Category Archives: Foster

Mother Isn’t Well Enough (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
6-28-43

Dear Daddy – I missed writing yesterday (Sunday) but took John & Mark to Wilmington to spend the week. Mother isn’t well enough to travel so Mrs. Zell & their girls went with us so I would have company coming back. I took Mother to Dr. M. and he is having her take sulfasuxadine and continue with Bepron. He is giving sulfa for her bowels. You know her condition and now it’s worse, with pain when she has a B.M. Your Mother would like for us to come down but I can’t plan to go visiting while Mother isn’t well. David is trying to go to sleep. We took him yesterday and he is tired from the trip – Sat. P.M. we had a windstorm that took more branches down and a part of one of Statons’ trees. Yesterday when we passed Bert McCartney’s place we saw one of those large trees in their front yard had been torn apart. I think it was the largest tree. I sent you a picture of David by Air Mail Saturday. Sent your Mother one and one to Dave & Marie. Haven’t had any mail for several days but had up to June 12 last week. I had to get a new battery for the car. Cost $12.95. With the ins. that has to be paid in July and counting July 1 check I should have a balance of about $150.00 (counting all bills pd including house payment) so maybe I can squeeze out a bond again, but would rather pay off the Ins. loan on my policy. Will let you know what I do.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/05/mother-isnt-well-enough-gladys/

Real Potatoes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 26, 1943 envelope

: June 26, 1943, p. 1

: June 26, 1943, p. 2

: June 26, 1943, p. 3

: June 26, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

After re-reading your letters yesterday it seemed your mail is a little slow but I believe it will pick up and by this time you should be getting them almost as soon as you did while I was in Noumea.

I saw some potatoes and onions this A.M. real potatoes. Of course we have had lots of onions in an off-color manner and one or two meals of potatoes but it sure looks as if things are picking up in the food line but when it picks up I suppose I’ll be changed because

[page 2] that is the way it has been and I won’t be a bit mad if it changed in the right direction – are you thinking the same as I?! I’m not building any hopes as to an early return – then if its longer I won’t feel so badly. You know how that is.

This is the dope on that check that hasn’t arrived as yet – No 115,268, Issued Jan 13. Issued by J.E. LeCours – sent to you May 13 – Symbol number 59-658. However, I wouldn’t do anything about it for another month or six weeks. I’ll talk to someone around here and then write you when I think you should proceed with the reclaiming – I

[page 3] hope by this time you have it and the whole matter can be dropped.

A fellow that left here stopped and had a look at my clothes and he wrote back that they were being taken care of and were nice and dry etc. So if the moths keep out everything should be OK. There were some moth balls in them and there were no moth when I left. So I’m hoping there will be no chance for any to get into them for operation.

The letter you wrote on June 6 was postmarked June 9. Either it got lost in the P.O. or one of the boys forgot to mail it. It wasn’t

[page 4] mailed on the train like some are that you get in late at night. So there was a slight mix up some place along the line.

I’m having to struggle more than somewhat to think of things to write today – its just one of those days when Cerebration seems to be at a low ebb.

I’m wondering if you appreciate the endings I’ve been using on my letters or are they “lousy” – hoping you are the same

Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/04/real-potatoes-roscoe/

Neighborhood News (Gladys)

1 Reply

: June 26, 1943 envelope front

: June 26, 1943 envelope back

: June 26, 1943, p. 1

: June 26, 1943, p. 2

: June 26, 1943, p. 3

: June 26, 1943, p. 4

: June 26, 1943, p. 5

: June 26, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 26 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another hot sultry day. It looks like rain and once in a while there is a breeze but days like this makes Mother awfully weak. I stopped in to see Dr. M. and asked him about her and he said Bepron was a fine tonic and for her to keep on taking it. While I was there he asked me if I wanted to see the X-Ray of Ruthie Parttens – He showed it to me and was he mad – Mary wanted a bone specialist to see her a few days after Dr. M. had taken care

[page 2] of her and that insulted him but he told them to get someone else – they had Berkhiser from Chicago and he said everything had been done that could be – Dr. M. said he got so sick and tired of people spending their money on specialists. At any rate he says Ruthie is getting along first rate and the rumor that she wouldn’t walk again was rumor there was nothing to it. She is so lively they can hardly keep her in bed. I want to go over and see her but the car is in the garage today. Couldn’t start it yesterday so we pushed it and got it started and stopped at Sondergrath.

