Category Archives: Foster

Double-Crossed (Roscoe)

: August 26, 1943 envelope

: August 26, 1943, p. 1

: August 26, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Yesterday the Clay City News of May 28 came – That just about adds insult to injury because there has been no good mail for some time and then that comes along – yes I read it OK, but I noticed the subscription ran out in July of ’43. I hope Mom didn’t renew it because it always comes so late and no more than half of them come. The Newton Co. E. comes a little more often and I like it a little better but it’s generally pretty old when it gets here. I probably have written all this before but it just happened to be foremost at the moment I started writing.

The show last night was Jack Benny in “The Meanest Man in Town.” I went to see Rochester and he was I thought very good.

Either I’ve missed some of your letters or I’ve been doubled-crossed – for I have given money for telephone calls and flowers to you to fellows going back to the States and so far you haven’t mentioned them and there has been plenty of time. I suppose when a fellow gets back he doesn’t usually think of other people’s wives or messages they were

[page 2] supposed to deliver. One fellow was from Marion Ind. and I gave him 5⁰⁰ to call you and if he couldn’t to send you the flowers that was around June 1^st so since you haven’t mentioned it I suppose he used the 5⁰⁰ to buy his girlfriend something for he wasn’t married. I’ve tried since but I haven’t had time to hear as yet.

We got word yesterday that Dr. Porterfield was sent to Virginia for duty – His wife was very ill with Tuberculosis. I just had a letter from him a few days ago and he knew nothing of going home then but he did tell me his wife was ill. I’d like to come home as well as anybody but I hope & pray it isn’t illness on the part of the family or myself that takes me back there.

Did I ever tell you about our rooster in Camp? He starts crowing early and keeps it up most of the day. I don’t know where he came from but he should have a mate in order to go ahead and be of value to us but the thing runs true to form having only the male species present just like the rest of us.

It seems that I’ve written about all that. I can think of and maybe some of the thing I didn’t think of anyway

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/2015/01/04/double-crossed-roscoe/

Peaches (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 26, 1943 envelope

: August 26, 1943, p. 1

: August 26, 1943, p. 2

: August 26, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 27 [26] – 1943

Dear Daddy –

8 P.M. – just finished trying to seal (2 didn’t) 11 qts. peaches. There was a truck around today from somewhere with peaches and I bought a bu[shel] (4.25) believe it or not – They are 8⁰⁰ in some places. In figuring the cost they cost around the same as canned (tin) we buy in the stores but I could save pints. Peaches were 24 pts. A can or half a month’s points for one person. I put seven qts. in the oven and 4 in hot water. Mrs. Zell was canning corn and would have brought the cooker home but I told her wasn’t necessary to pressure peaches and it is for corn. I prepared 12 cans for the locker and got over there to find the place closed (Thurs. P.M.) This I figure is the last Thurs. for the summer our stores will close for the afternoon. Mark went to town and stopped at the P.O. and yours of Aug. 17 was there. If you remember you were discussing other people’s vacations and certain persons being bothered about the draft.

[page 2] I agree with you about both cases. Some people haven’t yet found out what things are all about – guess I had better change the subject – it gets pretty deep sometimes. No use spoiling our letters with stuff like that.

Mrs. R. came last night for a few minutes. She had some pictures Joe sent – they were all working in the pictures, digging, etc. I suppose you know all about such things.

I had sent Glenn a night letter telling them to come and hadn’t heard from them in over a week – I sent a tracer after the wire and word came back that Glenn had started east Aug. 23 so I am looking for them anytime. Juanita has been here since Tues. but is leaving tonight on the 12:16 train – however she is coming back to see Glen (& family if they all come). I was looking for some word from them so I could send Jim a wire. He thinks he can get time enough on a week-end leave to come for a few hours. I think he is taking a risk because he may not get flying accommodations back and he would have to fly to Indpls. & back from there. I am not going to send him any word until I get some definite word from Glen.

