Category Archives: Yegerlehner

Raking Leaves (Gladys)

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: November 5, 1943 envelope

: November 5, 1943, p. 1

: November 5, 1943, p. 2-3

: November 5, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
11-5-43

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Oct. 24 & 25 came today – a little old after having Oct. 30 but appreciated just the same. It has cleared off & the sun is shining very bright. About time to hang up clothes this a.m. it got cloudy but I hung out clothes just the same so feel now like it was the thing to do. I don’t want to hang things in the basement yet. David is awake now after a short nap so I think I’ll get him ready to go out for some of this fall sunshine. He hasn’t been out yet today and likes to go out so well. – Have been out & gathered in clothes. It is very nippy in spite of the sunshine which doesn’t seem to warm very much. I suppose this sounds funny to you.

[page 2] I didn’t get this finished when I started and since have been to cosmopolitan club to Bergens to get a flower for Mrs. Plummer (the cake I baked was somewhat a flop as far as size was concerned so we ate it and got her a potted plant). I went to Plummers then to town to mail some things – I ordered those cold tablets for Marie & they came today so forwarded them to her. You remember I got some for them last year. Dave said he didn’t want to take them but Marie, Isla & Mrs. Mace take them. – While in town I stopped in the Restaurant. Saw Phyllis eating and asked her where Art was keeping himself. She said in Goodland & Monticello. He told Dorothy he was coming to see me but I haven’t seen him yet. Elsaleah isn’t teaching there this year. I don’t know who Phyllis goes around with now that Art & Elsaleah are gone. I see her a lot in the late afternoons when I happen to be in town.

[page 3] I noticed the latest group to enter the Army from this county includes Lowell Ford. He was the only one I knew out of five.

I slipped upon the town election. Saw in the paper that it was all G.O.P. but the entire vote was only 39 so I wasn’t the only one who didn’t vote. Link Trustee from first ward, Reed for Ward two and Harry White for W. three. Bob H. re-elected as Clerk Treasurer. I think the new Hufty baby will arrive sometime in Jan. I don’t know the Wilsons date but Doris has to wear maternity dresses now. Mrs. Gilmore has been ill and Lucile is home from Fla. She said this is the first time in 3 yrs she has been where it is this cold. However she said it felt good. She gets very tired of the weather down there – said it gets monotonous, warm all the time. Now I can’t imagine getting tired of warm weather – I really mean that, and you would so welcome some good vigorous cold snappy weather.

[page 4] Our boys & Zell’s girls finished raking our leaves this evening & burned them. They are going to rake Zell’s back yard tomorrow & pile the leaves on the garden. There were too many leaves to not rake. It is good to leave some on but not as thick as they were. I left them around the shrubbery in front and back too. We didn’t rake too clean – left some for fertilizer. Not all the trees have lost their leaves so with the winds we have will still have some.

So far the Ind. coal has been burning very well. It makes more clinkers but not bad. I scrubbed the furnace room last nite. Was afraid to sweep because of my irritated throat & sinus. At any rate the room is clean and without raising a dust. Jim cleaned the soot out of the furnace when he was here. I suppose it will need to be cleaned quite often with this new coal. At that I had to pay $7⁰⁰ a ton, so it is not cheap.

Must get this ready to mail.
“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/24/raking-leaves-gladys/

Identifying Everyday Clues in Photographs, Part IV

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Today I present the last part of this series focusing on dating the photograph of Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner. My aim was to take the reader through the process of dating a single photograph by using clothing cues. Stay tuned for addition posts on specific fashion trends like the evolution of the sleeve, skirt shapes and hair styles. My goal is to make this a weekly post.

At the end of part three in this series, I said that we would look specifically at the clothing worn by the “granddaughter” in the photograph because it is easier to gauge the styles of the young. Before I do that, I want to focus on Elizabeth. I am lucky because I have several identified pictures of Elizabeth. I want to make a point about using hairstyles to date pictures.

Elizabeth Over Four Decades

The earliest photograph was taken in the 1880s. Elizabeth is standing while her husband, Christian Yegerlehner, is seated. The photograph is a fairly typical of the times.

