Tag Archives: Dr. Fred M. Williams

It is too nice (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

2/5/43

Dear Mother,

I wanted to start this letter some hours ago but Dr. Loop was in so didn’t get started. Finally I decided to take a bath and maybe that would do the trick – It did. If you get what I mean. In fact I was going to write several letters this P.M. but didn’t get started.

Dr. Loop was telling me of a Dr. near Lafayette who had been sent to Greencastle to do duty there. Some people seem to get all the breaks. That guy is only about 60 miles from home. Of course he has to battle thru the snowdrifts and over the slick roads. And after all that is something to fight the battle

[page 2] of the Indiana snow. I meant that to be sadistic – did it sound that way?

We have a pretty good mess hall and galley now for only officers of ship co. and our food is prepared separately. And we had steaks – good steaks for dinner. Not as good as those we used to get from the lockers but they weren’t bad. Our first course was sliced oranges. These were stood on edge. Three around the cocktail container and the inside was filled with mixed fruit. The second course was steak smothered in onions – with dried diced potatoes, and diced turnips. The potatoes were well prepared and could hardly be told from fresh. The last course was fruit jello. I ate it. We also had iced tea with considerable lemon. Not bad would you say?

[page 3] If that keeps up and our exercise doesn’t get any better I’ll probably weigh 200 in a short time. Won’t that be funny? Or will it? We also have a bath house with hot and cold running water. The three of us decided it was time we should probably begin to get our things ready to go places because it is too nice. We didn’t pack yet however. There are some things I might send home – like white suits, heavy rain coats etc. One of these days because those aren’t being featured in New Caledonia this year. I’ll let you know when and if I get ready to send them. Dr. P. has sent home several boxes of extra things and lots of the others have but I tried to travel light. Some brought 3-4 suits of blues overcoats etc. but I was wise never did buy an overcoat, and only one suit of blues. Will finish later.

[page 4] Later – Show good mail not good. Got a letter from Lentz – he has had malaria but is better now. As yet he hasn’t received the pictures I sent but I send them the next day or so after I received them from you. Funny how much ground or I should say ground & water those pictures have covered. Starting in Penna – to Norfolk – to Calif and you know the rest as far as I do. Maybe by this time he has them I hope.

I’m sending some films home I took – have them enlarged a little and if any are good send them back. Two are shots I took of Dr. P. & W. on the hill – not obscene but maybe not

[page 5] too publishable. I won’t take anymore until I get some word back as to whether those are good or not. I’m sending all but one – it might not be censorable. I’ve tried to print some but they are too small to make know if good and maybe I don’t know how to print anymore. Just turn them over to be developed – maybe they won’t have to be enlarged.

I sent Mark one dollar for his birthday – repeating.

The show tonight was Harold Lloyd in something – and you know what his pictures are like –

Well, lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/14/it-is-too-nice-roscoe/

One of my bad days (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

1/29/43
Dear Mother,

This has been one of my bad days – don’t know why or how – just not worth a dern. Finally I went up and took a bath in the brisk breeze and that cooled me off and gave me a little pep I think. I hope. Yesterday I wrote several letters but today this will be the only one I hope.

Today has been less rainy than the past few days but we have had several spurts – now and then. It rained hard at intervals last night and the old tent flopped and banged but stayed put.

My watch is on the bum and a fellow is fixing it for me. He is supposed to be pretty good but

[page 2] I’m not sure what condition it will be when returned. Of course a watch isn’t very important – What one needs here is a calendar and now since I have two I’m pretty well fixed up.

The Chaplin was in a while ago and he said he thought he would get someone to play the song tonite. I think this is choir practice night and he probably will have the regular pianist play it. Maybe John will have to make another record and sent it. We do have a phonograph.

In Ruth M.’s letter the other day she referred to her days work as My Day and I told her I’d rather she wouldn’t use that with quotation marks because of the reminder – Think I asked you to do the same thing. Once upon a

[page 3] time.

Our latest mail is still Jan 8th but there is one delivery yet today so maybe things will pick up.

