Tag Archives: Dorothy Krull

Lucile Johnson

August 13, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Sunday Evening
Aug. 13^th

Dear Gladys,

Are you having another siege of this hot weather, too? I have nearly roasted all day. Jimmy and I are planning on going to Monticello tomorrow for a few days so I have worked all day getting ready. Since Mildred is so busy I have been washing my own hair, and I even did that task today.

The Rotary Club members are entertaining their wives for dinner at the Sportsman Hotel at Monticello tomorrow nite. Wish you and Doc were here to go with us.

Yesterday we moved your meat. I am enclosing the agreement that Ed signed for you. We will just keep the keys here until you come to Kentland. Mr. Brand said you had the keys to the locker in Sheldon and wanted you to send them to him. We took some round steak from your supply and had lovely baked steak for dinner. It was so tender you could cut it with

August 13, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] a fork. We have enough left for dinner tomorrow. Thanks for the steak!

About all of Kentland is either in Wisconsin or are expecting to go there within the next week or so. The Bowers, Geo. Dale Tiltons, Doc. Limps, Pauline Dennis and the two younger boys and Greta Dixon left early Sat. morning. The Sammons are already there. I understand the Foulkes are going to their cottage this wk. The Funks and Krulls are leaving Thurs. P.M. of this week. Nick is closing the Restaurant for two weeks. I understand the Funks are staying for a month. I guess several other people from Funks are going to Wisconsin, too.

Arleen entertained Bridge Club two weeks ago last Tues. and had a shower for Dorothy. She received such lovely gifts: a big blanket from Arleen; a carriage robe from Cecelia Donahue; a chenille bed spread from Sarah Glenns Dowling; two Percale crib sheets from Rose Bruck; a carriage pillow and lovely hand made pillow case from Pauline Dennis; Marie

August 13, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] gave her a beautiful pink satin quilted “cuddle nest.” That was something new to me. You can use it in the carriage sort of like a Bunting. I had Margaret Kruman knit her a darling pink sweater, hood and booties. (Of course, you knew it was to be a girl!) Dorothy has been buying some things recently. She got some shirts, receiving blankets and some pads. Had to leave an order at Loeb’s for curity diapers. You should see her. She is as big as a barn, but still serving beer at the Restaurant on Sat. nite. Nick doesn’t have any help on Sat. nite so she still works. I wouldn’t do it. He could close the place first.

Jimmy attended a birthday party last Wed. David Dennis was 5 years old. I baked him the Birthday cake and Jimmy kept yelling all forenoon – “Davie’s cake!” He talks constantly now. Is putting words together at last. He says, “Daddy come on.” “Down town, market!” He loves to go shopping. If he is in the room where I am and wants to go after something he says,

August 13, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] “right back.” He tells a whole story in about three words – “Haircut – coke – penny!” That means he had a haircut, that we had a coke afterwards because he was a big boy and didn’t cry, and that he had to give the man a penny for cutting his hair. All silver are pennies and he has no use what so ever for folding money.

Jimmy had half of his first whooping cough shot Thurs. A.M. Doc was afraid he would break out, but we have had no reaction. He is to take the other half of the first tomorrow and if he doesn’t have any reaction from that he is going to give the others in full shots. I tried my best to get him to give him a full one the first time but he wouldn’t do it. Jimmy’s nose had been running, he sneezes so much and his eyes are so watery red and swollen, and I am afraid he may have hay fever. Doc thought perhaps it was just the dry, dusty weather. I don’t know when we have had a rain. I certainly hope he doesn’t have hay fever.

August 13, 1944, p. 5

[page 5] Ed says that is a rich man’s disease. We can’t afford to go to Wisconsin for a couple months. Jimmy still has several (many I should say) – toilet accidents yet, so disgusted with him I don’t know what to do. I think he still be having accidents when he starts to school.

If Doc gets a leave and you come to Kentland, we would be glad to put up Doc, you and David, but I don’t know where we would put the other two boys unless it would be under the bed, and it might be a bit dusty there.