Christian and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner, c1880s (Photograph courtesy of Eric Graham)

The next photograph was taken in 1890-1 in front of the Yegerlehner farmhouse. The baby, William Otto Yegerlehner, was born on 8 March 1890. Elizabeth is standing behind the fence. Her two youngest daughters, Matilda and Sophia, stand with their niece, Bertha (the littlest girl with the doll who was about 4-5 years old).

Christian Yegerlehner Family, in 1891, in front of the farmhouse in Clay County, Indiana

Christian Yegerlehner Family, in 1890-1, in front of the farmhouse in Clay County, Indiana

The next photograph of Elizabeth was taken with one of her sisters, possibly Sevilla. It was likely taken in the late 1890s.

Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner and her sister Sevilla Sheneman (Photograph courtesy of Eric Graham)

Here again is another photograph of Elizabeth. This time her daughter, Sophia, as well as another un-named sister are in the picture.

Yegerlehner, Elizabeth (Schwartz) with daughter Sophia and sister

Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner with her daughter Sophia and an un-named sister, c1900 (Photograph courtesy of Eric Graham)

A few years later, Elizabeth took another photograph with Sophia. This time Sophia’s son, Russell, is in the picture. Russell was born in 1905 so this photograph was probably taken about 1909. Sophia lived in Indianapolis and she was very fashionably dressed for the times. Her hair is a wonderful example of the style.

Yegerlehner, Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner with Russell & Sophia (Yegerlehner) Thatcher - c1910

Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner with her daughter, Sophia, and grandson, Russell, c.1909. (Photograph courtesy of Eric Graham)

During the 1910s, Elizabeth sat for a photograph with Elizabeth (Krieble) Schiele. Both grandmothers lived with John Henry Yegerlehner and his wife, Lovina (Schiele) Yegerlehner, near the end of their lives. Both women died in 1922.

Elizabeth posed with some of her great grandchildren around 1919. She had only one granddaughter (with three children) by 1922. The only candidate is Mary Anna (Wolfe) Snedeker. Her oldest three children were Walter, Mary and Charles. The youngest was born in 1918. Elizabeth is wearing a white shirtwaist which is very a-typical of her! at least in comparison to her other photographs.

The one thing I want to point out about Elizabeth in these pictures is that her hair style did not change for 40 years – a part in the middle with a bun in back. Judging a photograph based on hair alone is NOT a good idea!

Back to the Photograph!

So far, I have written down every noticeable detail about the clothing in the photograph. I created age ranges based upon the possible candidates for Elizabeth’s grand-daughter. To recap, there are seven possible women:

Emma’s range (1899-1908)
Mary Anna’s range (1901-1910)
Bertha’s range (1902-1911)
Minnie’s range (1904-1913)
Pearl’s range (1911-1920)
Sophie Grace (1913-1922)
Bertha Steuernagel’s range (1902-1911)

Around 1910, fashion began moving away from from the trends of the 19th century. The women’s silhouette became more columnar, and excessive curves of the late 1890s and early 1900s became straighter. One result was skirts became less full, using less fabric. Instead of being triangular (narrow at the hips, wide at the base), skirts were more rectangular. The hobble skirt, a short lived fashion trend from 1910-1913 was the epitome of the straight and narrow. While I doubt that my unknown Indiana farm girl indulged in such fashion, it is important to know what was happening in the fashion world. Another result of the shift in fashion was the elevation of the waist line.

On the other side of Indiana in 1913, my great grandparents, Robert and Sara (Troxell) McGraw, celebrated their 50th anniversary. They had a large family and many friends came to celebrate the occasion. They all posed for a photograph. I am showing this photograph because they were of a similar socioeconomic status as my Yegerlehner relations. They also lived within 150 hundred miles of each other. Notice the waistlines on the women – young and old. The majority of the women are wearing dresses or shirtwaists and skirts that are higher than the natural waist.