Dr. P. is all ambition today – has shined his shoes – swept the floors cleaned out our water buckets etc. Must be some sorta of a spell coming on. I haven’t caught any of that surplus so far. Fred is making a necklace but uses only one strand of shells – really don’t think it is a good as the last one I sent.

LATER No mail and no show which pretty well ruins our whole afternoon and evening but maybe will be able to go to bed early and get good sleep for some hours. I am going to get something to read and see how that will work. It isn’t raining very hard but hard enough to keep the show from going on.

[page 4] We just had a visitor and chinned a while nothing important but just helped pass the time. We are just like persons living on the wide open spaces of the west glad for an opportunity to talk.

Well, I’ll have to admit that all I’ve been doing is just trying to fill in space and really I think it’s been a poor job – Maybe something will be in the mail tomorrow and will give something to write back.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/28/one-of-my-bad-days-roscoe/

I hardly know (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/28/43

Dear Mother,

I hardly know how much I’ve answered and how much hasn’t been. All I know is that there was lots of mail in the past few days. The last letter being Jan. 8 and you were better. All the other letters told of your ups & downs. Your letter may not seem interesting to you but I read every one of them several times because they are extremely interesting. The pictures are also swell – keep them coming ever once in a while.

This morning while things were a little lax, I got out your letters and check way back to August. And strange as it may seem when the ordinary mail didn’t come the V-mail did. There are lots of letters missing – Really

[page 2] more than I thought. Some of the days may be Sun. and since you can’t mail a letter then that might account for a few missing dates. Here is the score so far – I’m giving your missing dates. Some are the Aug. 19, 23-30. Sept 6 and then from the 12 to 30 inclusive. Oct 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 13, 15, 22, 25, 26. Nov. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 15, 21, 22, 26 & 29. Dec. 6, 18, 24, 25, 27 & 29. Jan 2. Now if you can think of anything important you wrote in those you might repeat. You will notice that more than ½ of Sept are missing. V-mail letters of Sept. 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 25, 26 & 29 – Oct. 2-5. Nov. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 & 9 have been received. You see most of the V-mail letters work in where the other spaces are the largest. Maybe you wrote more V-mail and maybe when you wrote a V-mail you didn’t write other. In any case that gives you an idea of how much mail is missing. I haven’t kept track of other people’s letters because

[page 3] I don’t know how often they wrote.

You mentioned that Dr. Holliday was back – you know stories get around pretty fast and we have it that he wasn’t just as brave as he might have been and shady circumstances surround his return. That came pretty straight although he may be back only for a short time. In that case I guess no one could be too hard on him, but if he is back for good I’d rather think there was a colored gentleman in the woodpile. [This is a more polite version of the idiom which means “some fact of considerable importance that is not disclosed—something suspicious or wrong.”]

Last night it looked very rainy before movie time but we took our rain coats etc and went. It was a detective story with several persons suspected and when it came just about time for the quilty one to be caught it simply came down in bucketfulls, but we stayed. Didn’t even get a bit wet, but the rain made so much noise on my hat I could hardly

[page 4] hear the sound. This P.M. it is so windy I wonder sometime if our tent will stay put but so far it’s pretty well anchored – even though it does make lots of noise.

I turned John’s music over to the Chaplin and so far he hasn’t found anyone to play it. Don’t know if it is too difficult or written too poorly. He said he believed he could find someone and if so he is going to let me know. I haven’t heard much of Mark and his horn lately. Is he still at it and if so how is he getting along? And does their music have any affect of D. sleeping hours. I would think he’d get used to noise with the two older ones around because if I remember they weren’t too soft natured around there at times.

Dr. P. & W. have gone to the sea shore for a short shell gathering trip. I’ll go again one of these days and see if I can pick up a different variety and get

[page 5] an idea. Not that I think the things I make so wonderful but it’s something different. Dr. Joe is at a place where he can buy better things than here and I doubt if good are as scarce as here and the stores and supplies larger. I told you before – but I wrote him and got an answer but haven’t heard from my last letter to him. It’s “sorts” nice that you and she can talk to each other once in a while. I think.

