Category Archives: Foster

First of October (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-1-43

Dear Daddy – The first day Oct. and two letters from you of Sept. 22 & 25. It was warm today until about 4 p.m. then the wind started to blow and it has cooled off. Looked like a storm was brewing but it blew over. I was hoping we would have warm weather for a while due to the coal situation. Anne Rhudie told me that she & Helena are going to close their home & take rooms this winter due to the coal shortage. We won’t be the only ones wanting coal because no one has any yet. I do hope we get some soon and I suppose we will before we are out. J. & M. have gone to a football game. I think Glen & Pauline are going to walk over that way. Both babies are sound asleep. J. L. is getting more active all the time. I think he has been observing David. David can stand along until he discovers it, then he sits down. He gets around very good but not alone yet. Just so he has something to hold on to. I still haven’t cut his curls off yet. I gave J.L. a hair cut but his hair is very straight & needed a trim. You may think David’s needs a trim too. We didn’t go to the hospital today. I didn’t talk to Dr. C. yesterday but Mother seemed about the same except for getting bed sores. I hate to see those start. Had a letter from Jim & he said to go to the Red Cross & see if I could get him an extended leave and he would come home and help me take care of Mother. I hate to do that but he said he was thinking of my health in the matter & with the boys to look after I need help.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/16/first-of-october-gladys/

Another Behind (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 30, 1943 envelope

: September 30, 1943, p. 1

: September 30, 1943, p. 2

: September 30, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 30, 1943

Dear Mother,

This seems to be the end of the month again and that leaves another behind. In other word tomorrow will mark the beginning of the 15^th mo. Time is drawing nearer & nearer but as yet we don’t know how long it will be. We’ll just wait and see. It’s really fun on the downhill stretch because there is something to look forward to. In the beginning the only thing that could be seen was the peak ahead.

Now – 2 ½ hours later

[page 2] had some running around to do and had to go when I could get transportation. It must seem to you from the letters I write that all I do is run around and you are about right but it’s all part of the official business.

In Ruth M.’s letter she said she was sending me a birthday present – she admitted it was a little early. I’d just as soon she hadn’t sent anything because packages are usually not in good condition and why waste time and money doing a thing like that. I believe however I’ve gone into that several times. I hope you keep that in mind also. If there was

[page 3] something I needed I ask but there isn’t a thing. The food is better and my food that you would get would come from your rations so don’t. Tobacco of all kinds are plentiful and much less in price than there so that it out. Letters and pictures are the most desirable so as long as they keep coming I’ll not complain.

I head heard over the radio that they were going to reclassify some of the 4F group. I wonder if that will affect Floyd in any way. In their letter the other day it wasn’t mentioned.

Well, must get going
Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/15/another-behind-roscoe/

One Day Arlene Said (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 30, 1943 envelope

: September 30, 1943, p. 1

: September 30, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 30 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Writing from the hospital again. Glen, Pauline, J.L. & D. came along. Pauline is entertaining the babies in the car. I can hear David’s voice. J.L. is going to sleep. David takes one nap a day during the middle of the day then he is ready to go places. Goes to bed at 7 in the evening & doesn’t get up until 7 a.m. or after. J.L. has to have about three naps during the day. Mother seems about the same as when we were here Tues. Said she has been sick at her stomach. Dr. Cole said the x-ray showed a bunch of gall stones – I wonder if her nausea isn’t caused from that.

This being Jewish new year most of the stores are closed in Laf. today. The store in Kentland is closed too. The stores in Kent are going to close on Thurs. afternoon until Dec. I suppose they can sell all their stock in 5 ½ days so why keep open all week. Just like Nick & Dorothy about their restaurant. Why stay open 15 hrs when they can sell all they have in 8 hrs.

Annie Rhudie asked me if she could ride home with us today. She was going to take advantage of the holiday & come down last night & spend the day here. If she goes back with us we will have a load. Glen & P. don’t know her – they have a surprise in store.

