Category Archives: Foster

Strawberry preserves (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
6-8-43

Dear Daddy – First will mention Father’s Day which comes on the 20^th of this month, but I suppose you won’t get this till much later. I have thought about Father’s Day several times but haven’t mentioned before. I haven’t had any mail for a week, but keep looking. John is mowing the lawn – David is in his buggy looking on & Mark is supposed to be watching David. I think his throat is healing nicely from the tonsillectomy because he can still make the machine gun noise. He is still on the recuperating list and John has to do most of the work. Mark dries dishes but that is all. It is warmer but not hot yet. After the hard rain Sunday it turned very cool. I bought a case of strawberries yesterday – put 12 qts in the locker. Make 12 pts of preserve and we ate the rest. They weren’t very good and the price is twice as high as last years. Local crops aren’t very promising this year. I got spinach, lettuce & radish from our garden for dinner. Our potatoes are growing good, as well as everything else. I think most farmers got their corn in last week. The corn field north of us seems to be lying idle this year. So far it has been plowed but not planted.

Love – Mother

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/07/28/strawberry-preserves-gladys/

Another Lazy Sunday (Gladys)

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: June 6, 1943 envelope

: June 6, 1943, p. 1

: June 6, 1943, p. 2

: June 6, 1943, p. 3

: June 6, 1943, p. 4

: June 6, 1943, p. 5

: June 6, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 6 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another lazy Sunday afternoon. It is inclined to cloud up at intervals and very close & hot. Had David in the buggy but he got tired – the buggy hampers his style too much so put him in his pen. So far the mosquitos haven’t bitten him but they are awfully thick out in the yard around the shrubbery. We have not been bothered much with flies in the house, but every time any one sees a fly we go after it like it is a dragon “or something – “ but as far as the baby is concerned a fly can be as dangerous. The last of the week it was so hot he broke out around his neck and shoulders with heat, but it is better now, and it’s getting hot again.

Mark is coming along nicely from his tonsillectomy. He seems to be hungry all the time – hope that

[page 2] is a good sign. He is so anxious to gain and get big muscles. I should get some myself from the work I do in the garden & flower beds but so far haven’t noticed any.

There is an item in the paper about getting new telephone rates (higher). Our phone has been going dead ever so often. The service man was here one day but it has been out a time or two since then – so we wondered what we would be getting higher rates for, but I suppose it costs the co. more to operate now.

–a pause—went over to Zell’s & fed their chickens – They are away for the day – The chickens are ready for market, but I don’t want many at the present price – however they aren’t as expensive as steak. The ceiling on chickens to dealers – and that is what they would charge me – being a neighbor is .35¢ – I sent to town for sirloin steak yesterday – it was .45¢ a lb. I didn’t want to drive to Sheldon so thought I would try “store meat” once again – It was good enough but not as tender I thought as what we have had.

[page 3] The last quarter of beef I got was cut into roasts & boiling meat mostly so we are out of steaks at present. I ordered another quarter put in the locker – but Brands can only by a limited amount now and I have to wait my turn. Parttens will have a beef ready for fall, but we will need some before theirs are ready. We will have plenty of coupons – with five books. We have plenty for canned goods too. I want to can beans, carrots & tomatoes this summer. The first carrots I sowed are up and I am going to put in more.

Bobby Funk is here – Bill and Arlene left in their car – We heard Bobby crying very loudly – Mark and I were pushing the carriage trying to get David to sleep and Bobby came out – Betty Muscleman [Musselman] came out after him – we told her we would take care of him – since she had to stay with Donnie. Mark is working on a model airplane and Bobby is admiring him very much. Bobby said, “My Daddy is teaching my mommy how to drive, ha! ha!”

That little ha ha he sometimes

[page 4] adds to his sentences sounds like he means more than I know he can.

Joe Bill Mullen has been commissioned a second Lt. at Field Artillery Officers Candidate School at Ft. Sills, Oka. That is where Emmett Miller is stationed. He rec’d a promotion to Capt. Some time ago. Eddie Steinbach is now a second Lt. in the Medical Administration Corps, Camp Barkley, Texas. Pat Mullen is a corporal now – he has a N.Y. address.

There is a new Auto Ins. law – anyone operating a car has to carry $11,000 liability – July 1 – our policy expires in Aug but will have to see about it to make sure we are carrying the correct amt.

Mark just got caught in the closet – the door knob doesn’t turn from the inside – Bobby let him out. John was listening to a musical program but it was so noisy with static I insisted he turn it off – so he went upstairs.