Would love to see you. I’ll bet David has changed considerable. I know Jimmy has. We had his 18 mos. pictures taken. We thought they were real good.

Your meat is all moved so you can rest easy on that score, and we were glad to do it for you.

Hope to see you yet this month in Kentland.

Love,
Lucille

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/12/lucile-johnson/

Big Push Tomorrow (Gladys)

4 Replies

June 11, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
6-11-44

Dear Daddy –

Sun. evening and the boys are in after a game of croquet with the Zell girls. David is asleep – Just went up to see bout him and he had taken off his sleepers. I want to retire early because have lots to do next week. I intend to pack dishes, etc., but the men who do Lyon’s moving will move the rest out into the attic. I told Mr. L. we couldn’t lease the house but he said he didn’t expect a lease but would like a 30 day notice. Their refrigerator won’t fit into our kitchen so that won’t have to be moved. They will use ours. I don’t know about the stove, but it they don’t use ours, I will tell them to store it in the attic.

June 11, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I gave Mr. L. a few instructions about the furnace but will tell him more before we leave.

As far as I know we will leave here on the 5 a.m. train and the 10 a.m. out of Chicago. I haven’t tried to get anyone to take us to Chicago in a car. I don’t like to ask anyone to make a trip that far unless they would be making it anyway. I haven’t seen much of Krulls. I called D. and went down to the restaurant one day but seems they were insulted because you didn’t go past and say good-bye – She wasn’t very friendly – in fact I had to make any conversation that went so I haven’t been back. I was entirely unaware of offending them but found out something was wrong and after getting the “freeze-out” decided to leave her alone until she thaws out.

I was out walking and stopped to see Arlene. She is having to rest quite a bit now. Her heart was bothering her, but she is feeling better.

June 11, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] They (Bill & Arlene) had a family picture made – It was very good. The picture man was around last Mon. but I didn’t have any take of David – Thought we would wait until he is 2 for a photographer picture.

Mark took his exams and got his report card. Got better grades on the exams than he had on his last term. When Al was out he said he told Miss W. he would go over her head and promote Mark, but I felt it wouldn’t hurt Mark to take the exams, then there wouldn’t be any questions or hard feeling on Miss W. part. Or course, I felt Al was right in the way he “put it” – He said “we graduate the Seniors who enter service, after one day of school,” so why not promote Mark, who had only one week to finish – so much for that.

June 11, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I am tired of doing nothing all day so will turn in and get rested up for the big push tomorrow.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/02/big-push-tomorrow-gladys/

Housing Situation (Gladys)

1 Reply

May 1, 1944 envelope

May 1, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
5-1-44

Dear Daddy –

A letter this a.m. You had looked at the cottages with a community pump and chem. Toilets. I told the boys about them and you can imagine John’s reaction. However if we couldn’t do any better I suppose we could struggle along in a cottage, but it would be something to pay $100.00 a month for such unhandy quarters. The water carrying wouldn’t bother me – with J. & M. to furnish transportation. But it would always be the other boy’s turn to carry water you know. David is still taking a nap. It’s 2:30 and I have had 40 winks myself. It is raining so can’t take D. out – unless it clears off. He was out so long yesterday he will miss it today if he has to stay in. He bumped his lip a little again this morning and made a little blood come – about a drop. I’ll be so glad when it’s completely healed. The inside looks like it is healed.

May 1, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] The Carrols are moving here from Brook and taking the house Gerricks live in (Mrs. Shuh’s property). Gerricks are looking for a house but haven’t anything yet. The Greathouses are moving to Fowler – he is manager of a store there – but the Donahue’s are taking the house Greathouses have, and someone already has the Donahue house – so the situation here is as always. Lucile J. asked me how much we could get for ours. I said the payments and she seemed to think that was more than anyone in this town could pay for rent. I imagine Smith’s would pay what we ask to get a place to live. I don’t know whether there are any empty apts. at Kent or not but do know Ira said they were trying to find a place for the Ag teacher too. Tackett didn’t pass his physical, but I don’t know whether he is being hired again this year. He wasn’t very popular with many people and Washburns want to get him off their place. I know if a lot of people around here have their way he won’t be back here to teach next fall.

