Category Archives: World War II Letters

November 24, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Nov. 24, 1942

Dear Mother,

This will have to be a little fast because we have a show which starts in a few minutes and it will be too late afterwards and since we took a pleasure ride this P.M. I didn’t have time then. I want to tell you about the trip but not when I’m in a hurry. Sure saw lots of interesting things. And on top of all else I didn’t get back in time to go to the P.O. so don’t know if any mail came. I had another fellow to pick it up but he forgot so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see if any came.

I intended to write you of the trip and also write Boonie but the time is too short. I finally did get Bob H. & Ed J.’s letter off – seems as if things always happen when I want to write.

[page 2] I’m writing this on a road map of the U.S. right smack on Indiana. Why I don’t know – it just started that way. I’ll write more after the show. It’s over. The name of it was Maryland – was a pretty good show but our sound isn’t so good and the fellows who run them don’t know what it’s all about.

Tomorrow being my birthday it just missed Thanksgiving by one day and I hear we have turkey for that day so it’s to bad it couldn’t be my birthday it really will be at home with the time fussed up the way it is. Or maybe it 2 days off I just can’t figure it all out.

There are several guy here trying to talk business and I can’t think straight so I’ll just cut off until later.

This is the third time but it’s morning – the morning of my birthday and it’s sprinkling and it looks as if we are maybe in for some wet weather

[page 3] but it could be just a small rain as we have had some in the past.

The show last night was pretty good but things are not adjusted as yet and that makes it bad but you can’t walk up and demand your money back because none was paid in the first place. We don’t get any news shorts nor do we have to watch previews. We just have one show and that’s all period.

Well, I’ll write a longer letter tonight and I hope then won’t be so many pauses.

Lots of love,

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/25/november-24-1942-roscoe/

November 24, 1942 (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 24 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Didn’t get any letters today but hardly expected to since five came yesterday. Your Mother & Kenneth came last night just as we were finishing supper. I didn’t have much that I could fix them but managed to get a lunch of cheese, bacon, eggs, and a few odds & ends. We are going to the locker and get some meat this evening after the boys come home from school. I had one sirloin steak left and fixed it for dinner, so will new something for supper and for us the rest of the week. Our company start home tomorrow morning. They are going to stop at Rockville and see Uncle Charlie McQ. This morning I had Kenneth take the car to the garage and had the tires changed and the thermostat put back in. I wondered why we couldn’t get any heat out of the car heater – and then Nick asked me if I had the thermostat put back in. I had forgotten all about it.

Had a letter from Inez Ley today. John Ed is in San Antonio Texas at a Classification Center. He has passed his physical & mental exams so far. He is now a classified pilot. He will begin pre-flight in a few weeks. Bud is in Will Rogers Field, Okla, getting ready

[page 2]  to be shipped out. Helen is living with Inez & John. Nadine is home working in the Post Office. I had written to Inez and told her it wasn’t easy for me but that I felt like I must keep “my chin up” and carry on, as I know you want me to do. She said Helen read my letter and said “if she can carry on I surely can.” Inez said to tell you hello! From all of them.

This is going to be a short week. Company the first part and must go to Lafayette Fri or Sat. Haven’t ironed yet but it seems like I can’t get to it – Maybe I can tomorrow. Makes me think of you doing your laundry work. Of course you don’t iron things the way I do. I dn’t iron for the baby. He wears knit suits which do not need to be ironed & of course the while pants aren’t ironed either.

Report card time is here again, but I will let the boys write and make their own report to you. Maybe by tomorrow their Christmas money will be here and they can thank you in their “report” letters.

