Tag Archives: Dr. Ira Cole

Glenn’s First Wife (Gladys)

3 Replies

: September 18, 1943 envelope

: September 18, 1943, p. 1

: September 18, 1943, p. 2

: September 18, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Wind, Sand and Stars (1939), a memoir by French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Yours of Aug. 28 – 31 & Sept. 8 came today – I think you will be able to write a book by the time you come back. I remember reading a book written by a French aviator or some similar rating and I didn’t think it was as interesting as your letter of Aug. 28. Yours of Aug. 31 was answering my letter telling you what Dr. Cole had said about mother’s condition. I was down to see her yesterday & Cole didn’t have much to say about her condition – that is he didn’t seem very hopeful about her recovery – Of course I know or feel that she won’t get well and we can’t do much about it now. Dr. Cole is still giving her Betalin by hypo every day but it doesn’t pick up her appetite any. If I had only known sooner and could have had surgery done – but I didn’t know and it’s too late now for that. Her abdomen is distended so much – Dr. Cole says she is full of fluid.

Glenn is washing the storm windows and the frames – Is going to take down the screens and put the storm windows up. He is going to clean the furnace too. Pauline is cleaning the upstairs. Cleaned Mother’s room and

[page 2] the boy’s room – Is working on our bathroom today. She is a worker. Her parents came from Poland & she is very strong and likes to work. She enjoys doing housework. She & Glenn haven’t much yet in the way of worldly goods – When he got a divorce from Norma he didn’t get anything but his clothes and with the baby coming, haven’t got much ahead. I told them they could have the old washing machine & rug I took out of the den. Glen is going to see about shipping the washer out by freight if it doesn’t cost too much. Glenn has been in pretty good health since living in Nevada and has had steady work but lived with the wrong woman too long to get anything saved. I believe Pauline will take better care of his money. She says she wants a home & their own furniture. I think he & Norma had their furniture but Norma got everything. Glenn doesn’t care to talk much about things but did tell me he should have left her long before he did – she ran around with other men. Pauline said she (Norma) was going with a man whose wife was an invalid, while she & Glen were still married and after Glen & Pauline were the invalid wife died so naturally everyone thought this man & Norma would be married, but after he was free to marry again he married someone else. A little complicated but maybe you can make it out. Elida has been married six times. Now is married to an Ensign in the Navy. Margaret Ann is married to a boy in the Army but Pauline says she doubts if it lasts – M.A. seems to be like her aunt & Mother – enough about such people.

[page 3] David & James L. are both taking naps. I took D. to Laf. yesterday but Dr. Cole was so busy I didn’t get him in to see the Dr. I was starting back to the car & saw Dr. Cole coming back from the Home hospital and talked to him out in the yard. David seems to have the same thing John has – an allergy – maybe Hay fever – maybe something else – One day he has it then the next day its gone – however John’s just stays. I took John to Van Buskirk for his eyes last Sat. then had him go over him for this cough & Van said John didn’t have a cold but some kind of allergy. When Jim was here he said how would John have hay fever – I said he had plenty of bla back ground for it. I have some good pictures of Jim & Glen & I with the babies – will send you one when I get more made. – Just had to stop & put the babies out in the sunshine – They are watching Glen & Mark washing windows.

John has been washing dishes and it’s time for me to do something – as if I haven’t been busy – but had to take time out to write my daily letter. Pauline wanted to know what I wrote about every day – I said just what happens around here. Haven’t had time this week to scan the paper for local news. Bob Hufty called me to invite me to Rotary Mon. eve.

Love – Mother

P.S. – Enclosing a picture of D. & me.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/17/glenns-first-wife-gladys/

900 Points of Beef (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 17, 1943 envelope

: September 17, 1943, p. 1

: September 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 17 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

No letters today but have had up to Sept. 6 so can’t complain. I went to Laf. today to see Mother & meet Glen. He left T.H. Tues. eve. & drove thru to Williamsburg without stopping & then started back the same day he got there. If you could see him now with Mark you would never know he had missed any sleep. When we came home from Laf. Mark & John went out to the fair with Statons and after feeding Mark David, I fried some of the new steak for our supper. I went to Sheldon & got some meat this a.m. – the quarter we got was over 130 lbs. It will take over 900 points. I am going over to get the bones when it is cut up and

[page 2] cook the bones to get soup broth. I had never thought of that until someone else told me about doing it.

