Category Archives: Foster

Darning sox (Gladys)

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1943-02-08Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-8-43

Dear Daddy – Monday evening and studing going on – Mark is supposed to be practicing his cornet but is munching an apple – David is tucked in – Mother is darning sox. Have the den about done over into a nursery. Looks much better now, but now the piano seems to crowd the living room. Maybe we will get used to it. I didn’t get this finished last nite – but sent a registered air mail yesterday – Lucile came out today with Jimmy Ed – It is so nice today – Just like spring – but will look for anything tomorrow. Jimmy Ed is getting a skin irritation so Dr. changed his formula. She has to add lactic acid now. He is on the bottle altogether now and isn’t gaining quite so fast but weighs 11-4. It is about time to eat – I made biscuits and you know that always suits the boys. This eating business is getting more expensive all the time. I want the boys to make a garden this summer if we can find a place. Mark wants to join 4-H so I thought we might be able to work out something – However I am not going to fill my cans until I get the vegetables. If he had a little help I think he could do a lot with a garden. Jimmy Staton is better but Mrs. J. [Mrs. James] is sick. She has been taking liver shots all winter but they haven’t seemed to do much for her. Mark brought his spelling paper – had C in spelling & B in writing. Would sent it to you if this way regular mail. John wrote an essay but haven’t heard it yet. It is getting near D’s feeding time and he is getting a little “mean.”

Love – Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/19/darning-sox-gladys/

Friday’s Faces from the Past – Gladys’ friend

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Foster, Gladys with unidentified female - c1920s

Gladys is on the right and unknown woman is on the left. Two people are facing them as evidenced by the shadows on the ground. I bet one of them was Roscoe. The style of clothing indicates the 1920s.

Photograph from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/19/fridays-faces-…-gladys-friend/

Looking for shells (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

2/7/43
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
Receiving Station (Hospital) omit
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea, New Caledonia
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco, Calif.

Dear Mother,

Didn’t get at writing this until late because Dr. P. and I went for a ride to another beach in order to find new shells but had no luck with shells however we did see some of the more beautiful and rougher country. I’d say we drove all total about 50 miles and when you ride in a modified truck (command car) you know you been some place.

To begin with we, it being Sunday, saw some of the native Javenese and Tonkinese in their Sunday best. For skirts these women wear a type of dress that looks just like a wrap

[page 2] around. Of course I’ve never been able to look at one any more closely than a stare, but it seems to be a rectangular piece of cloth which is wrapped around them with plenty to overlap. These come down almost to the ankles and there must be plenty overlapped because no matter how much the wind blows one never sees a knee or even a portion of the leg. Pardon me for staring but I’d like to find out. We have tried to buy those things in town but they shrug the shoulder and say “sorry no ration card no goods.” Those I saw today were or look like very good grade of silk and most of them rather brightly colored. They wear a

[page 3] shirt with them and one woman in particular had a huge butter fly embroidered in the back of the shirt. It cover fully one half of her back. The front was just plain. The Tonkinese wear only one stule dress. The mother hubbard. I saw on today which was of the, or seemed to be, finest white silk – It really glistened. This wrap around I was describing looks just like a skirt only it isn’t sewed in front. Just wrapped. Maybe that gives you the idea. I wasn’t looking at the women all the time. That was while we were going thru town and there were lots of hitch hikers on the road. Not hitching rides. That is the only way they have of going places.

[page 4] Now something about the trip. To begin with we are in French territory but as you drive along you will see – signs which say – Do not pass on curves, private keep out, speed limit 20 miles per hour etc. Does that mean anything? Then other sign say 20 kilometers to so % so. And I also wondered as we drove along if they had R. F. D. because I saw no mailboxes. The houses remind one or rather one gets the impression that he is back in the rough in the States and a shack some farmer uses for tools and horses as being passed rather than a dwelling. Then after one gets about past the thing he looks back to see if any of the inhabitants are sitting in the front yard. There never is.

The next description was not all in one area but could well have been. I’ll try to picture it as such. We were

[page 5] on the side of a mountain about 4000 feet high. The road hardly wide enough for two cars to pass. The soil red – just about the color of the brick in our house of course on both sides of the road the vegetation was covered with red dust. Looking down one could see the tops of small vegetation but it is patchy, large spots of the bare red showing. Much of the vegetation is a fern like growth but more coarse and the dead plants of last year aren’t black as around home but a very pale lavender. This extends into the valley and up the side of another mountain miles away and by the time one reaches the level of the mountain on the other side all that can be seen is splotches of pale green and red.