[page 3] Will report later on the trouble.

Had a letter from Ruth M. and she wants me to send J. & M. over for a week or so and then the rest of us come for the 4^th but Mother doesn’t feel well enough to go any place now and as hot as it is I really would rather stay home with David. Zell’s are going away Wed. for a week and they want J. & M. to mow the lawn while they are gone. However if they want to go to Ruth’s I won’t keep them home. Ruth & Floyd are going to C.C. for the 4^th & wanted us to got too so they could take some more movies of David, but I don’t want to go on such a long trip when it’s so hot, and I can’t plan to go

[page 4] any place while Mother doesn’t feel so well. She said for us to go ahead & go but I wouldn’t want to leave her alone.

Glenn called us yesterday. He talked and his wife talked – he talked to all of us. Had the baby by the phone and we could hear him. I wrote and told him Mother didn’t feel so well and I think he was pretty worried about her. He wanted your address; you may hear from them. His wife’s name is Pauline. The picture enclosed is I think good of David but John says David is better looking than the picture. However I think you can get a good idea what he is like because he laughs so much. After his bath he

[page 5] has curls but after a while they fall down. There are two teeth in front but one show plainer than the other. He is in his bed now singing a song. It is time for him to take a nap so he is in the nursery alone.

Parr’s were in town yesterday. Harlan is having a vacation but has to be back in Tuscola July 4 for work. He is very tan and so is Carolyn, more so than Dorothy & Nancy. They thought David was a pretty fine boy. Harlan still wants a boy. Dorothy said she thinks she has all she can do to take care of two girls.

[page 6] Dorothy Krull said yesterday that Bill Funk wants them to go on a vacation trip together. Dorothy said they would have to close the restaurant and she doesn’t know whether they will or not. I told her if they go to be sure Bill knows where he is taking them.

Had to stop and take baby clothes off the line – a storm was brewing and what a storm – this one took a good portion of the tree by Statons driveway – They have gone to Indpls. And will have to get the tree off their driveway before they can get in when they come back.

[page 7] Mrs. James & Jimmy went along and Bobby was sent home from Zells for misdemeanor so before the storm the neighborhood was rather quiet. It vibrates at times when things get going good.

After the rain started Mark put on his bathing trunks but he didn’t stay out long. It is cooler now since the rain – something we all appreciate. If this summer continues like this we have a lot of hot weather to look forward to. I had to repot a cactus plant – It was on the window sill and the strong wind blew it over and knocked the cactus out of the pot.

[page 8] The storm has let up and the Zell girls & J. & M. are out playing hide & seek. There is still a lot of thunder so maybe it will rain more.

Your mention of the shells makes me think of the box you sent from Noumea that didn’t come. The one that had the necklace you thought prettier than the one I rec’d. I doubt if it ever comes now – it has been so long.

I must get this ready to mail, so John can do to the P.O.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/03/neighborhood-news-gladys/

Mail Received (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 25, 1943 envelope

: June 25, 1943, p. 1

: June 25, 1943, p. 2

: June 25, 1943, p. 3

: June 25, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif
June 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letters of June 8, 9, 10 & 11 came today so there is lots to write about and as I said in yesterday’s letter the mail is always a good & welcome topic to write about. So far I’ve just read them once but will reread again later. In one of those letters you mentioned that you had received the travel check so that won’t have to be written of in any future letters. The $100 letter will probably be coming along later. I’ll send you the number, date of issue, etc. if it doesn’t come thru and we can get another. I think it is a good idea for John to drop his band during the summer (swing band) because too much is too much. I’m

[page 2] writing this on my knee out in the yard as the boy is giving the tent the usual morning cleaning.