Love Mother

[page 5] Since finishing the letters I started this afternoon had callers, Mrs. Roberts & her children and one of Earl’s. She hadn’t had any recent word from Joe but he isn’t in Noumea now. She doesn’t know where he is. I told her my mail had been slow this week too. She said Joe had written you a note and thought you should have it quite some time ago.

The threatening rain finally came and what a rain. It came down in sheets for a few minutes. It has stopped now but the radio is still noisy and there is thunder. The noise on the radio was more than I cared to listen to so the boys are in their bedroom listening. David of course is asleep – He goes to bed following his 6 P.M. feeding.

–Monday—It turned very cool during the night, following the hard rain. It has been cloudy all day but begins to look like it is clearing away. We have the Bendix going now with David’s clothes.

[page 6] No mail again today – This makes a week without mail – Probably will get a bunch when it does come. David pulled himself up to his feet in his pen this morning. He is in his pen how with one foot sticking out on the floor. Margaret Kruman asked me to give Bud a hypo Wed. She wants to go away for the day and couldn’t find anyone. Since I have given myself shots, I suppose she thought I could give one to Bud. – Well, I’ll try.

Mark is in the baking mood and is mixing a cake now. I think he is coming along nicely from his tonsillectomy. It’s time to get David’s dinner ready so must open a can or two of vegetables.

Love Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, Indiana, June 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/07/27/another-lazy-sunday-gladys/

A dentist arrives (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: June 6, 1943 envelope

: June 6, 1943, p. 1

: June 6, 1943, p. 2

: June 6, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

6/6/43
Lieut R.S.Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Yesterday one of our old group from Noumea came into camp. One of the dentists that was there while we were there – So it was just like a homecoming. Had lots to talk about for he had seen many of our group coming and going and a few for one reason or another were back in the U.S.A. but only a very few. We of course know nothing of the length of the tour of duty but we have hopes. We had a little party for him last night

[page 2] onion sandwitches and sardines. Of course I don’t believe he appreciated them so much since he just came from civilized Noumea. If you want to call it that.

Today is Sunday and time for a letter to the folks. I’ll have a little to write because two letters both v-mail came from them and also the box of chewing gum etc. It always helps to have a thread to use as subject matter for a letter.

One of these days I’ll break down and write the boys again

[page 3] but paper and stamps have been a little hard to get. And of course all envelopes are stuck when they get here and after tearing them open the mucilage is no good and mucilage in bottles out here is about as unheard of as numerous other things one could mention.

I see the mess boy coming to clean out the tent so had better give way because it looks pretty messy this A.M.

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/2014/07/25/a-dentist-arrives-roscoe/

No thoughts came (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 5, 1943 envelope

: June 5, 1943, p. 1

: June 5, 1943, p. 2

: June 5, 1943, p. 3

: June 5, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 5, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60, F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Up to now I’ve sat here about 5 min. and no thoughts came so maybe with a line for stimulation I’ll get an idea or two. I’ve written so often of our weaknesses such as sardines onions and the likes of such that to dwell on it more would be very boring indeed, but in passing we still do those things.

Yesterday evening late, I got a letter from Mr. Healy and that he said was the second letter he had written – also got a letter from Hicky Reinhart

[page 2] and again our letters passed on the way – maybe after a time we will be able to correspond regularily. Mr. Healy said he missed me coming in the back of the drug store – wonder if he thinks I miss coming in.

Yesterday morning a letter came from Mom. A v-mail dated May 18 which wasn’t bad. She said she had gotten a letter from you and everything was OK but I’d rather get the letters direct. Probably some will come along in a few days.

I see the Chaplin coming this

[page 3] way – don’t know what I’ve done now – no he turned to port and is headed for the head. He is a swell gent and is well liked by all the men and officers. I think he would like to move back to our tent and use his for the library and his office – I don’t mind because he is regular and there is no restraint.

Commander Frericks got two fruit cakes yesterday. They were sent in Dec. as a Christmas present. Strange as it may seem they were really good. Nice and moist – That’s what I call Christmas in June. Some

[page 4] fellows get packages just as nice as the day they were sent but most of mine have been battered and banged into many shapes.

True to the good old Navy custom we had beans for breakfast and also have inspection and that always means I have to tag along as a part of the inspection party which is tiresome before it’s finished.

Well, I did get some written, after a poor start, but and one might say – poor all the way thru –

Lots of 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/2014/07/24/no-thoghts-came-roscoe/

Ice Cream (Gladys)

1 Reply

: June 5, 1943 envelope

: June 5, 1943, p. 1

: June 5, 1943, p. 2

: June 5, 1943, p. 3

: June 5, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 5 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another day without any mail – If I hadn’t rec’d two Tuesday this would have been a blank week as far as mail is concerned.