Last night when I talked to Lila I asked her if she would go to Evanston with me one day, but

May 1, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] she said she didn’t know her way around in Evanston. If I could get someone to go with me and spend the day I should be able to find something but it would have to be someone who knows the town. Dorothy’s mother should be able to help a person out. She lives in her apt. alone – maybe she would let us use a room until we could find something – I am certain we will find something if we try hard enough.

For a few minutes I thought the sun would shine but it’s very cloudy again and looks like rain. We watered the evergreens Sat., but I believe there is enough rain now to keep them damp a day or two. I never did get the dirt loosened up around the shrubbery and spread the manure and now it’s took wet to do much for a few days. Ed was out yesterday, raking and cleaning their yard. They are going to fence in a play yard for Jimmy. They cut out the tree in that little front yard and with it out there will be quite enough space for Jimmy to play in. I do wish we could get a place for the summer with a play yard – but I’ll not complain about anything if we can be together – that’s a promise –

Love Mother

P.S. Smith was here this afternoon – He & Mrs. are coming back Sat. to look at the house.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/12/housing-situation-gladys/

Mrs. Henry Molter (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 30, 1944 envelope

April 30, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-30-44

Dear Daddy –

April just about gone – It rained this morning, but it’s warm. I took David to church this morning and he behaved very well. His lip looks fine and baring falls will look normal again soon. I have noticed however that one front tooth is pushed back out of line. Dr. M. examined his mouth rather thoroughly for loose teeth but they seemed intact. Sat. when he took the stitches out he said as soon as his mouth heals to take him to the dentist. It wasn’t the broken tooth that got pushed back but the other one. Dr. M. said he felt like doing something to me for allowing him to fall and cause the bleeding around the stitches, but someone would have to carry him around all the time to keep him from falling. Dr. M. was afraid there would be a scar but after he got the stitches out it looked pretty smooth.

The sun is shining now. I hope it keeps shining so I can take D. out after his nap. He is getting quite a tan. Was out so much yesterday.

Mark went with Zells to Morocco to see a show last night. John stayed home and did homework. I ironed something I couldn’t do on the ironer. I thought after I went to bed David might be getting the measles. He would cry in his sleep – did that several times, but finally settled down. It will be two weeks Mon. since he was exposed. I am hoping he is going to sail thru.

I got a suit for John in Laf. but had to send it back because the sleeves were too short. I went to the tailor here to see about getting a suit made for him but Mr. Corbin said he wasn’t able to do much now so wouldn’t take the job. I thought I may go to Laf. again

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] next week and try again to get a suit and Mark a pr. of shoes. Mark doesn’t have school Tues. I asked Lucile if she wanted to go but she said she had a woman coming to help clean Mon. & Tues. and couldn’t go before the last of the week. I asked Dorothy if she could go to Evanston one day to house hunt and she said a week from Thurs. – but I hope you will have found something before then. I do hope you can find a cottage on the Lake. I think that would be much better for the summer.

Mark has been working on a plane for Bobby and I have had to keep after him to finish it. He says all he has to do now is cover the wings then he will be thru. I told him he couldn’t go out today until he finishes it. He starts a plane and if I don’t keep after him he forgets all about it and the plane never gets finished.

Al thought yesterday that Smith would be in town and if so would bring him out – If they came it was while we went Sheldon to get some meat. I brought all of Clara’s lima beans back and took them to Henry’s (instructions). Mrs. Molter was home alone so I put the beans in the refrigerator. Mrs. M. doesn’t walk. I knew she was an invalid but didn’t know her trouble. She said she had arthritis in her spine. The local Dr. is Glick. She has had operations and been in the hospitals for treatments but doesn’t improve. I was surprised to see such a young woman. I have heard Rose & Clara speak of Henry’s wife but had never met her before. I suppose you have met her. I know you were on two calls to see Henry.

May add a P.S. later.
Love Mother

P.S. Took David for a walk – Stopped at Johnsons & we walked with Lucile & J.E. awhile. Ed took a picture of D. & his mother – hope it’s good. I called Lila and had a little gab. She asked me if one of letters was late. I told her I would wring Joe’s neck.