Kenneth is lying down in the den. Your Mother is on the davenport “snoring” and David is taking his bottle and is half asleep, if not altogether – all this sleep makes me want a nap too but I can’t see any place to lie down. This will be short but will try to do better next time, when I won’t have company. Tomorrow is your birthday and I hope you get your cards & box.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned & written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/24/november-24-1942-gladys/

November 23, 1942 (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Nov. 23, 1942

Dear Mother,

This was really a red letter day got 4 V-mail letters and 4 regular air mail letters. 3 of the V-mail letters were from you one from John. One letter each from Boonie, Bob Hufty, Ed Johnson and Mom. So with the 2 letters yesterday and the 8 today that makes pretty good mail. Your letters of course five news of home but the others give me news of the town and the country in general. The road change seems to be serious as far as the town of Kentland is concerned but I suppose it is all settled by now so no use for me to worry about it now. The letters I got today were dated Nov. 11. Except the V-mail which were dated along the first of Nov. So the V-mail are slower.

I’m afraid lots of the fun and sport of the folks will be spoiled by the fact that they can no longer guess where I am for the new address will clear that situation completely, but if we should move on then the guessing would start all over again. I wrote 5 letters yesterday – and will have to write more

[page 2] again tonite to answer what I got today. Of course I wrote the folks yesterday and won’t write them again until next Sun, but will have to write Bob, Ed and Boonie. I suppose I should write one letter and have carbon copies made but they are very close and would compare them. Ed said he read my letter to Rotary – wish I could remember what I wrote in that letter but it’s been so long I just don’t know and I’ve written him two so don’t know which it was. Bob said I didn’t answer his letter but I did each time the day after he wrote so it either got lost or else there was a mix up in the going & coming.

One of those V-mails was from John but I didn’t get one from Mark. I thought you said Mark wrote also. It probably got lost and will be coming along later. I still have that blank space from Sept 20 to Sept 26 with no mail and now it will be from Oct 27 and Nov 10. With no packages as yet, but some according to the way you wrote haven’t [?] been sent long enough. You said you got the box of shells and there is still the other box containing the bath mat and that wonderful necklace I made. I haven’t been to the sea

[page 3] for so long – maybe we’ll go out for an outing tomorrow P.M. The boss promised Fred and I the P.M. off. I never have told you about Fred. He is very much the opposite of Knoby Walsh. He is tall – very much excitable and not one bit true to his love – his wife at least not while in the States here of course he hasn’t had a chance to be untrue. He argues much on politics and religion and get drunk when he gets a chance of course around here on duty he is very tender hearted etc. He is a Lt (jg) and he and I work and are the only two (jg) left. He as I said is tall 6 ft. 2 in. and around the camp we are together all time because we have the work to do. He’s not as bad as I say – only a great big boy who strays very easy. He’s perfectly OK until someone offers him a drink or asks him to go someplace and it doesn’t take the second invitation. Don’t be alarmed at my association because you know me.

So much for my friend. The last mail is in today so I don’t expect anymore. So I’ll close this letter and won’t forget it. I sometimes don’t close until late and then get busy and forget. So Solong until tomorrow. I love you

Daddy

P.S. I happen to know the address you gave for Dr. Joe is New Zealand – So you might tell Mrs. R

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/24/november-23-1942-roscoe/

Two months old today (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 23 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Things, as you say, took an upturn today – 5 letters came, however not the money – but that will no doubt will come in the next mail and that will be in time for Christmas by a month. The children as well as their mother got quite a thrill from the 10 yen. John of course was curious to know the value for sure (since you weren’t) and looked it up in the encyclopedia – and figured it to be $9.80. I know your Mother will enjoy seeing it too. I will get her & your Dad something nice for Christmas but thought to give her something directly from you that I would let her select some shells from the box you sent Sept 30. The other box you mentioned has not arrived yet. Your mother & Kenneth should be here Tues. and I hope they will stay for Thanksgiving. Mark got quite concerned about our Thanksgiving dinner. He wanted me to be sure and have chicken, if not a turkey. He also wanted pumpkin pie. I got a little ahead of schedule and baked a pie for him this morning. Since we are on sugar rationing I used a receipt using honey. I thought about you and your idea about pumpkin pie and tho.[though] the children couldn’t tell the substitution I wondered if you would have been able to. I doubt if even

