Tag Archives: Clay City

To Clay City and Back

Letter transcription:

Jan. 27-1966

Dear David & Bonnie –

I just finished listening to Mozart’s Don Giovanni. John brought it in exchange for the album Mark & Shirley gave me for Christmas and since I like M. and this is one of his best I couldn’t have been more pleased. Dad is at the hospital seeing one of Dr. K’s patients—and it is about 2° above. He had put both cars in the garage before six, but he said at the time he didn’t think he would get to keep his in. A bearing burned out of his car so we had to use mine to drive to C.C. yesterday, then when I went to get it yesterday Tuberty told me it needed a new exhaust pipe so I had to take it back this morning. After lunch today John went back to Champaign and took Aunt Ruth home as he went.

[page 2] We arrived home just before six on Wed. and Dad called the hospital and one of his O.B.’s was ready for delivery. He rushed to the hospital and was back in time for us to attend a stockholder’s dinner at 7. We were a few minutes late but in time to be served. I should have stayed home I was so tired but hope to get rested back to normal by morning. I intend to take a bath & go to bed as soon as I finish this. Yesterday was a long day. We left here at 8 a.m. and got back at 6 and we were standing, sitting or riding the whole time. The ladies of the church had a meal ready to serve after the funeral service so we had a chance to talk to the relatives before we came home. I talked to Mrs. Myers this evening and told her why I hadn’t seen her this week. I haven’t had time to stop. I usually stop once or twice a week.

[page 3] Dad said if I would get some information from his cousin in New Jersey about the cousins in Switzerland, we would stop and see them when we take our trip this summer. I have written.—Friday—It has been below 0 today and it has seemed much colder than the reading. When we came home from the office we put the cars in the garage and I hope Dad doesn’t have to go out again.

Wed.-Feb. 2—I haven’t been out of the house since last Friday—and should have stayed in then. I have been having a temperature that just stays with me. I am able to be up and do some things, but have not really done much work. John H. is here now running the sweeper and will mail this. He has been running errands for me. The record player started cutting out so Dad & Janssen decided it needed more

[page 4] ventilation, so Dad drilled 100 holes below and above the amplifier last night and said he wanted me to run the record player all day. I listened to the Barber of Seville twice, once to Carmen and now have a symphony. It hasn’t cut out any today, so maybe that was the trouble. I think Dad really enjoys this stereo. The TV gets turned on some, but it is definitely taking second place. I never get tired of listening to good music but that TV racket does bother me and about the only time I give it is for news or specials.

We haven’t had any word from Chicago, so it won’t be a January baby now.

Love Mother

P.S. I am taking declomycin for my temperature.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/03/02/to-clay-city-and-back/

Thanksgiving Week

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Nov. 29-1965

Dear David and Bonnie –

I am writing again in Wilmington. Will spend the night here and then go home in the morning. We have had a full week. Last Tuesday we went back to Kentland—stopping in Kankakee to shop and eat. It was about 4 PM when we reached Kentland, so after a short siesta I went to the office and after we had dinner I was ready to fold. Wed. we started preparing food for the homecoming. John came home about 2:30. Lea & Bob came in time for dinner. Mark, Shirley & children arrived later in the evening. Lea & Bob left to go to Bob’s parents in the afternoon (Thurs). M. & S. stayed until Fri. afternoon. John left to return to Champaign after church

[page 2] Sunday. Dad & Aunt Ruth & I went to Clay City to attend the Alumni Tea. None of the Yegerlehners were there, so we went out to see Clarence. Aunt Clara is not well. She had an operation for cancer last summer and also had cobalt treatments. In Sept. Clarence and Clara visited Aunt Ruth & Clara seemed fine. They had stopped to see us, but that was while we were away. Aunt Ruth was quite surprised to see how thin Clara is. Uncle Clarence told Dad she isn’t able to retain her food much of the time. We went on down to see Ralph & Faye. Faye said she is quite upset over Clara’s condition. Evidently from what Faye told us the cancer wasn’t all removed. I have never seen Clara as thin as she is now. Just a shadow of her former self.

[page 3] Duane has a church in Rockford, Ill. now. He was in Shelbyville, Ind.

We stopped in Brazil to see Vic & Beulah. They told us Marie had been married recently. I called her and she and her new husband, Mr. Shewmaker, came to Vic & Beulah’s to see us. All in all we had a very nice day, except for seeing Aunt Clara in such a poor condition.

Today I made statements and mailed them as we were ready to leave town. Aunt Ruth folded them and stuffed envelopes. I ran the amount on the adding machine and when I showed Aunt Ruth how much it amounted to, she said she could see why I would spend a day making them. (Not that we will collect one third of the amount.)