Show’s over and all mail over. Good show no mail. It only rained a little during the show so we really enjoyed it. The wind is still blowing like the very duce but the tent is still holding fast, probably the flopping of the tent will help us sleep.

That will be all from here tonite good night and
Love Daddy

P.S. Did that ending sound like Allan Scott do you still listen to him?

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/26/i-hardly-know-roscoe/

Two More Letters (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

1/27/43

Dear Mother,

Two more letters came from you today but they were back, Jan 1 and Jan 4. I suppose now there won’t be any more mail for days again – Even now the oldest letter is 19 days. That isn’t so bad if we could just keep it coming with any regularity. There is more to it than that but I can’t tell just now why we have difficulty.

You asked questions about the money. I’ve already written that but my advice is to buy bonds. The Bldg. & loan is OK but those are taxable so in the long run bonds are better. About the piano – See what Miss Smith thinks, and I don’t recall any further questions, but there are comments – Sure wish I could have been present at the little

[page 2] party at Funks. I can just see Bill passing the drinks. Tell Ellsworth I have gained some weight but he still has me bested by a large poundage. I hope this new necklace gets there in A-1 condition because I believe you will like it better. There are upward of 200 shells in it and there are 2 holes in each shell. My thumb and index finger are still numb – The color of these may not be right for you but as you said a new dress will have to be bought.

I was surprised and I wasn’t at the Dye family. I think I told you before that you she came to me about him being so hard to get along with and he always seemed so sarcastic with her and I think she was more or less sensitive by nature – and they used to sleep in different rooms. I shouldn’t write that – but I did. You

[page 3] had written me that before and I also had seen it in the Newton Co. E. Don’t write out the last word in any more of your letters because there is a ship by that name and someone might censor it. So refer to it as I have above. Gosh I wish I could remember what I wrote in that letter to Bart – because if it comes back out here I might blush if Dr. P. or Fred read it. I’ll censor the whole letter out before they have a chance to read it.

I hope you and D. are over your troubles entirely but there are several month of cold weather yet and one can expect things like that during those months.

We didn’t have a show last night – too much rain – It’s still cloudy today but not

[page 4] much rain so our show should go on. The Evenings are very long when we don’t have a show. WILL FINISH LATER

After show and mail – Your letters of Dec. 22, 18, 23, Jan 4, Dec 5 and Dec 19 came. I just gave you those as I have them laid out on the table and tell Tony Schub his postmarks of Dec 18 & 19 were incorrect. They were Nov instead of Dec. Your letters are getting pretty well up to date now. That is up to Jan 8th you were better in that letter hope you are continuing so . The picture of the three boys was good and the snow pictures were good. Those small ones must have been taken by Mr. Zell I believe. I still believe I’ve answered all the questions. You say taxes. Do you mean 1941 Federal? That amounts to 80⁰⁰. I believe – The last two installments. I still wish you would

[page 5] pay that or put that much extra in bonds, because I know that that will have to be paid. And possibly interest. So I’d rather it be paid. But don’t pay 1942.

Letters also came from Ruth M. Sam & Esther – Dave & Marie and a Christmas greeting from Berdie Steele. I’ll make out a list of your letters up to date in a day or two and you can see how many are missing. Lots of your letters have the same date post marked on the outside. Must be early in A.M. and late P.M.

I’ve gotten so many letters from you in the past 2 days that I’ll have to re-read and rewrite but for today I’ll say Lots of Love – and thanks for all those letters. I know it’s a burden for you to write as much as you do as often.

Love again
Daddy

Mrs. Fred Williams
1012 Root St.
Flint, Michigan} Fred’s wife’s address

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/24/two-more-letters-roscoe/

Not Much in the Mood (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/24/43

Dear Mother,

I’ve written Dolores in answer to a Christmas greeting received from her this A.M. and also to the folk and I can say right now I’m not much in the mood for writing. It’s too hot. I wrote Boonie last night but was so sleepy I’m afraid it was a poor letter. If you see him make excuses for me.

