Category Archives: World War II Letters

Pretty well up to date (Gladys)

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: January 22, 1943 Envelope

: January 22, 1943, p. 1

: January 22, 1943, p. 2

: January 22, 1943, p. 3

: January 22, 1943, p. 4

: January 22, 1943, p. 5

: January 22, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 22-1943

Dear Daddy –

Have been writing V-mail this week but thought I would try this again. As far as my letters going by air in the past I am sure most of them didn’t the way you haven’t rec’d them. I wish I could do something to speed the delivery at your end of the line. I have gotten 7 letters this week – The last dated Jan 12 so that makes mine pretty well up to date.

It is sunny this morning and the boys are back in school after being out due to blizzard Tues & snow drifts making travel uncertain. Three days this week school was out. I suppose they will have to make that time up somehow, but school was started early last fall so they could get out earlier in the spring. We still have snow. I started to run the car in the garage and got stuck in the snow – Had to

[page 2] shovel the snow away from the tires. The first sow we had was Sept 25 while I was in the hospital. Clara M. said we would have 25 snows this winter and I am beginning to believe it. Last night the moon was full and it made the snow look beautiful. I wish I had taken a picture of the front yard Wed. after the wind Tues. The snow was blown in drifts and it looked like rock formation. Then the mail man came along and walked across it and spoiled the scenic effect. There are tracks over it in every direction now and it isn’t very pretty. It has been so cold and so much firing there is a lot of soot on it now.

Bill brought us a load of wood on his wheelbarrow. He said he would keep us supplied. He called me Tues night and said he was writing you a letter. They were so glad to hear from you. Arlene is going to review the article in

[page 3] Nat’l Geographic for Literary Club and has asked me to help her out some. I am going to loan her the shells & necklace for display. I gave your Mother some of the shells you sent and gave Betty & Buddy a few. We still have a dish full that we show off when anyone comes who hasn’t seen them. I haven’t mounted the coral yet but have been trying to get an idea how to do it.

In your letter rec’d today you wondered what rationing is like. So far it hasn’t bothered us because I get all the coffee I need and 4 gal gas a week in winter is more than I have used – due to so much snow haven’t traveled much. The meat situation hasn’t bothered us due to the locker and Parttens have promised us another quarter from one they are fattening now. Zells got 300 baby chicks and they are getting almost heavy enough to fry so think I’ll buy a few and put in the locker – if they aren’t too high. I don’t believe

[page 4] the price will be any lower in the spring. I told you before they have a chicken house directly north of their house. He is more like a farmer than any Agent we have had here in the last three. I said something about them living on a farm and Mrs. Z. said the farmers in this county don’t want their agent living on a farm for competitive reasons. Mr. Z. says he is going to have the entire back part of their lot in garden this summer – I think he is inclined to be a little “hot headed” but they have been good neighbors and have gone out of their way to help us. They aren’t the card playing, drinking kind. In fact they don’t even play cards. They have 3 girls and the Mr. wanted a boy so bad he was almost reduced to tears when the last girl was born. Hope I haven’t bored you talking about the Zells but I got started and kept on rambling.

Irene was over Sat. afternoon. She is still talking like she did before you left about working. She seems to be developing a nervous

[page 5] complex and can’t stand to be in crowds. She went to see Dr. Cole and he told her if she didn’t get better she would have to rest in the hospital. She said she wrote you a letter – Maybe she told you about her symptoms. She doesn’t look sick but that doesn’t always mean anything. We took some pictures in the den and the one enclosed shows the baby pretty good. He will be 4 mo old tomorrow and if the weather permits we are going to Hubertz and have some pictures made – of all of us. The pictures I took with our camera do very good for indoors but aren’t as good as in the sunlight. If I had a speed Kodak I could do better, but it will be warm enough before long and we can go out in the yard for pictures.

As yet the uniform money hasn’t come. I am going to see Agnes and get the taxes figured out. Have the figure you sent. She says we should file separate returns but I don’t know all about that – Have only talked to her on the phone so far. Will

[page 6] go to her office and get it all straightened out next week.