Now to the right or up – The other was left and down the terrain wasn’t steep but moderately inclined and among the red bare areas there are streaks of yellowish soil which appears reminds one of sulfur deposits. The vegetation

[page 6] is much the same as down but here and there streams of water come trickling down and by the time they come to the road these streams are a foot or more in width and the water crystal clear. It runs along the side of the road for some distance then thru a sewer and on down into the valley.

Here and there straight ahead along the beach cocoanut trees can be seen and on past them the blue of the pacific with the white caps jumping up every square foot or two make a proper back ground for the setting.

I’d like to have a colored picture of the whole thing for description is so meager as compared to the real thing.

Well, if I think of anything I missed I’ll write it tomorrow.
Lots of love
Daddy

P.S. No mail

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/18/looking-for-shells-roscoe/

Cleanest chickens we ever had (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
2-7-43

Dear Daddy –

Sunday evening and W.W. is on (8 P.M.) I want to go to bed early so am trying to write while he talks. I gave David Pablum in addition to his bottle and hope he will sleep all night. Last night I went to bed before time for his 10 P.M. bottle and he slept right thru. About 3:30 he was making a little noise – I got up and warmed a bottle but think he would have slept if I hadn’t taken him up. It was warmer today – the sun was very bright and melted much of the snow of yesterday. Fri. it was so warm and sunny – we went to Laf. – then Sat. there was a blizzard lasting all day – It was cold and snow drifting everywhere – then today warm again. I took the baby out for a while. Haven’t found a buggy yet so carried him – didn’t go far – called on Mrs. Washburn then back home – but David’s cheeks were so rosy when we came back. He really enjoyed the adventure.

[page 2] Today an announcement was made over the radio – shoes are to be rationed – one pr every 4 months – the ticket to be used – #17 – so far sugar, coffee – now shoes on book #1. I suppose meat will be next. Butter is so high I still buy Good Luck. The last I had on creamery it was 60¢ per, oranges are up too – but we use the vit c tablets for D. – so don’t have to buy oranges all the time – usually keep them but don’t use them every day. Canned goods are to be rationed too, but I can only buy 6 cans at a time now and only 2 of a kind. Baby food is to be rationed too we have a ration book for D. so will be able to get his canned food. I am glad we feed him Dextri-M. Sometimes Karo can’t be bought – That reminds me – The Meade Co. is sending us a supply of Pablum, Dextri-M & Vit C tablets. In case you miss the letters I mentioned Christmas gifts – I got the manicure set – comb & brush & flowers. I have enjoyed them very much. Thanks again [in margin]. The flowers were pink carnations. I sent you a registered letter with our pictures last week. Suppose you have it by now – let’s hope so. Alma W. came out this afternoon to get some sulfathiozol nose drops

[page 3] that came as samples – I can’t use “sulfa” – I have found I am allergic to it and Dr. Rumkorf gave her a prescription for this. She goes to Goodland all the time for treatments but says he is awfully rough. She wishes you were here to give her sinus treatments.

I was looking in the Indiana Medical Journal for news – sometimes there is an item about a Dr. we know – well I saw your name & address in this issue. Also saw that Dr. Carl Porter who was in England, now is in the Pacific.

Jack Yost & Bud Egan joined the Marines – also Paul Turnpaugh. They keep going from here. Art Voglund is in Calif – Vivian has gone there too. I saw Helen Heindel in Laf. Fri – She didn’t go to Calif as she had planned to do. The last time I saw her in Laf. she was planning to go to Calif because Dan was stationed there – but didn’t go. He is out somewhere in the South West Pacific. I didn’t have much time to talk to her, but I suppose she is staying with Gertrude & Forrest.

I didn’t get the piano I wrote you about but am going to try

[page 4] and get something better than what we have. John says the tone of this one is good but pitch is off and the tuners all say it can’t be brought up because the strings are rusty. Our living room looks a little full but we really needed the den for a nursery – with the rug up – floor finished – piano out is makes an ideal room for D, is so sunny all afternoon. He weighed 15 lbs this morning (4 ½ mo). Jimmy Ed Jr. weighed 8-11 at birth and 11-1 at one month – He is really a husky. Donnie Funk is 5 mo old and weights 19 lbs. David has done fine and has gained as fast as is necessary. You can figure for yourself from 6-11 to 15 in 4 ½ mo. and you can tell by his pictures he is thriving.

I took some pictures today and Mark took one of me in my new coat & hat. I have 3 more pictures on the roll I want to take of D. a little later on. Films are hard to get too. Will send you a roll or two if I can get them.