[page 4] Mrs. Myers didn’t get to spend Thanksgiving with us. She was upset and couldn’t eat. I went to see her the next day and she was feeling much better. She was looking in a Sears catalogue and wanted to order a bathrobe. I told her not to buy anything until after Christmas. I found one that I thought was quite pretty at Ashton’s, so bought it for her for Christmas. I was wondering what I would give her—now I have that taken care of. I think she is going to have to go to a nursing home because I think she shouldn’t be alone. I think she is thinking that way herself now. I have had a full day, so think I will soon take a bath & retire.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/23/thanksgiving-week/

Mother’s Day 1961

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright – Handwritten by David]
May 13, 1961

Dear David,

Your Mother’s Day card received. I also rec’d one from Bob & Lea and a card and (two gardenias) corsage from Shirley, Mark & Becky. My corsage from last week-end (prom, etc.) is still good. I told Dad he could wear one tomorrow. He gave me a new watch. My old one flipped off my wrist one day and hit the floor. After that it wouldn’t run. I took it in to LeBeau. He said it would cost so much to repair it he recommended a new one (naturally). I also received a notice from the bank that your account was .53₵ overdrawn. I deposited $25.00 for you. I took a sunbath today. That old tank platform makes an ideal secluded spot for a sun bath. This is my first day

[page 2] so only took about 3 or 4 mi. on each side. If this sunshine continues I should be getting a good tan by the time you come home.

Mrs. Myers had to have a tooth pulled this a.m. Since she doesn’t have anyone to give her a Mother’s Day gift and since I had received so much I took her a pretty plant. She was quite pleased but was feeling rather shaken up from the tooth pulling ordeal. Let us know where to come and get you. We are going to C.C. Tuesday to Clarence’s to hear the family history from the cousin who went to Switzerland last summer.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/09/21/mothers-day-1961/

Office Plans (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 22, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 22, 1945, p. 1

9-22-45

Dear Daddy –

It is a rainy Sat. We have been cleaning the house getting ready for David’s party. I washed the wall in the hall where I had used the paint and it washed nicely. The dirt came off easier with a brush. I am not planning to paint the hall now because it looks good enough as is. Will just wait until spring and maybe we can have a painter do the whole house. David rec’d a birthday card from Sherill Thrailkill and one from Ruth & Floyd. John asked David what he wanted for his birthday and he said a card, so John is going to give him a dollar with a card. Mark got a magic slate for him. Lucile bought a telephone for him one time while we were shopping together in Laf. I got the horses for him but he found it and has played with it two weeks. I thought I would buy him a wagon – there is a war model at the variety store, but Norma gave him the old tin wagon their girls had – she says they don’t play with it. Dorothy never did make the trip to Laf. so I didn’t get a chance to shop there. John wanted me to go today but I have been so busy getting ready for the party and since it has started to rain would rather not make the trip.

The boys are listening to a football game but there is quite a lot of static (Illinois & Pittsburg at Champaign).

September 22, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Just heard Ind. is leading Mich. 13-0 at first half. J. & M. went to the ball game here last night. Mark got to play in the 7^th & 8^th grade game. John asked him who won and he said it was a tie. I stayed at home and knitted. I started Bobby Krull’s snow suit. I finished the jacket & cap and Dorothy seemed well pleased. She is still having some cold, but was downtown yesterday afternoon.

I went to Cosmopolitan club yesterday at Mrs. Harry Hufty’s and met Phyllis Merrill’s mother. She said she had met me once before in C.C. I attended a Past Matrons meeting at Mrs. John Gilsons – (you remember or do you). Mr. Gilson works for the Lbr. Co. in C.C. I remember attending the meeting, but don’t remember Mrs. Merrill. There were a number of people there from Hymera.

John Krull is having his opening the 26^th – pretty good time after the fire. He should have plenty of business – especially at noon, since Nick still closes from 11 to 3. The Nu-Joy site is about cleaned off. Just curious to see if they rebuild there.

You said something about a central hall thru the back room – I still think the hall at the west side would be better because it would lead directly to the door that goes over into the room back of Mildred’s place. I am enclosing two plans, and you can see there would have to be a turn in the hall if it goes thru the center.

David is cutting waste paper to amuse himself – it’s hard on him to stay in – he seems to be the outdoor type.

Love,
Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/01/office-plans-gladys/

A Letter From Mom (Lovina)

1 Reply

September 22, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 22, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 22

Dear Roscoe,

Well how are you? Hope you [are] well and can come home soon. I baked a cake this morning to take to the church tomorrow. They have the homecoming. I don’t feel very much like working. I’ve not felt very good for a while. I had rheumatism or something in my right ankle about all week. I could hardly walk but is better now. Pop is out fixing fence.