Tues. when in Loebs, I saw Helen Heindle. She said to tell you hello – she is afraid Dan won’t get home very soon. She is still living with Forrest & Gertrude. I image that gets tiresome for both, because Judy & Larry are both so full of pep.

I saw Arlene downtown yesterday. She isn’t getting so large so far. She still doesn’t have regular help. One of the Sondergrath girls works after school. She thinks maybe Louise might come back if Dean has to leave the country but there isn’t much certainty there. Bobby was in our garage this morning & at noon he told Mark he had stolen a rope. Mark said it didn’t amount

[page 2] to much, but he told Bobby he musn’t seal – Bobby said, “Well, I did.” He has an answer for everything. One day Arlene said, “Bobby how would you like for us to have another baby?” – he didn’t answer for a while then said, “Let’s talk about something else.”

Thanks again for the roses, pictures & check. I dep. the ck. the day it was rec’d.

My throat is still bothering me but this being Thurs. I can’t see Dr. Ade today – Will have to see him the next time I come. This throat trouble seems to be very persistent, but maybe it will clear up soon.

It’s supper time here & about time for us to start back to Kent.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/14/one-day-arlene-said-gladys/

New Comers (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 29, 1943 envelope

: September 29, 1943, p. 1

: September 29, 1943, p. 2

: September 29, 1943, p. 3

: September 29, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 29, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter dated Sept. 14 and mailed from Lafayette on Sept. 16 came too yesterday. You must have gotten the date wrong or it was delayed in the mailing. A letter also came from Ruth Y. Seems she has been canning also. I suppose everyone is doing that to save as many points as possible thru out the winter time.

I talked to a new comer yesterday and he informed me that things weren’t so tough back there. He said

[page 2] it was much worse here than there, but to hear some of the new comers you would think we are in clover.

The same old process that happened to our original group of Drs. a long time ago is happening here. I can’t tell you the number of Drs. we had here in the beginning but only 1/3 of the original group remain and of course I’m one of that bunch. It’s a little disheartening to see them pull out. Many of the line officers have gone but that is a little different. I figure on this moving business from

[page 3] lots of angles and still can’t come to any conclusions. Right now I’m the oldest Dr. in the area – I don’t mean age but time spent but they change and I remain. It’s either that the powers that be know a good thing when they see it or that they figure I’m not apt to harm anyone so they just keep me on. I’m not feeling sorry for myself – just trying to be funny. I think I’ll put in for a 10 day leave and go to the sea shore and bask in the sunlight and swim and camp out. That a few years ago would have seemed

[page 4] and would have been an a financial impossibility but at present it could be done just for the asking but somehow it has no appeal whatever at present.

I surely have rambled on in a disjointed way but I mean well.

Glad to hear Mark is on the ball with the 4-H work. Yes I guess we will have to do something about John but it’s a big job with lots of angles.

Hope things are getting along well at this time
Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/13/new-comers-roscoe/

Paul & Leanna’s Baby (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 29, 1943 envelope

: September 29, 1943, p. 1

: September 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Sept. 29 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 18 came today. Also the letter I sent you Apr. 24 came back and I am enclosing it with pictures I had enclosed with that letter. I had addressed it A.P.O. 43 the same as previous letters then but it was returned with all king of markings on it. This is a beautiful warm fall day. Both David & J.L. are out in Taylor Tots enjoying the sunshine. David just took a short nap after his dinner so I put him out as soon as he woke up. Bobby has been out there entertaining them, but got too helpful around Glen & he sent him away – Bobby pushed Martha Zell out of the trailer (they have a trailer to haul things in that stands over by our garden & the children climb around on it). When told to go home Bobby will say, “I don’t have to.” He has an answer for about anything.

