Category Archives: Foster

This Being Saturday (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. 8, 1944

Dear Mother,

This being Sat. I’ll start and wind up tomorrow because no mail goes out on Sun. as I’ve told you before so I just put them both in the same envelope. Maybe that is just being lazy or scotch or what have you?

Your letters of 14, 15 & 16 came and some Christmas greetings. One from Ralph & Faye, one from Schlegels, one from John & Inez and one from Helen Coan or whatever her name is now.

Faye wrote a note along with their greeting – Seems as

[page 2] if Faye & Ruth have to do most of the writing in their families.

I still haven’t lived up to that New Year’s resolution of writing everyone those letters but will start one of these days.

I’ll be glad when those pictures of D. arrive. It seems so many times when you are going to send pictures you write about them and the letter with the pictures are is delayed.

You also “sorta” left me in the air about the $49.00 you wrote that Brands had you charged. You didn’t say whether you got out of the thing gracefully. I believe

[page 3] you did say they couldn’t find where it came from. Anyway I guess you got thinks all squared away, I hope.

Sun. Dec. 10 [sic], 1944

Your v-mail of Dec. 29 came today. I believe it must have arrived yesterday but just wasn’t delivered because that is the first time I’ve known mail to come on Sun.

I just came back from the movie – I stayed only long enough to see the News. The news are always old but they save 3-4 for Sun. Eve and it makes about a ½ hour program. I have

[page 4] seen the main feature and it wasn’t so good the first time so I didn’t care to sit thru it again.

Sorry D. has a cold and I hope he is over it by now and also hope that you don’t catch it from him!

I don’t know as yet where you went Christmas. In this letter you wrote that D. caught the cold either from Mark or Earl so I presumed you were either at Wilmington or they were over there.

So Funks finally got a girl. I’ll bet they are both

[page 5] well pleased and I suppose Bobby will really have something to talk about now.

In these last letters I finally got the story of Virginia Zell. In the letters before you had said she was in bed due to an injury. I guess that was in yesterday’s letter but I just happened to think. I’m not being critical of your letter writing but just telling you how they come and how I’m left in the dark on some things for days until the missing letters finally arrive.

Well, I guess I’d better wind this up with
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/27/this-being-saturday-roscoe/

Another Saturday (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:
Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 8 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Another Sat. and opera on. I have been having a splitting headache the past two days and the piano and radio aren’t any help, but our John loves his opera. About this headache I think I’ll have to start taking shots again, Thelin, or something. I took a few the first of last year but haven’t had any now since about last May or June. I had my glasses changed and I think the headache isn’t from eyestrain due to occurance around the 28 day cycle, which is oftener sometimes (the cycle). The lump that was removed white you were in medical school is growing again. Dr. Cole made an examination and said we would watch it closely and if it grows too rapidly would remove it again. I haven’t been to see Dr. C. for some time but thought I would go in the near future due to the recurring pains, which seem to be more constant and severe. Now don’t worry about it, I will see the Dr. soon and he will do what should be done. However I don’t want to have anything done now, and won’t unless he think necessary. I am sure it isn’t large enough to be alarmed about at present. About the original size.

I have been trying without success to break the thumb sucking habit and I pinned sox over David’s hands, onto his sleeves this afternoon when I put him to bed for his nap. He cried and fussed around a long time but finally gave up. I told John with all his (John’s) stubbornness he was easier to train than David. I remember it wasn’t any

[page 2] trick at all to break John of his finger sucking habit. I spanked David yesterday for getting things out of the chest of drawers in his room. He knew what it was all about and cried very loudly for w while, but it took effect and he left the drawers alone. He has a very winning smile and knows how to use it. He is like Mark, never sees a stranger. I knitted a pr. of mitten to match his snow suit – He won’t leave them on, but I think most babies are like that about having their hands covered. I want to knit a spring outfit for him. I started a sweater for Romaine last night. It is white and to be plain in design so won’t be hard to do.