YEG1944-04-30 Gladys Yegerlehner (R) David (middle)

Gladys, with Jimmy Ed and David (R)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/10/mrs-henry-molter-gladys/

A Week Since (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 29, 1944 envelope

April 29, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-29-44

Dear Daddy –

Doesn’t seem possible that it has been a week since we were anxiously waiting for you to come home. Just hope we can look for you next Sat. After I wrote to you yesterday, I took David out in the yard with me and he fell down smack on his lip and made it bleed. Then after we came back into the house he fell again and made it bleed again. I put sulfa powder on it and took him to the Dr. this morning. He took the stitches out and in spite of everything it looks pretty good. The swelling from the bumps yesterday is about gone. We have been trying to keep him from falling today. I put him in the Taylor Tot and Mark pushed him around this morning and has him out now. Buddy came out to play with Mark. He will get a taste of what it’s like

April 29, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] to push the baby around.

Al came out this morning with our mortgage exemption for me to sign. He wanted to know if we were going to rent the house to Smiths. I said we would but if we wanted to come back would want the house. I told him we couldn’t say anything definite about how long they could have it. He wanted to know how much rent and I said just enough to meet the payments – between $45 & $50. He said they didn’t have any other house in view. I asked him if he knew of any rental agencies in Evanston or Chicago. He said he didn’t, he is just new in this business.

I have been thinking I might get Dorothy or someone to go with me and go to Evanston or someplace around there one day and house hunt. What do you think?

April 29, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] John has the Opera on. It is being broadcast from Chicago. I wish I could have taken John up for this particular opera, but Miss Smith said the house was sold out weeks ago – that is tickets under $5.50. If we were all in the upper brackets a little $5.50 wouldn’t bother us.

No mail today. Not even a circular. I suppose two or three of yours (letters) will come Mon.

– – Just had a hair cutting job – Martha wanted her bangs cut – but that didn’t take very long. I forgot about the haircut I was supposed to do last weekend until after you left. You no doubt have visited a barber there.

Another pause to take care of David and get him ready to go back out. Yesterday in Laf. he didn’t want to go in the elevators – when I came home and told John, he thought

April 29, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] it was “cute” or something like that. He says he can remember the time I made him ride in the elevator and get over his phobia. He said you weren’t along. I remember the time myself. It was in T.H.

I attended class party last night at Simisons. I was talking to Clarice and Smith is the man Huftys were talking about the evening we were there. I told her we were considering renting our house to them and she said she was glad because they were anxious to find a place. This man Smith has a lot to live up to because I think Bob and a few others pulled hard to get him.

I should write your Mother and tell her about David’s fall or should I say falls. I think by tomorrow it should be healed enough for him to be turned loose.

I must get busy.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/08/a-week-since-gladys/

Trip to Lafayette (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 28, 1944 envelope

April 28, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-28-44

Dear Daddy –

Just back from Laf. Got my glasses welded (75₵). Got John a suit and a few other odds and ends. Took David along but he was “nasty” most of the time. Dorothy didn’t have any shopping to do after she saw the Dr. so we started home about 3:30. She said she had only gained 3 lbs. the past month and seems to be in good condition. She is to take Marie Steinbaugh to Chicago next Wed. and said the last time she was there the Dr. told Mrs. S. that one lung had collapsed. She isn’t very good.

Two letters came this morning. You told about the $250.00 house. I wonder how they think Navy Doctors can pay that much rent.

April 28, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I feel the same as you do about moving up. This is too near to be so far, “or something.” If you find any place at all that will be suitable, take it and we will move up.

Spring is in the air. Gardens and fields are being plowed. Mr. Z. is working on the garden we had last year. Someone disked (?) the corn field across the way, this morning, so I suppose there will be another corn field. If we aren’t here to look at it guess it doesn’t make much difference to us.