It’s almost bath time again but today Dr. P. went to see if the water was on. I did yesterday and was fooled so he made the sacrifice today.

I finished taking the roll of films and think I’m having them developed – at least I turned them

[page 2] over to a fellow who said he would have them developed. If you say I’m getting fat this time I guess I’ll have to start reducing. Maybe I have gained 3-4 pounds – but once I get home your cooking will take care of that. Just kidding – our diet is so top heavy with carbohydrate that I’m not surprised at weight gain and I don’t get any more exercise than I did at home. Of course, we don’t have cars here but we don’t need them we are right here.

The preacher was here all time I was writing to the folks – Shooting the breeze and therefore I didn’t write much but I have no excuse now for he has gone and P. & W. are on their way to bathing. I’m going

[page 3] to rub in some Fitch and go do likewise – so will finish later on.

Later – shows over and about ready to turn into the sack to keep the mosquitoes from nipping at me. Got three bites on my hands at the show and was uncomfortable most of the time try to scratch.

I wish you would repeat some of the letters you wrote along about Christmas because I have a feeling those will be late like those of D. arrival. I’d like to know how you and the boys spent the time etc. That

[page 4] is if it isn’t wasn’t too bad and you don’t like to recall the time again.

I’ll repeat – I sent you a box yesterday – Just shells etc. If it doesn’t arrive there won’t be much lost only just some of my leisure time gone to waste.

And again repeating – Don’t pay the taxes – only 1941 – the remaining installment but leave 1942 until later.

Well, I’ll stop repeating and say – Lots of Love –

Daddy

Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner (MC) U.S.N.R.
Receiving Station
U.S.Naval Advanced Base
Noumea, New Caledonia
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/18/not-much-in-the-mood-roscoe/

6 months ago (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/23/43

Dear Mother,

Just 6 months ago today I left Norfolk Va. Lots has happened since then and as I’ve said before the time has been fast and slow. Fast in that it seems as if the days just go flying, but long when I think of the time it has been since seeing you folk and Kentland. Hope the next 6 mo pass by as rapidly and as well. After all we have been pretty fortunate in lots of ways. I don’t believe I’ve ever mentioned it but two of our original group were killed in action. So that is what I mean.

I’ve got your box ready to send and will either get it out on this P.M. mail or one the morning’s mail. I’ll give you a

[page 2] little index of content. First there is a big box and a little box and then some extra items. In the big box there is a tin can in which I’ve packed a necklace like thing and some papers – local – booklet on New Caledonia and my shell back certificate. In the little box there are shells – just different shells picked up here and there. There are three boxes. The other has pieces of corals and a match box with some cat’s eyes. They aren’t as pretty as those I sent before. There are also some ash trays made from bamboo. That particular piece of bamboo was holding up some telephone wire and it broke and we kept watching it hang there and one morning it was down. So the next thing we knew – we had a saw and were working on it. The sanding cutting etc was my own work, but

[page 3] the painting was done by one of our corpsman. The ideas about the eyes etc were mine but my painting wouldn’t’ look like that. The unpainted ones are all my own. The holes are supposed to be handles. I thought they could be used for ash trays or pansy holders since you have a few pansies each summer. The necklace is rather delicate and you’ll have to watch that D. doesn’t break them and get the shells in his mouth. That thing represents lots of work and two sore fingers when the drill – (my pen knife) slipped. I think I’ve mentioned everything and I hope it gets thru OK because this string I think is prettier than the the first one, but that is only one man’s opinion. I suppose you’ll write

[page 4] that a new dress will have to be bought to match these also. OK hope you get one.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

It’s almost time for the P.M. bath and it’s been very hot so I feel that one is needed very badly. The water was shut off so took a marine bath in a bucket of surplus wlat water – This is after the show. Bing Crosby in something. It was pretty good. Bet you think I’m nuts about these shows – but we only have to walk about as far as from out house to the Kent Estate. Really we have had a show practically every night in Dec. & Jan. so far. Sure does help kill and a long thinkable evening. If you get what I mean by thinkable. What I mean is this as long as we are busy in day time – time passes rapidly but evenings are slow and then is too much time to think of one’s plight – but the show kills all

[page 5] that.