Mark is out playing with some boys from his room. I wanted him to stay in and work on a plane he is building but the urge for action was too strong. I haven’t had an X-ray made yet but will try to get him down one day next week. He is better again. I haven’t noticed any signs of nervousness the last few days. He made all kinds of New Year’s resolutions. John didn’t make any – guess he thinks he is good enough as is. The difference in those two – They are certainly two extremes.

Cliff Shandy & family are home. He has been assigned to Miami, but evidently to be there temporarily, because Mrs. & baby are going to remain here. I was just thinking about his former boss and how he worked to get a C.P.O. and Cliff is now an Ensign. And also I wonder why Cliff could get a commission and Newell couldn’t. I suppose Cliff must have had more college work than Newell, tho they are both grads from law schools.

Mrs. Lonce called me for your address. Her son (the one you visited on Christmas eve) wants to write to you. He is still in N.C. I am forwarding the greeting Dr. M. sent and due to lack of address was returned to us. I gave Ellsworth W. your address and he said he would write, but I am not so sure. He says you will probably get back in time to shove his off.

[page 3] More and more are going from here all the time. I told you Jack Sullivan is one of the latest. He was put in the Navy. I wonder how he will get along with his “lisp”? I think I failed to mention Lloyd Tilton’s discharge from the Army. He went A.W.O.L., then claimed to have a nervous breakdown. All the above info from D.K. However he is out and has been around town. Bus Daily got a medical discharge from the marines. His trouble was a nervous stomach.

David woke up cross. I wrapped him up and put him out in his buggy – so will have to hurry and take him for a ride. He doesn’t like getting along without his thumb but think we will make it break.

I just looked at the bank bal. and with bills pd. and Ins. that comes due this month deducted I have a bal. of $91.oo

It was has been snowing in Chicago today and looks like it will snow here. It is clouding up now. Must get along.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/26/another-saturday-gladys/

Sweater Girl (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. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

Writing in the P.M. this time and before mail time. So I hope I can add a foot note that some mail has arrived. There is a show tonite and sometimes if it’s late I don’t feel much like writing but I will tell you whether or not the show is rotten or good.

They are doing a little landscaping outside my window and the wind blows the fine dust into my room so everything seems pretty gritty in here, but what is a little dust under circumstances like these?

We have a Kelvinator in a room now just across from mine – For ice cubes and storage space for cold food & drink – mostly drink, but with nothing in particular to drink it may be a waste of refrigeration. However, we always live in hope of some liquid refreshments.

Later. In fact, very much later and there was no mail and the show was a very poor one. The title “The Sweater Girl” and for the life of me I couldn’t see why it was named that and I couldn’t tell whether it

[page 2] was supposed to be a mystery story or just a common story. Anyway I got the jitters before the show was over but had to stay until the end.

There was some mail but it was old mail and nothing for me. Only a few got letters and most of the letters were 2nd or 3rd class so I wasn’t too much disappointed.

I hope you can read my writing because after there is no mail I “sorta” fall down and leave the writing on a limb. It really takes the wind out of things and makes it hard to think. Really I think the next time I’ll write and forget when the next mail is supposed to come so that no influence will be had.

This whole letter is sorta disjointed but I mean well and hope things are OK.

Tomorrow starts our 18th month of foreign duty – I surely hope it means something –
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/25/sweater-girl-roscoe/ ‎

Absence of Snow (Gladys)

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1944-01-07 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-7-44