I see Jimmy S. playing with the Z. children. Jimmy & Ma have been to Monticello this week. I have a good guess the Ma worked on the cottage this week. I should be working on this place but I run out of pep so soon after I get a good start.

April 28, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I certainly appreciated the things you went into detail about our sons – but I suppose those are the things other people think about when they rent. But at the rental prices around there they could refurnish after renting out a few months.

Mr. Z. is using the Turnpaugh horses and Mark is going out with him when he takes the horses home. He (Mark) wants to put out a little garden. If he could just keep some of the enthusiasm he gets when he wants to start something. This morning I cleaned up one of his messes he made in the basement. I burned a bunch of trash he had let accumulate. He was so quick to go buy the airplane for Bobby and start building it but it isn’t finished yet and I have to

April 28, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] remind him every day to work on it.

I hung out two washers of clothes this morning and they are still hanging so must go take them down. I’ll take D. out and let him run around in the yard while I work. John is going to town to get the paper and mail this.

Dorothy said Harold F. went to the clinic in Chicago yesterday. I don’t know what the findings were.

I can’t think of any news right now. You will have the news I am anxious to hear.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/06/trip-to-lafayette-gladys/

Ice Cream for Supper (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 27, 1944 envelope

April 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-27-44

Dear Daddy –

No letter this morning – I suppose the train was late or for some reason or other it didn’t make connections. It is very windy and I hung drapes out to air. I am not sure I will hang them again. I should have washed those other woolen blankets. The sun has been shining but the wind is very sharp. Lucile walked out with Jimmy but didn’t stay long. Then David & I walked down to the highway, then back to Mrs. Krull’s. Louise is here this week with her children. Mrs. Krull is sewing for Louise so can’t make a suit for me for some time. I looked at B & B for a suit for John

April 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] this morning, but they haven’t much selection. I took David to the Dr. this a.m. – he said to bring him back today. He said it looked good (that is as good as it could after what it had been thru – the lip of course). He said to bring him back in two days to have stitches out.

Dorothy is going to Laf. tomorrow and I plan to go. I am going to take David along. I don’t want to leave him with anyone with such a lip. He may get it bumped with me but I don’t want that to happen for anyone else.

Had a letter from your Mother. Eel river is out and the road north is under water. I suppose by now it is going down. Uncle Geo. had a stroke and Dad and the boys went up to see him. He is better now.

April 27, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] John is at a wiener roast at school. He came home to get cokes out of the refrigerator and said it was so windy they were going inside to have their party. They had intended having it out on the grounds. I told him they should come over and use our fireplace and he reminded me that it is full of clinkers.

Mark wants us to have something “extra special” for supper since John is having a picnic supper. He suggested ice cream and make sodas. We have some cokes but I told him he could have the soda. I have had one coke today and I believe that is enough. Arlene had Donnie & Bobby in the wagon – had been to the filling station for cokes – and David and I were walking along and she asked me in for a coke.

April 27, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] David wanted a taste but that was all. He kept saying words and they thought he was progressing very well in his talking. He closed the nursery door and Donnie said, “You’re bad.” They said he says that to everyone about everything. David made a puddle on the nursery floor (at home) and took me to see it. He has seen me mop up his puddles and thought that was what should be done.

Mark is wanting to go to town to get his ice cream so will let him go and mail this and get the paper.

Hope you have found us a place to live. Wish I could be up there to look around but you & Joe together should be able to find something –

Love Mother

A Split Lip (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 27, 1944 envelope

April 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-27-44

Dear Daddy –

The fall David had Monday was minor compared to one he got this morning. I was upstairs and sewing in the little room. He would play around the machine then go into J. & M.’s room – was closing their door, etc. He came in where I was then ran into their room and the next thing I knew I heard a crash and ran in to see – He was lying under the radio. I don’t know how it happened, but he must have climbed up on one of the beds and then over to the radio and pulled it over on him. I suppose there was something on the radio he wanted. He sustained a jagged gash across the upper lip that took two stitches to close. The cut almost went thru. The inside was cut, both upper and lower but no teeth loosened. There was a small place on the left eye lid but not bad. I noticed this afternoon one finger on the left hand is bruised at the end. He was bleeding and crying and I couldn’t take him in the car by myself