I took a roll of film and had some pictures of your Mother & Dad – and the negatives came back with no prints. I could see the pictures – I sent them to Laf. I had used a smaller film and sent them

[page 3] down there to have them all enlarged. I am going to send them to Hubert and see if he can print them. I couldn’t get film to fit our camera so haven’t taken pictures yet for David’s 11^th month. David is changing so much I think since his front teeth show up so good. His smile is contagious and he usually has one. We were eating supper and he was in his play chair and started to climb out onto the ironing cabinet so I slapped my hands together and said “David” rather loud – he sat down and tried to cry but couldn’t. It is so cut to see him pucker up his face in an attempt to cry –

It has been cool today but Mother seems awfully weak. The heat yesterday afternoon was so hard on her. She didn’t eat much today – never does – but seemed less today. I thought possibly Dr. Cole would be up today but no doubt he was tied up at hospitals. Mrs. Roberts says the Sr. Dr. is so busy too. He hardly has time to stop and see her and the children. I am to take Mark to Fowler tomorrow to have the clamp taken out of his hand. I think his cut is healing – but you know how he likes to pick at things – keeps wanting to put new bandages on.

I have been writing this in competition with John, Mark & Juanita.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/03/peaches-gladys/

Peculiarities (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 25, 1943 envelope

: August 25, 1943, p. 1

: August 25, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Aug. 25, 1943

Dear Mother,

Not having anything in particular to write about I might describe some of the what I would call the peculiarities of people round about – of course no names will be mentioned.

To begin with we have several who laugh at the slightest bit of humor in what I would say the 15 year old girl age. That is OK but I’m just not built that way. Then there is the fellow at the table who spreads the entire slab of bread with Jam etc. and with both hand feeds his face with gruesome furry [fury]. Also the fellow at the table who takes uses finger for pushes – not just tip of finger but a good 1/3 of the distal end. And a few who lick knives. Then the fellow who sits across from me often who chews with his mouth open. I haven’t been splattered yet but I’m waiting because he is one of the fellows who laughs at little things and I’m afraid something funny will happen at the wrong time sometime. Finger “lickers” are very numerous.

There is one in particular who thinks smoking and drinking are very unbecoming of a naval officer but since he arrived here about 6 wks. ago his waist line has increased considerable because he asks for seconds on most everything and uses butter on everything. Then

[page 2] we have a few who talk of not much of anything but going home and they have been away from the USA about 7 mo. Then there is the single fellow who when he saw Lana Turner in the movie decided to see the show at all the places it was showing on the island. I don’t know if he figured it was a builder upper or a tearer downer. Then there is the fellow who in the wash room takes out his partial and stands over the one and only wash bowl and brushes and scrubs for many minutes while others line up behind.

Of course there is at least one in every group – the fellow who laughs at his own jokes and his own clever saying which if he didn’t laugh no one else would. The wild tall stories teller who to hear him is a one many army and navy all rolled up in one snug package – The stories when checked are always miniature.

This letter as you can see has no point and if some other officer wrote it he would in all probability have a different slant. The officers are a swell bunch and have probably slipped from the ways of society and maybe I’m a little critical.

There is one other fellow who receives lots of letters from his wife when the mail comes in – enjoys them very much – writes her every day – some very no good letters. He adores her very much and knows how she carries on back there while he is gone and admires her for it and thinks she is tops – I wonder who??

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/02/peculiarities-roscoe/

A Little Childish (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-25-43

Dear Daddy – It cooled off and rained after the intense heat yesterday – We put some clothes in the Bendix to show Juanita how it operated. She didn’t know about that type machine. It looked like the sun was going to shine when John started the Bendix and now it is cloudy again. Can’t tell what our weather will do next. Had a letter from Jim and he is all upset about Mother – says he can’t believe such a thing could happen to her – His attitude is a little childish I think. I don’t like to think of it either but know if she has carcinoma it didn’t get there in a few days. Maybe I have been around you long enough to look for a logical answer. Of course I can’t say how it started but something caused it. – The heat yesterday was so hard on her. A week from today school starts. David is going to miss J. & M. for a few days. They are both with him in the yard encouraging him to make noises. He got somewhat spoiled while in the cast. He has always had more attention than J. & M. had at his age. He has enough toys to amuse him and a play pen, play chair, etc. – but gets tired of everything but attention. He will no doubt learn to amuse himself when left alone. No letters today but two yesterday (Aug. 9 & 12). I want to take more pictures – but haven’t any film and can’t get any here. Have to take Mark to Dr. Altier to have his hand dressed Fri.

Love – Mother

©2012-2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/01/a-little-childish-gladys/

A Poem Writer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 24, 1943 envelope

: August 24, 1943, p. 1

: August 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Aug. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

You remember the letter from the Ind. State medical assoc. that you forwarded to me. I don’t know if I mentioned it or not but I got one direct from them earlier – Well in one of my off moments I decided to answer them and I am enclosing a copy of that letter – don’t think me too bold or evil for I just had to answer them.

