Tag Archives: Dr. Joseph Roberts

Very Quiet After Sunday

Letter transcription:

Sept. 4 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie –

The suit coat arrived – I took it to the cleaner & Dad wore the suit last night. We went to Watseka to give a program for the Nurse Assn. Dr. & Mrs. Roberts also attended. The group thanked us and invited us to give another program next month since we just got as far as Bali with the program last night.

Mark and Shirley went home this a.m. They were going to stop and visit with Aunt Ruth. I talked to her over the phone before they started. She said Romaine and Tye had been with her until yesterday. I have promised to go get her sometime and bring her over here for a few days. I hope she gets to the place she can drive her car. I think all she needs is a little confidence in herself.

Mark and Shirley waxed my car yesterday. However, since we are having a long dry period I am afraid it won’t do much good.

John took a load of things to Champaign Tues. He is

[page 2] coming back today to spend weekend and take rest of his things back Sunday.

This place will seem very quiet after Sunday – after all the company we have had this summer.

Alma has stopped several times this summer. She has recently been to visit her sister in Missouri. We received a letter from her this week and she was getting ready to return to Crown Point.

I have a basket of work waiting for me on my desk so I think it would be a good idea for me to get to work.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/10/very-quiet-after-sunday/

Going Ahead (Gladys)

1 Reply

October 14, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 14, 1945, p. 1

Oct. 14-1945

Dear Daddy –

I didn’t write yesterday – I was waiting for your wire and it didn’t come until after mailing time. At any rate I am going ahead with the office as we planned. Vincent called me and said his estimate for labor and material would be $113.00. That he said would include everything he would do. Of course Mr. Monroe would (will) have another bill. Mr. Monroe came out to the house Sat. and asked me what we wanted – I told him and he said he would look it over and see what would have to be done. I am going ahead with our heating plant – because I am afraid it would cost more to pipe the heat across the alley than to use our own heating plant. Mr. Monroe asked me how we were getting along with the furnace. I said we were hand firing and since you were coming home we may just have the auger fixed. Mr. M. said he couldn’t get any burners yet. They didn’t have anything yet last week.

We are enjoying a lively fire in the fireplace. We bought some coal up and it lasts so much longer than logs. David is in bed – he was so tired this evening he was cross and cried at everything. John is up in the attic looking for Reader’s Digests – he wants

October 14, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] an old number for something. He took his first organ lesson yesterday ($1.50 hr.) and I went to the church with him for one hour practice this afternoon. He can only use the church when it’s warm and now that is only Sat. & Sun. He also took a piano lesson yesterday afternoon. Miss Smith is discouraged with Mark and told John he was wasting his money & her time – however I think when you get back and can help him he will improve. We got all the storm windows on yesterday – all but the doors, but they won’t be much of a job.

Jim called me from Great Lakes yesterday. He is getting his discharge in a day or two, then he is going to N.Y. to get his car – Washington to get Thelma – back to Terra Haute then up here to see us. Maybe you will get back about the same time.

I am wondering if you will be sent back to G.L. for discharge – but maybe your first letter will answer some of my inquiries. I wish now we had arranged for you to call – then I could have given you the estimate on the office, but I am assuming you want me to get it done.

Emmett Miller is home. I called Lila and she doesn’t know about Joe – but now that he has enough points he will surely be home soon.

It is cooler today. Rained a little and stays chilly. I looked out a few minutes ago and saw a bright moon, so it must be clear. Just hope is doesn’t get too chilly before we get this furnace fixed one way or another.

Love Mother

P.S. Kenneth is on his way home.

October 14, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Mon. morn – Arlene called me last night and asked me to see if I could get her an appointment with Dr. Ade (first she asked if you were home). It seems Bobby is losing his hearing. He has been having some ear trouble and Arlene is quite alarmed over his condition. I called Dr. Ade this morning & he said to bring him down this afternoon. I called Loughridge this morning but Bun didn’t know much. I am afraid we will have to get this furnace fixed or I will get a bad cold. I am bordering on a throat condition now and it’s so much cooler

October 14, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] and takes the house so long to heat up in the morning. I went down and burned a lot of trash to build the temp up and I finally have it up to 66. (10:45) I have to go to the store to get a few things. Maybe it will be up by the time I get back.