September 22, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] They round Doyle Cordell. They say he is alright and well. Willis is with him. I don’t know where he was but he is Manilla now. You might get to see him when he comes through there and Hershel Steiner is on his way home. He was in Okinawa. He wrote the 5^th of this month he would leave the 7. He is in the 34 Batt. Minnie told me yesterday evening his folks didn’t know where he was till now. Don Kirkling was gone so long before Minnie heard from him. He was in Norway and Scotland.

September 22, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] He thought he would soon be back over here. Ralph is laying the brick for his hen house. Clarence has some of his soybean down. It’s been so cloudy and rainy can’t put them up. If we know you were at Kentland last Sunday some of us would of come up. I have my canning all done. We haven’t had any frost yet but it’s been pretty cool. I must get my dinner ready, want to go to town this after

September 22, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] noon. We had our dinner for town.
Love Mom

[Editor’s note: Doyle Cordell was reported missing in March 1943 while serving in the Philippines.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/31/a-letter-from-mom-lovina/

Meet at Grandma’s

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

August 2, 1945

Evanston Aug. 2

Dear Mother,

Just a line or two to tell you I think I’ll meet you at Grandma’s. Since you’re not coming till Tuesday that will give me plenty of time to plan things out. I’ll go to Wilmington Saturday. The Mutchlers know the transportation situation and can help me plan how to get to C.C.

Mrs. S. is going to help me send my stuff by express.

So I’ll be seeing you Tuesday –

Love John

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/03/meet-at-grandmas/

Happy Thanksgiving 1943 (Gladys)

1 Reply

: November 25, 1943 envelope

: November 25, 1943, p. 1

: November 25, 1943, p. 2

: November 25, 1943, p. 3

: November 25, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 25 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

One more year your birthday comes on Thanksgiving Day. Hope you cards have caught up with you by this date. Mark said “life begins at forty.” I said that may be true for Daddy, only I am hoping yours will begin again for your family soon after 39. That may be put crudely, but I think you will get what I mean.

It’s after 4 P.M. and David and his mother slept from 2 till 4. I kept him out in the warm sunshine until he got cross, then decided he should have his nap. He used to take a nap after his bath, orange juice & oil at 10 a.m. but won’t go to sleep any more at that hour so we wait until afternoon now. It has been sunny the past few days so in order to get him out during the best of the sunshine take him out right after lunch. He will stay in his Taylor Tot a while then wants to get out & walk around. His 8^th tooth is almost through.

[page 2] I didn’t want to go into the locker because of my sinus & throat condition – which seem pretty good today – so Link said he would be going over. We wanted a chicken for dinner but Link forgot all about going. He had told me he had to go for them. So we had beef roast instead. I made dressing, baked potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, raw carrots, celery, pumpkin pie and tea. I think we fared well enough. J. & M. kept referring to the meat as turkey. The Zells ate with Shirks. Chafee won a 16 lb. turkey at the raffle and couldn’t find anyone to dress it, so Mr. Z. dressed same then Shirks invited Zells to dinner. The Shirks & Zells used to live in Brookville at the same time. Johnsons also won a turkey and dressed it and put it in our locker for Christmas. So far I haven’t planned much for Christmas. I don’t want to plan on going to C.C. I think that is too far to go with D. in cold weather. We may possibly go to Mutch’s or have them come over here if Earl can get the gas. If not we can just remain home. I suppose R. & F. will go to C.C. If it gets as cold this year as it did last I would much rather stay home than try to go visiting. After all with the four of us we can make merry right at home. Of course we would

[page 3] enjoy being with the family, or having a part of the family come here.

I’ll mention again in case those other letters do not reach you – I rec’d two bouquets of flowers. Lt. Palmer wrote a nice letter to Bergens and they passed it on to me. He was very complimentary about you. But why shouldn’t he be – you deserve it.

I rec’d a letter from Dolores. She sent me some pictures of her & Steve. I think he is a nice looking young man. She didn’t mention his present location. He must have had several days off when they were married – she said in her letter she went back to work the day after Steve went back to camp.

I have to make another trip to Laf. to get the lenses for my glasses. I had planned to go Tues. but Mark was home and I couldn’t get Clara to come and stay with Mark and David, so was going to have Arlene get the lenses for me, but they have to have my frames to drill the holes in the right places, so we plan to go tomorrow. School being out J. & M. can take care of David in the car. I will try to do a little Christmas shopping but I know I won’t do much. The stores are jammed and the stocks are low.