I’ve had a hard time so far – a telephone call, gathering in yesterday’s laundry because of a sprinkle, and then a call from sick bay – some fellow sawed on a couple of fingers and needed some repair. The telephone call was relative to sanitation of which I’m the appointed or condemned one to look after the naval sanitation of the area. It’s a kind of thankless job and of course one gets in someone’s hair more than somewhat when he tells the guy he’s dirty. Maybe it isn’t so bad as all that but it could be.

The mail is a little slowed down again and I do hope it comes again in a day or two because those letters mean so much – I’ve told you that so often it’s becoming trite now anyway they really do.

I’ll stop on one page today because I want to send that other letter. You probably won’t approve of the letter but I didn’t want to keep anything from you so lots of love

Daddy

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner, USNR.
Navy 60
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
August 23, 1943.

Indiana State Medical Ass’n.
1021 Hume Mansur Building.
Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dear Medsoc:

Doctors – you may rest assured that we worry more than somewhat about you OLD medics, and we know that your ever present dangers back there even surpass our wildest imagination. Our dangers here have been covered and completely summarized by Dr. Carleton & McCullough as written in your July letter, a copy of which I recently received. It’s not dangers that we worry about, but another problem. I written a little poem to get the idea over to you – Title.

“The Tropical Heat Has Me”

I’m at a South sea Naval Base
And oh! Doctor what a H___ of a place.
You can imagine the moonlight nights
When one can step out and enjoy the sights.
But what are the sights that one usually sees?
A multitude of coconut trees.
These isles are shown in movies freely,
And you sit back there and look on gleely,
But time spent here with only men in khaki
Is enough to drive the romantic whacky.
So what we need here the moistest
Is a right good looking bunch of hostesses.
So get together you OLD birds back there
And send us each a divinely pair.
I’m not much of a poem writer as you can see
Hoping you are the same 10 derly.

Yegerlehner

A new runway, Russell Islands, 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/31/a-poem-writer-roscoe/

Juanita (Gladys)

2 Replies

: August 24, 1943 envelope

: August 24, 1943, p. 1

: August 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug 24 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d yours of Aug. 9 & 12 today. John went to Laf. with Walkers so he took his 2⁰⁰ from m.o. & with his birthday money had enough to buy an album of records he wanted. Walker were taking Jimmy to Van Buskirk so John “sneaked” in on their appointment and got an eye exam. Dr. V. is writing me a letter about the situation. Said John’s lenses were correct but something about the muscle – I’ll tell you what else he has to say after I get the letter. I had Alma call Dr. Cole and tell him about Mother throwing up and the bitter taste that came last. He sent a prescription for that and said to give Mother an enema every day. He seemed rather worried Alma said about the throwing up and the bitterness. He told me when I had David down last Fri. he would come up soon. I know he will as soon as he can. Dr. Matthews is gone, Pip is gone & Rumkorf is gone – all taking vacations. I shouldn’t criticize but looks like they would get together doesn’t it – on such things.

[page 2] I met the 4:25 a.m. train – Juanita came this morning – It goes thru Robinson (7 mi. from where she lives) into Chicago. I’ll have to confess, I didn’t know about it until she came on it but it goes at such an hour and not touching towns we are interested in, I suppose that was the reason I didn’t know about it before.

Clara Molter picked lima beans from her garden and we shelled enough to fill 16 pts. To put in the locker – she gave us half to put them in. Not bad – all I did was hull a little while, blanch and take then to the Locker. I stopped at Parttens to see Ruthie – and talk about beef. They are going to butcher in 3 weeks and we are to get a quarter. It will take 800 points – or 2 ½ months meat tickets (stamps) from all our books. That shouldn’t bother us because we haven’t yet used a full month’s supply of stamps. – Ruthie is able to sit up now but hasn’t walked yet. The last x-ray looked pretty good Mary said.

It is a proverbial hot Aug. day and night – There isn’t any breeze stirring and it’s hot everywhere except out in the yard. The heat is awfully hard on Mother.

David was so hot today – his hair was in ringlets all over his head. Mark said David said “Daddy” – not da-da once today.