Was that a battle Raymond Bower had been in or several? He left the states just about the same time I went to Norfolk. It also looks like Jim might be getting ready to do something from the way you wrote of his activity. I’ve received several notes from Joe R. and at present he is I think about 60 miles from me in an Easterly direction. That is only a supposition however and I believe Hicky is in that neighborhood also. I think I’ve probably written all that before.

A three page news bulletin came

[page 3] from the Home hospital. It came in the form of 3 v-mails. They were dated June 1. So you see v-mail is still slower by several days.

That business of Grandma carrying D. downstairs sorta gave me a little scare – There is no banister there and it might be a little dangerous. Maybe you could have one put in if the pocket book is sufficiently padded. That’s just an idea – Maybe D. will be able to walk up and down by himself and the problem will be solved and a banister would also help him. Do what you think best –

It would be trite for me to say I enjoy your letters because they are chucked full of things I like to hear – So when I write of my own being poor I don’t want

[page 4] you to get the idea I’m casting any reflections.

I saw by that Home Hospital news bulletin that Dr. Combs was still at Greencastle Indiana – That must be very rugged duty and to think he has had to suffer for nearly a year if my recollection is correct. I did notice that several of the Drs. had % addresses so they are scattered somewhat.

Took a trip this A.M. before breakfast – Just a sight seeing trip and was there a beautiful sun peeping up out of the sea! That made breakfast late and then your mail came and that made me late in getting this written – Hoping you are the same

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
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©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/02/mail-received-roscoe/

Summer Vacation (Gladys)

2 Replies

: June 25, 1943 envelope

: June 25, 1943, p. 1

: June 25, 1943, p. 2-3

: June 25, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 25 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another hot day – No mail today but have had several letters this week latest being June 12, We are doing our weekly wash – have half out on the line – It’s is nearly time to fix lunch – Mark has gone to Baking class – They are having a farewell party for Rupp. She is getting married. So many new teachers next fall – John just discovered he would have a man math teacher.

[page 2]I think he prefers women teachers. I don’t know why. Maybe they favor him – however he wouldn’t like to hear that.

David has been asleep and sounds like he is waking up – I hope not because he hasn’t slept long enough & it’s so hot today I know the afternoon will be hard for him if he hasn’t slept long enough. He is good up to a certain point but there are so many around him all the time he doesn’t play alone as well as J. & M. did – but that isn’t his fault. He is getting pretty handy with getting around his pen – Mother

[page 3] thinks he will soon walk alone but John did like he does and didn’t walk alone so soon.

Mother is still feeling not so good – She was feeling better with a few cooler days but it is so hot again and seems to take all her pep. She has taken nearly all the Bepron I got for her. I thought it was helping her but she doesn’t seem much better now.

Parr’s are coming to Funk’s for dinner this evening. I don’t know whether they are just on vacation or if he is being transferred again. They have been in Fla since Jan. I suppose I will see them while they are in town.

[page 4] When people around here complain about the weather I remind them you have to take it all the time and we do get relief now & then. Statons are going to Monticello for a week’s vacation – I think I’ll just stay home with David & let the boys go vacationing if they want to. Mark is planning to go to 4-H camp. He wants to go to Earl’s & fish sometime. Ruth wants us to come over for a week but the way Mother feels I am not going to plan anything.

John is begging me to get lunch so will stop this which doesn’t seem to be much today –

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/01/summer-vacation-gladys/

Military Humor II (Roscoe)

5 Replies

: June 24, 1943 envelope

: June 24, 1943, p. 1

: June 24, 1943, p. 2

: June 24, 1943, p. 3

: June 24, 1943, p. 4

: June 24, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
June 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Received your June 3 letter yesterday (the one mailed in Lafayette) and one from the folks dated June 7. So much for mail.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I couldn’t make or rather write a better letter so I decided to make an analysis of the situation. Starting first with the beginnings and endings. There I had a wide variety of subject from which to select since because one always notices that when censoring the mail. Some are on the light and funny side; others seem to convey the idea that the writer is signing his last will.

