the West Coast and I understand he is now in the Pacific someplace, but that is beside the story. I was chatting with Laura – I had been to the P.O. and she was going

[page 3] toward the highway and we happened to meet in front of Dr. V. office – While we were talking he came out and when he saw Laura he spoke to her – he gave her the once over and said something about her figure. – It rather amused me – I just thought he evidently is just like the stories depict him to be. Always an eye open for a good looking woman. I do think Laura is attractive. She seemed so glad to see me and asked about you. I asked what John’s work is and I understand he is boss of the ground crews – mechanics, or whatever they are called. I think that is the same work Harlan Parr does. The Parrs spent the summer in Fla. Were sent to Michigan in Dec. and now are in N.Y. – or were. I really couldn’t say where they are now.

Maybelle Towers wondered if you might be near Emery – however they aren’t sure of his location – except in the S.W. Pacific. She said they thought he was in Samoa.

Bill Schuh had pneumonia and now has rheumatic fever. Babe is taking care of him at her home in Brook. He & Tony were in the hospital at the same time. Tony had a gall bladder operation.

Here I sit and write when I should be out of doors – should do my writing at night. I have been having headaches again. I think it’s partly due to being inside so much. I still like warmer weather best. At least I can get out for a breath of fresh air without chilling in warmer weather. Well I think I would like the winter here if you were home, but I seem to tire of winter this year more than usual. So much for the weather, as you used to say, took a good beating.

“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/07/local-news-gladys-2/ ‎

Laundry Hanging Around (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
1-13-44

Dear Mother,

After I finished writing yesterday I thought there would be a P.S. to add regarding more mail but there was none for me. It was all mail for persons who had been transferred from other islands and most of my mail in that class is now thru those areas.

I still have some of my laundry hanging around the room from yesterday. It would have been dry if I’d left the radiator on all night but that makes it a little too warm and there is no particular hurry. We should have a line outside but with reconstruction going on in the yard I’m afraid the dust would be pretty thick on the laundry before it could dry because

[page 2] this wind sure whips around the corners and over the knobs. This AM there was a slight sprinkle but not enough to make any impression on the dust.

I’ve read that double talk over that you wrote from the radio program but can’t seem to make much headway. If I had the tune and could hear the words it would probably make sense. Or would it?

Just stopped to read the Newton Co. E. – Sept. 9 issue that came day before yesterday. I must have been lost in the Christmas rush plus the change of address rush. It’s surprising how much real news there isn’t in the paper. I don’t mean to be an old meanie, but, for example, the personal & society – a visit here, a vacation

[page 3] there – well alright then it is news – I’m having a terrific argument with myself and I’m not sure who is winning, anyway there still isn’t much news in those papers. You always give me the cream of the news but maybe yours is the first edition and this paper is the full account.

Tue. night I heard parts of a Jack Benny program which was pretty good. It had been a long time since I’d heard him so maybe that was why I liked it.

This is before mail time so I’ll stop and maybe be able to add more – I hope.

Later. No mail so
Solong until tomorrow
Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/06/laundry-hanging-around-roscoe/ ‎

House Paint (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 13 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Two letters today, of Dec. 31 & Jan. 1, and Jan. 2. I can’t understand why you got some of the boxes for Christmas but not ours. Of course there wasn’t much in either box but just the idea of sending gifts.

It is clear and cold again today. The temp. was 4° above in Chicago this a.m. However it isn’t that cold here now because the sunshine has warmed things up somewhat. I will be glad for spring so we can get out more. I have been taking David out every day since he recovered from his cold. He gets so restless after his nap if he doesn’t get to go out. We went over to see Jimmy Ed yesterday. He is about over the flu but can’t go out yet. He is over it enough that I wasn’t afraid to take David in. They have such a good time together. It was so much fun for David to play with Jimmy’s things for a change. He seems to tire of his own so quickly and is usually nosing around trying to find something he shouldn’t have.