Baby book entries for November 23rd & 27th

Baby book entries for November 23rd & 27th

[page 2] you would have been keen enough. As you said about the porthole – that is a question that can’t be settled now. Before long we will be on meat rationing. That has been worrying John quite a lot. I figured it down to two hamburgers a day. Of course he doesn’t think that is enough but I think we will get along well enough. Today David is two months old and weighs 9 ½ lbs – so he is doing well enough since he had to start from 6 lbs – and was only 6 – 3 ¼ when we came home from the hospital at two weeks. I just gave him orange juice & Oleum. He sometimes throws up the juice but I keep giving it to him every day and maybe he gets too much. He is asleep on his tummy now. He was getting his head out of shape so I put him on his tummy a lot. Since he has gotten used to that position seems to like it but at first would cry. I didn’t take him for a walk today. It is foggy, damp, misty, etc. – so will wait for dry weather. John just came to the front door and started a commotion trying to get in. The front door swells in this kind of weather and is difficult at times. Mark hasn’t come yet. John & Mark have both written several letters but you evidently haven’t received them. Mark is still tooting the cornet and does as good on it I believe as he would on any. You know his perseverance isn’t

[page 3] too strong. I brag about his playing and try to get him to practice but he gets tired awfully soon. I got him some model airplanes to build when in Laf. Sat. There are 10 different designs. I can’t keep him in knives. He breaks or looses them. He used a razor blade a while yesterday but I won’t allow him to do that again. It is too dangerous. I was going to call Mrs. Ash when in Laf. but had so much to do didn’t get to a telephone. I will try to give her a ring the next time down. Also I intend to stop at Klines. I know Gertrude will want to see the baby. She was so good to come see me while I was in the hospital.

After the Christmas season I will find another box and send to you and you might mention a few odds and ends I could send – besides sardines & crackers. There are surely a number of small things you want that I can send. But as you say, now isn’t a very good time with so much mail to be handled.

Mark just blew in from school. He was late and said he had to stay in to finish some arithmetic. He had a horn lesson today and said the music teacher was pleased with his “blowing.” He really beams from a little praise.

This has been a rather choppy letter, try to do better next time –

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/23/two-months-old-today-gladys/

November 22, 1942 (Roscoe)

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In this letter, Roscoe mentioned that he wrote a letter to Ruth M. (his sister) and sent a V-mail to each of the boys. Only one of the V-mails appears to have survived, the one to John. These were special V-mail Christmas greetings, and I believe they cost a pretty penny. I have included the card further down within in the letter.

Letter tanscription:

Nov. 22, 1942

Dear Mother,

I’ll have to say I received your most interesting and longest letter to date. This was written on Nov. so you see it wasn’t so old. And you had it full of things that seemed to hit the spot. Maybe it was because I haven’t received any mail for some time. I also got one from Ruth M. which was written on the same day so I really had a big day – as Eleanor – The President’s wife would say – My day. The pen and pencil set will certainly be fine because one would be lost without one and in case these should become lost or broken it would be bad. Many of the boys brought two sets along. Some even brought two watches – so far mine has been OK but one of the boys dropped his while we were on board ship and now he goes by the bugle.

There is just one question I’d like to ask about the baby’s milk. Isn’t it apt to sour after it is warmed? Maybe it won’t. I’m not saying that just so you’ll have to be up longer but I just wonder.

I wrote Ruth M. and one V-mail Christmas greeting to each of the older boys and also my usual letter to the Folks today. I should write Ruth & Floyd in answer to the birthday greeting but haven’t gotten to it yet. If I have room and can find a copy of our Sunday paper I’ll send it. Which we are allowed to do now since our address is announced. That is one reason why I’m writing so small. If you have written all the letters like the one today I’m sure you must take lots of time but I sure do enjoy that kind. So far I haven’t received the Enterprise and have received only one copy of the Clay City News.

