Category Archives: Foster

My Belongings (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
Dec. 17, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just two bits of mail today. One a letter from Joe Roberts – Written Sept. 5 and mailed Oct. 4 and another a card from the Li Reader’s Digest informing me that the Digest was being sent me by the Rotary Club and the Jr. Women’s Club. It went to the old place also and likewise all the issues will go there until I can get the word to them. It’s been so long since I’ve heard from Joe that I wonder if he is still where he was when he wrote the letter. You have never mentioned him having a change so I suppose he is still there.

When I came here I came by air and naturally couldn’t bring all my gear along and I’ve been worried all this time that it never would catch up but it finally did and now I’m unpacking again. This is the first time in almost a year that me and my belongings have been together. I had to watch my clothes pretty close in order to have enough left between laundry days, and another thing like a dummy I put all of my pictures

[page 2] in the goods I left behind but and now that I have them all together there is a pretty good sized pile of them.

My room is more filled up now than before but when I get things all stored I’ll have plenty of room. There are 8 drawers in this dresser and everyone is pretty well filled up only not neat. Just wadded and I believe I can improve if I try.

Now that I have all the pictures and a fine wall I think I’ll put D.’s pictures up in an orderly fashion as per each month to get a comparison of how he has grown.

I had late duty tonite and it is now getting near 12 midnight so
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/14/my-belongings-roscoe/ ‎

A Conceited Little Thing (John)

1 Reply

1943-12-17 (JFY)Letter transcription:

John Yegerlehner
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-17-43

Dear Daddy,

I want to thank you for the Christmas present you sent me. I received it yesterday morning but I was sick yesterday so I didn’t write you till today. I will have to buy a nice present for Mother and also something for Virginia Zell who is in bed with a brain concussion. I already have what I’m going to give Mark and David. David is a conceited little thing. We showed him some pictures of himself and he looked at them and said “Pretty.” He says “pretty” almost every time he sees a button and when he sees the Christmas tree. He likes to watch it but he puts his hands on it and takes the little lamps that go around off. If things keep on the same he may have callouses on his hands before long. Oh, I guess he’s not that bad. Thanks again,

You son
John

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/13/a-conceited-little-thing-john/ ‎

Mystery Pal (Gladys)

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1943-12-17 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-17-43

Dear Daddy – This has been a busy day. It was nice enough to take David out so left the work and took a walk to air the younger generation. He was wrapped up to his neck so he wouldn’t get chilled. He really enjoyed the trip. We went over to see Jimmy Ed then down town and mailed David’s pictures air mail (48₵) so you should get them soon. Lucile gave me some snaps we took two weeks ago so I will enclose them in tomorrow’s air mail. John stayed home again today but didn’t feel very bed. Had a slight temp 4/5 of a degree this a.m. and 2/5 this p.m. However, I told Miss Kitsmiller I kept him home so he wouldn’t get sick. I think he had a slight cold which would have gotten worse if he had gone to school. I went to the S.S. Class party tonight and we had our annual mystery pal revelation. I got Dorothy Kindig’s name for next year – as John would say – that is just “lady stuff.” Mark had been skating since the pond has been frozen. Seems to enjoy the sport very much. I rec’d a greeting from “Pop” Porterfield today. Said to give you his regards in my next letter to you. He is still in Va. Saw Clarice Hufty tonight. She said she is expecting to go to the hospital any time now. So is Arlene. It may be a tie.

Love – Mother

YEG1943-11

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/12/mystery-pal-gladys/

Downhill Stretch (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133 F.P.O. San Fran C.
Dec. 16, 1943

Dear Mother,

There was no mail today but we just can’t expect mail every day and really it has been coming in pretty good lately. Rather I’d say pretty regular.

Today for the most part was rather warm but just now as I came into the room I turned on the radiator because it seemed just a little too chilly without some added heat. Maybe it’s because the wind blows rather fiercely at times. Not like the good old prairie wind at home but it’s still rather chilly if one isn’t in the sun.

