Tag Archives: Dr. Ira Cole

Flower (Gladys)

: August 20, 1943 envelope

: August 20, 1943, p. 1

: August 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 20 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I have been writing v-mail every other day and this should be a v-mail day but decided I would use reg. air mail again. Your mother, David & I went to Laf. today. Dr. Cole cut the cast off David’s leg. He was dreading the job but the case was pretty well soaked so wasn’t hard to cut off. He said he found that something else besides vinegar & peroxide would dissolve plaster. I had told him we called David “Flower” (the little skunk character in Walt Disney’s movie Bambi). He said is may smell like a flower but he didn’t know what kind. I was afraid David’s leg would be very touchy, and his knee would hurt when he tried to bend it but by the time we got home he was getting around pretty good. I put him down in his bed on his back and he pulled right up. In a day or two I doubt if we can tell he ever had it in a cast. I believe he was very happy to get out, he was so happy all evening – tho he is usually that way. Your mother says we should have named him David Roscoe. She says he looks so much like you. Now my dear, as much as I think of you, I still wouldn’t want to do that. We might compromise and call him Jake, or little Jake. Don’t mind me – just running off.

[page 2] I asked Dr. C. if he had written you about Mother – he said he hadn’t had time to even address a letter since he has been back – (Took Sun., Mon. & Tues. off). I said I didn’t suppose he would have since he came back. I asked him if he got to rest any while away & he said he slept the clock around. I don’t know when you will hear from him. After he told me Sunday I wrote Jim & Glenn and Jim called me last night. He wanted to know if anything could be done. Dr. Cole said Mother couldn’t stand surgery. I haven’t had any more word from Glen – Had an air mail from them Mon. & answered with a night letter & told them to come on – they wanted to know if Mother would be able to have them come for a visit, or wait until later. Since they haven’t answered I wouldn’t be surprised to see them come in any time.

Mark has gone to bed. He is still tired from his 4-H camping trip but I sent him to bed so he will feel rested by tomorrow. John is playing with a toy I got to give Bobby Funk for his birthday (Sept. 6). Also got a gift for Donnie – his birthday comes Aug. 29. I got a wedding gift for Earl & Imogene – they will be here tomorrow to get your mother – Ruth M. had me to get her gift at Loebs – so I got mine (ours) there too – a set of glasses & sherberts to match. Your mother said the shower will be next week & she is saving her gift till then but I will give them ours tomorrow. I had the store clerk wrap them ready to give in white tissue & ribbon – Well I am tired & John is going to take this to the hotel to mail so must sign off – with Love – Mother

Earl and Imogene (Photograph courtesy of Don Yegerlehner)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/22/flower-gladys/

Wedding Presents (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 19, 1943 envelope

: August 19, 1943, p. 1

: August 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 19 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I was just about to get off to a good nap when John brought David in. I had to change him then put him down in his bed with a thumb guard on – which didn’t please him at all. He is trying to take it off, but he has a sore on his thumb, so must have the guard on. He needs a nap so doesn’t take much to make him cry. Your Mother is here. I think we will go to Laf. tomorrow & take David to Dr. Cole to get the cast taken off. I had an appointment for the next day but your Mother is going home Sat. so will go to Laf. tomorrow if I can get an appointment with Dr. C. Also your Mother would like to go to Laf. to shop. She wants to get Earl & Imogene a wedding present. I bought some glasses at Loebs and Ruthie M. liked them so much she had me get her a doz. – then decided they would make a nice wedding gift so I am to get a doz. for her to give Earl & I. I intent to get some kind of matching glass if I can and give them. They will be here again Sat. to get your Mother so will give them the gifts then. I didn’t know Imogene, but she is very nice and rather pretty.

[page 2] Mark is due home this evening some time. I suppose he will be worn out. The week John was gone to your folks, Mark had to stay in and help me and didn’t have time to run & play. He had been shaking his head a lot & batting his eyes, but after he had to stay in and not run & play so much I noticed he had quit all those nervous habits. I supposed that proves he spends too much energy for his own good. – I believe having the tonsils out is just beginning to show results too. He has been out a lot and has a good healthy look.

We gathered beans & canned four qts. today. I am about to use up all the jars wwe have. I have beans (33 qts.), peas 4 qts., spinach 28 pts. and 4 qts. tomatoes so far. I have been buying corn, peas and fruit with our points so have a small supply ahead.