Robert and Sara McGraw 50th Anniversary, 1913, Fayette County, Indiana

Our mystery Wolf woman is wearing a dress that sits at her natural waist. I would deduce that my photograph was taken before 1910. Therefore this eliminates Pearl and Sophie Grace as likely candidates for the mystery girl. The earliest date in their ranges occurs after 1910. I would also point out (based upon the photograph of Elizabeth with her great grandchildren) that the mystery woman does not look like Mary Anna (Wolfe) Snedeker. So Mary is probably not the mystery girl either. So we are left with Emma, Bertha Wolfe, Minnie and Bertha Steuernagel as possible candidates. The remaining girls have ranges that are virtually identical so I am not likely to determine who the mystery girl is. My only hope at this point is to find a relative from the Wolfe or Steuernagel branches who can identify her.

The Years 1900-1910

Our mystery girl’s silhouette reminds me very much of the Gibson girl. Charles Dana Gibson was an illustrator from the 1890s onward. His illustration “Love in a Garden” was published in 1901.

Love in a Garden by Charles Dana Gibson, 1901 (Image via Wikipedia Commons in the public domain)

In 1901, fashionable women were still piling their hair on top of their heads. Our mystery girl’s hair is not. She has fullness at the side of her head instead of on top. Here are some factory workers in 1908 in Indianapolis with some more realistic hair styles:

Lewis Hine Collection. Library of Congress. Young People in An Indianapolis Cotton Mill, Noon, Aug., 1908

I would also point out that several of the young woman are wearing half sleeves and their shirtwaists are collarless, in particular the woman in the front row with the checkered pattern.

Conclusion

Ultimately, we can only do our best to date photographs. Fashion is not static. We can learn the trends but we can not always account for all the variables. While I would estimate that this photograph was taken mid decade, I could be off by a couple years in either direction. There are many resources out there and many are free! If you are interested in honing your photography skills, check out Mauren Taylor’s website: http://www.maureentaylor.com/ She covers additional photo identifying techniques beyond clothing.

Come back next week to find out more about a specific fashion trend! If you have a topic that you would like me to cover, leave a comment below.

If you missed the first three posts in the series:

https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/02/identifying-everyday-clues-in-photographs-part-i/

https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/09/identifying-everyday-clues-in-photographs-part-ii/

https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/16/identifying-everyday-clues-in-photographs-part-iii/

©2015 copyright by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/23/identifying-everyday-clues-in-photographs-part-iv/

Still Traveling (Roscoe)

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[Editor’s note: Roscoe did not write on November 3, 1943 as he was traveling. He departed Noumea at 0700. This time he flew via Gov’t Air and departed from Tontouta airport. According to his personal Navy papers, he was a Priority Three South. He was limited to 65 lbs. of baggage. His destination was Auckland, New Zealand where he arrived at 1530. Roscoe departed Auckland at 1530 the following day (11/4).]

: November 4, 1943 envelope

: November 4, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Nov. 4, 1943

Dear Mother,

You probably will note an unsteady hand to this writing since I’m practically a frozen mass. The transformation from there to here has been a decided one and I think as far as temperature is concerned a pleasant one as soon as I get accustomed to it. I’m still traveling but should be settled in a day or two. I missed writing yesterday but from now on should get back on schedule.

As yet I’m not sure of censorship so must be a bit on the non committal side until I find what the requirements and regulations are like.

My mail to you should come thru about as usual but due to that error of mine in giving you that incorrect address I’ll probably not get any mail for some time. At least I’ll keep writing.

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/23/still-traveling-roscoe/

Pensacola (Gladys)

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#WWIILetter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-4-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Oct. 27 & 30 came today. Some service I would say. I haven’t seen any of Hickey’s family yet to tell them his hello! I am much relieved to get your last two letters and am anxiously waiting more. Hope you are getting mine right along. I wrote Lt. Palmer a thank you note for sending the flower order to Bergens. Some of roses are still pretty. The bouquet was red roses & white mums. I got two ton of Ind. coal and with what was in the basement think we will get along for a while – at least until after the first of the year. I am keeping the thermostat at 70 in this weather but will probably set it up when real cold sets in. We had a heavy frost last nite & the temp was 29. It is warmer now. I have clothes whipping on the line. David is “loose” at present walking around the furniture & walls having quite a good time. John & Mark are trying hard to get him to say words. It’s still mostly jabbering. He has another tooth which makes seven and another about thru. Dr. Van K. is back – He is retired from the Army so I image [imagine] will re-open his office here. The Myers twins have been sent to Pensicola, Fla. for final 3 months training. Do you remember we once thought of that station? We could dream couldn’t we?