Had fried chicken today. Zell’s chickens are ready to eat now so got 2-3 lbs ones. They are probably the cleanest chickens we ever had – their feet never touched the ground and the chicken house was cleaned 3 times every week. I think I’ll get some to put in our locker. Hope this doesn’t make you too hungry. As of now – no uniform money has come.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/17/cleanest-chick…ver-had-gladys/

Wordless Wednesday – Yegerlehner Family Christmas 1971

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Yegerlehner Family Christmas - 1971

I think this is the only picture of Roscoe, Gladys, their three sons and all five of their grandchildren that was ever taken. Also included are their two daughters-in-law, two Korean foreign exchange students and their foster daughter and her husband.

Can’t get any ideas from censoring (Roscoe)

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2/6/43
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Sta. U.S.N.A.B.
Noumea N.C.
% Fleet P.O. San Fran. Calif

Dear Mother,

Not much to write about but the rules say yes so I’ll try to get something down. Can’t even get any ideas from censoring mail. I’ll take that back. Some of the letters are very very mushy and we are censoring only officers mail so all the “lovey dovie” stuff isn’t put out by the enlisted men nor is all the secret information slipped from the tongue or pens of the enlisted men. Sometimes officers slip, but as a rule very little has to be removed. My greatest trouble is not putting full name and address on each page as you

[page 2] will note. Your letters to me have never been censored but occasionally mail comes thru that has been opened.

We had eggs sunny side up and also bacon for breakfast. This whole thing of better food and service has raised the price of the mess bill. It was 19⁰⁰ but is now 25⁰⁰ but the extra 6⁰⁰ is well worth the spending in order that our food is better served and cooked. After all eating is our only pleasure and pastime.

You never mention Statons. Don’t they live there anymore or have you had words or what? Guess you haven’t talked much of any of the neighbors but you have mentioned Zells several times and I believe I have never seen any of them.

[page 3] Repeating – I sent some films home in yesterday’s letter see what you can do with them. If any are good send them back. The home in the background of those pictures is ours. We though maybe some of the inside would show up but I don’t believe we had much luck.

Show is over not good. The mail is over not too good. Dr. M. sent a v-mail. It was written Jan 18 so yours was later and it came 3-4 days ago.

This P.M. while chewing gum I felt a little pebble in the gum and knew that couldn’t be – so a filling came out of a tooth. In record time I had another back. However it

[page 4] is only temporary. The dentist has to put in a cushion etc very close to the nerve. It hasn’t hurt much but I sure don’t want it to. There was decay under the filling and it just gave way.

We are going to have another egg fry tonite as quick as we finish the letters. So it looks as if I’ll have to stop now so

Lots of Love

Daddy

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
Receiving Station (Hospital) – add this next line it is not official so don’t tell other people to use it
Noumea New Caledonia
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/16/cant-get-any-i…nsoring-roscoe/

Went to Lafayette (Gladys)

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1943-02-05Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-5-43

Dear Daddy- Your letter of Jan 16 came today after all up to the 26th – was so glad to get it because you mentioned several things you hadn’t in other letters. I took my checks to the bank (I get two each month – 170 & 30) and asked about a safety deposit box but they haven’t any for rent so that settles that. Went to Lafayette today – Took Arlene & Donnie – she wanted to get his shots started. Mrs. Zell & Martha went along – also Mother & David. It was just like spring – warm and sunny. Tried to get a buggy but there were only a few for sale and they were 25⁰⁰ and up – thought that was too much, so will look for a used one someplace but they are scarce too. Mrs. Shirk is going to loan me a play pen. It won’t be long until we will need one. Had to get material to recover the studio couch. It was worn thru all along the edge. Saw Helen Heindle in Loebs and her husband is somewhere in the South West Pacific, You might see him sometime. You might also see Hickey too. Have you ever written to him or heard from him? Jimmy Staton has been sick – thought he would have pneumonia but he was better yesterday. Mr. Marvin died this week. They had taken him to the hospital for observation. John is working on an essay – I told him I wouldn’t help him & he said he didn’t want any help. Mark is reading the paper and listening to Joey Brewster. David is tucked in and I am going to turn in soon. I am a little tired after the trip. I sent you a registered letter yesterday with our pictures – also sent you a valentine. Will send you a box next week. Have some more sardines.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/15/went-to-lafayette-gladys/

Eight letters this week (Gladys)

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1943-02-04Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-4-43

