Category Archives: Yegerlehner

Valentine’s Day (John)

Letter transcription:

John YEGERLEHNER
E. DUNLAP ST.
KENTLAND, INDIANA
2-14-43

Dear Daddy,

Today is valentine’s day and it was about 4 below & I don’t enjoy the cold but you would probably like some of it.

At school I entered an essay contest. I’ve written mine but I haven’t gone over it and copied it.

Last Sunday we heard that shoes are rationed. Three pair per person per year. I don’t think that will affect me very much.

We kind of kid Mother about her war dinners but they’re allright. They don’t occur every day either. Just a couple or three times a week. Mother got a package ready to send out to you. We took it to the post office but they wouldn’t take it because it weighed 12 lbs. and they are supposed to weigh no more than 5 lbs. David A. weighs 15 lbs 5 oz. He looks like little stuffed pig.

Everything thing is allright at home.

Your loving son,
John

P.S. Be my VALENTINE

______________________

Shoe rationing began on February 7, 1943.

Shoe ration cards from the National WWII Museum http://www.nww2m.com/2013/02/featured-artifact-shoe-rationing/

News Audio Clips from early 1943, including February 7th. https://archive.org/details/1943RadioNews

“Shoe Rationing,” Tipton Tribune (Tipton, Indiana), 8 February 1943, p. 3, col. 3.

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/29/valentines-day-john/

Roller Coaster Accident at Summit Beach (Part 1)

17 Replies

ROLLER COASTER ACCIDENT AT SUMMIT BEACH SENDS THREE TO DEATH, WITH OTHERS DOOMED

Four Cars Being Drawn Up First Incline of “Over the Top” Leave Tracks and Plunge 50 Feet Down Carrying 15 Passengers With Them

THOROUGH PROBE PROMISED

Police and Fireman Aid In Rescue Work and Send Injured to Both Hospitals, Where Three More Victims Are Reported In Critical Condition

Investigation of the cause of the accident on the Summit Beach roller coaster, “Over the Top,” which caused the death of three persons Sunday evening and may result in three more fatalities, is likely to center around the responsibility for the placing of a block of wood on the left track of the incline about 10 feet from its beginning. This piece of wood about 4x6x8 inches in size was run over by the front truck of the train, derailing the wheels, which then ran on the ties and running board of the incline up to the point where the train finally crashed over the side to the ground 40 feet below carrying its human freight to death and injury below. This piece of wood was found this morning, and bore marks of the wheel flanges.

That the accident will be probed from several directions is indicated today.

Prosecutor Roetzel said Monday morning that he would look in the criminal responsibility of the accident.

Inspectors of the city building department made a thorough inspection of the coaster today and their findings are not out of accord with the theory that the block of wood may have been the cause.

Directors of the operating company are in session this afternoon and will issue a statement later as to their investigation.

The casualty list of the accident follows:

THE DEAD

Mrs. Floyd W. Van Sickle, 27 years, 70 Cherry st.; taken from wreckage alive, but died on way to City hospital.
General Bailey, Tarriff, W. Va., who had been visiting his sister, Mrs. D. C. Casto, 1205 Grace av,
Frank King, 373 Pearl st.

FATALLY INJURED

Clyde Keen, address unknown; City hospital.
Dennis Glassford, 25, Lockport, N. Y.; Peoples hospital.

SERIOUSLY INJURED

Harvey Higgins, 19, 814 Yale st.; City hospital.
Otis Smith, 20 Bartges st.; City hospital.
Mark Sos, 269 Melville st.; City hospital.
Joseph Mackey, 403 S. Second st., Barberton; City hospital.
Mrs. Dorothy Roach, Zanesfille; City hospital.
Mrs. John Yuhas, 503 First st., Barberton; Peoples hospital.
Mrs. Agnes Kurth, 70 Cherry st.; broken leg and arm; Peoples hospital.

SLIGHTLY INJURED

Mrs. Helen Puhala, 481 S. Main st.; Peoples hospital.
Francis Cook, 20, 1249 Fifth av.; taken home.
Lester Hardy, official of Goodyear police department; leg broken.