We had fried chicken for lunch and I gave him a bone to chew on. He seemed to think that was the best thing he had had lately. I got two frys from Zells. They had an order to dress 30 for the NuJoy. However, I dressed the ones I bought.

The Foulkes are away on a trip thru the East. Coke said Harold had to go on business

[page 2] and she was going too. I saw Herman Diedam at their house so I presume he is redecorating while they are away. Our walls could stand a coat or two of paint but I am not planning to do anything to them yet. The paint Sandy used on the outside must not have been the best because it is peeling off in places. I noticed some spots on Funks house that is doing the same. I think Sandy painted for them too. Link had Chet Hall paint his house last summer. There were large spots that the paint had chipped off down to the boards. I watched Chet paint and decided there might be things he could do better because I didn’t think he did a very smooth job. However, with the man power shortage getting more acute all the time, we can’t be too “choosy” about help.

Had a long letter from Marie. Isla has been ill. At first they thought she had T.B. but later decided it was thyroid. She had flu strep and took sulfa and that was wrong for her. Dr. Maurer is treating her now trying to get her over her thyroid trouble without surgery. David still isn’t so good. He and his mother are in Ark. Now and Isla’s husband is running the shop. Marie said they hadn’t heard from you for a long time, but hadn’t written so didn’t expect to hear. When we were there in Oct., I thought David looked bad. He says he feels better now but Marie says she is worried about him.

I am enclosing a clipping from the Democrat of David’s picture. You should have the original picture by now.

Nick & Dorothy went to Chi. Today and Buddy is coming here to stay and spend the night.
Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/05/house-paint-gladys/

Getting Forgetful (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 12, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m getting forgetful. I forgot whether or not I added a P.S. to my letter yesterday telling you your Christmas package came – It did. This time it was in pretty good condition but the contents could be seen without opening the box. In other words the ends were very ragged. The chicken bones are all melted into one huge chunk but still within the paper. And why the alcohol and tobacco chasers? I haven’t opened much of it yet. The chewing gum is the best article. The wafers are good – really surprisingly crisp but I’ve lost practically all my taste

[page 2] for sweets. Just the very smallest bit of sweet is enough so I’ll have candy enough to last all year long. One of the officers who was ordered from here gave me a pound box of candy weeks before Christmas and most of it is still in the box and Floyd & Ruth sent some and it is practically intact. I’ll wait a few weeks and put it out in the ward room and it won’t last long but I know I’ll never eat it, unless I get more of a sweet tooth than at present. I hope I don’t sound ungrateful about the gift. The hankies were fine. I am a little short on those and they will fix me up about right.

I wrote Joe Roberts a letter last  night and will try to answer

[page 3] another of those long unanswered letters today. I have an awful time now trying to figure which one I should answer.

I did some laundry this P.M. Last Thurs. I sent my khaki shirts & pants to the laundry as well as 5 pairs of underware trunks, and today I washed 9 pairs of trunks and 16 pair of socks – don’t ask me where all the things came from. I still have 5 clean pair of trunks and one pair on so that makes a total of 20 pair and approx. 2 doz. pair of socks. I still don’t wear any undershirts so don’t have to worry about that part of the laundry. White shirts are no problem because they are not worn enough. Just to weddings or special things which

[page 4] are far and few between for me. And one shirt will last thru several engagements.

Before I forget it I don’t think it’s necessary to file an income tax return this year but again Agnes M. knows more about the laws and if she thinks necessary go ahead. All we get for sure on the tax problem is scuttlebutt, but there is something about this year & last year or something so let me know what you do.