David can unscrew the bolts on his bed downstairs and John just had to run in and put the tap back on. I am going to have to invent something to keep him from taking things apart. I am afraid he will get the taps in his mouth sometime when we aren’t looking. I know he will be happy to get the cast off and I know I will be.

Mother is about the same. Your Mother is up talking to her now. I didn’t tell her what the Dr. said to me Sunday about her condition. I suppose it will become painful in time – she complains of gas now some, but I think it must be from the source of her trouble. Hope you got Dr. Cole’s letter explaining things –

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/19/wedding-presents-gladys/

Visitors (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-18-43

Dear Daddy – Your Mother came today – Tillie Z. – Earl Y. & bride, Imogene, were going to Whiting so they brought your Mother here. We did intend to go over to Ruth M.’s but with Mother not so good we won’t go. There too the gas has been cut to 3 gal. a week and we may have to take Mother back to the hospital. This noon she threw up her dinner, then said bile came up. I am going to call Dr. Cole & tell him if she does that again. I have to take David down Sat. to have the cast off so will see what he thinks about things by then – I wired Glenn to come after receiving a letter saying they were planning to come and I am waiting to hear from them as to what they are going to do. Rec’d yours of Aug. 7 today. I agree with you, patience is the only thing to have about getting home. We are as anxious to have you come as anyone but know it won’t help to get impatient about it. Just hope for an early return. Grandma Y. & John are out in the yard with David – Mark is still at 4-H camp. It was cool enough today for the heat to kick on. Emmett & Olene Miller were at Statons again & I talked to them. His father died last week. They are going now to Tenn.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/16/visitors-gladys/

White Cap (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-16-43

Dear Daddy – I rec’d your Aug. 1 letter – but had rec’d up to Aug. 6 last week. Mrs. R. called me this a.m. She had word from Joe – he told her “all about” your being together and how much you both enjoyed the visit. – It is cooler today – Mother is about the same. I told you in yesterday’s letter what Dr. Cole said after examining her. It’s what you didn’t want to think – what I was afraid of and hoped wasn’t. He said just to continue with the same medication. – Mark left with the 4-H group for Dunes State Park this afternoon – He was so happy to get to go. Jim sent the boys each a white cap – the kind he wore before getting a chief rating – so Mark wore one. I had to take it off his head at the table – he was going to wear it all the time. John is talking to David. David & I were both having a good nap when a fly bothered around and disturbed David. I first heard a plane go over that woke me up. They go so low and so many a day – they fly almost over our house sometimes. Every time I hear one I do some wishful thinking about a passenger that could be aboard. Could be – Pinky got a ride home. Funks left today for Land of Lakes, Wis. The detassling business just about got Bill down. Krulls are going up next Sun. for a week. They just keep their restaurant open from 7:30 to 11 – then 3 p.m. to 7:30 – serve breakfast & short orders – Dorothy said they couldn’t get food or help so why stay open 15 hrs. a day.

Love – Mother

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform. Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform (but not with the white cap). Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/12/white-cap-gladys/

What You Were Afraid Of (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 15, 1943 envelope

: August 15, 1943, p. 1

: August 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Aug. 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Dr. Cole came this morning and I asked him to write you – then after he left I happened to think I hadn’t told him to use air mail or v-mail so if he uses reg. mail you may not get it so soon. After a careful examination of Mother’s abdomen he is convinced of what you said you were afraid of. He said she has a hard mass that is quite extensive in her bowels. He said he didn’t subject her to x-ray when I took her to the hospital due to her frail condition. I asked him about an operation and he said it was out of the question – said she couldn’t have stood surgery when in the hospital. I suppose that condition has been there for some time and at her age is more than she can overcome. I remember how Mrs. John Simons was and how well she came thru surgery, but I understand Mother’s age is against her. I sent her tray up at noon and she didn’t eat much – a while ago she said she didn’t want anything for supper. I have heard her go to the bathroom several times. I don’t get upstairs so much during the day. Seems with the baby I can’t make it. Then too Mother gets tired of anyone around her very long.

[page 2] Dr. Cole was on his way to Chi. till Tues. He said he didn’t know there could be so much work. Said he was finished, ready to leave the hospital this morning when someone sent came in & another Dr. wanted him to take care of his patient today. He gave orders as to her care – and told the nurse who to call if she needed a Dr. before her own Dr. returned. I know every time I go to his office I see more pregnant women that I ever saw before. Besides the baby cases he says he has so much surgery.