If a bill comes for my lodge dues you might pay if you have enough money and send me the receipt or have them send it direct. I don’t think I’ll pay my medical dues until I get back unless I get the bill here. I don’t believe they will throw me out of the organization. I haven’t heard from Dr. Mathews since I last wrote maybe he is peeved – have you heard anything to that affect? Guess he’ll just have to be

[page 2] is all I can say.

At church tonight the crowd was so big the foundation gave way under the tent floor and are all dropped. It was only a foot or two so no one was injured but it was a surprise. It is one of those long narrow tents about 16 feet wide and 40 feet long. Some probably was there who hadn’t been for some time and the floor fell instead of the roof.

We had roast duck, peas, mashed potatoes, asparagus tips, cake and soup for dinner today – Really was good. For the most part our meals have been very good lately even though there are more here than when we first came. For supper we had cold cuts and a few things like that.

I’m glad to hear the boys are still working on their music it will be good for them later on if they can just stick with it. As yet we haven’t had any shows.

I think Agnes Molter must be wrong about the State Tax but maybe you didn’t mean that – And I don’t believe there will be much federal to pay you might have her go over it and if it isn’t to much get it off now because I don’t want to come back with obligations because I’d like to take things easy – a vacation in a tent. I don’t even want to see a tent but I do want to not start right back to the grind – a few weeks at least and you can bank on that.

I’m going to see if I can find the paper now and I don’t think it will be too much for the regular air mail. We may get more mail now that it has started again and I’ll be looking for those packages.

And just in case – I’ve sent you and David a check for $110 and John & Mark a money order for $10 each.  Just repeating so you can let me know if they don’t arrive.

Hope I get more letters like the one today but I realize you can’t do that every day, but even a line is appreciated – With lots of love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/07/15/november-22-1942-roscoe/

November 22, 1942 (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 22 – 1942

Dear Daddy – Sunday evening and relaxing a little. David is tucked in (in the den until the 10 P.M. bottle). John has gone to the high school building to play in the band for the Community Thanksgiving service. Mark is staying home drawing. He didn’t want to go with John and it is cold and raining so I didn’t insist. I used to get a little restless on Sunday afternoons but with David to take care of he keeps me busy on Sunday’s too. (You will get tired reading such musings). I didn’t get any letters yesterday – none since Wed, but I’ll be looking for letters again tomorrow. I wrote Fri evening so in case I would not get time Sat. I finally got it mailed at Fowler. We left home about 9 A.M. Sat. and went to Purdue. We arrived a little before time for the broadcast to begin, so I called Dr. Ade from there for an appointment. He was going to the Purdue – I.U. game and wanted to leave the office by 12:30 – but said if we would come over as soon as

[page 2] the broadcast was over (11:55) he would try and take him but after rushing over there he said he wouldn’t have time – he was going to the game – so we had to wait until after said game – (I. U. won). I had left the baby & Mark at Funks. I wanted Mark to go along but he insisted on staying, and I didn’t want to be gone so long, but I had to stay – however the fame was over in good time and he was thru with John by 5 P.M. and we started right home. Since we have a 35 mi per hour speed limit we can’t dash home like you used to do but we made pretty good time. The baby had been good all day and much better off than trying to take him along. Your Mother & Kenneth were here while we were gone. They went on to Ruth Mutchlers and will stop here on their way home. They had intended to stay here Sat & Sun then go to Ruth’s but changed their plans. Your Mother knew I wasn’t going to be home because I had written her about taking John to the Dr. & to Purdue for the broadcast. She left a box of eggs at the back door. I don’t know what day they will be back but look for them Tues. Kenneth has been deferred until Jan. 1. I don’t know what Sam’s boys are doing. I think Earl has to go – probably with Kenneth.