Had a letter from your Mother telling about Paul & Leanna’s baby – She has to have a section done. It is a girl Linda Louise. I have three pr. of baby sox I think I’ll send to the new niece. I bought them to give to Mary McGee Arnott but didn’t get them sent out so have decided to send them to Linda instead. I have changed positions – I am sitting out in the yard with the babies. It has been so seldom this summer I have been able to sit down out here. The yard has been nice this summer but the grass isn’t so good in spots now – that crab grass seems to take the back & west side yards every fall. It doesn’t last long but looks awful while it’s here. John finally quit mowing – said he got the biggest job this summer. Mark’s garden didn’t require

[page 2] nearly as much work as the yard. The garden still has beans, tomatoes & carrots we can use. We have enough carrots to store some for winter. Mr. Zell is experimenting with a tile for their vegetables. Buried a tile and filled it with vegetables. I think I’ll just put our carrots in the basement in a jar.

Glen & I sent with Mrs. Zell to Laf. yesterday. I wrote you a v-mail about it. I called Dr. Cole & he said all he was going for Mother now was giving calcium & sedative. He stopped all other treatment because of no results. They have tried ammonium nitrate to reduce the fluid in her abdomen without any results – Insulin to stimulate her appetite – Vit. B shots for the same purpose. Dr. C. said she isn’t good – I thought she looked a little better yesterday but he said it was only temporary.

Glen & Pauline are getting ready to start home. They have been waiting because of Mother but feel they must get back. Glen feels so bad most of the time. Is all chocked up today.

I saw Dr. Ade yesterday for a throat treatment. My throat feels good today but has been bothering me quite a lot since cool weather. I suppose having strep last winter is the cause of this early attack this fall.

I saw Harold Foulkes in town Mon. afternoon and he said his brother-in-law (the Dr.) is back. He was sent South – somewhere around S. America. I heard that Dr. Flack was back from Panama too. However I have not seen anyone yet myself. Just have heard about them being back.

Thanks again for the roses – the pictures rec’d Mon. & the ck. – which I banked that day. When the roses were delivered & Miss Bergen said they were wired from San F. Mark thought you were there and was all excited about it. I told him how it was.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/12/paul-leannas-baby-gladys/

Our Poor Clothes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 28, 1943 envelope

: September 28, 1943, p. 1

: September 28, 1943, p. 2

: September 28, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 28, 1943

Dear Mother,

You should see our poor clothes on the lines all water soaked from last night’s rain and one section was broken down by a falling coconut branch – I don’t know whose line it was but one of the other fellows fixed it up before I got up. Luckily none of the white clothes got as far as the ground and the khakis don’t show dirt.

I saw several bags of mail this A.M. – hope it is for us at least part of it. However, we can’t complain too much about our mail situation.

[page 2] Now after 1 ½ hour delay – First the chief who is head man with the food supply – Next the personal officer and last the executive officer. I think they are all pleased and happy. The executive officer had a cold – Funny to have a cold in the tropics but they do happen.

Our telephone is a party line with two others. Our ring is two longs but half the time the operator forgets to ring twice and what with the other rings and the ringing for the operator we have a bell going most of the time. I still get a little start every time the phone rings – just a carry over from the old

[page 3] days.

I guess the boys are head over heels in school work by now. Do I know many of the teachers or have they changed? You mentioned in your last letter that Al was able to get the required numbers, etc. Maybe the boys will write me of their teachers, classes, etc., one of these days.

It won’t be long now until I’ll be expecting some pictures of D. at this first year and of course the rest of the family with their Mother included. I like her pictures very much.

More tomorrow
Lots of Love
Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/11/our-poor-clothes-roscoe/

Sixteen Beautiful Roses (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-28-43

Dear Daddy – No letters today but had 5 yesterday up to Sept. 18 – rec’d check & pictures. 16 beautiful roses were wired from San Francisco – so someone remembered. I was in Laf. when they came. They are almost the same color as the ones in the flower bed you set out in ’42. They came as a surprise. It had been so long I didn’t think anyone was going to remember you had asked them to send flowers. Glen & I went with Mrs. Zell today to Laf. Mother seemed a little better today but Dr. Cole said it was only temporary because she won’t eat. All he is giving her now is calcium and sleeping medicine. He was not a bit hopeful about her – just said “it isn’t good.” We left the hospital about 4:45 – she was tired and had had enough company. I went to see Dr. Ade again today – my throat keeps bothering me. He said if it doesn’t clear up the best thing to do would be have the tonsils out – I told him I didn’t see how I could now. He knows about Mother & agreed with me that it would be better to wait – so if it doesn’t get better or keeps getting sore I will just go back for more treatments. I spit up mucos all the way home. Seems my throat & sinus were full. – It was a beautiful Indiana Summer day – so warm & sunny. Pauline stayed home with the babies and kept them out in the sun. Zells got 300 baby chicks today – so we can have frys in two months. Chicken raising is their way to help supplement the meat shortage.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/10/sixteen-beautiful-roses-gladys/