Love – Mother

Emma Foster with her granddaughter Juanita, circa 1940s

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/30/juanita-gladys/

V-mail From Jim (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: August 23, 1943 envelope

: August 23, 1943, p. 1

: August 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Aug. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

A v-mail came from Jim yesterday. It was written Aug. 1. That was the first letter from Jim in anything like good time as I answered it immediately in the hope that he gets it before he changes his address. I suppose he is really anxious to get out of the States and go places as most of those fellows back there are or at least they say they are that way. In fact I think I had the same feeling but that was probably due to the place where my first tour of duty was endured – Norfolk!!!? I was afraid I’d have to stay there for the duration – I didn’t.

Some time ago I read an article in the Newton Co. E. relative to mosquitoes – That really is a problem to consider there for it some of these malaria cases get up north it sure will spread. We use a big spray can and a good mosquito dope at night to kill the critters out before going to bed and that wouldn’t be a bad idea there because I

[page 2] remember how numerous they were especially this time of the year – Maybe I’m a little late but it is something to think about.

I don’t believe I wrote you anything about Geo. leaving – He went back to where Dr. Ash is located to have some work done on his teeth and also for a general physical check-up. I don’t believe he will come back – not because of his health primarily but I believe he will get a new assignment. Maybe back to the U.S.A. Out of our original gang that came here that leaves only two of us. That’s not Drs. That includes all the officers – So you see we have quite a turnover. Dr. Gardiner (dentist) came out with our gang but didn’t come here until a month or so ago.

At this point it seems I’ve been wordless – just simply blank for I’ve been sitting 10 min. just sitting and nothing comes to write. But So I just decided to fill up the space with telling you I could think of nothing further. Anyway.

Lots of Love
Daddy

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

Eleventh Month (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-23-43

Dear Daddy – Today is David’s 11^th month. He has 6 teeth, gets around as good as ever. Traces of cast almost gone. He got a few blisters around edge but they have healed. I was feeding him and he hit the cup & spilled milk. He knew he was a naughty boy – when we scold him he will try to cry but can’t quite make it. – John has been having headaches and I am sending him to Van Buskirk tomorrow. Alma W. is taking Jimmy down and has an appointment – said she would take John in with her. I haven’t been satisfied with his last two eye examinations and he keeps having head aches and is dizzy – Mother isn’t so good today – threw up her dinner and the last to come up was bile – (or bitter). I called Juanita and she is coming tomorrow. I haven’t heard any more from Glen – have been waiting for word. Jim is going to try and come home again on a 72 hr leave. Said he would get a plane to Indpls. and come in his car from there – will have the auto club get his car to Indpls. It is getting hot again. We have had some rather cool days. It rained early this a.m. and now it is hot and steaming. No letters today but had Aug. 10 & 11^th Sat. so didn’t look for any today. David is in his pen making a fuss. He is a little spoiled from so much attention when he was in the cast.

Love Mother

Gladys and David, August 1943

Armistice Day 1918 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 22, 1943 envelope

: August 22, 1943, p. 1

: August 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 22, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

Sunday A.M. a little cool and cloudy, otherwise just the same as any other morning. I’m just stalling for want of something better to say – in other words just waiting for thoughts to become collected. At least to begin with I’m not in that blue Monday stage such as I was yesterday. Maybe the letter I wrote yesterday kept me going.

Last night’s show was Bob Hope in “They Got Me Covered.” Not much to the show but he did pull some pretty good gags – and a Walt. D. short in color was also very good in the beginning. It was a slap at Hitler and some his friends. That is both of the pictures. It seems that practically all the shows now deal with some phase of the war. Either a spy picture or a war correspondence or some such. I don’t suppose you go to shows very often or do you? I’m still not in the habit but for want of

[page 2] something better I go but sure do squirm and fuss in my seat while the plot is developing.

I suppose you are having a little celebration today for John’s birthday. I sent him 2 dollars and wrote he and Mark a day or so ago so will not write him today. He is just about the age now that I was in the last war. I don’t remember my 13^th birthday but I do remember that just before I was 14 the Armistice was signed and on that Nov. 11 school was dismissed and I had to go home and shuck corn. What a celebration!! I hope this thing will wind up while John is in his 13^th year.

This is the usual day for the letter to the folks and since one came from them this week it seems more like answering a letter but there is very seldom and questions anything to answer only the formality of exchange.