[page 3] Ruth & Floyd stopped here on their way to Blue Island. Floyd appealed to the draft board at Brazil but they wouldn’t reclassify him – so he appealed to the State board – and his appeal won’t be received by the State board until Dec. Mr. Zell bought Floyd’s tools. He brought them along today. Floyd gave Mark a vise. I promised to get Mark a tool set for Christmas, if he doesn’t change his mind. Going back to the subject of John’s glasses. I have to take him back next week. Dr. Ade has moved down to the third floor and he & his wife are in the same suite. I suppose they did that so one office girl could do for both – the girl Dr. C. N. had when on the 7th floor.

I saw Helen Sat. She was going to the game – her husband is an Ensign in the Navy. They had been in Mass, but he has been sent to San Francisco. She is staying with her folks but doesn’t know what she will do. She is seriously thinking of going to the coast. It would be something if you & Dan Heindle (Hindel) would meet. I am not at all sure about that spelling. I also saw Cracker. She was going to a show but walked around with me until we started home. I covered a lot of territory in Laf. yesterday, and must be normal again because

[page 4] all that walking didn’t bother me any. I am about ready to quit taking shots. I am feeling good and think if I start taking Vit. B by mouth instead by shots.

Mon. – I forgot about not finishing this and started another letter today so will send them together since I didn’t get this out on the morning mail. It seems like I want to tell you something and can’t think what it is – surely wasn’t very important – or I wouldn’t forget.

I have quoted the bank bal in nearly every letter It is still around 700 but won’t be when I pay Loebs & some insurance but I will inform you as I go along. The allotment comes every month. That bal. includes the birthday money. I haven’t been in a spending mood yet – and doubt if I will be. I feel like we should buy bonds and hang on to the rest. I would like to get John a good piano and if I get a chance at one will spend my birthday money that way but don’t know of any piano’s for sale except the new ones which are out of the question. I may get a coat if I see one I want – but why should I spend money on clothes now. I will not go much until David is older – don’t care to dress up while you are away. (Is that the right attitude?)

Love Mother

©13 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/22/november-22-1942-gladys/

November 21, 1942 (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Nov. 21, 1942

Dear Mother,

I can’t see much difference in today from yesterday. Same weather, same work and no mail. There are a few letters but for the most part most of them are old letters and some are V-mail. In other words the whole situation stinks. We did go to the ball game this P.M. Saw the last half – two arms teams. It was a relaxation.

I was in town this morning but didn’t go to the Leper Colony this P.M. because the other fellow didn’t want to go and I don’t believe there would be anything gained only morbid curiosity and I’m not that curious. I would like to get out and see more of the country roundabout and maybe will be able to do that some of these days we hope.

I’m surprised I don’t see more fellows from home but it’s only occasionally that I see anyone from Indiana. Lots

[page 2] of fellows see others they know but other than Dr. Ash I don’t see anyone.

I’m beginning to be able to tell where fellows are from by their characteristic talk. Even to the states they came from. Mississippi I’ve learned has a distinct difference from Alabama and Texas is in a class all of its own. I often wonder if other can tell I’m from Ind. Of course the middle west has a distinctive talk but not so much as in the South.

We haven’t heard anything about movies now so don’t know when they will get things fixed up. Seems as if a coil burned out and after all we can’t just order one from Sears etc. I suppose when we do get the picture they will be old.

I’m writing before chow because one never can tell how busy he might be after chow and after 10:00 P.M. nothing doing. I’ll reserve the

[page 3] remainder for late developments. Not much extra to report. Three of us played two games of Dominoes. I won one game. The way we play it one game lasts about 2 hours so you see it kills the greater part of one whole eve.