Dear Daddy – Another sunny day but cold. It was 5° above this morning in Chicago. Don’t know how much it has risen during the morning but I hope enough to take David out. It doesn’t look cold out of doors – I suppose that is due to the absence of snow. Rec’d a letter from your mother. She must be feeling better – said they had butchered. Said they had a heavy snow down there last week. We didn’t get any here. I saw in the paper that Irene is in a Chicago hospital for treatments. She said she had thyroid trouble and is taking iodine treatments. I haven’t talked to any of them for more than a week. Mrs. James hasn’t been out since she came back from Ft. Wayne. She hasn’t been well this winter either. She didn’t recover very quickly from the flu – John is writing another essay this year for the American Legion. He won second last year. He wouldn’t let me read the one last year and says I can’t read this one. Mark went to Bobbie’s to work on a plane and overstayed so I went to get him. It was the first time I had seen Donnie for a long time. He is such a large child, looks almost as large as Bobby. Arlene is to come home Sunday with the new baby girl. That little girl will have to be a tomboy to hold her own with those two boys. I see the Zells are selling some chickens today. They have had a little trouble selling this time – The market is flooded with chickens.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/24/absence-of-snow-gladys/ ‎

Laundry (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. 6, 1943 [sic]

Dear Mother,

No mail today and no show tonight so we just sat around and chewed the fat. In fact, lots of talkie talk with nothing settled and nothing elevating being told.

I played Lentz 3 games of Acey Ducey and he beat me 2 out of three but next time it will probably be reversed. It’s only a matter of pride because we don’t have anything bet unless it’s a chew of tobacco or a cigar.

Today was the first time in two weeks we were able to send any laundry. People

[page 2] here really take their holidays seriously and it’s really hard to get anything done. 2 to 3 weeks is the usual length of time for a vacation and they all seem to take them around Christmas time.

I believe I have given you the total taxable amount for the year of “43. If I didn’t here it is and if so here it is again. The total taxable amount as I figure it is $2,566.00 less of course deductions. The office may give us the exact figures but I think those are very near. I don’t believe we will have any tax to pay but possibly we do have to file anyway. You

[page 3] may do what you think best about that. We should have enough bonds to cover all the back taxes so we don’t have to worry too much about them. Right now I have very little on the books so you can’t expect any extra for a while. When I get enough I’ll send it home – but I’m going to think some of traveling money for the next month or two. Outside of laundry expenses aren’t much more here than at the last place. The food costs the same but what a difference. I still weigh about 12-13 pounds less than when I left Noumea but I was a little fat when

[page 4] there. This A.M. I weighed 151 and one time in Noumea I weighed 165. Chubby wasn’t I? I’m not complaining or feeling sorry for myself because I feel good and really don’t care to gain anymore – not that I’m on a diet but that is just the way it is. To tell the truth my appetite or I should say my choice of foods is much more limited now than previously, because we were over fed in some lines – peas for example. And we still have lots of them.

It seems I’ve written this whole letter about myself – please excuse I’ll try to do better next time.

Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/23/laundry-roscoe/

Wedding Details (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Jan. 6 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Three letters today, including the wedding details, which were from your descriptions, simple. However, it doesn’t require an elaborate ceremony to make a lasting marriage. Does it? It is a bright sunny day. Makes a person wonder how it can be heavy and overcast one day and in a few hours so clear and bright. It was so grey and overcast yesterday it was somewhat depressing. I think I’ll take David out for a breath of fresh air after he gets up from his map. It was below freezing early this a.m. but the sun has been shining so bright all day I think the temp. will be up enough to take him out. He is over his cold, but still has a hang-on cough. Dr. M. said if he didn’t get over it he would give him a whooping cough shot. I remember you used to use that treatment for coughs that resisted treatment. However, I am holding out hoping the cough will leave. About the only time it bothers him is after he sleeps a while. The

[page 2] rascal woke me at 4 a.m. – I had to take him up, change him & get him a drink. He was wide awake and wanted to play but you know his mother well enough to know I wanted shut-eye. I put him in bed with me but soon discovered that was not the way for me to go back to sleep, so put him back in his bed and we both went back to sleep.

John had to give a report on dehydration in Ag. today and worked on it all evening. When he has something to do he goes right after it and if I may say so with pardonable pride, does a pretty good job. Having watched his father at work on M.S., M.D., etc., I can’t help but see more than a little similarity.