Brought Mark home yesterday – He feels pretty good today. Dr. Cole said to have him chew aspergum. There was a box here that had come for you, so we are getting it used up. When it came I didn’t know what to do with it, so just kept it. Mark wanted to chew it but I told him it was for people needing relief from pain

[page 2] so now he has a good opportunity to try it out. He has the living room full of airplanes to build, comic books and what not. Zells said they were going to bring us a fry. He though he wanted it today but we had hamburger and he couldn’t swallow it so well, but ate peas, bread & butter. He now wants ice cream so when I finish this, John is going to town to get him a cone. That is the only way we can buy ice cream (except at Boones). Commercial ice cream can’t be sold only in containers. The drug stores & restaurants can sell ices in quantities but not cream.

The latest canned goods to be on the ration list is milk, but I think I’ll keep David on canned milk thru the summer. We can now buy homogenized milk here and when I change him over, think I’ll use that.

John and I had to work in the garden a while this afternoon,

[page 3] then we had a shower and had to come in. It was time to feed David – We got rid of a lot of weeds. John thought we should have arranged the tonsillectomy so it wouldn’t interfere with Mark’s garden work. We have spinach, lettuce, onions & radish ready to use. Our carrots are coming along nicely as well as the peas & potatoes.

Mary Largent finally had an appendectomy. She has been having attacks for some time. She is home from the hospital. I forgot to mention it before.

It isn’t so hot today. It has been cloudy and cooler, but the sun is shining again and Mother is sitting out in the yard with David. I hate for him to miss a day in the sunshine. He is so nicely tanned I want to keep him that way. He certainly enjoys being out of doors.

[page 4] John is reading the funny books Mark got and I can’t get much work done when he lapses into a funny book, but he has done quite a lot already today. He has done most of the work around here so far, because he has done the lawn all alone and now helps in the garden.

Catherine Tilton has had another operation on her arm. She and her Mother, and I suppose Libby too are living with Geo in the Barr house, Geo bought. The Barces have rented their home and moved to Fowler with Mrs. Harrington. Hilda was working at the factory but quit. Said they couldn’t meet expenses on their income. Mrs. Dieter was with Francie, coming home when they had an accident. Mrs. D. sustained a broken leg. They were in St. E. with her Thurs. evening getting an X-ray and cast put on. I saw Mary & one of her brothers in the lobby. Mary said they were going to put on a walking cast, so she won’t have to stay in bed. About out of paper so will sign off –

Love – Mother

Yegerlehner home, Kentland, Indiana, June 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/07/23/ice-cream-gladys/

Chewing Gum (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 4, 1943 envelope

: June 4, 1943, p. 1

: June 4, 1943, p. 2

: June 4, 1943, p. 3

: June 4, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 4
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Yesterday P.M. a box came from Mom. It had chewing gum, a can of peanuts and some lifesavers. It was in a tin box with no wrapper and just my name and Noumea address but no stamps or indication of postmarks. It looked as if someone might have brought it but it came in the mail. The content was in A-1 condition.

The mail in general is not very good and I’m not sure it it’s

[page 2] v-mail, air mail or why anyway write a few of each.

I just stopped long enough to write a letter to Dr. Porterfield. It had been some time since his last letter came and I just got the urge all at once.

Was invited out for noon day chow yesterday – Had roast beef and then at home we had roast beef again so I was pretty lucky all around. You will note I’m back on the eating again. Which next to the weather is a good topic to write about.

Yesterday while reclining on the bunk I saw a huge lizard about 8 in long on one of the rafters.

[page 3] I pointed it out to my new tent mate and he was rather disturbed. He wanted to kill it right there and the only thing he could find was a spade but since the thing was so fat he was afraid it would “squish” all over on to his bunk. So after much deliberation I chased it higher with our fly spray and so far as I know he is still squirming around over head. I felt something cold hit me last night while sleeping in the raw but I’m not sure if it was a lizard or what. I just brushed my hand over

[page 4] the spot, rolled over and went back to sleep.

I see we have a small leak around my chewing gum patch so will have to get another patch fixed up.

Last night Commander Fredricks, Geo and I had onion and sardine sandwiches. Two or three sardines between a couple slices of onion. That was the night cap. It really is amusing the way we go after those things.