(To Be Continued)

“Roller Coaster Accident At Summit Beach Sends Three to Death, With Others Doomed,” Akron Beacon Journal, 8 July 1918, p. 1, col. 7.

A very special “thank you” is in order for the Special Collections Department of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. I emailed my request for more information regarding the roller coaster accident on Saturday and received the results in less than 24 hours. Since I received several days worth of information, I will be breaking the story down into smaller chunks for the rest of this week.

More snow (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND
2-13-43

Dear Daddy – It is cold, the sun is shining & it’s snowing if you can feature all that. Can’t see very far away because of the white haze but once it a while the sun comes thru – Now the snow is flying all ways. I am getting a box ready to send today. Mrs. Plummer wanted to send something so gave me a dollar to get something – I will just use it to pay for what I put in. Dorothy gave me the can of chicken bones. I am leaving them in the can so they will get to you intact. Betty & Buddy are here this afternoon. M & Buddy are working on airplanes. John & Betty listening to opera. Irene asked me if they could borrow your big desk to use at the factory until they can buy one. I told her if she could get it away from Newell Lamb – but I wouldn’t sell it. David bumped his head against my glasses and broke the temple piece off, but I have them glued with Mark’s airplane glue. I think they will last a while. Sorry you have missed so many letters. Didn’t keep copies so haven’t any idea what I wrote. As I have repeated several times Agnes M talked to a Fed. Man about our 41 taxes and he advised not to pay now. She wrote in when she sent in the form for the last payment and had an answer so you needn’t worry about it. I’ll send you the info about the ’43 next week. I told you before Mrs. James hasn’t been very well this winter. Has just had the flu. She has been taking liver shots all winter but doesn’t seem to pick up much. I hope we have had all the colds we will have for this winter. All fine now.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/28/more-snow-gladys/

Sunday’s Obituary – Roberta E. (Yegerlehner) Van Sickle

1 Reply

We are indebted to C.C. Yagerlehner for the following account of the death of his niece, who had moved to Akron, Ohio, a week before the tragic accident, which was the first serious accident that has ever occurred in the Yagerlehner family. Mrs. Robert [sic Roberta] Van Sickle was the oldest daughter of George F. Yagerlehner and was 26 years old. Mr. and Mrs. VanSickle with a party of friends were amusing themselves by making trips over a new giant roller coaster styled “Over the Top,” at Akron, Ohio. The men and the children had just finished a trip. The ladies had just started over the top on their trip and the car was plunging downward when a forward wheel broke, causing the car to leave the rail and plunge about 50 feet to the earth, killing three and fatally wounding several others. Burial was in Crown Hill cemetery, Indianapolis, Wednesday afternoon. Those from a distance attending the funeral were Grandmother Yagerlehner and Mr. and Mrs. John Yagerlehner from Clay City – Clay City News.

“Death,” Brazil Weekly Democrat (Brazil, Indiana), 24 July 1918, p. 4, col. 4; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 28 December 2013).

THREE KILLED WHEN ROLLER COASTER DROPS

Akron, Ohio – Three persons were killed, and three fatally injured and eight seriously hurt when a train on “Over the Top” a giant roller plunged 50 feet to the ground at the local amusement park last night. The front wheels of the first car broke while making the ascent where the thriller commences. The crowd yelled in derision as the passengers frantically called for help. An infant in its mother’s arms escaped injury.

The dead and injured are: Mrs. Roberta W. Van Sickle, Ralph L. King, of Akron, and General Bailey, Tariff, W. Va.

Probably fatally injured: Clyde Keen, address unknown; Otis Smith, Akron; Dennis Glassford, Rockport, N. Y.; Harvey Biggins, formerly of Athens, Ohio, was injured.

The body of Mrs. Van Sickle, who recently moved here with her husband and child will be taken to the home of her parents in Indianapolis.

“Three Killed When Roller Coaster Drops,” Lima Daily News (Lima, Ohio), 8 July 1918, p. 2, col. 4; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : 28 December 2013).