Dear Daddy- No letter today but have had eight this week – the last dated Jan 27. Can’t say much about the weather today – not bad but may get cold by evening. I got the figures down on paper to give to Agnes and also the tax blank came today for the Federal. After Agnes gets it figured will send you the am’t. I am not paying the bal. of ’41 as I have told you before but have bought bonds to take care of it if and when – Just paid bills and with Feb. check deposited have a balanced of a little over 200⁰⁰. There is nothing to be paid now and your next Hancock which comes in Apr. Mailed our pictures registered letter today. Found some sardines (4 cans) and if I can find two or three more will send a box. Mrs. Plummer wants to send something in this time. I saw Mrs. Tobias and she said Marvel Byfield is talking about going into some branch of service. Geo & the other brother are both in – back to finance – when your uniform money comes I will pay the Ins. loans – but can’t pay much on them unless I get the uniform money. I don’t want to get too low with the bank bal – besides our monthly bond (I have bought one for each month) and the boys each have one I bought 6 – $37⁵⁰ and that took some of that surplus. I have repeated this several times. Had the piano moved out of the den – and none too soon – after taking up the rug I noticed the floor bulged in front of the piano – evidently the piano’s weight sagged the floor where it sat. There is a definite slope to the floor now. We are all feeling good. John is practicing sax and Mark is looking at airplane model books and David is asleep. Mother piecing quilt. Boomershine is in Navy now. Lt (jg).

Love – Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/13/eight-letters-this-week-gladys/

A Valentine’s present (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

2/4/43

Dear Mother,
Just after noon day chow and will write while relaxing from work and heat – we have been having some blistering hot sticky days but today it seems the breeze is beginning to become a little more noticeable. So much for the weather – The usual topic.
Last night’s show was on the sad order. One written or played of one of Jack London’s stories. It was the first night I went to the show without a wind breaker, always before the breeze was so cool but last night it just stayed hot. Although I did need sheet blanket and spread before morning.
We have been watching the moon

[page 2] and according to the calendar sent by you the moon raises about the same time here as there. Don’t know how it does it what with skipping a day at the international date line and everything but it does. We never checked to the exact minute but it can’t be far off.
We have procured another doz. eggs and will have a fry again when it cools off a little. It’s just to hot to bother and of course eating isn’t so much fun when it’s hot.
I’ve been getting gipped by the locals for some of their home made goods. I’m buying a few things now and then to send home. We have a corpsman

[page 3] here who claims to have cousins here. They may be – The same name etc. and it seems one branch of the family came here from Canada while the other bunch went to the U.S.A. – from Canada – Anyway he brought some native handiwork to sell and as I said I got gipped and knew it all the time. So if you get gipped with eyes open it isn’t so bad – paid one dollar for a handkerchief and $2.15 for a pot holder – or knitting bag or what have you. I’ll send them home when I have an accumulation. And you can agree with me very fully. Those will be your valentine present but they will be very late because I’ll probably not even get them sent by then. I’m just telling you that so you will know I haven’t forgotten. Will finish after the P.M. mail –

[page 4] The mail was no good. The show better. It was the Strange Case of Dr. Rx sort of a weird story but never the less intertaining. Saw Helen Kline’s husband again. We here in ships co. have received seats and he came a little late and I had him as my guest. He works at a different place but eats and sleeps here. I also saw another Dr. from Indianapolis, Ind. Today. He graduated a year before I did but we didn’t remember each other only we knew lots of boys in common. He was in Art’s class (Art Barnett).

Well, I’m all run down for I’ve written to Uncle W. and Dave so
Solong Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/12/a-valentines-present-roscoe/

Here are the pictures (Gladys)

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Spoiler Alert!
If you look closely at the envelope, you will notice that the address has been crossed out and another “Cleanslate – Special Detail 1 – Wave #1” has been added. Looking at the back of the envelope, there are multiple cancellation stamps. On March 12th, this letter ended up in New York. It has certainly been around the world. I am not exactly sure when Roscoe ended up getting this letter, but stay tuned and we will eventually find out.

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Feb 4 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Here are the pictures I have been talking about. Two of D and one each of the rest. Look inside the front packet for a laugh. Those are the first we had taken of J – M – & myself – and you can see why we had another sitting.

It is about time for the P.O. to close so have to hurry – as I want to register this.

We are all fine – am sending a v-mail also today.

[page 2]  To date haven’t rec’d the uniform money – got the regular monthly check today.

Excuse the briefness but have to hurry.

Love
Mother

P.S. – John said for you to look at those proofs and not let that happen to you.

The rejected proofs no longer exist. Gladys was only wearing the shell necklace in the rejected proof so at this point we don’t know what it looked like. The string broke afterwards. Mark is wearing his military style jacket that he received at Christmas.

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/12/here-are-the-pictures-gladys/