Florence Puetz called me yesterday. Their baby boy born Dec 13 is growing too. He weighed 6-9 at birth and now is over 8 lbs. She said he is growing faster than Rita did. She goes to Dr. Cole. Said Ray had the flu and both children had had colds. There seems to be a lot of sickness around but that is to be expected this time of year with the weather as it has been.

Going back to rationing subject – what seems queer around here now is the filing stations closed at night – most of them – and John Krull’s restaurant closed. Also Boonies little place by Standard is closed temporarily. Dorothy says they have all the noon trade they can take care of. I suppose they would get some increase from the other two places.

The papers came today but I haven’t read them yet. David is taking a little nap before his 2 P.M. bottle – then he will be awake most of the afternoon – Will be glad when I can take him out again.

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/13/pretty-well-up-to-date-gladys/

A Momentous Decision (Roscoe)

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: January 21, 1943 Envelope

: January 21, 1943, p. 1

: January 21, 1943, p. 2

: January 21, 1943, p. 3

: January 21, 1943, p. 4

: January 21, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Dear Mother,

Our cool has continued and it is really comfortable – Just got thru taking a bath in the open air shower and reall got cold. I came back and Fred & Dr. P. asked me how it was and I said fine – let them find out for themselves.

I saw an income tax blank today and the surtax starts at 2000 with $260. So try to cut ours below 2000. I believe if you take all the deductions it will cut it below 2000. Don’t forget the insurance – malpractice car Ins etc. All that runs for a year payable in June or July and I left in May so that was that would be 10/12 or what ever the fractional part of the year.

[page 2] I would like for you to figure it whether or not you pay it. Next year the total amount will be 2400 or less and that won’t cost much. So much for that – Only if you do figure it don’t the drugs. The interest – to the insurance co. Interest on house payments. Interest to E. Buck Dave Ream etc. If you have time send me what you can figure the deductions would be. I believe you aren’t interested much in the tax situation but that has to be paid in 3 mo. after we return and that is why I’m interested. And if you haven’t made those other two payments on last year please do because those will all count up.

I’ve explained how these letters are dated several days after writing

[page 3] so that is why the letter you referred to was written on the 29^th and stamped on the 31. You see we write one night – passes thru the censor next day and to our P.O. next day and then to the other P.O. so it’s here for a few days before leaving. And I haven’t been able to figure how your comes this way – very seldom comes – I just heard today that all you will be able to write is V-mail. Really I don’t care if it is V mail just so it’s regular and not too old. However. I ‘m not sure that is only hearsay, but I did hear that there would be no more insured pkgs and no more registered letters.

Now – after the show and while sitting on the hill before the show starts – we always go about 1/1 hour early in order to get a good seat. Any-

[page 4] way while sitting there I made a momentous decision – and this is it. Don’t pay this past years income tax. I mean 1942. As I said before pay the other installments of ’41 but forget 1942 and put the money in bonds we can always cash them in and pay the tax. So forget about the income tax period.

Your letter of Jan 4 came today and I sure was glad you could attend Rotary – wish I could have been there – wasn’t that silly – or was it?? John’s letter of Jan 6 came also as well as one from Wayne W. and one from the Walkups at Earl Park. They seem to be real faithful in their letter writing.

Hope your sinus trouble is better and yes the coat – If you are satisfied I see no reason why I wouldn’t only you didn’t use all

Gladys modeling the black seal coat & new hat – January 1943

[page 5] the money I sent but that isn’t any of my business. You said you were going to send me a financial statement after the first of the year. I hope you include the number of bonds etc. and whether or not you got a strong box – probably you have already written those things but they haven’t come thru yet. I’ll be looking forward to a picture of you in the coat – and THE HAT.

Hope you and D. are better by now and everything is getting along OK. Please don’t worry about me and don’t get fussed up at anything – Don’t drive the car anymore than is necessary because of the tires etc.