This being the 16th of Dec. we

[page 2] are now on the down hill stetch of this month. Seems as if time is passing rather rapidly but not as rapidly as at the last place. The time spent there seems to have passed and it’s very hard to really think back and recall what actually did happen. Maybe I don’t want to think of it but after all it wasn’t so bad.

The stores in town are not as elaborately decorated as back there for Christmas, but maybe ours are not so good this year. I was in town only a short time and perhaps I missed the best. This being summer people take more vacation around Christmas than they do at home and that might account for less fixing up of stores, homes, etc.

The check I wrote you about was in the letter of Dec. 15. I’ll repeat that again a time or two so don’t think I’m the broken record.

Just happened to think I never did reply or let you know that I had received your letter telling me that Dolores was married. More power to them if that’s the way they feel about the whole thing. I suppose she is continuing on with her work.

This may be a little late but a Merry Christmas to you and the boys and
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/11/downhill-stretch-roscoe/

Christmas Cards (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 16 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

We really caught up with the mail or rather it caught up with us today. The three money orders came along with three letters for me. You inquired about finances in one letter. I have given you some reports lately but our bank bal. at present is $25⁰⁰ and with Jan. 1 check I will have to pay Ins. (John Hancock $50.26 & $11.60). I couldn’t believe I had used so much money during the past year but I have all the cancelled checks and they tell the story. I’ll send you a detailed statement a little later. Of course the hospital expenses made a little of the total but it was just one of those things and I was glad I could keep it paid. Our house payments are down to $44.47 now. John didn’t go to school today and is getting quite bored at home. He said he didn’t feel just right this morning, so I took his temp to be sure and he had 2/5 of a degree. I told him not to go to school if he felt he should stay home. He has had no rise

[page 2] in temp. all day but I think he is just as well off to miss a day of school. He said he felt like you was taking a cold but it isn’t developing very fast if he has any. So many keep going to school with colds – one boy in his class has a very bad cold and keeps going every day. John was very much disgusted with him for not staying home. John has had the radio on all day to help pass the time. I think he will be glad to get back to school

Mark wanted to take his money order to school and get it cashed on the way home but I told him he could go back to town after school so he decided he could wait. David of course just said oooh! Or something equally intelligent when I showed him his money order. His pictures came so will send them out today. I think you will agree they are very good of him. I assure you he looks exactly like them.

Virginia Zell is improving. Dr. M. is going to X-ray her head tomorrow afternoon. I was over to see her this morning and she was awake and seemed normal. Dr. said she would have to remain in bed three weeks. I am anxious to get the X-ray report as to whether there is a fracture or not.

[page 3] It is warmer today – was above zero this a.m. instead of below. Those few degreed seem to make so much difference to me. There is a light snow on which will stay unless we have a sudden warm spell.

Ruth wants us to come over there for Christmas, but I am not going to plan on it because of the weather. If it warms up and the roads are not slick we may go. Your Mother wanted to know if we were planning to come down, but I hadn’t been. It would be too far to go in this kind of weather I think.

We have rec’d a few greetings. Got one from Jewell. She wrote a note – said Dot’s husband had been rejected. Dot’s baby is just a few weeks younger than David. Margaret’s husband is in the Army and Uncle G. is living with Marg. Hazel’s son Paul left Mon. for the Navy. He is married and they have a new baby.

You were wondering about E. Wilson going to the Army – The law about pre-Pearl Harbor fathers doesn’t seem to make much difference when the local draft board runs out of single men, and that seems to be the case here, or at least that is what I understand. Ed Johnson’s Co. got him a deferment, but Lucile thinks he may go when this deferment is up. She

[page 4] says he won’t ask for a deferment himself. I was in the 10₵ store and some woman asked Bill Zimmerman something about him being in the service and he said Uncle Sam had all the good men already – I suppose he didn’t pass the physical in Indpls. I knew he was to take his exam in Oct. and I didn’t ask him any questions, because I didn’t want to be nosey. I have an idea Floyd might pass the next time, if the demands gets hard enough.

Louise Krull Glenn has a new baby girl – 9 lbs. I was in the restaurant yesterday and the call came for Nick while I was there. Mrs. Krull closed her house and has been staying with Louise. Johnnie is such a big child – looks more like a 4 yr. old than 27 months.