Well, Mother Dear I hope everything is OK with you and the family –
Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: While I do not know which Disney short Roscoe watched, this is an example of one of the many propaganda shorts made by Disney during the 1940s]

Thirteenth Birthday (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 22, 1943 envelope

: August 22, 1943, p. 1

: August 22, 1943, p. 2

: August 22, 1943, p. 3

: August 22, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 22 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another birthday for our John – 13 – He looks the part – voice changing – growing fast – face full of pimples and blackheads. At present he is listening to Radio Readers’ Digest. He likes to get it every Sunday evening. I baked & decorated a cake, made ice cream & had the Zell girls & Jimmy come to help eat them – they ate almost all the cake and so far no tummy aches. I gave John a dollar, your Mother gave him 25¢ – he rec’d the $2⁰⁰ you sent, the Zells gave him sox & a hankie, so he fared pretty well. Bobby is gone and so are the Krull children so they didn’t get in on the refreshments. I was feeding David his 3 P.M. meal, Mark was working on a block of balsa wood and his knife slipped and cut his hand around the base of his thumb. It bled so much I couldn’t tell at first the cut was so extensive but after trying to wash

[page 2] the blood away I saw it wasn’t just a stab – so thought I had better get him to a Dr. and see if it would be necessary to have stitches taken – I called Matthews, he was out of town for the day, called Hungess at Sheldon, he was out of town, called Brook & Pip was gone on a trip, called Goodland, Rumkorf had left for his vacation, but finally and at last contacted Altier – I took Mark down. He cleaned the wound and found it wasn’t so deep but required one clamp. He gave me sulfathiazole power to dress it with and I am to go back Fri. to have the clamp taken out. I had filed it with sulfanilamide powder as soon as I discovered how long & deep the cut – however would have put sulfa on it anyway. I would have pulled it together myself with tape had it been on the arm but since it was at the base of the thumb thought a Dr. should see it. I washed Mark’s hands & face and put him to bed about 8 P.M. He insisted he wasn’t sleepy but I imagine he is asleep now. He got sick after his hand bled so much, but was very brave and didn’t cry – you know it hurt to have it cleaned and a clamp put in. He kept insisting he is like Daddy and can take punishment without making a fuss.

[page 2] David is getting a “little” spoiled – he has had so much attention he doesn’t want to stay put in his bed or pen. He is always reaching for something he shouldn’t have and climbing out of things. The play chair he is in in one of the pictures I sent – with the table around it is just an invitation for him to climb out on. John said if he were an ordinary baby he would be satisfied to sit & play in the chair. I just got the taylor tot out for him to ride in and today he was turned around in it trying to climb out on the handle. He got fussy so I put him on the floor and he walked around his bed & pen enclosures. He has another tooth today – making 6 altogether and 4 since he was 10 mo. old – He will be 11 mo. tomorrow. He hasn’t gained any the past month but I didn’t expect him to.

Mother wouldn’t eat any supper today – She ate a little broth at noon & drank a little milk. I bathed her yesterday – she doesn’t feel like being bathed every day – and I was feeling her abdomen – There is a definite mass in the middle of her bowels. I am no Dr. but I could feel it. I didn’t tell her, of course, what Dr. Cole told me, but I think she is very despondent about her recovery. I do wish I could

[page 3] do more for her – but I feel so helpless about the whole thing – Dr. Cole says she is definitely too weak for surgery. I asked him if her condition would become painful, but he said it shouldn’t. She has a lot of gas at times and so far her bowels have moved freely. He said she might get a bowel obstruction. The past week the weather has been cool and she hasn’t suffered from the heat.

Mary Parttens called today and said they were going to kill a beef in about 3 wks. And we can have a quarter or more. Clara M. is giving us lima beans to put some in our locker – we are to have half of what she puts in. She is moving to the south side of town – has bought her a house – Henry Molter & family are going to move over here where she lived.

Mary P. said Ruthie hasn’t stood on her feet yet but 2 wks. Ago Dr. M. took another x-ray and her break seems to be in fairly good shape – I saw the first x-ray and both sides of the pelvic bone were broken. I wish I could draw a picture & show you how it looked. Mary said every Dr. & nurse who looked at it said it was the only one like it they had ever seen.

Enough about such things – John is waiting for me to finish so we can go to bed and I am ready to turn in – Have to run the car in first.

Love Mother

P.S. I pd. Your Masonic dues