Well, hope your mail is getting there more regular as to mine I’ve almost given up –
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/2014/07/22/chewing-gum-roscoe/

Brave Little Boy (Gladys)

1 Reply

: June 4, 1943 envelope

: June 4, 1943, p. 1

: June 4, 1943, p. 2

: June 4, 1943, p. 3

: June 4, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
June 4, 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today – in fact none since Tues. when I rec’d yours of May 17 & 18 – but probably will get a lot at once. The 100⁰⁰ ck hasn’t come yet but likely will come with the rest of the delayed mail.

I am going to get Mark this afternoon. He got along fine, so with proper rest when he gets home should be in good shape soon. As I told you before the adnoid wasn’t bad but tonsils were. He was a brave little boy thru it all and didn’t cry or act up like the little girl in the next bed did. Last night or rather evening at 5 – when

[page 2] I left he was trying to eat ice cream. I told him he would feel much better today and could eat.

I was very tired when I came home last night and still feel tired today but I think after another good night’s rest I’ll be rested up.

Mother has David out in the front yard in the sun. He is so full of pep – I wish I had some of it. He woke me at 6:30 this morning by pounding on the head of his bed. His two new teeth show up good now. I have to get him a new pr. of shoes – but his aren’t rationed. His ration tickets give us an extra in case someone should need it.

I promised Mark yesterday I would get him a new slack suit, so will have to go shopping before I go to the hospital.

[page 3] I wrote your Mother about his trip to the hospital, several days ago, so he rec’d a card from her today. She sent John a card when he was supposed to have measles & didn’t – but she didn’t send Mark a card when he had measles and didn’t like that very well, so she was careful to correct her error this time.

John is helping Zells out today. He is mowing their lawn. Mr. Zell has been [helping] farmers run tractors and with his own garden doesn’t have time to do his mowing. John will be kept pretty busy – our garden will have to be worked – our peas are blooming – spinach, lettuce & radish ready to eat – The potatoes are coming along fine – also the carrots & onions. We planted corn & beans Sat. & the beans are up.

[page 4] Mrs. James said she was trying to clean house and Bobby is there on his tricycle & he and Jimmy keep fighting so Mrs. J. isn’t getting much done but refereeing. I have to mix formula – Have the water boiled and bottles washed, so must go boil bottles & mix things. Lucile is going with me today and we are to leave at 1 P.M., so I will have to get busy. Oh yes – Dr. Holliday had a patient in Pediatrics yesterday – Had an emergency operation. I must quit writing & get busy with things around here.

Love Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, Indiana, June 1943

Canned Pheasant (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 3, 1943 envelope

: June 3, 1943, p. 1

: June 3, 1943, p. 2

: June 3, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran

Dear Mother,

This time I’ll start with the most common topic food, because we sure had it last night. Geo. got a whole pheasant canned from the states: weighed over 2 ¼ pounds. It came in the mail yesterday and he invited the commanding office, another commander and myself so after all the rest had had their meal we went to the mess hall and had the feast. The gravy was excellent and the Hearts of palm salad and onions sure topped things in A-1 style – and also I forgot asparagus. Really I doubt if one could have a better meal anyplace. Hope

[page 2] that doesn’t make you hungry. That can probably cost 4.50 to 5.00. It was from a privately owned farm out west and canned for exclusive trade and at that price why wouldn’t it be. However, Geo can talk in high figures for he really has the potatoes. He often talks of going bird hunting with Marshall Field’s daughter or granddaughter but being in the hotel business in Reno he meets those people under the usual divorce proceedings – So much for Geo and the good meal.

Just took a peek at the turnip and radish seed I sewed day before yesterday and they are sprouting very nicely. So if the cows don’t come in and beat us to them we

[page 3] may have a vegetable now and then. This morn. I was awakened by the chomp, chomp, of a cow right outside the tent where the grass picking was good. Sometime at night those milk carriers give us a fright as they graze through camp.

If I have things figured correctly this month is the last month for payment on the old Hancock policy of mine. We should draw dividends on that now each year. I suppose you will get some kind of a notice that it is paid up and of course we will not try to cash it in at this time, but I would like to repay the loan if you haven’t done so. If your bank balance is too low to repay the loan, I can help out if I ever get paid –

Well, solong Love Daddy

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

©copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/07/20/canned-pheasant-roscoe/

Tonsillectomy (Gladys)