_______________________________________

Photograph taken at the house of George F. Yegerlehner/Yagerline on Grace Street. Back Row: Unknown male (possibly Robert C. Yagerline), Mr. Van Sickle holding Charlotte, Mrs. Van Sickle Middle Row: Jewell (Ratcliffe) Yagerline, William O. Yagerline holding Dorothy, Floyd Van Sickle, Roberta (Yagerline) Van Sickle, George F. Yagerline Front Row: Elizabeth Louisa (Klein) Yagerline, Louis Yagerline, Hazel Yagerline, Margerite Yagerline, Laura Yagerline: Photograph from the collection of Hazel (Yagerline) Igelman in the possession of Eric Graham.

Children of George F. Yagerline. Photograph ca 1903. Digital image ca 2000s. Privately held by Eric Graham Ohio, USA. Eric scanned the images while visiting relatives in California. He shared the images via email with Deborah Sweeney in 2005. The location, condition and characteristics of the original photograph are not known. Back row: Robert C. Yagerline, Roberta (Yagerline) Van Sickle, William O. Yagerline, Louis A. Yagerline In Front: Hazel (Yagerline) Igelman

Roberta Elizabeth Yegerlehner was the oldest daughter, and second child, of George and Elizabeth (Klein) Yegerlehner. She was born 15 July 1892 in Indiana, most likely in Indianapolis. George was a blacksmith employed by the railroad, so he moved around a bit before settling permanently in Indianapolis. George and his brother Charles shared an address in Indianapolis as early as 1893.

Roberta married Floyd W. Van Sickle on 17 September 1909 in Indianapolis. They had one daughter, Charlotte, who was born in 1912. Floyd was a truck driver and a mechanic. He worked with his father and brother at Vansickle and sons on Hamilton Street in Indianapolis. The reason why Floyd and Roberta moved to Akron is unknown, but the result was tragic.

Image courtesy of Family Search

Roberta is buried at Crown Hill cemetery in Indianapolis with her parents. Floyd later remarried and is buried with his second wife.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/28/sundays-obitua…ner-van-sickle/

Sunburned (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: February 11, 1943 PM envelope

: February 11, 1943 PM, p. 1

: February 11, 1943 PM, p. 2

: February 11, 1943 PM, p. 3

: February 11, 1943 PM, p. 4

Letter transcription:

2/11/43

Dear Mother,

Probably surprised to get this letter – That is if the letter I wrote this A.M. should come first. At any rate I’ll just repeat a little. My mail to you may be a little spotty and even scarce for several days or even months – so don’t worry just keep writing to the same address.

I’ve been working in the sun practically all day and like a dunce wore that over seas cap and my face is just a little redder than usual. In a day or two I think I’ll start rubbing off because I believe the outer layer is a little more than cooked.

[page 2] The only mail that came today was Ruth Y letter of Sept. 28 telling me about David and his Mother after the arrival. Not much late news but never the less welcome.

While in town today saw several things unusual – seems as if one can see new things every time. The thing that really stuck today was a couple of natives carrying wood from a truck. Of course they were bunching it up and putting it on their heads but before doing that they placed a small square of burlap over their caps. Don’t know if it was to protect the head from pressure

[page 3] or dirt. The railroads here would make you laugh the engines are about the size of a good sized tractor – run on steam with a big smoke stack and a shrill little whistle. The tracks are narrow gauge – only about ½ as wide as ours in the states. Really I believe the boys would get a kick out of such as a play thing of course it’s a little larger than the boys electric.

You may get letters from Mrs. Porterfield thru Dr. P. which may help when you aren’t able to get letters from me. So maybe we can keep up a three way correspondence. You will probably get notes now and then as time goes along.

[page 4]I think I’ll have to get some sun burn lotion on my face before bed time so that I can sleep. Makes me feel like I have a fever of the face – Just like you had once or twice upon a time – once when we were swimming camping and once when we lived on 2^nd and Carroll street.