Fred & I found some Detective story magazines to read tomorrow. They are those very juicy kind that rank along with True Love and True Confessions. We’ll probably get hopped up on them. So I’ll write you a letter full of it – don’t think anything of it –

Well, So Solong

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/22/november-21-1942-roscoe/

November 20, 1942 (Gladys) Part II

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 20 – 1942

Dear Daddy – I wrote one letter this afternoon but thought better get one started tonight because with going to Laf. [Lafayette] tomorrow don’t know whether I’ll have time to write in the morning. Otto Paul wrote to find out you [your] address. He wants to write you about the medicine he used to get from you. Do you remember I sent your address & told him it may take some time to get a letter to you & get an answer back, but I thought he could try. I wrote to Flickinger about the Ins. beneficiary addition and I have to send the policies in. I will send them tomorrow. Have the letter ready to mail.

I am going to leave the baby with Arlene tomorrow. That will be much simpler than trying to take him along. Mark is going to stay there too and help take care of Bobby so that will even the score some. Arlene told me that Bobby got some matches

[page 2] and struck them. He told her he didn’t even burn his fingers. I don’t know what she did with him but I know she wasn’t too pleased over the affair.

I had Newell Lamb witness the ins. papers that had to be sent in with the policies. He has a huge fleurscent [fluorescent] light in the front office. I asked him about the one you had in the back. Said it wouldn’t work then added that someone had snapped the switch by the front door – and of course it was turned off. They finally discovered what was wrong with the light. You remember the time Jean Gilmour turned off the light for you when she got impatient waiting in the reception room?

It is about time to take David up to bed – and am I sleepy. I think I’ll go to sleep in a hurry – if I can get him to take his bottle in a hurry. Sometimes he hurries and sometimes he is so slow. I have to close the garage door yet. I think I hear rain. I suppose it will get cold now. Well this weather has been very warm. Will write more tomorrow if I have time.

Love Mother

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/22/november-20-19…gladys-part-ii/

November 20, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Nov. 20, 1942

Dear Mother,

Writing early today as we are supposed to have a show tonite and it might be too late afterwards to finish. Sunday nite as I told you I was called away from the show and wed. nite the thing broke down so maybe tonite it will work. We hope. It helps pass an evening away pretty fast.

There was a small amount of mail today but it wasn’t put up yet when I came past the P.O. The clerk said to come back in about ½ hr. so I’ll try to let you know later if any came in. There are rumors of our mail picking up but so far they have been only rumors. And I find the gossip among a bunch of men is terrific. Even as great as among women. Maybe it isn’t

[page 2] so malicious but it’s gossip. And it’s anything from mail to the final battle.

Think maybe Fred and I will get out and visit around a little tomorrow P.M. Our boss went out today just looking around at some of the interesting sites nearby and he said we could go tomorrow P.M. He was over at the Lepor [Leper] Colony and wanted us not to miss it. So we’ll go over and maybe I can write some of that. I don’t believe that would be a military secret.

I really don’t believe I’d like to live in a warm climate like this it seems to much the same from day to day. Maybe during the rainy season things will be different. Probably will still be the same only rain instead of sunshine. I still think I’ll like sunshine better, but I do believe a good frosty morning would help ones’ pep.

[page 3]In spite of all I can do th I still have several mosquito bites. I believe the [they] get me in the day time when I’m not looking for they don’t bother while I’m sleeping like they used to at home.

Well it’s time to go see about the mail again and then go to chow. So will finish later – Some hours later

No movie – no mail – seems we have been forgotten all the way around, but maybe things will change. I did get to listen to the news from San F [San Francisco] tonight and it came in clear. At least the mosquitoes haven’t forgotten us.

We hope things will be better tomorrow –

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/07/11/november-20-1942-roscoe/

November 20, 1942 (Gladys) Part I

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Lots of little tidbits about local Kentland people in today’s letter:

Floyd E. Hoover was the proprietor of one of Kentland’s filling stations.
Hannah Whitacker was an 80 year old widow who lived with her son John.
John E. “Jack” Kindig was a local dairy farmer.
Curtis B. Kindig was another local farmer, brother to John.
Arthur Voglund was the custodian at the Newton County building. Vivian was his wife.