Don’t run yourself too short on buying bonds as I won’t be able to send too much money extra on account of saving it for travel. Maybe I’m being optimistic but it never is wrong to plan ahead – For now Dear that is all –

Love Daddy

P.S. Thanks for the Christmas present.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/04/getting-forgetful-roscoe/

Full of Pep and Getting Restless (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-12-44

Dear Daddy –

Another clear cold winter day. It was 3° above in Chicago this a.m. I have been taking David out for an airing every day but am afraid it’s too cold today – He still has a hang on cough from his cold two weeks ago. He is full of pep and getting restless. He is so used to going out in his buggy he wants to go. John is home today due to exams and his exemptions and has decided David is a full day’s work. I told him David has been more restless today than ordinarily. Mark came home at noon with the report that his exams were going fine. I see the skaters going toward the pond all the time. As they finish their exams, they can leave school and it looks like a large number are in our end of town.

The Hufty’s have a new boy – born day before yesterday. Haven’t heard the name yet. I didn’t stop to see Joy yesterday, but saw her the day before. She is two weeks old now.

I mentioned Irene in a v-mail I wrote yesterday. I knew she had been going to a Dr. in Chicago who told her she had thyroid and was going to treat her with X-Ray. Someone told

[page 2] her the treatments could ruin her throat. She went to another Dr. The new Dr. told her she didn’t have thyroid trouble and didn’t need an operation. She went to the hospital for that purpose. She is still in the hospital having tests made. I stopped at the house one day this week and Mrs. James gave me the above information. From all I could learn about Irene’s trip to Mayo, there wasn’t anything they found wrong. However, I didn’t ask any questions, but from things she said I gathered that much.

Mark is home from school and he & John are in a monopoly game in the kitchen. Mark is very confident about his exams. Hope he is right.

Your mother sent us a box of noodles. She must have made an angel food cake and made noodles with the yolks.

I don’t know whether to take David out or not. He sure is getting in everybody’s hair, but he is used to being out of doors this time of day.

Duff Telby said Tom is back in the States and waiting for a furlough to come home.

Had a letter from Jim and he is still in Camp Peary. Doesn’t know how long he will be there. I am beginning to think for the duration. That is “OK” – I don’t envy them their good fortune but do wish, well you know what I am wishing – and believe it can’t be long now.

I must go to town and get some groc. We have to eat – and since groc. delivery is only on certain days I just go to town and get what we need. Have to go to the P.O. every day anyway.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcription by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/03/full-of-pep-and-getting-restless-gladys/

The Letters That Came Yesterday (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
1-11-44

Dear Mother,

I’ll try to say a few words about your letters that came yesterday. First of all it seems your air mail stamps on D’s pictures didn’t work because as yet those pictures haven’t arrived but the snaps of D. & Jimmie did arrive. It always seems when you write of an emergency that letter is delayed. The one telling about your mother just arrived yesterday.

I’m afraid I can’t make out much of that song you sent which you said was going around. In other word it doesn’t make sense to me but maybe it’s not supposed to.

Now about finances. What I

[page 2] really wanted was the final bank balance. I’m glad to get those other figures as they do give me, as you said, food for thought, but you need not go to all the trouble sending too many figures. I don’t quite understand what the $6.60 for tax was for. I just don’t seem to be able to figure that one out. The tax we pay to the county locally are or were taken care of in the house payments – so that really does give me food for thought.

I guess you got the word about those shoes you loaned. I really got a kick out of your answer – very cleverly put I’d say, but we will talk that over in due time.

Your community letter. I mean the one written at

[page 3] Christmas time with all the signatures was interesting. It brought me greeting more or less from the entire gang. I sure was glad to hear that you could all be together.

Just got a letter from John v-mail – thanking me for the Christmas present.

It has been so cool here lately – I’ve been wearing a sweater – gotten from the Red Cross – under my jacket. The wind must be directly off those mountains with snow that you were trying to locate while you were at Mutch’s. I’ll agree with you – most of our maps of this place are small so you probably couldn’t find too much, but even now, I can’t

[page 4] write much about all the surroundings. Not as much as I’d like to. In fact the mountains are fine but give me some level prairie for a change. I think I’d appreciate that lots. But I’ve said all that before so why bring it up again. However as I’ve said before it’s interesting writing & talking material.

