A. Taylor | Genealogy Lady

V-mail November 2, 1942

Several weeks past, Roscoe mailed a box of shells and coral to the family. He had spent many an evening combing the beach on his tropical South Pacific island to find these treasures. The box finally arrived and the contents made the voyage across the ocean (and the United States) relatively intact. As predicted, the older boys were pleased by the new treasures and took them to school to show off. Gladys didn’t mention another item that was included in the box. Roscoe had taken a souvenir bath mat from the S.S. Alcoa Pennant. The bath mat was used as extra stuffing.

Letter transcription:

LT (JG) Yegerlehner MC
Navy SSA (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Indiana

11-2-42

Dear Daddy,

The box came this morning. The boys were very pleased over the collection and each took some of the various pieces to school. They will both write and thank you. That was very good time the box made in coming – a month. I am mailing your laundry to you today. Would have sent it sooner but didn’t know what to do with it. I finally got the letter you mentioned it in – the later was posted Oct 18 and was missent to Columbus. I think I have received all your letters now. Sometimes one will be sent elsewhere then I get it after getting later ones. Had your picture enlargement made and send to your Mother. You might send her a box of shells if you can. The buckle was very nice – now I will have to buy a dress to wear it on. My checks came this morning. I get two separate ones each mo. 170 & 30. The check A. Taylor gave me bounced. Don’t know what to do with it if anything. It is time to feed David – and he is about to wake up – have him in his basket by the desk. Tried to take more pictures of him Sat but it was too chilly to keep him out – he squirmed so we couldn’t get him still long enough. He is growing so much. When he is two month old will have Hubertz make a picture of him.

Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/03/november-2-1942-gladys/

Today’s letter features some great re-capping on Gladys’ part. At this point in the letters, Gladys knew that a chunk of letters were missing in action. We learn a bit more about the night David was born and Gladys finally has the news that Roscoe was aware of David’s birth. She provided a lot of answers to questions that Roscoe had been asking over the last month or so. How much money was in the bank account? Who was helping around the house? Who had enlisted and who was still in town?

: October 31, 1942 Envelope

: October 31, 1942, p. 1

: October 31, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana
Oct 31-1942

Dear Daddy-

At last I received a letter from you saying you had the news about David – and the middle name is Anthony – I wrote all the details in a letter while I was in the hospital but just in case it was lost I will try and give you a brief resume .

My water broke at 11 P.M. – without any pain. I called Dr. Cole & he said to come to the hospital. I called Bob & then Dorothy – Clarice also went along. After we started I began having hard pains and Bob drove as fast as he could. We were on 4^th floor by midnight. David was born at 2:03 and I had ether as soon as they got me strapped down so didn’t know much about the pain at the last. I was just beginning to get very hard pains when they took me in to the delivery room (1:30) so you know I got thru in fine shape and of course no tears inside or out because the little fellow only weighed 6-11. I suffered more with my breasts than I did having him. I tried to nurse him and he kept losing weight – he went back to 6 lbs – and my breasts were well stimulated. They gave me stilbestrol and I had to take twice as much as I did the last time. Dr. C. made me stay in the hospital two weeks. When we came home David weighed 6-3 ¼ and now weighs almost 8 lbs and he will be 6 weeks old Wed (Nov. 4). When I left the hospital I sent for my bill and the nurse came in and said it had already been taken care of. We are feeding David Carnation, Dextri-Maltrose – orange juice & Oleum Per.

Everything here is going along pretty good now that I am able to be up and doing again. The furnace is O.K. So far the boys have been taking care of it with help from the neighbors now & then. Link has taken the clinkers out and Mr. Zell cleaned the soot & clinkers out once. I think the boys & I will be able to keep it in shape now. Joe got the storm windows put up and after the leaves all fall I will have the guttering cleaned. I think everything has been attended to. I had antifreeze put in the car & winter oil put in. I keep the tires checked. The bank acct. at present is around 700⁰⁰ that includes the birthday gift. I have paid the coal bill and of course ins. as it comes due. There are a few drug bills to pay but altogether they won’t amount to 100⁰⁰. I will pay those one day when I take a

[Written on side margin] Jim’s address is still Camp Bradford Norfolk but he is moving to another location so don’t know what it will be.

[page 2]notion. They don’t bother me much with statements maybe if they did I would pay them.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Mrs. P. sent me 5⁰⁰ and a gift to David (3⁰⁰). Dorothy Krull sent me a potted plant. Mother brought me a gift when she came in Sept and gave it to me then – a set of bowls. She is still here and I don’t know when she is going home. Nothing has been said about it lately. I tried to get help with housecleaning but “no go.” I will do it myself as I have time & feel like it. I am not going to make myself sick doing it however.

The boys (John & Mark) are taking Sherman oral vaccine. Maybe that will keep them from taking cold. John had a slight head cold when he started taking the pills & after two his cold was gone. He had a sneezing all thru hay fever tie. I was of the opinion he had some allergy.

If all my letters get to you, you will get all the local news because I tried to put all of interest in my letters. So many have gone into service – here is a list – Art Kenney – Paul Bruck, Kenny Jones, Emery J. Jr., Eddie Britton, Leo Yose, the two Mullen boys, the Myers twins (Al didn’t enlist). There are many others but I can’t think of them now. I think I told you Newell Lamb has the office. He was appointed Prosecuting Attorney due to the present one going to service. Clifford S. as you know is running for election on the Dem. Ticket. He didn’t do much with our collections. I saw A. Taylor yesterday & he gave me a check for 9⁰⁰. He said he thought that was all he owed. I told him I would send him an itemized statement. He said if I was right he would pay the rest.

I talk to Mrs. R. rather often. She calls me or I call her. I told her you hadn’t had news for a long time & didn’t know about the baby. Earl stopped there en route to an Army Camp in Pa. and she told him. He came to see me and was going to help me get word to you when I got your letter saying you at last had my V-mail letters. I sent several while I was in bed at home and in the hospital. I don’t believe you rec’d all. If you get my previous letters this will be a rehash.

I tried to call Mrs. Ash while in Laf. But didn’t get an answer. I haven’t talked to her since she saw me in the hospital. I didn’t write to Mrs. W. Sorry he had to go, because I know you enjoyed his company from your letters.

I rec’d two letters yesterday and six today which brings things pretty much up to date for me. Hope you get the Christmas boxes being sent. We sent one. I am sending another for your birthday but don’t know when you will get it.

Love
Mother & Boys

[written on side margin] I wrote yesterday explaining the radio-gram.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/30/halloween-octo…31-1942-gladys/