Your acc’t of frying chicken was good. Wish I could have a picture of that – You should be able to pinch hit – you had good training at home.

I must get this finished so it will go out on the evening mail.

Here’s hoping you have a Merry Christmas – I know you won’t receive it until after the 25th but maybe by Jan. 1.

Love Mother
P.S. the enclosed came today – thought you would rather have the original than a reproduction.

YEG1943-11

David, 14 months, November 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/10/christmas-cards-gladys/

Keeps the Wolf Away (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 15, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your V-mail of Nov. 4 came today and it made me feel rather badly again because you were in that period where no mail was coming to you due to the ten days when I was away. By now the letters should be coming to you regular again I hope.

No need to mention the check I’m sending because you will find it. Hope it keeps the wolf away from the door until I can get more saved. Use it where ever or for what ever you need and I’m sure you’ll need it

[page 2] or can use it in lots of places. I’ll be anxious to get the detailed financial statement you mentioned. You did in this letter mention the bonds you bought and the Insurance you paid off during the year. I have a pretty hard time trying to remember what Insurance comes due, how much and when but I guess you remember and with the notices coming in I’m sure you can’t forget.

I’m surprised that you compared D. to all men shoppers – Said he was got too anxious to be on the move – you know very well I always liked to go shopping and took all the time in the world. Or did I?

[page 3] It have been a little chilly around here today. From your letter it sounded as if it might be as cold here as there. Last night I had the radiator turned on full blast and it didn’t feel too bad, but tonite the wind is in the other direction so didn’t have to have the extra heat.

You mentioned something about the Christmas tree – Well we are beginning to see a few decorations around here and there. I noticed some decorated bells in one of the wards today. I suppose there will be  more in the next few day. Makes Christmas seem a little more real – if that is possible out here – good night

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/09/keeps-the-wolf-away-roscoe/

Virginia (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters yet this week – The boys are anxiously looking for theirs, but I told them the mail may be delayed at this time of the year.

It was 1 below in Chi. this a.m. and not much warmer here. It is still very cold. Harlans sent us some Ky. Coal this a.m. – The driver didn’t leave the ticket but it looks like about 2 ton and with what we had left of last year’s good coal – I think there was nearly 2 ton. We should get along pretty good now thru the coldest part of the winter. Dad shoveled what was left of the good coal back to one side and we used up the other that I had put in Nov. 1 first. Now maybe we can get the stoker re-regulated so it won’t require attention as often as it has been.

Virginia Zell fell last night and got a bump on the back of her head – she was in their basement and fell on

[page 2] the cement floor. Mrs. Zell called Dr. M. He was just leaving his office and came right out. He put her to bed and told them to keep ice packs on her head. She has been throwing up all the time. He wants to take her in for an X-ray but won’t move her until she stops throwing up. I haven’t talked to Mrs. Z. since the middle of the morning. I made hash & pumpkin pies for lunch and sent over enough for them at noon when J. & M. came home. I knew she wouldn’t have much time to cook, watching Virginia. Dr. M. told them last night that she was doing satisfactorily however I was out in the kitchen washing dishes and he came out to use the telephone and he told me it was a bad bump. I went over and helped out a little after I got David off to bed and we had our supper. Mrs. Z. was in the basement washing when it happened so I hung up the clothes for her. They have been such good neighbors, I like to help them when I can.

I got a notice from the P.O. that David’s pictures are in so I want to go to town after J. & M. come from school and get them. Will try to get two mailed out to you tomorrow.

I went to Sheldon yesterday – Had a bill from Brands for $49 – I knew there was a drastic error.

[page 3] The bookkeeper didn’t even know where she had gotten the figure. I pd. 6 mo. locker rent. The locker here should be ready by then – if we have one. If not I can pay the rest of the rent when it’s due. I ordered half a hog from Brands. There is a surplus of pork on the market and we are being urged over the radio to buy pork. The beef I got last was mostly steaks and as much as I like steak, like to supplement it with a little something else now & then. Also might not get another steak quarter next time and might want to save a few of these for someone who likes boiled steaks – eh what?