It is nice and sunny today so maybe the temp will get up before the day is over.

Will try to have more info about everything this evening.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/02/going-ahead-gladys/

Nu-Joy Restaurant (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 9, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

9-9-45

Dear Daddy –

We had quite an exciting afternoon. The Nu-Joy Restaurant burned to the ground. The fire started in the kitchen and the fire Dept. wasn’t called soon enough, so the story goes. All the fire trucks around here came but about all the good they did was to keep the garage from burning and the Kentland Café building. John & Gladys are back and getting their place ready to open. I suppose they will step up their work to get opened sooner now that the Nu-Joy is gone. The Harlan Parrs were in town and had come out this way so they took David and me down. J. & M. were already down watching the fire. We parked by Childress Station and watched a while, then I asked them to take be back home. There was such a mob gathering I thought I would rather be home. Traffic had to be re-routed out this way to 24. There were cars parked on 24 out past here. Ed J. took John out for another driving lesson this evening and he told John what the Electric Co. had to do when they knew how the fire was going. Ed was on the scene most of the time – until after the fire was really over. I could see smoke for a long time.

Jimmy Ed is much better. I took David and stayed there while John & Ed were driving. Jimmy seems normal. Lucile says he chokes up some at night, but while we were there I didn’t notice any signs of hay fever or asthma. Maybe what was bothering him a week ago is gone now.

Joe Bill Mullen was in church this

September 9, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] with Gloria Blanke and his mother. He has to go back to the hospital for more treatment. I have heard there is to be a wedding, but I don’t know when.

The Foulkes were entertaining dinner guests at the Nu-Joy when the fire started. I think they left before they had finished eating. No one was caught in the fire but Katie told me all they could get out was the money. I heard later that some other things were saved – some 5^ths. One fireman was supposed to have taken 3 cases of beer.

Olene Miller says Emmett wrote her not to send him any more packages, so she things he will soon be coming home.

Lila called me tonight. She said Joe is still in N. Africa. He got his promotion so is now Comdr. She doesn’t know anything about when he will get home and wondered if you knew anything.

Mrs. Glick was at church this a.m. She asked me how soon you were coming home. I told her I didn’t know. Dr. G. seemed to think it would be soon, or something to that effect.

I got the boys started back on their regular monthly allowance again. Mrs. Koon came out Sat. and paid the bal. of the rent $15.00 – so that helps out the petty cash fund.

The Statons were gone from home today and came in on 24 and turned to come up the short street so didn’t see what had happened. You can imagine their surprise when we told them what had happened.

We were up late last night so in order to get the boys settled down early will go to bed myself. Lucile came out late last night to show us Karen’s pictures. She stayed until 11:30. I made a pot of coffee and we ate some of John’s prize cake he baked yesterday morning.

Love Mother

Photograph of the Nu-Joy fire, from the Kentland-Newton County Centennial, 1860-1960. Note the incorrect date!

[Editor’s note: A newspaper clipping regarding the Nu-Joy fire can be found here. Note that both Gladys and the newspaper give the date of the fire as Sunday, September 9, 1945, not September 7th as printed in the centennial book.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/18/nu-joy-restaurant-gladys/

News About Releases (Gladys)

1 Reply

August 23, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 23, 1945, p. 1

8-23-45

Dear Daddy –

No mail so far from you or from Dolores. Had two letters from Jim today – one written Aug. 1 & 15. He said we could guess from his address in what area he is. Had a card from Arlene. They are coming back Sun. She sent me a card with a picture of the 500 Bushel Club, Lake Gogebic, Marinesco, Mich. That is the lodge they own. Quite an impressive looking place.

So far the Loughridges haven’t given me any figure on the oil burner, but I called Chet this a.m. and he promised it by this afternoon. I went to town this morning and got the lawn mower. It is in good “cuttin’” shape now. Mark moved the backyard again for the 3^rd time in a week without a protest. We finally got all the weeds out and everyone agrees the yard looks much better. Mark is nailing the holes shut in the garage to keep the mice out of the attic.