I saw Dr. Cole a few minutes and he couldn’t give me any encouragement about Mother. – Her abdomen is full of fluid. He is still giving her Betalin every day.

There is so much noise & talking going on around I can hardly think. I saw Sister Celerita today – She has just been put on 3d Main. She was in O.B. three years ago. She was so glad to see me & asked about you. Sisters we knew when you were here are in other hospitals. Only a few are still in St. E. Sister Amelia is now Supt. of Nurses in St. E.

Will try to do better next time.

Love, Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/15/900-points-of-beef-gladys/

A Broken Slat (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter translation:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-14-43 [sic 9-16?]

Dear Daddy – Pauline & I went to Laf. today. We stopped to see Mother then went to shop then returned to the hospital. I called Dr. Cole. He is giving Mother Vit. B shots every day but she isn’t eating any better. She had quite a lot of distention of the bowel today. He said he couldn’t see that she is any better. Her supper came while we were there but she wouldn’t eat much. Alma came out & kept the babies. She said they weren’t any trouble. Both took naps while she was here. She was going out to the fair this evening with Jack & the boys. Mark went with Zells after school. He won third prize on baking and third on vegetables. He is home now and I just ordered him up to the bath tub. John had to do the furnace work this evening and came up sneezing. I have been letting him out of the furnace work recently because of his hay fever. Your letter of Sept. 3 came today. Glad you rec’d another picture. More are on the way and have some being developed today. David broke a slat on the venetian blind at the south den window. I moved his pen so he can’t reach it now & glued the blind slat together. He is always reaching for something he shouldn’t have & climbing out of things – I wonder what his Daddy would do about the climbing urge – Seems it is more than spankings can take care of.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/12/a-broken-slat-gladys/

Another Chilly Day (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 15, 1943 envelope

: September 15, 1943, p. 1

: September 15, 1943, p. 2

: September 15, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another chilly day. The sun did shine and we got a washer of clothes dry. We have to wash every day with 2 babies in the house. James L. is so different from David. James L. will stay put any place. He can be left on the bath table, couch, bed, play chair, Taylor Tot or anywhere – David climbs out of anything but his bed & play pen and has for months. This evening Pauline was holding David and said James L. is much easier to hold. David won’t sit still – just wants to climb all over a person. I often wonder what his Daddy would do about his urge to move around all the time – Maybe just like we do – just try to keep him from getting a fall. I put a pr. of corduroy overalls on him today and J. & M. thought he looked like a boy should look. He still has long hair, but it curls up around his neck & his Mother can’t cut

[page 2] it off – she keeps saying she will give him a hair cut when he is a yr. old. I think I know what Daddy would say – “give that boys a hair cut.”

Uncle Wes & Aunt J. were here enroute to C.C. this a.m. – Uncle has lost 30 lbs. & doesn’t look so good. Has had a bronchial cough that has taken him down.

J. & M. have gone to the fair tonite with Zells. They had grand stand seats. I made them wear wraps. It is so cool they need heavy coats – but didn’t want to wear anything. It’s hard to think it is so cool this early in the fall. Mrs. Zell said today it looked like snow. Of course it didn’t snow but the clouds would look like snow clouds sometimes.

I have to meet Glenn in Laf. tomorrow & see Mother. David seems to have a little cold or it may be an allergy – I can’t tell and I want Dr. Cole to see him. Since John has his fall allergy too or it may be just a cold. This cool weather so early is a good excuse for colds.

Arlene called me today. She hasn’t any help yet and it keeps her busy doing everything. I asked her to go to Laf. with me but said

[page 3] it was so hard for her to get away now. She has to have everything prepared for meals before she leaves. I really feel sorry for the girl because she isn’t too strong and with this other baby coming has her hands full.

I havne’t had time to get John & Mark down to writing you again but will try over the week-end to get them to. John has a teacher (Band) Clements from Jasonville – He knows Floyd & says he knew of you. He and John had quite a chat one evening after school. I know only a few teachers so far – Al had to hire so many new ones this fall.

My hands are all over the “spell” they had but are tender and burn this evening from running out to the clothes line today. Pauline is cleaning house for me while they are here. She got the little bedroom cleaned today & wants to clean the boys’ room tomorrow. She is a hard worker & clean. A lot different from Norma. She wasn’t much on the work order. She says Glen will take the screens down & put on the storm windows. He wants to wait a few days to see about Mother before they start back. He is much heavier than he used to be. His asthma isn’t as bad now that is it cooler.