Native Day (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 27, 1943 envelope

: September 27, 1943, p. 1

: September 27, 1943, p. 2

: September 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 27, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday but we hardly expected any since a good bunch came Sat.

This is native day again and it’s getting near the time to go, but I’ll try to get something sensible in this. If I wait until after I’m afraid of missing the mail.

You wrote of Mrs. Dye and her husband’s return and how glad it made you feel. Well, recently I gave an officer a goodly on his return to the USA. Maybe

[page 2] you think that didn’t make me feel good. I should save this as a surprise but I won’t – He is supposed to send you some flowers in time for your birthday. That is the 4^th try so let me know if anything comes thru. I’m really testing my friends and if they don’t respond I’ll strike them off as friends. Of course they have my money and I do hope you will get some pleasure from them contacting you.

I wrote Jim yesterday P.M. in answer to the letter I

[page 3] received from him Sat. There are lots of other letters I’m going to try to answer soon. Namely Ruth M., Uncle W., Ruth Y. and others. I get behind so much anymore but I guess it doesn’t make so much difference so long as I’m able to get yours out each day. To me that is the important thing for it still gives me a lot of satisfaction to write you. That last statement isn’t very clear but I hope you understand what I mean.

I’ll promise more and better tomorrow –
Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Pictures Received (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 27, 1943 envelope

: September 27, 1943, p. 1

: September 27, 1943, p. 2

: September 27, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I really got the mail this a.m. Yours of Sept. 15, 16, 16, 17 & 18 came today with 9 pictures & one check. I deposited the ck. and have had lots of enjoyment looking at the pictures. Now if you had been turned just a little more toward the camera in one picture I could have seen more of your face, but nevertheless all pictures of you were easily spotted. You looked much more natural than if you had posed in any you were working in. They were all good clear pictures I thought except on had a little light place, but I can still see you very plainly. That must be your personality showing thru – I am enclosing some of David’s birthday pictures. I took one picture from the back so you could see his curls, but they don’t show very plainly. I must give him a hair cut but do hate to cut the curls off. I would rather leave them on for a while but if the pressure gets too strong around me I suppose I will cut the curls off. David is as limber as Mark used to be. Much more so than James L. There is so much difference between the two. David is a much more

[page 2] active child than James L. Pauline puts J. out in the buggy nearly all day or in the Taylor Tot & he stays put – at 8 ½ mo. David was climbing out of his buggy. He is getting a little better about staying put in the Taylor Tot. He fell out on his face the other day & I think it made an impression on him. He started to climb up the handle & over went cart and David. The grass was soft so he wasn’t hurt. I put him out today so he could be in the sun & he stayed put.

Glen is getting ready to start home. He has been waiting because of Mother but feels he must get back to work. He got special C tickets to make this trip so had to go to the ration board here to get tickets for the return trip. He is really miserable most of the time the way he fills up. He was going pretty good until last Thurs. I think the medicine Dr. Cole prescribed helped him because he didn’t feel like being up and now he is up tho chocked up most of the time. I wish you could do something for him. He does pretty good in Nev. but has an attack now & then.

I had to go to town to the bank this afternoon – I don’t get up town very often. I saw that Henderson woman (the last baby you delivered – not pd. For yet) up town. I wanted to talk to her about their baby. The last time I saw him was early in the summer and he didn’t look very healthy – had a unhealthy color and wasn’t very heavy – was too thin for his age. She was in a hurry & so was I so didn’t get a chance to talk to her. I might have been sticking my neck out but I hate to see a baby not properly fed. When I saw the baby the mother seemed apologetic about his weight & looks. I should have asked her

[page 3] then what she was feeding him. She said then she was going to finish paying her bill.