Mrs. Roberts was here for a few minutes yesterday. Joe doesn’t have any idea

August 23, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] as to when he will get home. Earl is still across, somewhere in France and wants his wife to join him if possible. We are still listening to the news to get any “info” about releases, but nothing we are vitally interested in has been said. Jim says he figures to be in for quite a while yet.

David is taking a nice long nap. It’s cool today so he sleeps well. John received, I think, about $9.00 for his birthday. We had the Zell girls & Jimmy come over for ice cream & cake. He said he was well pleased with money for gifts. In fact said that was the nicest gift he knew of. The Zells are away today so Jimmy is hanging around with Mark. David & Jimmy like to play together – and with the Zell girls too.

—Had a caller – Lucile Burgee with her little girl – Karen Sue – Gerhard is in France – doesn’t know when he will get to come home.

I’ll have to hurry if I get this in the mail before the P.O. closes. I didn’t get any word from the Loughridges – so if I don’t hear from them tomorrow I am not going to bother them anymore. Evidently they aren’t interest. I saw Harold Portteus this morning – he said he hadn’t sent that night letter yet but thought he might get it out tonight.

It’s about time for Mark to come in from his paper route so will get this finished.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/13/news-about-releases-gladys/

Leila Roberts

1 Reply

March 26, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Mar. 26, 1925 [sic 1945]

Dear Friends:

We speak of you folks often, but letter writing just seems to be one of those things we are forever putting off.

We are still in the same spot and from most reports are fortunate to have what we do for there are so many who just can’t find anything.

Our year is practically up and yours is up so I suppose we can both expect most anything but we’ll just sit tight and hope!

We drove down home last week-end and as usual spent most of our time cleaning, but we at least didn’t find any moths on this visit, but there is always plenty of dirt.

I am at our neighbors tonite staying with their baby while they are in

March 26, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Chicago shopping. We trade off once in a while for its next to impossible to hire anyone.

Joe is a “big surgeon” now – he did 40 circumcisions last month! No promotion in view until next summer according to a fairly reliable source for they no vacancies for Commanders at present.

Joe’s Mother asked me for that pair of blue knit pants I let you use for David so she could make some for Adda Mae’s baby. If you happen to have them with you and aren’t using them would you mind sending them, then I’ll return them if David can still wear them.

Commander Kennedy is still at the station.

We’d enjoy hearing from you sometime if you have a spare minute. Hope all are well.
As ever
The Roberts

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/27/leila-roberts/

Update from Robert P. O’Donnell

1 Reply

October 20, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 20, 1944, p. 1

Saturday Oct. 20, 1944

Dear Yeggy

I am really ashamed to have not got a line off to you sooner. You might think that the old O’Donnells had forgot you completely. The first day I arrived in here I looked you up in the phone directory for the base and then I found out you had been shifted. You letter was forwarded to us by way of the folks.

We got a letter from Lentz the other day he is still organizing things so he won’t have so many watches. Something tells me that you have the bes set up that way. It seems that I have a night watch every other night. Duty here could be a lot worse than it is, but it’s not like old Silverstream.

Pat is working here on the compound with me. She’s in the recreation building over on the Naval Hospital Side which makes it very convenient for us. We still haven’t got a car – somehow I just can’t pay out to your “landsman” the price they want. You haven’t seen anything good down where you are have you? If you see anything that looks like it’s a buy let me know. Most of these people up here just dust out the car they get from an individual and then charge $250 more than they paid for it.

We have a 3 room kitchenette apartment here in Waukegan that we got with the usual luck of the Irish, the first night in town. I sure hope that regardless of how interesting my job here is, we may be able to stay here, for I could never get anything like this anywhere else for 2X the price.

Since both of us are working we don’t gad about much.

October 20, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] We play a lot of acey ducie at night and see some shows. We’ve only been in Chicago three times. Getting home to Rockford takes so long via Greyhound bus that we’ve only been out there twice.