It’s about time for the boys to come home from the fair.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/10/another-chilly-day-gladys/

Birthday Letter (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-13-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Aug. 26-29-30-Sept. 1-2 & 6 came and David’s birthday letter. I read it to David and he jabbered something I couldn’t translate. He is drooling again so must have more teeth coming in. I’ll put the $2⁰⁰ on another bond. Jim & Thelma got to come home again. Thelma is in T.H. today. Jim & Glenn are in Laf. at the hospital with Mother. Jim got 5 days again. Will be here tomorrow then start back. Mother was a little better yesterday so let the night nurse go – just had her two nights. Have supper ready waiting for Jim & Glenn to come. John is snuffing – Seems his allergy, hay fever, whatever it is, is worse this eve. He came home from school sneezing, nose itching. Mark is getting his vegetables ready to take to the 4-H exhibit at the fair this week. It is cloudy toady – won’t be dusty or hot for the fair this week. Have been so busy with everything here haven’t had much time to think of the fair – Jim & Glen are here now – They talked to Dr. Cole – He said he couldn’t give much encouragement about Mother’s condition. However she was pretty good today – Will go down Wed. if not called sooner – Mark is busy again baking a cake for the exhibit at the Fair. David is tucked in for the night and I am ready to go to bed too, a bit sleepy.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/06/birthday-letter-gladys/

V-mail Was Better (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: September 12, 1943 envelope

: September 12, 1943, p. 1

: September 12, 1943, p. 2

: September 12, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Sept. 12, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

Your air mail of Aug. 25 and v-mail of Aug. 30 came yesterday. This is one of the first times that v-mail was better than air mail. I still want you to keep up just the way you have been – mostly air mail with a v-mail at times.

I was glad that Glenn could come and no doubt your mother appreciated it very much. I wish they could stay and help you for a time but I suppose you’re their work keeps them from doing that. I’m sure your mother would be better off in the hospital and I’m sure you would have less to do but the traveling back and forth

[page 2] would also be equally difficult.

Your expenses will probably mount very much but inform those concerned that we will pay as y we go along and don’t let it worry you. With times as good as they are anyone you become indebted to should be able to carry along without our paying on the line. So much for that – I’m sure it will work out OK and aff after all that is only a small problem considering other things going on today.

You didn’t mention anything what Dr. VanB said about John’s eyes – possibly he hadn’t written you as yet, and to date I have not heard from Dr. Cole.

I just happened to remember that

[page 3] months ago I sent you some films of pictures we had taken in Noumea – you never did mentioned them. I just wonder if they never arrived or if they were no good? You probably wrote of them but that letter hasn’t arrived as yet. Pictures are pretty much frowned upon here and of course I couldn’t bring that camera with me and I’m not sure whether it was packed or whether Dr. P. or W. kept it. The box was cracked and it wasn’t much good anyway.

This is the day to write the folks so must cut off here and write them a note –
Love
Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/05/v-mail-was-better-roscoe/

Glenn Returns (Gladys)

4 Replies

: September 11, 1943 envelope

: September 11, 1943, p. 1

: September 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

St. E. Hospital
Sept. 11, 1943.

Dear Daddy,

Writing from the hospital again. Glenn & family returned last night – got in just before Juanita & I returned from the hospital. Glenn, John & I came down today. John had an appointment with Dr. Van Buskirk and we spent some time in the clinic waiting. No seemed to be in a hurry. Alma had taken John with Jimmy two weeks ago and we had this appointment together too. We went to eat lunch and had a little time before our appointment so went out to Cole’s office but he was so busy we couldn’t see him – I will talk to him on the phone before going home. Mother seems better but is so weak & pale. I noticed Dr. Cole had two ampules of coramin of C on the dresser so I think he must be expecting another spell to come on like Mother had yesterday morning. I was afraid to leave her last night so got a special nurse to stay during the night. She said this morning she didn’t want her to stay tonight – she bothered her – but I am afraid she will have another spell and won’t be able to call a floor nurse. While in the Clinic I talk to McClelland about the X-Rays but he said Mother didn’t have enough barium to get good pictures & he couldn’t make a diagnosis from the X-Ray. There is a lot of fluid in the abdomen and he said that could be caused from a lot of things. However Cole says there is a mass in the abdomen – I am not a Dr. and I can feel it when I press on her abdomen.