April 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] so we called Dorothy. She came out and we took him down to Dr. M. Dorothy W. had the table ready (I had called the Dr.) and she wrapped a sheet around him to keep his arms down and started to work cleaning the places and finding the extent of the cut. After finishing with the stitches Dr. M. examined him all over for possible broken bones, but found nothing else wrong. When I got back to the house J. & M. were home for lunch. They had gone thru the house looking for me and found the overturned radio. David went to sleep and slept until about 1:30 – I tried to feed him but he wouldn’t eat much. The bandage got wet and when I put a dry one on I thought Dr. M. had done a pretty good job closing up the opening. After his nap I took him out for a walk. He seems to feel pretty good in spite of everything. His upper lip is swollen at least twice its normal size. He keeps drooling and I have to keep a bib on him. He isn’t sucking his thumbs – but he

April 27, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] had quit the thumb habit before his fall. I decided to give “Thum” a try. Arlene said she used it once on Donnie and he quit. She had the bottle she bought for Donnie and wanted to send it up so I thought it was worth a try. I profited from her experience. She told me not to put as much on as she had (she had coated both thumbs) so I just put a small spot on both thumbs and that was enough for a taste – David got one small taste and kept his thumbs out. I put the first on one evening when I was getting him ready for bed. The next morning I heard him sucking his thumb – I got up and took him to the toidey and told him I would put more stuff on his thumbs so he didn’t put them in his mouth again. Yesterday noon I spotted both thumbs and he wouldn’t get his hands near his face – Last night after his bath I

April 27, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] put a spot on each thumb again and this morning he wasn’t sucking his thumbs or hadn’t been until his fall. I hadn’t mentioned the Thum experiment because I wanted to wait and see what the results would be.

Seems this letter has been mostly about David, but he had a lot to talk about. Mark has gone over to the High School to a track meet and John has been busy getting things assembled for a party his class is having. He is Treas. And has to spend the class money for them.

I am enclosing a V-mail that came from Ed Lentz.

About that $150.00 house – I hope we don’t have to pass up many offers. Was it a furnished house? Could we have kept roomers? Did you talk to Joe about sharing the house? This sounds like a lot of questions in a row but I am interested in finding a house – and I am ready to move anytime. – Of course the boys should get a least two more weeks of school but could miss the last few days.

Love Mother

Renting the House (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 26, 1944 envelope

April 26, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
4-26-44

Dear Daddy,

In a manner of speaking you had better get us a place to live – I have taken the first step in renting our home – Now this is the situation – I saw Ira Dixon, was looking for Al but thought Ira would know whether Smiths have a house – and according to Ira the “powers” were very much worried about the housing situation for the new Supt. And said if we would rent ours it would help them out a lot. He also said there was only Mr. & Mrs. Since the daughter teaches school and isn’t home. I told Ira we didn’t know how long you would be on the present duty but thought it would be for a few months at least. He said there was to be a school board meeting tonight and he knew they would welcome this news. Financially speaking

April 26, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] it would help us out about $45 or $50 a month. How much should we ask if we do rent?

Both J. & M. are doing home work and both jiggling the table. Mark explodes once in a while and makes the table move. He has so much trouble with the arithmetic. He thinks the book is off – not him. He mowed most of the lawn this evening. Link was out mowing and hired Mark to do his the next time. Said he would give him a dollar. It finally cleared off and I washed white clothes. I put your Christmas presents in and except for a few spots are in pretty good shape. I didn’t soak them in bleach but put the stained pieces on the grass and the sun did a good job bleaching them. I got the pictures back we took Sun. I am enclosing one of David and two other pictures of the rest of the family.

April 26, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I am still going without glasses, but hope to get to Laf. some time this week. Dorothy is going Fri. – I presume, to see Dr. Cole. Said she had to be there by 1:45. I would like to go sooner but if I can go with her think I should save the car, tires, gas, etc., for possible driving this summer.