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/22/pensacola-gladys/

Fall Leaves (Gladys)

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: November 3, 1943 envelope

: November 3, 1943, p. 1

: November 3, 1943, p. 2-3

: November 3, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Nov 3 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but hoping I’ll get Oct. 24 & 25 tomorrow. Oct. 26 came yesterday. Sometimes those missing letters contain a lot. It was cloudy all day until late in the evening or rather afternoon. The boys (J. & M.) raked leaves for Zell’s. Mr. Zell cleaned out our eave troughs. The leaves have about all fallen. The grass is so heavily covered we will have to rake some of them off. Smoke fills the air with so many people raking & burning leaves.

I went to Stunt night last night. The Seniors & 7^th grades won. The little theatre was full. The stunt that won first (Senior) was “Teachers in Retirement” & the teachers at A.J. Kent were imitated – It was very good and somewhat original.

[page 2] Tomorrow is Mrs. Plummer’s birthday & I have a cake ready to decorate & take to her. I rec’d a card & 1⁰⁰ from her the day after my birthday. She came out & brought David’s & John’s gifts on David’s birthday. John’s was belated.

I took David in this his Taylor Tot this afternoon to town to go to the bank & do a few odd errands. We have to get our paper now at Bonnies. No more home deliveries unless mailed. David makes quite a hit wherever he goes. I went to pay the light bill & Rita Diedam played with him a while. She works at the Light office now. I walked down to Lucile’s but Jimmy Ed was asleep. David played in J.E.’s pen and liked it better than his own. Lucile is having trouble keeping J.E. in it but just let him cry this a.m. Said he cried himself to sleep.

Sid Lee is back home – Has an honorable discharge from the Navy. He was in action & was injured. Said he was in a hospital in New Caledonia several weeks.

Our Ind. Coal is burning O.K. so far. If it keeps on like this maybe it won’t be so bad. I just hope it works better than what we got from Elmer MC when we first moved here.

John & Mark are both doing home work and I can hear the pencils fly. Now that Stunt night is over the school routine can be resumed. Bob Schurtter had to go into service – his number was up so I understand he enlisted in the Navy. He thought he could possibly get Ensign commission. They keep taking them around here. Mr. Zell got an inquiry about his dependents. Ellsworth was supposed to go but I haven’t heard anything lately. I suppose your Mother told you Harry Adkins had to go. I leave C.C. news up to her. I have all I can do to care of Kent. I sometimes miss news items around here, but do try to tell you things you are interested in.

[page 4] My checks came today and it was about time. I haven’t had time to figure what comes out of this month’s but will try to have it figured out by next letter. I think we will get along – all the ins. is paid now for a month or so.

I must write to Glen & Pauline and do a few thinks to this desk. It looks like it needs a good cleaning.

Love Mother

P.S. Dr. Van K. is back to stay.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/21/fall-leaves-gladys/

A Good Big Meal (Roscoe)

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: November 2, 1943 envelope

: November 2, 1943, p. 1

: November 2, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

11-2-43
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.

Dear Mother,

A short note again today. It’s hard to concentrate in a stage of moving and I’ll really do justice to a letter when things get settled down.

I really had good food since getting here because everyone here I know feels that we deserve a good big meal and really I feel stuffed most of the time. I possibly have gained all that I lost which wasn’t very much.

Just now was offered some

[page 2] Ice cream but refused. In fact I don’t care much for Ice C.

I’ve had to bum stationary for the past few days due to the fact that mine is all packed neatly away but I guess it will arrive to you just as well.

Must get going now.
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/20/a-good-big-meal-roscoe/

Pumpkin Pie (Gladys)

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: November 2, 1943 envelope

: November 2, 1943, p. 1

: November 2, 1943, p. 2-3

: November 2, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Nov. 2 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Oct. 26 came today – The 24 & 25 are still enroute – and will be glad to get them so I will have all up to date. Sometimes those back numbers contain things you don’t repeat, that I would hate to miss. Again I rec’d flowers via Lt. Palmer. He wrote Bergens & they gave me the letter. His address is Portland, Ore. I think I shall drop him a thank you note.