Well, I hope our mail will be half-way regular again and I can hear from you often –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/12/a-momentous-decision-roscoe/

A new experience (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND
1-21-43

Dear Daddy – Your letter of Jan 9 came today after the 10^th – which I rec’d Tues. I won’t try sending the eggs or green stuff. The only reason I sent the coke was because I had good packing, but that was too good to pass by. Should have put in some dry ice. There isn’t any school again today but it is warmer 20°. There is still ice under the snow on our street but the other streets in town are better and the highways are clean. Mark is working with his Christmas tools this A.M. John is just loafing. I wish they could go back to school but probably won’t this week. David is asleep – after taking 5 oz milk & 3 tbsp pablum he was too drowsy to have a good burp. Weighed 13-7 this A.M. The boys are getting a new experience – we have to slice our bread now and they think that something. Both tried and you can imagine what the slices looked like then Mother sliced for them and they thought she was very good. I told you before about creamery butter being so high 50¢ per – so we use oleo. There seems to be a canned milk shortage so I have been trying to get a little surplus because I don’t want to run out. They say not to do that. I wouldn’t for the rest of us but have to think of the baby’s welfare. I couldn’t get carnation so got Pet. The labels read the same. I hear D. so he must be waking up

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/11/a-new-experience-gladys/

Military Monday – Dear Mother (Roscoe)

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: January 20, 1943 Envelope

: January 20, 1943, p. 1

: January 20, 1943, p. 2

: January 20, 1943, p. 3

: January 20, 1943, p. 4

: January 20, 1943, p. 5

: January 20, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Jan 20, 1943

Dear Mother,

The cool that I wrote of in yesterday’s letter is still with us and very welcome – along with that is a pretty good breeze so that also takes care of the mosquitoes for if they don’t take cover they will be bashed to misquitoburger. Along with the cool it is also cloudy. Last night after finishing your letter I wrote Ed. Johnson – answered a Christmas greeting from the Mullen family and also one from Helen Salter. I’ve been trying to write a short note to all who sent greetings. Those I mail free because they only put 3¢ stamps on them and free is in the same status. One of these days I’m going to get another

[page 2] box ready to send home – really haven’t gotten everything made as yet. These things will be something when done or will they you can be the judge only it probably will be several days before they get there. I guess by now you know the new ruling on packages. If you don’t the P.O. will inform you when you try to mail them.

Up to now I have had two occasions to stop this letter. The first was nature in one of its calls. The second was a boy with a nose cold. While out I noticed that “Old Baldy” our mountain was completely hidden by a rain and what is ordinarily the long stretch of blue. The ocean was also a hazy smudge. These scenes around here are enough under ordinary times to make

[page 3] one really be in awe but in war time and under our present conditions Baldy is a big pile of dirt and the stretch of blue is just a big drink. In other words there ‘aint’ no romance. In some places these mountains remind one of our eastern range. That is there is a fair amount of vegetation and in other places the western range. I never did say much about the airplane trip to the west coast but I know there is some of the most desolate looking places in some of those states.

I’m still wondering about the uniform money and I won’t send in another letter until about the last of this month so that will give you time to give me word in case you should get it. That is if word of any kind ever gets here from you again – Seems as if

[page 4] our mail is no better than at Christmas time. There were lots of Christmas packages in the P.O. yet this AM and I never have received a calendar but maybe in time those things will come. I’ll finish later.

Will wonder never cease – Your letter of Jan 7^th came today – Now my mail is like this Dec. 17 – Dec. 30 & 31 and Jan 7. All the others is are missing.

Now to get down to your letter – First let’s take you. I think your treatment has been swell. My only diff suggestion would have been Sulfadiazine grains 15 every 2 hours the first day. Every 3 the next and about 2 after each meal for a few days. And don’t use too much stuff in your nose. It can get too irritated. Then another thing as you have heard me say often – Nervousness and anxiety does help those things, so try to be as calm as you can I know you must worry etc but don’t on my account

[page 5] and as long as the baby gains and keeps taking his food he is OK. Even though he does run that slight temperature don’t worry – Rectal temperatures are always one degree higher you know. After your course of neoprontisil provided you aren’t better – get some capsules of propradiene (may be misspelled) hydrochloride gr 3/8 and take on 3 times each day with an A.P.C. compound every 3 hours, by the time you get this I hope you won’t need the advice. And don’t blow your nose. Now about D. Throw the thermometer away as long as he eats and gains. And again on you – get some unicaps or similar vitamins and take about 6 or 8 each day for the first week and then cut down and if you can keep from it don’t stew too much. I know it takes all your reserve and strength and your recuperative power is low but it you will do the above I think things will be OK.