Mark is going to 4-H tomorrow – Funks are going to Wis. for a vacation – Zells are going away – Mr. Z. & Virginia to the 4-H camp – so we should have it quiet around here for a few days. The noise bothers Mother so much.

David is taking a good nap. Bob & Clarice were out to see him this afternoon. He is so full of pep and now he looks so cute when those two upper front teeth show. Dorothy Krull was playing with D. yesterday and he would look at her with an expression that she says is just like yours. Dorothy says she is going to take a movie when D. is a year old.

John & Mark are over next door playing croquet – They moved the set to Zells front yard. – I thought that would get the noise a little further away but I can hear them about as plain as before.

My pol. was returned, so now all the Ins. loans are paid.
Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/10/what-you-were-afraid-of-gladys/

Taylor Tot (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-14-43

Dear Daddy – Another Sat. not so hot today – no mail but had your Aug. 6 letter on Aug. 12 – I was in town a few minutes this a.m. to get some groc., etc. Saw Lucile with Jimmy Ed – his eczema is about gone. She can put sun suits on him now & not cover his hands. He is a cute little fellow. She still has to be careful about what she feeds him & what he wears – no wool. She loaned me the buggy again – a tire came off David’s and Jimmy won’t stay in the buggy – he prefers the taylor tot – as soon as I get David’s cast off will try him in his taylor tot, but I am afraid he will try to climb out – he does so much reaching and climbing – Dorothy was out to see him this a.m. He was showing a little temper & she told him his Daddy would spank him if he were here. He knows what No! No! means and scolds when we say No! to him. Dorothy Diedam is thru nurses training – at present is home but is to go back to the hospital Sept. 6 in O.B. She came out this a.m. I gave Mother a Vit. B shot Tues. & going to give another today – I hope they help pick her up. Diedam told me Dr. Flack was back in Laf. on leave and another Dr. or two but don’t remember who. Flack had been in Panama. If Cole comes tomorrow he can tell me who has been back. Buddy is here today playing with Mark – they are fishing – It’s a good pastime if not profitable – We never overeat from their catch.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/08/taylor-tot-gladys/

Teeth Like Yours (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 13, 1943 envelope

: August 13, 1943, p. 1

: August 13, 1943, p. 2

: August 13, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug 13 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another hot Aug. day but a cooling breeze – The upstairs is very comfortable. Just went up to see Mother. She says she hasn’t any pain or soreness in stomach or bowels – but one spot in the bowel is shore – not being a Dr. or knowing too much about the anatomy I would say it is her colin [colon] that is sore. She was a lot of gas but I think that is due to not eating enough solid food. Her diet is more on the liquid order. I feed her the canned foods I give David. At noon I thickened some bouillon and gave you some pudding. She drinks milk every meal. Mrs. Jarrel had a chance to come up yesterday & go back today so she is here. Spent the night and has had a nice visit with Mother. I think your Mother is coming next week. Jaunita is planning to come sometime. I have the idea to let J. stay here and run things a few days and let me get a little vacation – not that I am feeling sorry for myself or anything of the sort but I am beginning to get a little tired and feel I should get away for a change. Dr. Cole said he would take the cast off David’s

[page 2] leg next Sat. – a week from tomorrow – and that will be a relief to me as well as to D. He should be easier to handle then – He is getting a little spoiled as things are now. However he has been very good thru it all. Dr. Cole didn’t make it here yesterday so I suppose he will come Sun. He said either Thurs. or Sun.

Emmett Miller & Olene were at Statons last night – they were going to spend the night and today here but got a call from Emmett’s home to come immediately – his father wasn’t expected to live thru the night. I haven’t heard any further about his father. They think E. will soon be sent out. He is to go to Tenn. next. By leaving so unexpectedly I didn’t get to see them.

Buddy is here this afternoon playing with Mark. Mark had to go to the dentist this P.M. Had one pulled & some fillings. He said Dr. Limp said his teeth are like yours – he can stand to have drilling done – and was he proud to think he is like Daddy about having his teeth fixed. Speaking of teeth – I am going to try & get a good picture of D. now with all his 5 teeth shining – they make him look even cuter – and his hair lays in soft ringlets all over his head – you can imagine the ah’s & oh’s he gets about his hair. Mary Parttens said it was a shame to waste that beautiful hair on a boy but I

[page 3] disagreed with her. I said that was just part of being “David.” Then she said yes it did help to make him cute – She says he is the cutest baby she has ever seen. Listen to the proud mother run on & on.