It is cloudy & chilly this afternoon. The sun was shining & I should have taken David out but had quite a few things I wanted to do in the house so I missed the

[page 2] sunshine. It really looks like it will snow. The leaves have all fall – about all I mean. The yard is covered but won’t rake because they will probably blow away & if not make good fertilizer.

Tonight is stunt nite and I should go but haven’t anyone to stay with David and unless I get someone soon (it’s 3:30 now) will definitely stay home. I would just as soon stay home and catch up on a few things but should go because John is in the 8^th grade act.

I made a batch of cookies and 4 pumpkin pies this a.m. I promised Bud yesterday when I gave him a shot that I would bring him a pie. John gave me a very large pyrex pan. I sued for one pie & I am going to take it to Bud. You probably wouldn’t care for any because I was out of cinnamon & used extract of cinnamon.

[page 3] The boys said it was good but tasted a little synthetic. I noticed it didn’t keep them from seconds. I got 21 qts. of pumpkin out of the 5 we cut up. I gave Arlene a qt. – having one t. more than could be cooked in 3 batches (8-8-4).

I heard yesterday that Louise is coming back to stay with Arlene until after the baby comes. Dean thinks he will be sent out and Louise is going to have a baby and will have to come home anyway.

David is taking a nap. He gets so tired since he roams all over the house so much. I was trying to clean & he wanted to follow right after me. I couldn’t get much done so put him in bed & he went to sleep. He jabbers so much & gets a word out now & then. He wants to feed himself but can’t quite make it. Also tries to hold his glass which is a little better done. Still says Da-da & Mom-mom a lot.

[page 4] Mrs. James told me yesterday that Irene went to the Presb. Hosp. in Chicago & stayed 10 days – They found a thyroid condition & are giving her iodine. I do not know the Dr. she went to but someone Mr. Davis knows.

Art Kenny is home & told Dorothy he was coming out to see me. Jack Byrnes said yesterday he hadn’t seen Art yet so he must be pretty busy seeing his relatives. If he comes & I find out anything – I mean if he knows what he is going to do, will let you know.

I must write to Jim & Glen & others. Seems like I spend a lot of time writing, but sure is nice to get letters, especially from you.

“Love Mother”

Awaiting Transportation (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 1, 1943 envelope

: November 1, 1943, p. 1

: November 1, 1943, p. 2

: November 1, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Ba U.S.N. Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Nov. 1, 1943

Dear Mother,

Happy birthday – I sure wish I could do better but can see nothing better at present.

I’m still kicking around here and will be for a few days awaiting transportation.

Yesterday when I wrote you I was at a rest camp and it really was fine. I wasn’t there for the rest cure however but just as a visitor.

My poor rear felt happy yesterday because I was given a ride in a fine new

[page 2] Plymouth Sedan – yes just like one we see back there – a most welcome change from the Jeep, etc. Things around here seem almost State Side a big improvement over last year at this time. Seems I miss out on things but I sure am glad I’ve been here in the area as long as I have. I’d hate to be just starting as so many I meet but they are fresh and full of the stuff. I’m not run down but I’m ready for a vacation which I hope will come in the not too distant future but I still have my fingers crossed as to the time. I think I’m going to enjoy

[page 3] where I’m going because if will be so different.

Just had some conversation with some fellow officers – Different from that that we used to have but never the less time consuming and thought breaking up.

I have several things to do so must get busy so I’ll be ready – will try to get a letter out each day from now on as nearly as possible –
Love Daddy

Lt. Palmer’s Flowers (Gladys)

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: November 1, 1943 envelope

: November 1, 1943, p. 1

: November 1, 1943, p. 2-3

: November 1, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 1 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

You will note the date – Nov. 1 – Your flowers via Lt. Palmer came today – just a few minutes ago in fact and he wrote a very nice letter to Bergens and Mary brought the letter out and gave it to me. I will drop him a thank you note – He wrote such a nice letter about you – said Kentland was fortunate to have such a fine Dr. – My mystery Pal left a package on the front steps this morning with a dish. Nick & Dorothy gave me this stationary and a scarf. I was down town this morning & got Nick’s

[page 2] gift & a card – I gave him about the same things as last year – Shaving material but didn’t have much choice since I hadn’t been out of town to shop.