[page 6] Don’t feel that I’m bawling you out I’m trying to help long distant. Our letters made the round trip in 22 days – which is very good if things would just keep up that way – but we have no way of telling which is coming and which is not. This letter today I was very glad to get since it answered lots of questions an gave me conditions at home – and I do really hope & pray that you are better by now.

You mentioned the Johnson baby of course that was the first I knew – You didn’t say what day. It was only a mention and the name.

Well as you said I’ve rambled over lots of space but haven’t said much but Dear I hope you are better and Lots of Love

Daddy

P.S. I’ll send in again about the uniform money. I’ve answered the question about the extra money.

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/10/military-monda…-mother-roscoe/

10 Below Continued…(Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-20-43

Dear Daddy – I am writing 2 of these today. They told me at the P.O. I am allowed 3 a day and I felt like writing more today than one holds. In case you didn’t get the other it is 10 below today. Blizzard yesterday and no school. I am quoting again figures I sent several times you asked for. To May 31 – #3120.45 – June 260.25 July 253.28 Aug 33.75 – total 3667.73. Agnes and I will get all the tax business taken care of so don’t worry about it. The uniform money hasn’t come yet. The last box you mentioned hasn’t either. Some of your Rotary friends asked if all you had to do was make a necklace – I told them you do that on Monday evening since you can’t attend Rotary. No letters today but had 5 Mon & 1 Tues. If you get all my previous letters hope you don’t worry about our colds. They boys are all over theirs and as full of pep as ever. The last time John started to sneeze I gave him the oral vaccine as you instructed – six in one day and it worked – cold all gone. I still have a sinus condition but I am able to be up – tho I am not trying to do anything unnecessary – Mother is here and takes care of the kitchen work. David is now taking 13 oz. carnation 16 oz water – 2 ½ tbsp Dextri-Maltose – 1 egg yolk – in formula – 3 tbsp pablum. He has now doubled his weight – at 3 mo 3 wks – is good. Holds on to things now and responds to attention. Took some more pictures today – Will send them if they are good. Will write a real letter next time – so I can ramble more.

Love Mother

10 Below (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-20-43

Dear Daddy- No school again today. The blizzard drifted the snow yesterday so the busses couldn’t travel. There isn’t much wind today but very cold – 10 below. Our furnace runs most of the time but we are keeping it well looked after. The boys being home have time to keep the hopper filled and take clinkers out. In case you missed some of my Dec & Jan letters we are having one of the coldest (with more snow) winters in years. It started Thanksgiving and hasn’t let up much since. It is too cold today for veteran skaters. Even Mark would rather stay in than go out today. Yesterday he went to town once to go to the P.O. and said the town was full of transport trucks. The road north was blocked and they were held up here. We saw some going over 24 so maybe they tried another route. It is very bright and sunny today so will try to get some pictures taken. Haven’t gotten to the photographer yet – it is too cold to go now but will try to go as soon as this weather breaks – I still have Jimmy Ed Johnson’s buggy – but I hardly think he will need it yet – He is just two weeks old so guess his mother won’t take him out in this sub weather. David hasn’t been out since early in Dec but there has been so much snow couldn’t push the buggy thru it and it has been too cold to do a small baby any good taking him out. What’s your opinion? Even with a fur coat it’s too cold for me.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/09/10-below-gladys/

A Heck of a Long Summer (Roscoe)

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: January 19, 1943 Envelope

: January 19, 1943, p. 1

: January 19, 1943, p. 2

: January 19, 1943, p. 3

: January 19, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Jan 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

About the middle of the P.M. and the weather a little cooler – we have had a few clouds and the wind is blowing so that helps, but it sure was hot before that. I’ve just been thinking that this has been a heck of a long summer. When I reported in at Norfolk in May it was very hot and here it is 8 or 9 months later and still hot of course we have had some warm cool weather but mostly hot. Really I don’t think I’d like to live like this all time – I mean the warm weather – a change to the cold winds and frosting mornings is most desirable.

[page 2] In other words buckets of snow would be good or maybe acess to snow would be better. Several years ago in Indianapolis along about this time it was so cold – The heating plant in Elmer D. house froze up when you were up to see me and all those troubles – Remember. Well skip all those things.