The detassling camp is broken up – They had some bread left over & Arlene sent the neighbors each a loaf. Bobby delivered. Donnie will soon be big enough to do things. Just think this time next year they should have a baby 8 mo. old.

The breeze seems to have stopped and am I sticky – I had such a big washing today – have to get Mark’s clothes ready to go to camp Monday.

We are to have a black-out next week but think I had better skip lightly over the subject. Just don’t tell anyone I told you.

Mr. Zell has to go with the 4-H group next week – Virginia is going to camp too, Mrs. Zell, Betty & Martha Jane are going to her mother’s so with Mark gone, we should have a quiet time from Mon. till Thurs. When all the children in the neighborhood get together it gets noisy around here.

David has awakened from a nap and John is in talking to him. He should talk early if talking to him will help.

The papers have come this week but I will try to relay the news in the next letter.

Love Mother

Mark (January 1943)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/06/teeth-like-yours-gladys/

Those Two Neighbors (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-12-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Aug. 3-4-5-6 came today and John’s birthday letter & $2⁰⁰. He has written you. Mark wrote you a v-mail Apr. 13 & addressed it wrong & it was returned today – will put it in John’s letter. It is hot today – was cool & cloudy today but now the sun is shining and we are all feeling sticky – all, but D. I don’t believe he minds it much. He just had his 3 P.M. meal & is in good mood. John is practicing the oboe & Mark is out pulling weeds along the driveway. Dr. Cole said he would come today or Sun. but so far he hasn’t come today. Mother is feeling a little better I think – Dr. C. told me to give her Vit. B. shots and I started Tues. If he comes today will have him give the next one. This hot weather makes her feel worse. Dr. Cole said he didn’t think she had carcinoma. He didn’t have x-ray done due to her frail condition but had the lab analysis of her stool. A week from Sat. Dr. Cole said he would take the cast off of David’s leg. He has been good as could be all along. It seemed a shame to put such an extensive cast on for just a crack but I can see it was the right thing to do. Arlene came up and brought Mother flowers this a.m. She has been so good to come & see Mother all along. Zells have been solicitous too – I am glad for those two neighbors – they certainly have been good to us. Mrs. Z. helps out so much when I have to go to Laf. for medicine or take David to the Dr.

Love Mother

Hives (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 9, 1943 envelope

: August 9, 1943, p. 1

: August 9, 1943, p. 2

: August 9, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 9 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Back from Laf. I didn’t get the letter I wrote yesterday mailed so will put this in with it. This a.m. yours of July 29 – 30 & 31 came and Mother’s too. It was very encouraging to have your letters about her. I felt so discouraged about her when I wrote yesterday – but I feel she is at least holding her own. I took D. to see Dr. Cole today & talked to him about her. He said to bring her down but I told him she couldn’t stand the trip – he said he would come up to see her Thurs. or Sun. He said to keep the cast on David two more weeks then bring him down & would cut it off – he seemed to think it would be all right – said to keep just some protection around the crack. I told him David does about everything, pulls up, stand, sits etc. He shakes his bed until the bolts fall off –

[page 2] John’s bus didn’t come in until 5:45 so Arlene & I had plenty of time to shop. She went along to see Dr. C. and help me with David & shop. She is 5 months along now and has only gained three lbs. She was so pleased about it – hopes she won’t get so large this time.

I shopped some today – bought two prs. of shoes & 1 pr house slippers – I wanted to shop for shoes while I wasn’t in a hurry and found a black pr. & brown pr. that just suited my taste and fit. So many people wait until the last day to use their coupon and then rush the stores. I was in Laf. the last day the 17 coupon was good and all the shoe stores & Depts. were full with people standing waiting. Had to get J. & M. some school pants – school start Sept. 1 – and they had to have pants. John got a new pr. of shoes before he went to Grandma’s – he outgrew two pr. so Mark took them – that means he will have enough to last him several months. I didn’t neglect David. I bought him a new suit to wear when he gets the cast off his leg – He has new suit, shoes & sox for the occasion.

[page 3] I enjoyed your letters so much today – especially the 30^th & 29^th – of course I always enjoy all of them but you answered the 7 you had rec’d from me in the 29^th & the 30^th was a resume. Please don’t worry about the picture comment – to show I didn’t mean it I sent some of myself in the last bunch I sent. I have part of a roll taken & want to take the rest tomorrow, if there’s sunshine, and I suppose there will be. There was lots today – It has been awfully hot today – We would go into the air conditioned stores, then out again – and you know what happens – just like going into an oven.