1 Reply

: June 3, 1943 envelope

: June 3, 1943, p. 1

: June 3, 1943, p. 2

: June 3, 1943, p. 3

: June 3, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

St. Elizabeth Hospital
June 3, 1943

Dear Daddy –

Well here we are – Mark is sleeping – went thru his tonsillectomy in fine shape. Has thrown up some but has been very good – There is a little girl in the next bed who went up to surgery following Mark and she has been having herself a, the nurses and her mother a time. She has quieted down now but cried and tossed about an hour after she came down. After we got the blankets off Mark, he turned over on his stomach and went to sleep. The nurse said that was the best thing for him to do. – We are in Pediatrics and as usual there is a lot of activity, but I would rather be here than in a large room. Dr. Cole said he thought we could take Mark home tomorrow. We came down last night and I spent the night at Klines. Helen doesn’t know where Dan is now, but says he is on board ship somewhere. Gertrude came over to the hospital with me and stayed until they brought Mark back to the room. A friend of hers was waiting for her girl (the above mentioned)

[page 2] I will go home this evening and come back tomorrow & get Mark. Dr. Cole came in to see him before he left. Said there wasn’t much adnoid but that the tonsils were bad. I was pretty sure of that from the way he had been feeling. I will try and find a funny book for him to look at when [change from ink to pencil] he feels like looking at something – Pardon the change in writing, but the pen went dry and rather than bother to refill it will finish with pencil. Mark brought this and paper along to draw with. I tried to tell him he wouldn’t feel like doing anything but he couldn’t believe me. Dr. Romberger came in to see him. I told him Mark thought he was coming on a picnic. He said, “Mrs. Y. I am ashamed of you, telling him that.” I said I hadn’t told him anything of the kind. He said to give “Roscoe” his regards. Said his son is in India.

It is hot today and I have to wear a white hospital gown over my dress and I am getting warmer all the time. The window by Mark’s bed has to be closed so I can’t get much help from the breeze. There seems to be a good wind today.

[page 3] After all the rain, summer seems to have come all at once and hot. We have taken off David’s clothes and he now wears a sun suit.

I went out to see Lucile Burgee’s baby girl – she had shirt, flannel gown, flannel diaper and long stockings on her. She looks like the Burgees. They are living in the house Reynolds made out of their store. Lucile said Gerhart would have to go for a physical in Aug.

John, Mark and the two older Zell girls have been playing croquet a lot between rains. They said the season would officially open Sat., but I told them Mark wouldn’t be able to play then, so don’t know when they intend to open “formally.”

I am going to try and keep Mark quiet for a while. He has several model airplanes to work on so I think that will hold him for a while. Since he got a bike I told him he couldn’t get a new horn, but he didn’t care. Said he would rather have a bike. I have been trying to get a better piano

[page 4] for John but so far haven’t succeeded. Ours can’t be tuned up right, but I won’t get another one till I can do better than we have now.

Mark has been awake and had a piece of ice but it made him spit so didn’t want more than two pieces – is asleep again. The little girl in the next bed is crying again – her mother left her for a while, to go home and get lunch.

I don’t know what the mail is today if any, but haven’t rec’d the $100⁰⁰ ck. yet. Maybe it’s there now. You will be ready to spend more for clothes by the time we get that all in the bank. I think the idea of the new color in uniforms is good – I believe that will be better looking than khaki, at least you won’t be mistaken for Army.

Mrs. Zell is coming down to shop today and is going to leave one of their girls to ride home with me so I won’t have to drive alone. I want to stay with Mark as long as I can.

Hope you have the seed by now.

Love Mother

Tickling Lizards (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 2, 1943 envelope

: June 2, 1943, p. 1

: June 2, 1943, p. 2

: June 2, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother

Finished my morning chores a little late again this A.M. and then had a few complaints about flies in the mess hall so had to try to see if that could be fixed up. Seems as if there is always something. Flies in the mess hall, mosquitoes in the shower rooms or flies in the heads. We have been very fortunate in having screens and squirt guns to aid in the cause.

One of my tent mates moved out of the tent so I moved from

[page 2] one side to the other. He had a dresser for his clothes and I thought it easier to move myself than the dresser. It’s just like you moving the furniture around at home – helps change the surroundings somewhat.

The ground hasn’t been dry enough lately to do any first class gardening so yesterday I sprinkled a few radish and turnips seeds around in some loose dirt hoping that the soil is good enough them to grow. My latest potatoes are up a few inches

[page 3] but some of them rotted.

All our enthusasium (can’t spell that one) for shell hunting has waned and we are still in the process of having the ants eat out the inside of the ones we did collect. I’m going to have a look at mine this P.M. to see if the odor is gone if so I’ll try to make something – Don’t know what but I’ll try.

There is a tiny lizard hardly an inch long crawling around. At that size they are rather cute. They crawl on the outside of the misquito net and I like to get a hair and tickle them on the belly – Some fun to wtch them wriggle – So much for lizard play

Love Daddy