We went to Wilmington yesterday for dinner & spent the afternoon. Mom & Dad came home with us, but Ruth & Floyd stayed & came over for dinner today then they all started for C.C. soon after dinner. This a.m. we went to town & shopped and got 200 lb. coal in sacks to try in the stoker. Mr. Monroe came out this afternoon to adjust the air on the hopper for the new (Ind.) coal. Your Dad shoveled the coal we have to one side so if I get Ind. coal it won’t be mixed with what is there now. It can’t be mixed – wouldn’t work in the stoker.

Besides washing two washer fulls we cut up and cooked 5 pumpkins. I have 8 qts. in the oven. Mrs. Zell has 8 qts. in Mrs. Zell’s her oven and 4 qts.on top of the stove. I didn’t use the pressure cooker – it

[page 3] has to be watched and I thought the pumpkin would keep without pressure canning.

Your Dad had never seen the Bendix work so I took him down with me & showed him how it operated. He said if he would have had brains enough to invent something like that he wouldn’t have spent his life farming. I don’t believe he really meant that. He didn’t get much time to visit with Earl. They got over there Fri. afternoon, went to Chi. Sat. to see Uncle Wes. & back to Wilmington for Sun. but Earl worked all day Sun. until 10:30 Sun. Eve. Their mine came out on a strike today. There is a new order restricting the delivery of more than 1.2 ton hard coal at a time – but there isn’t any of that around here so the dealers won’t have to worry about violating any such orders.

David is walking alone now. I was lying down a few minutes & watched him. He would turn loose of anything and just stand, then walk a few steps

[page 4] to something. He was having very good time all by himself. He was walked yesterday until I was tired for him. Everyone wanted to have him & wanted him to walk. Romaine borrowed a stroller from a neighbor so we took him for several rides around the neighborhood. I had to give Bud Kruman a shot toady. Dorothy had come out to give me my birthday gift so she took me down to Servies. She said she would take David a while so she kept him while I worked in pumpkin. He jabbers a lot & sounds like “greek or something.” Floyd took a movie of him sitting on the toilet today.

Mark is waiting to take this to the P.O. & get the paper – no more home deliveries. Mark gave me a cute little card & a package of v-mail for my birthday.
Love Mother

[Editor’s Note: Bud Kruman has been mentioned several times in the letters, usually for needing a shot. He suffered from Landry’s Paralysis or Guillain-Barre syndrome. Here is a newspaper clipping from February 1943 from the Hammond Times which talks about Bud:

“Patriotism Plus,” Hammond Times (Hammond, Indiana), 22 February 1943, p. 8, col. 2-3; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.org : accessed 16 May 2015).

Fresh Milk (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 31, 1943, p. 1

: October 31, 1943, p. 2

: October 31, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Oct. 31, 1943

Dear Mother,

I have a little more time today and it being Sunday maybe I can collect myself for a better letter than in the past few days.

My getting the incorrect address will slow my mail somewhat but I’ll go past the place of that incorrect address and pick up what mail that might be there and also arrange to have send the other mail sent on. It was all my fault as you can see a similarity in the address. I’ll not be as I said before with Joe R. friends but in that vicinity.

At present I’m at the old

[page 2] stamping ground and will be here for a few days. My clothes were wrinkled and dusty but no moth, etc. The blues will certainly be needed and you can well guess my khakis are getting pretty well worn and the whites are – well you can imagine.

Yesterday I had two glasses of regular fresh state side milk and a good big chunk of lettuce. That was the first of things like that since Aug. of ’42. Imagine how they really tasted. Things like that should be more easily obtained at my new station. I hope.

Really I’m ashamed of myself

[page 3] for doing all this running around when you have to stay at home and assume the responsibility of home. However you know it isn’t of my own free will and accord, but it is a grand experience some parts of which were more thrilling than others – a few even frightening but those are all over now and it’s back to more or less hum drum.

I’ll have to stop and write the folks as this is the usual day for their letter and I want them to have my new address.

Love Daddy

P.S. My last letter from you was dated Oct. 10 and it will be several days before others will find me.