[page 2] So after running thru them ad infinitum none were quite correct. Then I thought again of the ones we use and for our purpose I don’t believe there is any better. Perhaps it’s the hidden meaning conveyed by the Simple words “Mother” & “Daddy.” So I’ll just continue unless you can send a better one??

Then the body of the letter – news – that’s out as you well know – description – not too minute – actions – none – weather not too exact – but in a general way I have exhausted that subject often because one word, two words, I should say does the trick – hot and damp. You have the advantage there thanks to the seasons, and

[page 3] cold and chilly can be added – health (mines good) can’t say about the camp in general for that is considered military information – Friends and fellow officers – I’ve probably caused you to chew your nails along that score already – you don’t give a hoot about them for they are unknown to you. When you write of the boys it’s OK – means a lot to me – Coconuts bla-bla. The commander and I had a bet yesterday 1000 to one. I was betting the 1,000 – he said that was a lot of bucks – I said, “Who says buck? I mean coconuts.” He didn’t want to win the bet because nothing could make him more unhappy than have 1,000 coconuts piled on his lawn in Cleveland, Ohio. Back to the original subject lizards – that’s been over stressed – Laundry – that’s been twisted dry. Food – a

[page 4] very delicate subject and more can be added. That is we hope new varieties can be written of as time goes along – Say-y-y – the mail – hope that can also be extended and elaborated – onion and sardine parties – all has been said and it “stinks.” The garden a total flop up to now – but the onions, carrots and lettuce may save the day – radishes [?] top heavy too much has been written – places I’ve seen not interesting anymore – Our four legged friends the cows that’s a good and everlasting subject because they might wander into cuttin’ meat as chow time – that was mentioned under the heading of food – (bottom of page 3) – shells and other sea and marine life a dead and smelly subject – I’m about run dry – hoping you are the same

Love Daddy

P.S. If dry get a drink. OVER

[page 5]

Don’t mind me I’m just trying to write a letter that you could enjoy (I hope)

Russell Islands
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©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/08/31/military-humor-ii-roscoe/

Military Humor (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 23, 1943 envelope

: June 23, 1943, p. 1

: June 23, 1943, p. 2

: June 23, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
June 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

I started and got this far some time ago but things bothered me. Had some kid in and then a telephone call to make. Really I wonder what I would have written had not the interruptions taken place. However that is in the same class with the “ifs” and that is about as easy to settle. I suppose this (as the one I would have started ½ hr. ago) would will have nothing in it so why wonder and if.

No need of me writing the

[page 2] next but we are able to get some news now and then over the radio and it seems the axis are being put on the pan. The loss to Japan of those 77 airplanes over the Solomon Islands must have terrific. Of course maybe the radio or the news analyists were a little “stretchy” in their figures but when something like that is given out we always hope the figures are correct.

Another pause – a commander came in with the backache and

[page 3] when a commander comes around a Lieut always has to listen and try to do something to keep them from being irritated. It might be better in the end – which end! Your guess is as good as mine. Anyway I’m supposed to outline and help construct a heat lamp for the purpose of administering some heat – Make it warm not for the commander.

Well, I’d better get going and try to do my boy scout deed for the day – hoping you are the same –

Love Daddy

P.S. I was trying to be funny – How’d I do?

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

Canning Peas (Gladys)

1 Reply

: June 23, 1943 envelope

: Letter from the Indiana Medical Association

: June 23, 1943, p. 1

: June 23, 1943, p. 2-3

: June 23, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 23, 1943

Dear Daddy –

David is nine months old today and balances the scale at 20 lbs. I traced his weight course on a chart given in a baby manual and he done a little better than average baby should do. He isn’t gaining so fast now – but he is so active he works his fat off. Of course 20 lbs at 9 months is plenty. He has a good appetite – takes a can of milk & egg yolk a day besides cereal, vegetables & fruit. It has been so hot today he has only his diaper & shoes

[page 2] on. I wouldn’t put shoes on him but he stands up so much & walks around his pen or bed and his shoes help him keep his feet steady.

Mark has gone to take a piano lesson & John is practicing. John used up the accumulated egg whites from David’s formula and made an Angel Food cake this A.M. He is going to be an expert if he keeps up.