There wasn’t any mail toady but that isn’t news to you from me anymore. My latest letter from you was Jan. 7 (written on Jan 6) and I got it Jan 20.

You never mentioned whether you got a letter from Mrs. P. or Mrs. W. They both got letters from Fred & Dr. P. but telling them what your address was. I didn’t ask you to write them because you have enough to do and if you want to write after they do OK. Otherwise let them write first.

Well, sure hope we get some mail again tomorrow but I’m afraid it will be several days now but we always live in hope. In fact I think that is what we live for from day to day. Hope my mail is still coming to you. That period from Aug 12 to Sept. 22 must have been an anxious one for you. It was for me thinking of you – Good night

Love Daddy

©013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/16/6-months-ago-roscoe/

With Love Jeanette McDonald (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Jan 22, 1943

Dear Mother,

Noon chow over and Sick Call over – so now for a period or relaxation. I’ll repeat what I said about the taxes. Pay the last two installments of 1941 and forget about 1942. If there is money on hand buy bonds and those can be cashed in to pay the taxes, when the time comes. Just keep all figures. If you haven’t paid those two installments – do so with a note signed by Agnes M. that the lateness is due to my being out of the states. However, if it isn’t paid and they don’t charge interest for that – I mean 1941 – Just skip it also. Now I’m going to

[page 2] stop talking about taxes.

It’s clear today but we have a rather strong breeze and our tent flaps and bangs and sometimes we wonder if it’s going to stay or go – so far it has stayed.

I got the pictures of Funks OK. and wrote them thanking them for the same. Guess Arleen has told you about it by now. I found out about the Johnson baby several days sooner than about D. I knew about their baby on the 20. And it took at least one full month for D. arrival to be sent to me. Really seemed longer than that.

I still haven’t found out what I wanted to know about the first letter. When did you get mail from me first? The first letter you I wrote you said

Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

[page 3] arrived on Sept. 22. Now on what day did you first receive mail? It isn’t important only curious. Dr. P. got a package from home this A.M. with air mail envelopes, stationary a large candle, pictures and newspaper clippings. I got the C.C. news & Fred scored a blank. Dr. P. got letter pictures of his children of the boys’ girl friends and of his Dad and dog. And also one of Jeanette McDonal on which his wife had written – with Love from Jeanette McDonald. He got the joke but also swore a little too because I think he would rather have had his wife’s picture. It was in a folder with the rest. The folder was about like the one you sent me.

We have plenty of stationary etc so don’t try to send anymore. In fact I think you

[page 4] won’t be able to send anything unless I give you a written order signed by the commanding officer and since I don’t particularly want anything the order won’t be sent.

I’m going to try to write to the boys today. Answering John’s letter I don’t know if Mark wrote or not but I’ll write just the same – he may have written V-mail or his letter might have been waylaid as others have been coming this way.

Everything I’ve sent you you have received except the last package which was sent along the latter part of Dec. It was before Christmas probably you have that by now. If I can find a suitable box I’m going to send the next stuff tomorrow. I’ll describe those things in a later letter after I definitely mail them.

Last night’s show was Carolina Moon

Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

[page 5] not too good. Night before last Joe Penner in The Boys From Someplace. I can’t remember – It was pretty funny. Martha Ray was in it.

Later after the show – got a Christmas greeting from Fischers at Clay City. Your letter sent on from the Sisters and a V-mail letter from Sykes. Sykes letter was dated Dec. 30. So that V-mail is still not as fast as your air mail. I wish some of that Dec. mail would come in of around Christmas time and just before.

Well, it’s way past bed time so must hit the hay –
Lots of love
Daddy
P.S. I’ve written both the boys so if one gets mail and the other doesn’t they will understand.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/14/with-love-jean…cdonald-roscoe/ ‎

A Momentous Decision (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Dear Mother,

Our cool has continued and it is really comfortable – Just got thru taking a bath in the open air shower and reall got cold. I came back and Fred & Dr. P. asked me how it was and I said fine – let them find out for themselves.