Right now I am listening to Dufy’s tavern here at the station. As usual I have the duty. Dotty LaMour is giving the low down on the beautiful tropical islands. I think even Sniveling Jacks in the Tribune has changed the inhabitants of the S.S. isles to scroungy looking natives instead of beauties.

Roberts is still here. Which reminds me. When are you going to be a Lt. Comdr. Not that Robert’s has made it, but you have been a “real” Lt. for 19 months – What next? Also are you planning another south seas trip before this conflict is over? I wish I could give you some word on it. All seem to have got rid of all the Medical officers around here who have never been overseas. Now they are weeding out all those guys who have been overseas less than 18. There seems to be a lot of guys who had a split time over there. 9 months, 12, 10, 6 etc. They were returned for sickness, deaths in the family, or for some other screwy reason.

It’s apparently only a matter of time before they start in to send out men with a full overseas tour. The only thing that will influence this is a very sudden change in the war. We picked up a lot of MOs who had been in some sort of a pool in England. They were there for about 6 months. 5 before the D day and one month after. As soon as the beach head was successful they quickly sent them back to the States with 15 days leave and then sent them to the South Pacific. I imagine there are a lot of guys in Europe with less than 18 months duty. They will all be eligible if things fold in Europe.

October 20, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Incidently what do you think of the work they’ve done in the Pacific since you left. If they do as much in the next year as they’ve done in the last we’ll be getting som where.

What have you learned from our great student Lentz? I sure would like to have the 3 of us get together again. Pat talks about it a lot too. But I suppose that someday we’ll be free and able to move around. What kind of post war plans do you have? How about Indiana? I don’t know what I’m going to do for sure. Nevada looks awfully good. I may go out there and try and mine some gold before the depression which is a sure thing for my money.

I cast my ballot for Dewey the other day as a member of the armed services. Sidney H. for my money should be number one man on some beach raid.

Before I forget it I want to thank your better half for that swell letter she wrote the folks saying that Pat and I were coming soon. That’s a long way back and I realize now that you don’t much about our trip.

I came back in a tanker from Wellington leaving there on May 6^th and reaching here May 23^rd. Pat followed me on the 12^th of May and reached San Francisco on June 1^st. I landed in San Pedro with Mason, Rutter, and Sherrovk from Silverstream. It took them 5 days to get my orders fixed. On the 6^th day I left Pedro and went to S.F. on just a hunch although through a cable sent me by Ed Lentz I knew Pat had left N.Z. by way of Auckland.

October 20, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I met Pat’s ship in S.F. and took her off. Criss, Witter and Cathcart were all with her which made the trip a lot of easier for her. Hudgins helped her out a lot to with food as she acts like her husband does when the ground swells start in.

We had a honeymoon in S.F. staying at the Mark Hopkins then came on to Rockford for about 10 days. I had a total leave of 15 days plus travel time. I will always be glad that I talked you into that trip to the South Island.

Well bud, I’m going out and get a coke. Wish I could just run down to your room and have one with you.

Let’s hear from you and not the way I usually do.
Lt. R.P. O’Donnell
414 South Jackson St.
Waukegan,
Illinois

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/17/update-from-robert-p-odonnell/

No Children Allowed (Roscoe)

3 Replies

May 1, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

May 2, 1944

Dear Mother,

The letter you wrote of D. accident finally came today – where it was and why I don’t know. It seems that was just like the letters you used to write and wanted them to get there in a hurry.

I thought for a short time this PM I’d have something about a house but it fell thru. It was a furnished home in Libertyville $60.00 per month but the old “Itch boy” that owns it doesn’t want any children in her house – She thought that she could rent it to people without children. I was a little upset when I walked into the ward and the nurse asked me what was troubling me. I told her the lady didn’t want children in the house and she said “well

May 1, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] why?” and that was a little to much – I told her the baby would “pe” on the bed. That slowed her down and even brought color to her face. Probably to mine also. Hope the lady who owns the house has splinters in her pants and one of them point starboard every time she sits down. Maybe there are other punishments just as bad but I won’t whish wish them on her at present. Dr. Glick put me wise to this house.