Well, I’ll possibly read reread those letters again and make more comments later –

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/02/the-letters-that-came-yesterday-roscoe/

The Center of the Household (Gladys)

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1944-01-11 (GRY)Letter transcripton:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-11-44

Dear Daddy – No mail today but had three letters yesterday. It remains clear and cold but not too cold to take David out. He is taking his nap now. Gets along fine now without a thumb to go to sleep with. I was washing windows today and he tried to help – splash water. He gets such a thrill when J. & M. come home from school. They always talk to him and make a fuss over him when they come home. John says the household revolves around David – and I suppose that is natural. John says he won’t have to take any exams so won’t have to go to school the rest of this week. The grade school doesn’t have exemptions so Mark will have to go as usual, tho school will be out Fri. for grading papers. David’s picture will be in the Democrat this week. He is the only child in the group whose Daddy is in the service. I’ll send you a clipping so you can see the publicity before the whole paper gets to you. I stopped at Staton’s yesterday to see how the family was. Mrs. J. told me Irene went to another Dr. and he told her she had no thyroid trouble at all – and that they can’t find anything wrong. She is still in a hospital in Chicago having tests made. The last time I saw her she seemed to feel fine. She did have the flu but got over it better than her Mother did.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/01/the-center-of-the-household-gladys/

Auditing Board (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Jan. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m writing today before mail time and hope I can add a foot note saying mail has arrived. The rumors have it that there is mail at the P.O. but rumors are not always true as you know.

Just got a call that the auditing board is to meet and since I’m a member must go and put in my two bits worth, by that time we’ll know if there is any mail.

The books are audited but still no mail and it’s getting well on toward 5 P.M. so I’m beginning to think there is no mail today. Seems as if

[page 2] that whole front page was used in discussing the no mail status, so let’s let it rest.

Lentz is out playing golf this P.M. and wanted me to go along and carry his clubs but I refused in a big way. I used to do that once in a while at Norfolk but I’ve changed since then. I have walked lots since coming here but not on the golf course. There are several pretty walks around the hills and valleys and over the river which some of us take ever so often in the P.M. I like to watch the fish in the water. Haven’t fished as yet because I have no gear and don’t want to buy a license. The license is something we didn’t have

[page 3] to have before – Just another draw back of civilization.

In Faye’s letter she said Dolores thought I’d be home in 18 months but knowing fellows here who have been out a little longer than myself I’m beginning to doubt that just a little. In fact I have all along. I think there is an effort being made but one can’t come home on efforts alone. We will just have to wait and see, but we have been thru all that in numerous letters before. However, that is still a very good topic of conversation and it isn’t hard to get things started from the newest member to the oldest. I mean

[page 4] in length of time spent out of U.S.A.

We have an accordion player in our midst now and he does the squeeze very frequently. There is also a “uke” player and they sometimes get in the rumpus room next to mine and make pretty much noise but I can take it. It’s only been in the day time so far. In fact yesterday P.M. was the first but it didn’t bother much.

Well, there still isn’t any mail – so Solong
Love Daddy

P.S. Mail did come after all – Yours of Dec. 8, 17, 24, 27, 27, 28 and Oct. 15 came. The 8 & 17 were v-mail. The Oct. 15th one was the one you wrote at Lafayette when your mother passed away.

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/30/auditing-board-roscoe/ ‎

A Very Popular Place (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 10 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Dec. 28, 29 & 30th came today and the pictures. Imagine you drinking tea, but I am sure you enjoyed it. They look like very pleasant company.

It is still cold and clear. We can’t understand how we missed all the snow. It snowed quite heavily in Chicago, and other places, but no snow here. At least the skaters are glad. The pond is the scene of activity every day and night. Since Bob Schurtter has taken over the self appointed management, putting a light out there for the night skaters, the pond is a very popular place. He goes out and gets the skaters to clean the ice off so it won’t get rough from slush. Since he didn’t get an appointment in the Navy, perhaps the draft board will permit him to finish the school year before he has to go into service. They keep taking fathers from here. Of course some are new fathers but several pre-war fathers will soon have to go.