J. & M. are home – J. is practicing and I have a headache, so think I’ll go over and see about Virginia, then go to town and take care of the telephone bill, etc. Said headache is due to certain causes other than faulty glasses. I haven’t mailed but 2 greetings so far, and the P.O. is urging us to mail early.

I must get along –
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/08/virginia-gladys/

Local Entertainment (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
Dec. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

It’s a little late again this time. Seems as if I didn’t have time to write during the day and then there was a stage show of native talent and naturally I wanted to go to that. It’s a regular Tue. night program and of course it’s must different than the usual movies we see. I can’t say that I’d pay much to see such back home but it is different and a few of us go just to see what will

[page 2] happen and how it will happen. Possibly the how is as much the entertainment as the what. The thing lasted about 2 hours and everyone was more or less show happy when the last act was presented. They do have some kids that are good dancers and singers but it seems to me they try to over develop 8-10 year olds’ voices. Many of the 16-18 year old actors they have, try to over act, but who am I to be critical of singing and acting?

Tomorrow is Coca Cola day. We get can get a case. It costs us 3/6  I think, and that is very reasonable but we have to

[page 3] furnish the bottles and the case in the beginning, and that is a little more. The 3/6 is about 58 cents I think and the 3/6 is read or means 3 shilling & six pence. A shilling is a bob and a six pence is a sprat. Just like we would say a Jitney and a buck. They have lots of sayings which to us might be a little funny or even a little smutty and that can also be turned around. The word bloody is never used in mixed society. I mean nice society and if someone remarks that they were screwed yesterday – That means they drew their salary yesterday. Imagine

[page 4] what a funny situation that might create back in the U.S.A.

Tomorrow is payday and I’ll be sending you a check. I really don’t know how much is due. However, I won’t get it sent until the 16th so you can be looking for that letter. I just hope it gets to you by the first of the year because I know we always had lots of insurance, etc., coming due around about then.

Well, Dear starting this letter with no thought in mind as to what I would write – I think I did pretty good to fill up this much space so before it’s all gone let me write – “Lots of Love” from

Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/06/local-entertainment-roscoe/ ‎

Neither Flu or Grippe (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 14 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but with the Christmas mail getting heavier all the time I can understand delays. The three last week made me feel much better after the 10 days without. J. & M. are anxious to get their Christmas money. They are just as anxious just to get a letter from you but I told them you were sending them money, and you know the human nature angle. David of course isn’t as concerned as they are, but probably would be if he were older. He is asleep now. I had to put him down and cover him about 6 times to get him finally to give up and go to sleep. I had given him his dinner and put him to bed before J. & M. came and it was after 1 P.M. before he went to sleep. He still has a cough but no temp – and feels fine otherwise. So many have the same cough so it will probably hang on for a while. He hasn’t been out of doors since Sun. but yesterday I felt like I was taking flu and didn’t want to go out, besides being the coldest weather yet this winter 5° – The weather prediction for tonite is 5 below. I should go to Sheldon and get our acct. there straightened out. They sent me a bill for $49⁰⁰

[page 2] and I know I don’t owe anything like that. I do owe the rent in advance & a few processing charges but not that much. I am glad I keep pd. bills & cancelled checks.

I called Harlans yesterday and he said I could have a small amount of Ky. Coal today and that he has a promise of more in 10 days. I will be so glad to get cleaner coal. However I have been told that no coal is treated with oil this year, so even the Ky. Coal may be dirtier than before. We have had 3 pins break since using the Ind. coal Nov. 1. It seems to form clinkers on the retort much faster than better coal. No. 2 speed doesn’t feed enough coal to keep the fire hot enough and No. 3 feed is too much, so the result is that quite often I have to shut off the coal feed and just allow the air to fan thru the accumulated coals to burn them down. I should know this furnace well this winter. It certainly didn’t get this much attention last year.

We rec’d a box from Ruth & Floyd today. I think it is nuts, etc. Also rec’d a picture of Keith Algood and a card with “Loraine & Keith Algood” printed on it. I told you before Loraine secured a divorce from Gerald – cause – another woman having a baby by the aforementioned Gerald. Loraine is working for Allison in Indpls. & her mother keeps Keith. I think things went on while they lived in Kent that Loraine didn’t know about – don’t you?