I saw an income tax blank today and the surtax starts at 2000 with $260. So try to cut ours below 2000. I believe if you take all the deductions it will cut it below 2000. Don’t forget the insurance – malpractice car Ins etc. All that runs for a year payable in June or July and I left in May so that was that would be 10/12 or what ever the fractional part of the year.

[page 2] I would like for you to figure it whether or not you pay it. Next year the total amount will be 2400 or less and that won’t cost much. So much for that – Only if you do figure it don’t the drugs. The interest – to the insurance co. Interest on house payments. Interest to E. Buck Dave Ream etc. If you have time send me what you can figure the deductions would be. I believe you aren’t interested much in the tax situation but that has to be paid in 3 mo. after we return and that is why I’m interested. And if you haven’t made those other two payments on last year please do because those will all count up.

I’ve explained how these letters are dated several days after writing

[page 3] so that is why the letter you referred to was written on the 29th and stamped on the 31. You see we write one night – passes thru the censor next day and to our P.O. next day and then to the other P.O. so it’s here for a few days before leaving. And I haven’t been able to figure how your comes this way – very seldom comes – I just heard today that all you will be able to write is V-mail. Really I don’t care if it is V mail just so it’s regular and not too old. However. I ‘m not sure that is only hearsay, but I did hear that there would be no more insured pkgs and no more registered letters.

Now – after the show and while sitting on the hill before the show starts – we always go about 1/1 hour early in order to get a good seat. Any-

[page 4] way while sitting there I made a momentous decision – and this is it. Don’t pay this past years income tax. I mean 1942. As I said before pay the other installments of ’41 but forget 1942 and put the money in bonds we can always cash them in and pay the tax. So forget about the income tax period.

Your letter of Jan 4 came today and I sure was glad you could attend Rotary – wish I could have been there – wasn’t that silly – or was it?? John’s letter of Jan 6 came also as well as one from Wayne W. and one from the Walkups at Earl Park. They seem to be real faithful in their letter writing.

Hope your sinus trouble is better and yes the coat – If you are satisfied I see no reason why I wouldn’t only you didn’t use all

Gladys modeling the black seal coat & new hat - January 1943

Gladys modeling the black seal coat & new hat – January 1943

[page 5] the money I sent but that isn’t any of my business. You said you were going to send me a financial statement after the first of the year. I hope you include the number of bonds etc. and whether or not you got a strong box – probably you have already written those things but they haven’t come thru yet. I’ll be looking forward to a picture of you in the coat – and THE HAT.

Hope you and D. are better by now and everything is getting along OK. Please don’t worry about me and don’t get fussed up at anything – Don’t drive the car anymore than is necessary because of the tires etc.

Well, I hope our mail will be half-way regular again and I can hear from you often –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/12/a-momentous-decision-roscoe/

A Heck of a Long Summer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

About the middle of the P.M. and the weather a little cooler – we have had a few clouds and the wind is blowing so that helps, but it sure was hot before that. I’ve just been thinking that this has been a heck of a long summer. When I reported in at Norfolk in May it was very hot and here it is 8 or 9 months later and still hot of course we have had some warm cool weather but mostly hot. Really I don’t think I’d like to live like this all time – I mean the warm weather – a change to the cold winds and frosting mornings is most desirable.

[page 2] In other words buckets of snow would be good or maybe acess to snow would be better. Several years ago in Indianapolis along about this time it was so cold – The heating plant in Elmer D. house froze up when you were up to see me and all those troubles – Remember. Well skip all those things.

Even our mail censoring job has fallen off. Just too hot for fellows to write. I thought I’d write others yesterday – but yours is the only one I’m able to get out each day. Sweat just pours out and gets the paper wet and the old thinking apparatus don’t work. It’s Thundering now. The second time I’ve heard that

[page 3] since leaving Norfolk. The other time is rained for 6 days straight – Hope it doesn’t do that this time.