Juanita & Pauline are holding forth today with Danny, Mark, David & James L. Juanita was going to pick tomatoes & makes catsup. Also help Mark dig potatoes. Just so they take care of the babies & do the necessary things – I don’t care about the extras.

[page 2] John has been “hacking” around with an irritating cough so had Van Buskirk look at his throat. He wanted to know if John had any allergies. I said he had day fever – he said this cough is an allergy condition and it wasn’t anything serious. I think I wrote you last year about this time that John would cough & sneeze every morning during hay fever time. He had been doing that some this year then the cough got more persistent and goes on thru the day. The Dr. listened to his chest – looked at his nose & throat. He gave me a prescription – bromides, but said John is on the jittery order & thought a good sedative was indicated. You know how jumpy John is about having anything done to him. Dr. Van kept telling him to relax when he was trying to look at his nose & throat.

This weather is still on the cold order. This is the first third of Sept. gone and as cool as we expect in Oct. Glen says it’s probably cold in Nev. now. He isn’t as bad as when they left to go to Penn., but says he will be glad to get back to the dry air in Nev.

John & Glenn are tired of sitting here in the room so are going to walk down the hall & mail this.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/03/glenn-returns-gladys/

Almost Gone (Gladys)

2 Replies

: September 10, 1943 envelope

: September 10, 1943, p. 1

: September 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

St. Elizabeth Hospital
Sept. 10 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Am writing from Mother’s room. She had a bad spell this morning. Dr. Cole called me – said he had come in to give her a hypo – was giving her shots of Betalin complex – and when he came in the room she was almost gone – she told me the gas was hurting her so – but he said it was her heart. Anyway he gave her coramin injection as soon as possible and she came to. I met Juanita at the train this morning at 4:25 so we came down together. Dr. said he thought I should come down. I tried to get Clara Molter to stay with David & Dannie – she couldn’t come till noon but Mrs. Zell said she would stay till Clara came. Their two older girls are in school & Mr. Zell could take the youngest girl with him. We got down here about 10:30 – Mother is awfully weak & pale. Dr. Cole is sure she has an obstruction but McClelland says no – However she is bloated and I think Cole is right – there is an obstruction there causing the distention. We went out to get some lunch & of course the Dr. came while we were out. However I think he will be back – says he has two O.B. cases going here today, so I’ll probably see him sometime before we go back home. I called him before we went out to eat and I talked to him over the phone, but I want to see him personally.

It is cool today – a coat feels very good. I hope Chet gets some coal in soon. We have enough to last a while but if this cool weather continues it will soon exhaust our coal supply. I have had an order in for coal – weeks or maybe months, but Chet hasn’t been able to get any. I hear that Harlan’s did have some but I imagine he had more orders than he could fill. I was going to have him send me some but Van Scoyck told me he had me down for coal as soon as a shipment came in so I

[page 2] didn’t say anything to Harlan.

I thought Juanita & I would get the washing done & clean up the house and come down this afternoon but when I got the call this morning – before I was up – we got ready & come one. Dr. Cole said I had better stay all day. I told Juanita I was in the garden yesterday evening and didn’t have time to get all the things gathered that need to be – She said she would dig potatoes tomorrow. There are beans & tomatoes that need to be picked. This cool weather is pointing toward an early frost, if it doesn’t warm up soon. Was almost that cold this a.m. Mark’s garden wasn’t quite what it would have been had he had better supervision – but I couldn’t devote the time I wanted to and as much as he likes to do things he needs someone over him all the time. I told Juanita I felt like we got our seed back. We didn’t have to buy any vegetables all summer, canned more than 30 qt. green beans, so far several qts tomatoes & more coming on. Had some cabbage & onions all summer. Will have carrots to store for winter and tho the potatoe crop wasn’t very good have had potatoes to use along. I found in digging yesterday that the hills didn’t have very many potatoes in them. Mark wants to do things but needs company when he does the. His nervousness is at present is completely gone & he has a better appetite. I believe the tonsils were guilty of that trouble because he runs & plays just as hard as ever and has no reaction, so from all appearances the tonsils were harboring infection.