The account of your meeting Bud (Geo.) Mulligan is in the paper this week. I mentioned a conversation with his aunt in my letter yesterday. In looking thru the paper I see that Jack Sullivan is one of the latest fathers to be inducted. Eddie Steinbaugh was married to an Army nurse at Chanute Field, Monday this week. Jack Dye’s picture is in the paper this week. He lost a leg in action and has been discharged.

Washburn’s celebrated their golden wedding this week and Albert Thompson’s celebrate their 60th.

David is awake now and ready for some fresh air. He is playing the piano now. Maybe he will be a musician.

Mark slipped and fell down stairs last nite.

[page 3] No damage done. John said it is a good thing Mark can fall relaxed. I told them if John had fallen like that he would have broken bones until he would have to be in a cast from head to toe. Never a dull moment.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/22/wedding-details-gladys/

Kentland Democrat (Roscoe)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
1-5-44

Dear Mother,

Yours of Nov. 18 came today – It must have gotten lost in the rush someplace. Anyway it made good reading. There was also a Christmas greeting from The Prues – a letter from Bob Hufty, a Christmas greeting from Etta Campbell and two Kentland Democrats. The latest Democrat was dated Dec. 2. So it was later than your letter. I haven’t written Boonie as yet to thank him for the Democrats or am I correct? Didn’t you tell me he was sending them to each man in the service?

Seems as if lots of the boys

[page 2] are mentioned in the paper but I’d just as soon not come in for any newspaper stories.

In your letter you said Mrs. Roberts and her children were there and you also said that Joe had hopes of getting home after 18 mo. That does seem to be a policy but this fellow who had the picture taken with me on that vacation has been here longer than that now. I really think an effort is being made in that direction but it really takes more than effort and as I’ve said before too much hope in that direction isn’t so good because the disappointment is too great if it doesn’t happen that way. It probably will be

[page 3] our luck to have the time limit changed to 2 yrs. or longer by the time the next 34 days roll around. You see I have the days counted.

Opinions vary as to wants & wishes on returning. Some wish to stay; others are more than willing to be on their way. I’ll say there are arguments both ways. New Zealand is fine – don’t misunderstand when one is here the war is far but what will be the tour after returning? Many at present aren’t worrying about going home. They are worrying about having to leave a second time and there is a

[page 3] point there. So looking at it in that respect maybe the longer here the less possibility of a further foreign tour of duty but I’ve been thru the mill once and I suppose I can take it again. It’s lots of fun after it’s all over.

Let’s get off that subject and talk about you – I can’t seem to formulate any words but if thoughts could be crystallized huge chunks could be had at any and all times. Believe me! and so good night and

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/21/kentland-democrat-roscoe/

A Skating Contest (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Jan. 5 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

No mail today but five letters Monday. It is cloudy today. It was foggy this morning then there was a little sleet. It is just a typical grey, overhanging winter day.

Yesterday was Washburns 50th Wedding Anniversary. They held open house at Howard’s. I took David and went out about 4 P.M. Helen is here from Neb. She doesn’t live in Calif. now. I suppose you have been in the former Canine house (the one Howard bought). Yesterday was the first time I had been in the house. It is almost exactly like the other house they lived in except the porch on this house is enclosed and can

[page 2] be used summer and winter. What a play room that would make. About the Anniversary, there were many beautiful flowers in all colors of yellow and orange to represent Golden. Also beautifully decorated cakes, in white and yellow. Tea and coffee were served. Mrs. Bessie Dixon and Mrs. Ruben Hess poured. I saw Mrs. Carrold Bledsoe there. She said they were living in the tenant house. They were living on the place when it was sold.

Last night the boys (J & M) went to the pond. Bob Shurttler sponsored an a skating contest. I think one of the McCartney boys won the prize. Mark is still learning to skate, so didn’t enter the contest.

David is taking his nap. He was so busy all morning.

[page 3] I wanted to take him over to see Jimmy Ed, this being J.E.’s birthday. I called Lucile this morning and she said Jimmy had a temp. last night and some cold so I won’t take David over. I’ll go over and take Jimmy’s gift. David’s cold last week kept us from getting the boys together. They seem to get along pretty good.