[page 3] I have been getting the children’s pictures out to put on display until Christmas – Just an idea of mine. I think it’s fun to look at their pictures. J. & M. have changed so much, yet I can still see they look like they did when younger. David seems to look more like Mark’s baby pictures now, however he is distinctly David and can hold his own. Do you remember how we used to think Mark was the prettiest baby ever? I think that feeling must have been especially for Mark. I didn’t feel that way about John, although I thought he was a good looking baby. And somehow I haven’t had that particular feeling about David – but will say he is the best looking baby around town – (proud mama stuff). David gets a lot of compliments about his good looks. J. & M. of course think he is the best looking baby they have ever seen, and the smartest, and all the other adjectives.

I am sitting by the south nursery window with the venetian blind up to get all the sun I can get. My throat is a little scratchy, tho I didn’t come down with the flu. I thought I was going to last night – had a slight temp. – but feel good today.

[page 4] This epidemic that is around is neither flu or grippe but something milder – It is bad enough, because so many people have had it or are having it. Some people were wishing for a cold spell, thought that might help things. Well, we will see – It is colder now and probably will be for a while. Personally I could do with warmer weather.

This is two days before time for Arlene to go to St. E. I talked to her today and she was feeling good. She has gotten along since Louise left with part time help. She isn’t so large this time. They sent you two boxes for Christmas this week. You probably won’t get them until Jan., but Arlene had so much to do she said she couldn’t get them out any sooner. I told her you would appreciate them any time.

David just awakened so that ends my letter writing – He still sucks his left thumb and his Mother has about decided it’s time to do something about that little habit. You can imagine the condition of his thumb – It wasn’t a bad habit when he was smaller (or was it) but I think it should be stopped now – He knows we don’t like to see him work on his thumb and if in a good humor will take it out of his mouth when told to do so. Must take D. up and put him on toidey before he dampens his pants.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/05/neither-flu-or-grippe-gladys/

Writing Practice (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 13, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished writing some records and while I’m in the writing atmosphere I’ll try on a letter – with records to write and letters my writing should improve but it seems to get worse. I miss a secretary and a wife who to do all the writing that was done around our place – The wife the most however. I really didn’t know how much I didn’t write before I joined the navy but I can easily break that writing habit once this thing is over. The above was some bunch of nonsense but it sure filled up space.

I thought I heard someone

[page 2] talking about mail but my rushing in to see was all unnecessary because there was none but it isn’t hardly time yet so there is still some hope.

I’m writing this time in the P.M. just before walk time (Long pause). The fellow I was going walking with just came along and it is now some hours later and three letters to answer – yours of Nov. 27, Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 came; the two last ones were v-mail. A greeting card letter also came from Sam & E.

I didn’t know Foulkes’ brother-in-law had been out of the States. Yes it isn’t good to be ill like he must have been. He evidently wasn’t in the Pacific area because I know of no tour like that unless it was for his

[page 3] illness.

I had received word about Marie S. in your letters and you writing of X-ray treatment – just reminded me. The next time you go to Lafayette take Mark and have a chest X-ray. All you need to do is go to St. E. and ask that Dr. Mcc McClelland read the picture, and if need be you can give Dr. Cole’s name.

I was amused and at one thing you wrote and that was the “loaning” of D.’s shoes to Jimmie Ed. Was there hope or despair in the word loan? Who is there to wear them after D.? Maybe I just read between the lines or am I assuming? Or am I just plain crazy? Or what?

Even in the letter from Sam & E.

[page 4] D. came in for his share they said “very sweet and good looking” like his mother. I added the last part of that.

You need not apologize for the Christmas presents because I certainly did not over extend myself for you – and remember I asked you not to send things and I know the spirit in which it was given and certainly appreciate it very much. (another pause)

It is now about 8 hours since this letter was started. The last pause was a bit of Bull throwing along medical lines and lots of fun.

Well Dear again a Merry Christmas and Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/04/writing-practice-roscoe/ ‎