Arlene came up yesterday about 5:30 P.M. to borrow the pressure cooker – had a bu. of peas to can. I asked her if she knew how to use it and she didn’t – I told her I couldn’t tell her how to use it, I would have to show her – so I was to

[page 3] go at 7 P.M. and we were to start – well as it usually happens when one wants to get started – bill was late for supper and we didn’t get started so soon. I had to stay until one cooker was finished – also stayed to get the second one on – It was 9:45 P.. when she started to time the second batch – and had two more cookings to do. I came home at 10 – and was so tired – Had been canning peas with Mrs. Zell in the afternoon – so after a shower I got to bed – had to feed David at 6 this A.M. then went back to bed and slept till the mail came and there was a letter from you dated June 9 – had

[page 4] one yesterday of June 10. I feel fine now that I got caught up on my rest. It is hot & sultry today. Of course not as bad as where you are but it is pretty much for this climate. Mother hasn’t felt well since this intense heat started. It has rained almost every day for so long – I can’t remember how long – then between rains the sun is so hot. One day the humidifier was as high as it will go – 80⁰. So much for the weather. Back to the peas – It was 3 A.M. this morning when Arlene finished the peas and in addition to everything – Donnie was sick in the night and she had to give him a enema – I told her I remembered once when she stayed up till 3 A.M. to decorate for a Christmas party.

I am enclosing a greeting from the Ind. State Med. Assn –
Love Mother

A Little Irked (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: June 22, 1943 envelope

: June 22, 1943, p. 1

: June 22, 1943, p. 2

: June 22, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
June 22, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m a little Irked this AM. It’s just one of those mornings when everyone wants to complain of a headache and one can find no apparent cause, and everyone seems to want something and seemingly they don’t have need for it – So much for family affairs. Just like a morning at home when everyone was up late the night before.

Got all my laundry dry yesterday in good condition so I am set for another week. My shirts are getting

[page 2] pretty thin. Went to scratch my back the other day and poked a hole right thru the shirt. I bought two since I’ve been here and should have enough to last for a time at least.

After a pause – Maybe I feel better now – nature called results obtained.

Yesterday was the Skipper’s birthday and everything was all set at evening chow. Cuttin’ meat, a cake, ice cream and he didn’t show up – went out for chow – was a little disappointing

[page 3] but the cake was saved until today. Either for lunch or dinner, I don’t know which.

No mail yesterday but it’s hardly time since the Sunday delivery came and the letters were fairly recent ones.

Had to survey some food this A.M. We always have some spoilage – The cans get bumped and wet and then spring leaks, and in order to receive that amount it has to be passed on by the medical profession. Canned meats are the worst thing because they sure stink when they spoil.

Well, I’m all written dry.
Love Daddy

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

Wind & Lightening (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S.YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
6-22-43

Dear Daddy: Yours of June 10 came today – Five came yesterday – I’ll repeat again all three checks came. We had quite a storm last night – lot of wind & lightening – Took the top out of the tree by Foulke’s terrace and the tree back of Zell’s house. Just took branches off ours, but the whole yard is a litter with leaves. Zell’s were going to a pea field and glean where the picker had been and asked me to go along. We went but the rain last night made the field so muddy we didn’t do much. People had been going out & pulling up vines and getting quite a lot but we went at the wrong time – However we got about half a bushel and didn’t stay but about an hour. John & Mark are helping Mrs. Z. & Virginia hull peas now. We pulled up the last of our pea vines last night. We have tomatoe vines in bloom, also potatoes are in bloom. Mrs. Roberts called me to tell me Joe had had direct word from you, then in your letter today you mentioned hearing from him. She has been getting late mail recently. The storm kept me awake a while last night and I am rather sleepy – My eyes feel so heavy I think I’ll have to have a nap before the day is over. Mother has David and in the yard but it is about nap time for him. when he wakes me in the morning for his 6 a.m. bottle he is up walking around his bed. John has gone now to take a music lesson and it’s time to start lunch.

Love Mother