Even our mail censoring job has fallen off. Just too hot for fellows to write. I thought I’d write others yesterday – but yours is the only one I’m able to get out each day. Sweat just pours out and gets the paper wet and the old thinking apparatus don’t work. It’s Thundering now. The second time I’ve heard that

[page 3] since leaving Norfolk. The other time is rained for 6 days straight – Hope it doesn’t do that this time.

I’ve taken five pictures all together. Fred and Dr. P. don’t know it but I’m taking candid pictures of them. Just started today and it’s a little hard to get one that the other don’t know it. I’m just trying to surprise them. Oh Yes. I’ll get some of myself on one or two to send you also. Those that I take of them are something of camp life.

I feel like working on some shells or something so I’ll finish later after the P.M. mail time – You notice I didn’t say after the P.M. mail.

Yes the mail has arrived. One letter for me from Wayne W. dated Dec. 14, so while it wasn’t a complete black out it wasn’t exactly what was expected. Of course I wouldn’t

[page 4] tell that to Wayne – but I’d much rather hear from you. So far we aren’t sure about a show tonite because it’s trying to rain and this is before the show so it may not be started. It is now 7:15 and the show generally starts at 7:45. Even with all the thundering etc. It didn’t rain much this P.M. just sprinkled now and then.

There is one thing I forgot to tell you and that is to file to mortgage exemption. I’ve forgotten what time of year to do that. It may be too late now. Ask Link or Ira or Boonie. Funny how one forgets those things but it sure happens that way. Guess it’s the continuous summer time.

Well, I’m thru for today except for lots of Love –

Daddy

P.S. went to the show after all. It rained but rain coats were in order.

Another Blizzard (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-19-43

Dear Daddy – Another blizzard and no school today – Probably hard for you to believe we are having such weather. If you get all my letters maybe you will get a fair idea what it is like here. I wish you could see the way the snow is drifted across the front yard today – It looks like rock formation. The boys are playing pick-up stick this A.M. David is asleep. Just had both pablum & milk. Weighted 13-6 this morning. He is holding things now. John calls him the “personality babe” Had a wire from Glen that they have a baby boy named him James L. – They are living in Winnemucca Nev. now. Had one letter this A.M. – Yours of Jan 11 – I am anxious to see the new necklace – The lace box you mentioned hasn’t come yet – Neither has the uniform money. I am taking sulfadiozine for my sinus infection. Have been taking treatments but the thing won’t clear up with spraying & irrigation. Never had such a time with it. The baby’s cold hangs on too and I think it’s because of my condition. However he hasn’t felt bad – and I do hope he doesn’t. Mother is knitting him a pr of bootees. Oh for spring and warm weather again.

Love Mother

Homes - 508 E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, Indiana, 1942-12-20

The house after a previous snowstorm

Tried to get new overshoes today (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
Kentland
INDIANA
1-18-43

Dear Daddy – Monday and more snow. There is a thick coating of ice under the snow so it makes walking as bad as driving. I took Mark to school so he wouldn’t get snow all over him – being sick last week from exposure I am going to keep him in pretty close for a while. – Have been to Music Club since writing the first – It was at the M. Church. The first time I have been any place (socially) since in Dec. I still am having sinus trouble but I thought it would lift my morale to go out again. Have 5 letters today – Jan 5 to 9 – The uniform money has not come yet. I will try this week to get some tax figures made. I am going to see Agnes and she will help me. I sent you the figures you asked for in three previous letters. Maybe you will get them some day. I haven’t bought the new dresses yet, but will wait now until spring – since I have a new coat & hat. I tried to get Mark some new overshoes today but couldn’t. He is wearing rubbers but we are having too much snow for low cuts. He wore a hole in the high ones he had. John is wearing your old zippers. All this snow should be good for the grass etc. Will try and write a real letter tonight.

Love Mother

A word from Mark (Mark)

5 Replies

Letter transcription:

MARK YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND, IND
Jan. 18, 1943

Dear Daddy, everything is just fine. But we have all been sick. Today I was playing with Davie and he hit me in the nose, as hard as he could. It was so funny that I laid down on the floor and laughed till I cried. In my grades at school I made A+ In spelling, A+ A+ A+ I band C+ in Arithmetic, b+ in English. That is all I can think of

Mark