Well, I’ll get another letter out as soon as possible – so again don’t worry –

Lots of Love
Daddy

The Weekly Letter (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 11, 1943 Envelope front

: February 11, 1943 Envelope back

: February 11, 1943, p. 1

: February 11, 1943, p. 2

: February 11, 1943, p. 3

: February 11, 1943, p. 4

: February 11, 1943, p. 5

: February 11, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Feb 11 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Will write my weekly “letter.” Have been using v-mail but about once a week – We were told over the radio and by other means that after Jan 15 not to send air mail letters – but use v-mail so that is the reason you are getting so many v-mail. However Tony told me to continue to use air mail – that it would get to the coast quicker even if it didn’t travel by air the rest of the way. I am sitting by the fireplace with my hair rolled up – and with the idea of getting it dry but the fire seems to be going out. Mark brought in a wet log and it won’t burn. The dryer is in our bedroom but D. is asleep and I was afraid it arouse him before time of his 10 P. M. lunch. He sleeps right thru horn & piano practicing & radio but turn the light on and bang around close to him and he sometimes wakes up – so we stay away from the bedroom after he is tucked in. I looked over your letter again to answer your three questions. The house payments are around 48.33 – sometimes the cents vary. The interest on your pol. Is 14.22 so that makes the loan around $233. Those dividends were taken off when we had the policies changed when you were home – remember?

[page 2] Since paying up the insurances and a few other bills our bank acc’t is getting a little weak. We have a bal of 330⁰⁰ now but I haven’t pd for my coat yet – isn’t due till Mar 10 – and I had more coal put in. Just had the bin filled and what I had put in in Dec. – altogether $60⁰⁰ so when I pay those two will have around 145⁰⁰ Bal. and there will be something turning up all the time. I haven’t been getting any collections in and with all the insurance we have to pay cuts in on the reserve. The house payment takes ¼ of the 200⁰⁰ and groceries are so high – milk can’t be sold for 10¢ qt now so that stepped up our milk bill – but now that the big bills are taken care of for a while maybe we can get enough ahead to buy more bonds. If your uniform money comes I’ll pay the Hancock loan off. Besides the 6 – 37⁵⁰ that took 225⁰⁰ out of the big balance we had last fall. I have the 1943 car license pd for. I had Ellsworth write a policy for D. and it is $22.57 annually. I thought that pretty high but it is a 20 yr endowment and will have a higher pd up value that the ones of J & M. – Well don’t worry about our finances – I can manage on what we get and keep all the bills paid. I am so glad we have our home

[page 3] and can keep our payments up on it. I really should have some painting done on a few places inside this spring but I doubt if I can get a painter. Now don’t be alarmed about my having things done – it is those window sills the sun & rain ruined. If I had the time and energy would give the walls some paint like you had put in the office – but I have about all I can do with David. Mother takes care of the cooking & dish washing and I don’t try to do much but keep D. fed & comfortable. I got some unicaps yesterday and thought I would follow your prescription. I do feel a little low after all that sinus trouble. Now that it is over – that was without question the worse infection I have ever had in my sinus. The drainage was the foulest I have ever had. When Dr. Ade first washed it out there seemed to be about a cup – maybe there wasn’t that much – but it seemed to be – and it was brown. Well that is all over now and I can get along with a box of Kleenex in every room. I feel a little sleepy this morning. D. was sound asleep at 10 – so I didn’t take him up – thought he would sleep through – but he began to fuss

[page 4] about 1:30 – so I got up & fed him – I would have saved myself that if I had fed him at 10 – but he has slept thru several times and I thought he had established the habit – but not last night. It is about time for the mail to come and Mother is looking for the mail man to come. I may get a letter or two myself this morning since I didn’t get any yesterday.

There is Band Mothers’ meeting this afternoon so think I’ll go – just to let them know if nothing else that I am not interested in doing any work. Let the butterflys’ do that sort of thing. I have enough to do (that I can’t get done) at home. I suppose you have heard of “them Gremlins” – in case you haven’t, they are a distant kin of youhedi – well its “them gremlins” that get blamed for everything around here – especially concerning Mark. He doused his hair with kreml last nite and I couldn’t have him near me for a while. His latest is a weighing complex – It is so funny – he gets on the scale and he will say, “I’ve gained” – and he hasn’t. John always checks on him – and you know practical John will say – “You have not” – Then John will explain to me how Mark weighs the same or even less than the last time.