I enjoyed the comment you made about the furniture. Except for changing the desk from one end of the room to the other & moving the piano out of the den – the living room was the same as when you were here. The change I made recently was the first time I had rearranged the entire room.

I was trying to figure out a little financial statement to give you & if I haven’t made a mistake our bal. at present in $283⁰⁰ – out of that I’ll have $133⁰⁰ Ins. to pay (Hancock 2 pol. – Laf. Life one). Rent $45⁰⁰ – Light $6.30, tele ? – groc ? – etc. Jim gave me $100⁰⁰ to pay hospital bills but I have used most of that – Mother had abo $100⁰⁰ and gave that to me but I have used most of it too – It doesn’t take long. I still have $40⁰⁰ from what Jim gave me for next week. So far I have just pd. a night nurse ($15⁵⁰ for 2 nights) but as you advised I am not buying bonds so will have money on hand if & when I will need it. The room at the hospital is $35⁰⁰ a wk., but that was all I could get when I took Mother in, and she wanted a private room. The x-rays & medicine have been high and make each weekly bill more. – I will have the regular monthly ck. to add to the above bal. ($283⁰⁰). I usually dep. $170⁰⁰ & keep $30⁰⁰ for current expenses. These trips to the hospital sure take the gas. We didn’t go today but plan to go tomorrow. We were there yesterday all afternoon. It is getting late and will have lots to do tomorrow morning so must get to bed.

Love – Mother

David with cake on his first birthday, September 1943

“These Hear Parts” (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 26, 1943 envelope

: September 26, 1943, p. 1

: September 26, 1943, p. 2

: September 26, 1943, p. 3

: September 26, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 26, 1943

Dear Mother,

3 v-mail letters from you, one from Jim, an air mail from the folks and an air mail from the Walkup’s. Your latest v-mail was dated Sept. 13 and was the latest received. It seems it’s nip and tuck with air & v-mail but the air mail is best.

Glad Jim could come home again to see his mother and also see Glenn. I also In Jim’s letter he told me of his foot & leg trouble and that should be corrected before he gets out because lame fellows don’t have much business in “these hear parts.” However when one makes Chief in the Navy he is as good as retired. Maybe Jim hasn’t found that out yet. A Chief never

[page 2] works. Maybe I’m a little hard on that branch.

You were part of the tropic in both mom’s letter and Jim’s. They were both praising you very much. Sure did sound good to hear read what they had to say. Of course I agree with them more than somewhat and can then add lots more to what they wrote.

I’m not much surprised at John’s allergy since it is in the family on both sides. That is one of the things we will have to work on as time goes along. And I guess Mark has a little at times also – Maybe D. will be free but that remains to be seen.

Repeating – I sent $250 on Sept. 16. That should help pay the extra expenses you are having but as I said before let the bills run and pay them as we go along for

[page 3] I don’t believe the Hospital will be too hard if you try to pay a little each month.

We had eggs sunny side up this A.M. The first time in about 6 wks. Sure makes one appreciate them more when they are served so infrequently.

I changed procedure this time and wrote the folks first. I thought maybe I’d have more ideas when I finished theirs. Their letter today was more to Dad because his birthday is coming up, and I wished him a “happy birthday.” Mom in her letter was telling me what she received – hose [?] Towels, etc., and she also mentioned the letter in which I wished her a happy birthday – From her letter I believed she appreciated my letter as much as she did the

[page 4] gifts. Maybe that is not so out of line but it did seem funny when she put it the way she did.

I’m going to air my bunk today, because something smells in this tent. Smells like Garbage but we can’t locate it so we are going to do some airing to see if that will help. The blankets we have under the mattress may be a little moldy and that might be where the smell is coming from. It couldn’t be my feet but it sure makes one wonder at times.

Well, I’ll be writing again tomorrow –
Love Daddy