I have to write your Mother that John arrived safely, etc. – also want to send Ruthie M. a note – I can’t think of anything else – oh yes – while in Laf. I had a coke then later ice cream – due to the intense heat we felt like we needed some cooling – and I got hives – They would raise up like mushrooms & just itch – at first I didn’t know what was the matter – I said there aren’t any bugs in town to bite me – I had one welt on my hand and on observing it decided I was having hives – My system is a little on the allergic order now – so will have to watch my eating –

Love – Mother

Sulfa (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 8, 1943, p. 1

: August 8, 1943, p. 2

: August 8, 1943, p. 3

: August 8, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another Sunday afternoon about gone. Seems I am about as busy as any other day. Last Sun. I didn’t get time to sit down & write. Mark has David out in the buggy now so thought I would take the opportunity to write. It is hot today but there is a cooling breeze most of the time. Mother ate a pretty good dinner but says she doesn’t want any supper. She looks so thin and pale today – Seems to me she looks worse today than usual. I will see Dr. Cole tomorrow and give him a report. If she would go I would take her back to the hospital but she says she couldn’t stand the beds & pillows. She is so thin I can understand why she wouldn’t be able to rest there. I told you a long time ago about the lab finding in her stool (strep, Staph & B-coli). She thinks the sulfa turned her against food and she doesn’t want anything to eat. Of course she can’t get better is she doesn’t eat, but she says she eats all she can.

[page 2] I am going to take David to see Dr. Cole tomorrow. He will probably reinforce the cast around the top – It certainly takes a beating – the way David gets around. I am to meet John. Your Mother & Dad are going to take him to Laf. T. H. & he will come to Laf. on the bus.

Mrs. Roberts was here last night. She said she had word from Joe and he had diahrea & last 7 lbs. She still doesn’t have any idea where he is. He sent his trunk back home and she has it now. She said it had a very musty odor. She said she couldn’t get beef in Watseka and their children wouldn’t eat pork. I had a sirloin steak – (Mark & I decided to be extravagant while John is away) and enough round steak for Mark & I today – so I gave her the sirloin. We don’t have steak very often because it’s hard to get and expensive. I have chicken to fry yet that your Mother brought up so thought I could get by without one steak.

I found last winter that I am allergic to sulfa – when I had the sinus infection – The other day I skinned my thumb on the furnace door – and by the way had been indulging in new tomatoes so had some breaking out on my fingers – and the

[page 3] place I skinned was broken out – I put sulfa powder on it and got a minor complication – the sore healed but that sulfa powder made my exczema so bed I can’t bend my thumb yet. It is better but I know now not to put sulfa powder on an irritated place again.

Eddie Ray Wilson sat down on a piece of broken glass and cut himself – It was so bad they had to give him ether to sow it up. He has had a time this summer. Margaret Kruman was here today & said Susan Clark caught her heel in the bike sprocket & injured her heel to the extent that she may not be able to walk on it. – Now I shouldn’t have written that because I didn’t have first hand information and when Ruth Parttens was injured the story was she wouldn’t walk again & Dr. M. said there was nothing to that. I didn’t mean to cast any reflection on Margaret but I don’t know where she got her information.

Dorothy keeps promising to bring their movie camera out to take some pictures of D. but so far she hasn’t shown up with it. Floyd & Ruth have taken pictures of him twice – at three & six months. They wanted to get him at 9 months but couldn’t make connections –

[page 4] I think you can almost see him grow in the pictures I have sent. I can’t weigh him until we get the cast off his leg – and that will be two weeks yet. He weighed 20 ½ at 10 months – I don’t know whether he will gain or lose by his 11^th month – I thought he might gain – but he is about as active as he was before – I think he works just as hard – Maybe harder. He is a busy little fellow most of the time.

I told you once before – Arlene is having another baby in Dec. She has Donnie off the bottle and he isn’t a yr. old yet. She says he eats more than Bobby does. Mark has been building planes for Bobby. Bobby was up here this afternoon – He is as cute and witty as ever. Arlene thinks Donnie will soon outgrow Bobby – and at the rate Donnie is going he may.

David’s two upper front teeth are so near thru I think one edge on both will make it thru today or tomorrow.

The cricket are singing all the time now – I think the old saying is “6 weeks till frost when they begin to sing” – but you can’t always depend on old sayings – as hot as it is today I can hardly think of frost.

Love Mother –