There were two Kenneth Jones in Kentland on the 1940 census. They were both about the same age and might have been the same person. Both were lodgers. One was a truck driver, and the other was a mechanic at a garage.

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 20 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

I didn’t get my letter started last night, so will have to try and relax a while now and see what I can think of that might interest you. I just gave David his 2 P.M. bottle and he is on one end of the couch kicking and hiccoughing and I am on the other end. He weighed 9 lbs 5 oz this A.M. He seems to be gaining much faster but if he does I don’t believe he will get overweight since he was so small at first. Hope you get the pictures we sent in yesterday’s letter. He seems much more developed than one month ago.

Last night the boys (John & Mark) went to see Fibber & Molly and they had just come home when Floyd & Ruth stopped. They were on their way to Flora [Florida] from Blue Island. Floyd had to go to Brazil today to present his case to the draft board. They will be back thru here Sunday so maybe he will know by then. I told them to bring your Mother back with them if she will come. She is planning to have Kenneth bring her up but perhaps she will come with Floyd & Ruth. Floyd sold his tools to Mr. Zell and is to bring them Sun. He has a moving picture camera. Ruth saved 25⁰⁰ in silver and gave to him for his birthday. He took that and the tool money & bought the camera. I hope they get here in time Sun. to take some pictures of the boys (all three).

I have been so busy all day, haven’t had time to read the papers but glanced at the Enterprize and saw that Jack Kindig died at Watseka & Curtis is very ill in a hospital in Michigan. Also Mrs. Whittaker

[page 2] died from a heart attack.

The reason for being so busy today – washed. Going to Laf. [Lafayette] tomorrow and it is such a nice day wanted to get the washing done. It is still very warm for Nov. Warm enough for me to hang out clothes without gloves on. I suppose in a day or two it will be zero or if not that cold, much colder than now. I know I wasn’t hanging clothes out this late last fall. I have been taking the baby out every afternoon this week. Walked over to the high school and registered yesterday. We have an “A” rating. The rationing won’t begin until Dec. 1. It was to start Nov. 22 but was changed. I am going to keep the tank filled so when it starts I will be that much ahead. Of course there won’t be any place in particular to go but in case I would need to make a trip I will have a little ahead.

Had a card from Jim this morning and he wants to know what to buy the boys for Christmas. I think I’ll write and tell him they are filling 25¢ stamp books and he may buy stamps if he wants to. John says all he wants is an album of records and I have ordered that at the Foster shop. Mark thinks up something new every week or so. The latest is ice skates. Before that it was a tool chest. The other day he came in and wanted me to buy him a pony. I think he had been talking to Floyd Hoover. You can guess it didn’t take me long to nip that in the bud. I told him that was one thing definitely out of the question.

[page 3] It looks like the new post office in the Chev. Building is about ready for occupation.

Yesterday Vivian Voglund saw me and asked if she owed anything. I told her I had a charge but didn’t know if it was right or not. She paid 2⁰⁰ – said she hadn’t paid before you left. I wish a few more with larger bills would pay up. She says Art [Arthur Voglund] is with A.C.B. and is a first class Seaman and will be sent out she is afraid. I see in the paper that Kenny Jones is at sea now.

I haven’t had any letters for three days. I will probably get a bunch tomorrow (I hope). Just hope you continue to get mail and that all those Sept. letters get to you. Ruthie said last night her box wasn’t marked for Christmas so you should get it before the Dec 25th boxes. However it was a pretty good sized box. There was a shirt from your laundry we tucked in to help pad it. It was well wrapped so shouldn’t be in such a bad shape if & when it arrives.

For a few days I put the bank bal down but haven’t done if for a while now. It is still around 700, but will have some Ins to pay in Dec (John Hancock). Of course will have the allotment to add Dec. 1.

I am a little tired and can’t seem to do very good thinking. David is sleeping so think I’ll nap to.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/21/november-20-1942-gladys-part-i/ ‎