I’ve taken five pictures all together. Fred and Dr. P. don’t know it but I’m taking candid pictures of them. Just started today and it’s a little hard to get one that the other don’t know it. I’m just trying to surprise them. Oh Yes. I’ll get some of myself on one or two to send you also. Those that I take of them are something of camp life.

I feel like working on some shells or something so I’ll finish later after the P.M. mail time – You notice I didn’t say after the P.M. mail.

Yes the mail has arrived. One letter for me from Wayne W. dated Dec. 14, so while it wasn’t a complete black out it wasn’t exactly what was expected. Of course I wouldn’t

[page 4] tell that to Wayne – but I’d much rather hear from you. So far we aren’t sure about a show tonite because it’s trying to rain and this is before the show so it may not be started. It is now 7:15 and the show generally starts at 7:45. Even with all the thundering etc. It didn’t rain much this P.M.  just sprinkled now and then.

There is one thing I forgot to tell you and that is to file to mortgage exemption. I’ve forgotten what time of year to do that. It may be too late now. Ask Link or Ira or Boonie. Funny how one forgets those things but it sure happens that way. Guess it’s the continuous summer time.

Well, I’m thru for today except for lots of Love –

Daddy

P.S. went to the show after all. It rained but rain coats were in order.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/07/a-heck-of-a-long-summer-roscoe/

A tussle with civilization (Roscoe)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Jan 17, 1942 [1943]

Dear Mother,

This is one of those hot windy days that come in July or Aug at home when the wind blows and the leaves on the trees and the corn leaves wilt and one feels very worthless and no matter where it’s still hot. A good cold drink of water would sure be fine but ice is so scarce that cold water is out of the question.

There was no mail this morning and I don’t look for any this P.M. only a box of candy came from Boonie. You said something about cigarettes. Those have been cut off our ration so we have to buy our own and in case someone asks tell them it is OK. If anyone wants to send – Those peanuts in sealed cans are about as welcome as anything, but there really isn’t much we want besides the states and there isn’t anyone going to send them.

Today I had my first real tussel with civilization. I now have and have a had a table with drawers in

[page 2] one drawer and it got so full I couldn’t get it open. You know how that is – just keep putting stuff in and then when the drawer is pulled out the things catch. That and having a deck rather than the ground floor is another thing for a floor always requires a broom and there is work attached to an implement of that type – Just the curses of civilization but I could stand more curses.

Just wrote to the folk – Their weekly weakly letter. I don’t know how often they write but I don’t get letters from them very often but their mail is probably like yours doing a double shuffle some place along the line –

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Our show last night was The Pied Piper. It The story was given in short in the Readers Digest sometime ago. The picture followed the story a great deal as I remember it. Don’t know what is on tonite but it will be after Church. We

[page 3] always hurry from Church to get a good seat, and sometimes don’t fare so good, but that only happens once each week. (I’m going to take a bath).

Both over – mail over Church over and Show over – got two letters – one from Mom and one from Ed. Johnson. I just wonder about them and their encounter. I suppose as you said I’ll know about theirs just a few days after it happens. His letter was dated Dec. 14 but the folks was Dec. 28. It wouldn’t be bad if we would get mail say every 2 wks if it were regular. Maybe now that Christmas is over things will be better. Mom said you didn’t come down Christmas so that is one thing I learned from her I didn’t from you because you didn’t know. Your letters weren’t coming thru. We

We happened – I mean Fred happened to

[page 4] have a can of deviled ham and he opened that and with some crackers we are having a snack after the show. So if there are grease spots there is where they came from.

You will have to give the furniture etc into the assessor this year so cut it down I can’t give you any advice on that. The car has a certain set value as well as the radio washer etc. but try to keep it down. He will be around in Mar. I think but don’t know how this mail is going.

Dr. Porterfield has a daily verse bible like things which he puts down the number of days and it is now 180 days since leaving Norfolk. He was in the hospital there. Practically ½ year. Does it seem longer? Yes to me – Must finish Mom’s letter so lots of love –

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/02/a-tussle-with-…ization-roscoe/