The new bond drive is on & John wanted me to buy him a bond – or rather give him the money to buy one at school – I told him I would give him his allowance in advance but he said he just wanted it outright – however I think he was just trying me out – I told him he could buy our (yours & mine) next bond for us – he said couldn’t he add another name[?]. I said that wouldn’t be fair to Mark & David. Jim sent your letter on to me – Thanks for all the nice things you said about me – so

Love – Mother

St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Lafayette, Indiana

X-Rays (Gladys)

2 Replies

: September 8, 1943 envelope

: September 8, 1943, p. 1

: September 8, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Aug. 25 rec’d today. If you remember you were discussing personalities and of course the last one was the best. Went to Laf. today to see Mother – also had a little shopping to do. I went with Mrs. Zell and didn’t try to go see Dr. Cole – I just called him from the hospital and he said they got an x-ray – in fact two – and says she has a bunch of gall stones besides an obstruction in the colon. Finally got barium to stay down – couldn’t give an enema – she couldn’t retain it long enough to get an x-ray. She was very tired from all the x-rays today – had one Mon. & another today. I intend to go back Fri. Juanita will be here and she can go along. I can’t go alone with David and now that school is in session can’t leave him with the boys. I took the taylor tot along today and didn’t have any trouble shopping. While in Loebs baby dept. saw Helen H. and her two. She said to tell you hello – she hears from Dan but he isn’t very hopeful about getting home soon. I think she is still living with Gertrude & Forrest.

[page 2] I saw Marie Steinbaugh in the hospital. She has to go and stay for x-ray treatments. She went yesterday and is coming home Sun. she looks fine. I wonder if the treatments are getting results. You know if you rec’d all my letters she had to have one breast removed in the spring or early summer and goes back every few days or weeks (not certain about the time) for treatments.

It is 9:30 – Just sent Mark up to bed. John is doing homework. We were listening to a bond drive program. The President talked & we wanted to hear him – after he finished John turned the radio off so he could study. We got home from Laf. just in time to feed David & put him to bed. I got him a new suit today. It is light blue, made in sailor fashion. It is very “cute” and has a cord with a whistle around the neck. That’s my birthday present for him. Also got a little gift for Mary McGee Arnott’s baby girl. I think about her and how much I appreciated things last year when David came. I think I rec’d more than 30 cards from friends & lots of your patients when I was in the hospital, besides all the gifts.

Mother rec’d a card from Ruth M. today with a dollar for flowers or anything needed. I took some flowers from my astors, etc., & Mrs. James sent her a potted plant. Mrs. Zell ordered flowers sent out in the morning – so I just put the dollar in Mother’s purse until some later date.

Love – Mother

P.S. my hands are better

Emma Foster, circa 1940s

This Coming Winter (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 7, 1943 envelope

: September 7, 1943, p. 1

: September 7, 1943, p. 2

: September 7, 1943, p. 3

: September 7, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Sept. 7, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Your letter of Aug. 23 came yesterday telling of Mark’s injury. I suppose I can truthfully say never a dull moment for you. I could write words of sympathy for you but I don’t believe you wish to much of that and instead I’ll praise because I think you did the correct thing for in seeing a Dr. because in wounds of that type a tendon could easily be cut and would result in a stiff thumb but I’m sure Dr. Altier wouldn’t let anything like that pass. So I can truthfully

[page 2] say you scored again in doing what I think best.

A letter from Wayne W. came yesterday also – He was terribly worried because he hadn’t heard from me. I wrote him several weeks ago so he shouldn’t have to worry now. I think he is as “fussy” as he used to be.

I never did hear from Dr. Cole but I’m sure you are doing everything that can be done for your mother. Surgery would subject her to shock which would cause much more suffering and certainly it wouldn’t help under the circumstances. So please don’t feel that you are not doing everything that can be done.

[page 3] We still hear lots about how long our tour of duty out here will be but nothing is certain. I do believe however that our bunch will be relieved sometime this coming winter. We will probably freeze is that is the case because we have been in this hot for so long but I think I can stand a little cold. At least we are looking forward to relief but when I say winter that includes a considerably wide margin of time. We often discuss the possibilities among ourselves but that doesn’t help only it gives us something interesting to talk about.

You must have had a nice birthday party for John and I

[page 4] imagine D. will have one also. John & Mark will probably get as much kick out of it as D. I guess I should have said more kick. D. doesn’t seemed to have slowed down very much in his walking and getting around. John & Mark will probably make him all full of ego but that can be deflated if it goes too far so no need to worry on that score.

Well Dear I know you are doing the very best you know how with all your problems and I’m still all out for you so I’ll help by saying

Lots of Love
Daddy.