[page 5] John is so logical – he wants things right and of course Mark always get correction if he is wrong about anything – (which happens often). Of course Mark can take care of himself and John doesn’t make much impression on him if Mark doesn’t want to be impressed. So much for family life. They both agree about David – that he is the – well all the adjectives you can think of to describe the perfect baby.

Mrs. Mullen called me to read me your letter. They were so pleased to get it, and thought I would like to hear it. I told her I had 5 this morning – Jan 27-28-31 & Feb 3 & 4. I had two Feb letters before the last of Jan’s. I was glad to get those stragglers because they had some news I would have missed. None of your letters have been lost – I am sure I have every one. The next time I am in Laf. I will talk to Helen. We will have lots to talk about. I see J & M coming up the driveway now – making a beeline for the door – running a race – as they usually do.

Lunch over and trying to get this ready for Mark to take back with him

[page 6] Sorry I haven’t any pictures to put in this time but I sent the Hubertz pictures last week and will have some ready to send in my regular letter next week.

Had a letter from your Mother & one from Ruthie. Your Mother said Ruth M. & Earl have had the flu. I wrote to Ruth M. this week but haven’t had time for an answer. I must write to your Mother today. I get one out to her once a week.

Just glanced at the local paper and saw an item that more winter is ahead. Well we have had winter since Thanksgiving – and are used to it so won’t mind so much if it last till Easter.

Lois Wittenkellar is in the hospital – had a ruptured blood vessel and there was a qt of blood in her abdomen. Mrs. Merrit Wood is in the hospital at Laf. recovering from an abdominal operation.

Mark is waiting so much hurry.

Love
Mother

Temporary Additional Duty (Roscoe)

6 Replies

: February 11, 1943 envelope

: February 11, 1943, p. 1

: February 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

2/11/43
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea, New Caledonia
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Now it may be some time before you get mail regular from me again. I’ll write as often as possible but the outgoing mail may not be so good – Don’t be discouraged if it runs into months before you get a letter but don’t worry. I’m not writing anyone else you might write the folk and tell them the mail service is going to be slow. I just don’t have the time to write to them all at present, but will do so just as soon as established. Now please don’t worry because that won’t help and after all there is

[page 2] nothing to worry about but I can’t tell anymore than that at present.

Lots of Love
Daddy

Visiting Mother

2 Replies

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Yagerlehner will spend Sunday with Mr. Yagerlehner’s mother at Wabash.

“Local Lines,” The Fort Wayne Evening Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana), 22 September 1900, p. 4, col. 3; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://newspaperarchive.com : accessed 23 December 2013).

Fair and Colder (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-11-43

Dear Daddy – It is fair and colder. Had snow flurried this a.m. but not much snow fell. I would rather have the cold now than the warm days like we had the first of the week. I am hoping we have an early warm spring. Should have good lawn this summer if the rain & snow of this winter will help. Mark is writing to you. John is talking to D. D. didn’t sleep much until after his 2 P.M. feeding then woke when Mark came home. He chewed his fingers like a tooth may be coming thru but I won’t believe it until I see one. If D. does everything J. & M. try to teach him he will be a super – quiz kid. John is trying to get him to patty cake now.—Had an accident – that is J. & M. did – Mark was using the ink and was writing on a chair with the ink on the floor & John upset it – I had to mop up so my hands are stained. Just wrote Mead’s thanking them for the 5 lb can Dextri & Pablum. Haven’t been out much this week so short on news. Papers didn’t come today (as usual). Mr. Boomershine leaves for the Navy tomorrow. He got a (j.g.) I don’t know where he is to go – except someplace in the East. Will write all the details you ask for in a registered letter but you may be slow in getting it – will try to explain things fully. Must send Jim something for his birthday – that is – sending something for Mother. I sent him a card. It is too cold to take D. out today so will go to town in the car.
Love Mother