I’ve got my leave started on the way and should be able to give you the dope tomorrow night. Joe gets off or rather will take off at noon on Sat. and I’m going to try to do likewise. It may not go thru for 12:00 or for that matter maybe not for

[page 3] 4:30 but we will try.

May 1, 1944, p. 3

I sent my blue suit to the cleaner today – so had to wear khaki. It was nice and sunny when we got up but it got foggy and cold later but this eve it was pretty nice again. Khaki is a must for me for the next few days until my blues came back, rain or shine.

We are all set to listen to Fibber in about ½ hour. Right now Gabe Heater [1] is about to come on so I’ll just sign off and say will the splinters punch the lady hard enough and often enough –

Love Daddy

[1] Gabriel Heatter was a radio news commentator. During WWII, he was known for his trademark phrase “Good evening, everyone…there is good news tonight.”

A Place by the Lakes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 1-2, 1944 envelope front

: May 1-2, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

May 1-2, 1944, p. 1

5-2-44

Dear Mother,

At least there is something to report – Joe found a house – a small but livable and reasonable enough. All for $48 per month but not furnished. He called Mrs. Roberts and I suppose she will call you before this arrives. They were able to get it by a friend in Wilmette writing to a friend in Lake Bluff and these people had a friend whose brother in law had a house so you see how things go. Maybe something will turn up in that way for us. The lady in Wilmette is still looking for one for us.

I’ve thought of this for us – Maybe we could take a place at the lakes for a couple of

May 1-2, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] weeks – and that would allow us to be together and would also give you some time to look around and if nothing turned up at the end of that time you could go back home – what about that? We can talk of that when I come home this weekend. I haven’t asked as yet but will tomorrow.

Somehow I’ve contracted a cold and using a few hankies but it isn’t bad. It’s turned so warm today. I’ll wear khaki tomorrow for the first time and have my blue cleaned & pressed for the weekend.

Well, I hope I’ll be able to write of house news tomorrow eve –
Love Daddy

Tune in Tomorrow Night (Roscoe)

1 Reply

April 30, 1944 envelope

April 30, 1944, p. 1

Apr. 30 Sun.

Dear Mother

Just home from the hospital and writing now so I won’t do like last night. This being Sunday the day was rather dull but business was pretty good because there was extra work due to doubling for a Dr. or two who had the day off – now if I can get next weekend they can work for me, which is only fair if the big braid will see it my way.

No further news on a house, etc. I did talk to a fellow who got one but it was one of these where the Dr. was detached and the word got to this fellow first but he had to take over an unexpired year’s lease. I don’t know if that is good or not. I guess if he leaves he can probably get someone to take over his lease.

I received a letter from you today so probably will not get one tomorrow and you also know why you didn’t

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] get the letter one day. Joe said his wife missed a day also so he probably got blamed twice.

I’m reading a book again in the off hours. I’ve forgotten the name of it and it’s over on the dresser and right now Jack Benny is coming on so I’ll probably get this letter full of nothing.

Joe said something about going out house looking again tomorrow – I think again toward Evanston. He wants to go to see the manager of the apartments where he stayed 2 years ago. I’m going to see if I can see the welfare gal again tomorrow to see if she has anything to offer.

It seems that the main topics of these letters is finding a house and why not and this might end like a continue story – will they find a house? Tune in tomorrow night – by courtesy of bla bla

Love Daddy

Up in the Air (Roscoe)

1 Reply

April 29, 1944 envelope

April 29, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 29, 1944

Dear Mother,

This is pretty late Sat. night. Mr. French and I got interested in Acey Ducey and then in a card game and we just almost didn’t stop. So it is almost Sunday morning. Joe has the duty so that is the reason he wasn’t here – We are planning on coming home next week end if at all possible that is if the powers that be are agreeable.

Your letter today left me a little up in the air – because you said something about having the stitches removed from D. lip but nothing about having them put in, etc. You said in an earlier letter he had fallen but nothing about stitches. Maybe I missed one of your letters but according to dates I have them all to date.

Nothing further to report about a house – I sure wish there was but