I went over to the locker last night (afternoon) and turned in ration points for the hog (1/2). The weight was 96 lbs. That took 233 points. I turn in advance points in this case.

A woman called me to tell me her nephew is where you are – Pharmists mate 3/c – I think his name is Mulligan. She didn’t know where he is stationed but he wrote home that he had

[page 4] met you. This aunt was in Boonie’s and he told her about your letter to him about meeting Col. W. – and putting this and that together figured out her nephew’s whereabouts. You know Boonie has a yen for figuring things out, although I know he misses sometimes.

I just straightened out the bank figures – I had made a slight error or two – but the balance at present is $336.12 – but there are quite a few bills to pay yet – Ins., groc., etc. When I get them all paid I’ll give you the bal. I got three $37.50 bonds bought Dec. 31. – I bought 7 – $18.75 in July and the above mentioned, which makes $243.75 in Bonds for 1943.

I think David is waking up and I have been writing and figuring and no nap.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/20/a-skating-contest-gladys/ ‎

New Zealand (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

There was no mail today but I didn’t hardly expect any since those came yesterday. We will have to wait now for several days again I suppose.

I could see nothing bad about D.’s mother in the picture where she was holding him on the Johnson’s front porch. You said you were trying to get him to hold still and yours wasn’t so good.

The order came thru that we can now say we are stationed somewhere in New Zealand – so here I am. That is as much as we can say. It really is a pretty country and young with respect to ours in the length of time it has been settled. Natives here often ask what we knew of or thought of their country before the war. I just don’t know what I did think and of course now I’m prejudiced and no use asking you, for you have a different idea now than you had before I know. In some ways I think the people here are about like ours were 50-60 years ago. There is no hurry. The trains stop ever so often

[page 2] for 20-30 minutes and everyone gets off for a cup of tea. Imagine going on a day’s trip in the U.S. and stopping 3-4 times while all left the train and had a cup of tea and a few cakes. I’m still not a converted tea drinker, and don’t ask anyone of them to drink Ice tea. That is simply unthinkable.

The pictures – You said those boys looked English – They certainly are. To hear them talk is just like listening to some bloke over the radio direct from England. It doesn’t sound so funny coming from older people but when a kid comes out with that talk it seems as if they are putting on the dog. I think

I think Bob & I were the only Americans those boys had ever seen or at least talked to and were they thrilled? I suppose our kids would be the same. They have a daughter about 14 and of course we had to autograph her book. I mean write our names in those books girls about that age carry around with them.

Well, Maybe I can write more about the natives next time –
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/19/new-zealand-roscoe/ ‎

Jimmy Ed’s Birthday (Gladys)

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1944-01-04 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-4-44

Dear Daddy – No letters today but five yesterday up to Dec. 23. Also a letter from Geo. Wingfield Jr. He is in San Diego now. He didn’t give any address except N.A.S. It is cloudy today and below freezing a few degrees. Washburns’ are celebrating their Golden Wedding at Howard’s today. I want to call on them sometime during the day. David is taking his nap. He wants to climb the stairs now that he has discovered that he can. I will have to get a gate or some kind of barrier across the bottom so he won’t have to be watched. Mrs. Zell and I are planning to take some of their fresh pork over to the locker. I don’t have so much in the drawer now. I ordered half a hog but Brands are short of help and haven’t got it put in yet. Tomorrow is Jimmy Ed’s birthday. I have a gift and card for him. I don’t believe Lucile is going to have a party for him because of the flu and colds around now. James L. II has a birthday the 11th. I am sending him a card today but haven’t a gift for him yet. Can’t get what I want here and haven’t been to Laf. recently. Can’t always get things there either. I may go down Sat. so I can take Mark for an X-Ray. I wish I could take him to a warmer climate – I believe he needs more sunshine.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/18/jimmy-eds-birthday-gladys/