I thought I had written you that Jim had insurance to cover all funeral expenses. Burial was made in our lot.

[page 2] I thought that was the best place. Jim had an idea of going to Hutsonville, to the cemetery where so many of Mother’s family were buried, but I thought we should use our lot here. About the hospital expenses, I explained all that before but in case you didn’t get the letter, Mother had saved some, and Jim paid $100.00 so what we actually paid on hospital expenses amounted to some over $100.00. I hope you have received the detailed statement I sent covering the yr – 1943.

I went to see Joy Selene and Mother Arlene yesterday. Dr. Cole allowed them to come home a little sooner than with Donnie, but Arlene was in bed and I suppose will be a few days. Joy is quite a beautiful baby with thick black hair. That is one thing about going over time, the baby is well developed. Arlene was due the 14th and Joy was born the 27th – David having made a 3 weeks premature appearance, kept curled up in a little ball for about a month. However, you would never guess now, he arrived too soon. He is about over his thumb sucking habit. He slept thru the night last night and went right off for his nap today. He still doesn’t try to indicate when he needs the toidey, but will go to the bathroom if we ask him if he wants to toidey. He does so many cute little things every day, it’s quite impossible to put them down in ink on paper. But that smile gets us – it is very contagious.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/29/a-very-popular-place-gladys/

Decidedly More Destructive (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 9 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

One more Sunday in ’44. I took David to church this a.m. – and we were able to remain thru the service – He has been to S.S. but this was his first church service. He kept very quiet, as far as vocalizing during the sermon, but he was very “fidgety” or “squirmy,” or whatever you want to call it. John asked me if I heard anything the minister said. I followed pretty well. The Shandys were there with their boy. I imagine he will soon be leaving for Miami. John Ade was also at church. He is an air cadet (Navy).

We are trying to break the thumb sucking habit and I believe we are making progress. He went to sleep this afternoon much sooner than he did yesterday. He went to sleep last night after much crying. Sometime during the night he got his favorite (left) thumb free and I could hear him working on it. I took him up and put him in bed with me, and I didn’t get much sleep after that, but I kept the thumb out of his mouth. He wants to throw things all the time. John thinks it’s time to teach him not to throw everything to the floor but I am afraid that would require a lot of hand slapping or what it takes to teach a child not to throw things. David is decidedly more destructive with his toys than J. & M. were – He tries to tear everything up and has done a pretty good job on a lot of his toys. He has a rubber apron or bib, Mrs. Roberts gave him. It is [a] pre-war one she used for their boys. David

[page 2] has ripped it in so many places, the back side looks like it’s made of adhesive tape. Of course, it isn’t hard to tear but David has wrecked things made of heavier material.

Mark is out skating again this afternoon. The weather stays cold enough to keep the pond frozen. John as usual is listening to musicals. Miss Smith told him about some of the teachers in Chicago she studied under she wants him to go to – &7.oo a lesson. I told him when he paid that much for a lesson he would have to absorb everything the teacher said. I told him he would have to direct a symphony orchestra “or something” if he spends that much on lessons. However, I don’t believe he will take any of said lessons soon.

There was a heavy frost on this morning and the air was crisp. I don’t know just how cold it was but know it was low. The sun has been shining all day and the sky is clear. I want to take David out for a walk after his nap.

Arlene is to come home today with the new baby girl. I didn’t get to visit her in the hospital, but will see her at home.

The planes that go over here – this must be cross-roads – they go all directions. Fri. two went so low they looked like they were just above the tree tops. Pinky won’t scare us any more with his antics. I understand he has been grounded – has a desk job now. Never see anything about him in the paper. Marg. Is here helping her mother run the paper and lives in her own house again.

David is awake – I’ll have to take him up so he won’t dampen his bed.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: http://genealogylady.net/2015/09/28/decidedly-more-destructive-gladys/ ‎