[page 4] There seems to be three or four persons to any article for sale. The stores are short of clerks. I don’t like to buy anything I don’t have to. You can hardly imagine the change in business conditions. I want to buy gifts for Jimmy, Bobby, Donald, & the Zell girls and frankly I am “stumped.” The prices on toys are high and the toys offered this year are nothing compared to former years. I am not complaining. It’s just a natural condition arising from circumstances – Just wish I could find something to give that would do as good as toys. I suppose I will if I think hard enough. I told J. & M. I am going to give them money. Of course I will get something else – probably some clothing & wrap it to put under the tree. They have been wanting to know what to get me. That is as much a problem as any, but we will solve all these by Christmas and try to have a Merry Christmas.

Last Thanksgiving was a week earlier than this year and it turned cold and stayed cold all winter. I remember we hung clothes out on the line & they froze. We didn’t hang clothes out today but it was nice & warm.

It’s five o’clock and I have rambled on without saying much but hope it will take up a little of your time
“Love – Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/29/happy-thanksgiving-1943-gladys/

Dear Brother (Clarence)

2 Replies

: November 8, 1943 envelope

: November 8, 1943, p. 1

: November 8, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Clay City Ind.
Nov. 8, 1943

Dear Brother,

No excuse for not writing now since weather conditions won’t permit gathering corn. Have cribbed about 360 bu. and most of balance is to[o] moist. The fall season has been pretty good at that. Wheat looks good but some soy beans are still to combine.

Well how are you getting along by this time? O.K. we hope. The reports concerning the war on all fronts are sure sounding good and let’s hope they continue. Kenneth has started flying a few weeks ago and seems to like it fine. He only weighs 190 lbs now. He is located at Springfield Mo. Wilma likes her work in nursing. At present she gets to come home Saturday noon until Sunday 7 P.M. However, I don’t think it will last very long as they are rushed quite a bit.

You can see that you are getting a new writer so it rather deprives me of some news. No need telling it twice. I’ll try and not put off writing so long next time. I was so busy this summer that I just couldn’t find time to write even to Kenneth. The girls had to do that. (over)

Pa & Ma are feeling good. They were at Kentland, Wilmington & Chicago last week while Floyds were here. They visited Uncle Silvester. He had been very low but is pretty good I guess now.

It is 9:00 o’clock now so I guess I’ll have to go to bed. May try a little duck or goose hunting in the morning since the snow blizzard has set in. I killed 8 ducks a couple days ago, & sure would like a chance on a goose. Well here’s hoping that the strife will be over very shortly and all can return to civilian life. Write when you can.

Your Bro
Clarence

This letter was delayed until we got your new address until Nov. 10. Ground froze a little but I think it will warm up a little now. The sun is trying to get thru.
C.Y.

Uncle Roscoe (Duane)

1 Reply

[Editor’s note: Duane was Roscoe’s nephew, son of his brother Clarence. In 1943, Duane was 12 years old. He makes a statement which made me cringe as it is clearly racist to the modern, 21st century ear. However, in 1943, remarks such as these were commonplace. We cannot rewrite history but accept it for what it was. This letter was included with one that Clarence wrote on November 18th.]

: November 7, 1943, p. 1

: November 7, 1943, p. 2

: November 7, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Clay City, Indiana
November 7, 1943

Dear Uncle Roscoe,

Mark never had such a time in his life when he was here about 2 weeks ago. We went shucking corn. He started to shuck an ear. It was emp There wann’t any there & he said “Aw shucks an empty one.” He was at Uncle Ralph’s the day before & they gathered pumpkins. Mark said he wanted this one, theyed come to another & Mark said he wanted that one until had had about a dozen. I guess (over)

[page 2] he finally got one picked out.

Say, did you ever hear the tale of the frog. – He didn’t have any. You probably aren’t up to date on this one. Why don’t Hitler have a Suit Case. – He lost his “grip” in Russia. The only bags he’s got are under his eyes.

We don’t have such a good basketball team this year. I don’t know so much about it yet cause we have just played 1 game. We lost 18-31 to Switz City.

Boy it’s raining pitchforks & negro babies here. It’s been raining about all day today & yesterday. Carolyn don’t feel very well. She has sore throat. Daddy says she ought to

[page 3] have her tonsils taken out. I think she’ll have them taken out next summer. This

This fountain pen writes better after it was filled.

I am collecting post cards. I have from 15 different states including from District of Columbis. 37 post cards all together. I would like very much if you could send me one. I have just started this lately.

As ever
Duane Y.

P.S. If it isn’t to much trouble.
P.S. I didn’t get my this letter mailed. It’s Mon. evening & there is a snow blizzard. Over the radio they said 2 people had fro died in the northern part of state.

Fall Leaves (Gladys)

1 Reply

: 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.