Lucile called me today. Jimmy is all over his measles and they have put him down again. Said if it is warm tomorrow will take him out of doors. She didn’t want to take him to Laf. tomorrow – thought it too soon to take him with other people. Dr. said he might expose someone. David hasn’t shown the slightest sign of measles yet but he could start any time now. I took him out for a long time today just in case he starts

April 26, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] anything he will have had today out. Mrs. Zell offered to keep him so I could attend club but I told her to go and I would keep Martha, so she did. I took David & Martha out and Bobby joined us for a while, then he turned “nasty” and I told him to go home. He seems to get along nicely for a while then as Beulah says he goes “bosoik.” I think a little or a lot of applied psychology at the right times would help the little man a lot. I know that old touch system still works here with David. I ask him if he wants me to spank and he says “no.” I put training panties on him today and he got along pretty good. He was wet both times when I brought him in from playing but that wasn’t his fault.

I didn’t get much done today so am going to try and work some this evening –

Love Mother

Wed. a.m. It is cloudy and forecast is rain. Mark is out now mowing – he didn’t finish last night.

Walk to Town (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 19 & 20, 1944 envelope

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

I wrote one letter this morning but thought I would start one this afternoon while I was thinking about what I wanted to write.

I took David out for a walk and he kept going until we were on Main street so I got the paper & a few articles I needed at the drug store. I saw Coke and she wanted to know about when you would be home. Said they wanted to see you, etc. I asked her about Dr. Baer and he is a MacIntyre. They live in a town close to Great Lakes, but it isn’t Lake Forest. She told me the name but I don’t remember. Maybe it was Highland Park. I am not sure. At any rate coke wants you to see Dr. B. He is a Commander now. I saw Alma and she said the evening we tried to call them was the only evening they were away from home, and on Wed. evening

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] before you went to G.L. they didn’t go to the show, but were downtown. We just didn’t see them.

I stopped to see Mrs. Krull and she says the suits wouldn’t make over for John. Says she wouldn’t tackle the job and a tailor would charge $15.00 to do the job. I was wondering if Ralph or Clarence could use a suit or two. Mrs. K. just made one of Nick’s old suits over for Dorothy. I wish I had used one of yours for myself instead of buying the one I did. I still would like to have a black suit and could take the pin strip and have one made for myself.

I stopped at Johnsons and Jimmy had been sick. I saw someone sitting in the living room and opened the door and David ran in. Lucile came and said Jimmy had been sick but was feeling better and temp was normal. He was quite sick last night and had a temp of 104 4/10 (rectally). He had a convulsion last night

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] but seemed perfectly normal today. The Dr. thought he might be taking measles or something but evidently not or he would be breaking out. His throat was sore and the Dr. swabbed it. David was with him Sun. & Mon. afternoon and Lucile thinks he was starting a temp Mon. so if he has anything D. has a good chance of getting it from being with him Mon. Of course at the time Lucile didn’t know he had a temp, but we were in the restaurant together and before that she had Jimmy out here, and when she started home from the restaurant with Jimmy, said he got fussy and she had to carry him home. I hope he doesn’t develop anything. Are children who are subject to allergies more apt to have convulsions than others? The thought just occurred to me, because of Jimmy and the Wilson baby, Michael, was like Jimmy when he was small (covered with eczema) and he is subject to convulsions. Or is it due to the high temperatures?

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Bobby came up with 25₵ and asked Mark to buy him a plane to build so Mark is at Funks now making Bobby a plane. John asked me if he should go to a party Sat. nite, since you were planning to come home he wasn’t sure it would be the thing to do, but I told him he could see you Sun. and I thought he should attend the party since he stays home most of the time.

It is 6 PM by the living room clock, so that means chow time for David. He should have a good appetite after walking to town and back. I thought maybe he had walked too much and John said, “Do you realize if he had been home he would be walking around here all the time?”

Thurs. a.m. – the mail hasn’t been delivered yet – I am finishing this for Mark to take as he goes to school. It is cloudy this morning and looks very much like it will rain anytime. I did have ideas of washing some but now have a good excuse not to.

Love Mother

P.S. Highland Park is right.