Tag Archives: Ed Johnson

Sewer Work

Letter transcription:

November 7, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

Sunday evening and I am alone for the present. Dad had to go to the hospital to give an anesthetic. We have had a restful afternoon, which we needed I think I should be able to face next week.

One night last week the weatherman said we would be able to see the comet at about 4 AM, so Dad set the alarm, but since Chicago is on standard time and we are on eastern time, Dad set the alarm too early. At any rate we started at about 4 o’clock to watch and after going out several times, Dad finally gave it up, but I went out one last time and by standing in the shadows of the trees on the north side of the lawn and looking to the southeast I thought I could discern a faint light, like a beacon, so I came back in and told Dad. We both went out again and decided that must be it. We should have driven out south of town and I am sure we would have gotten a better view. There is a good picture taken of it from a mountain in Hawaii – in Life magazine this week. Also Life has an article about Tillich.

I have been stopping to see Mrs. M. almost every day. I think she is gradually getting back to normal, but she still isn’t quite as strong as she was before.

Last summer when attending School of Mission I took the tape recorder along and recorded the lectures on “Acts-Then and Now.” I used the tape in teaching the book in my S.S. class. I became careless one day and said I would give the lessons to R. Zell’s class and they voted today to have me do just that. Now I have to make arrangements to have someone take my class for the next 5 weeks. I feel a little better about the class today than when I wrote last. The attendance was up today and the group was in a discussing mood, which always helps.

We are back where we started from on the hifi. It was too much trouble to keep the records changed at the office and the record player wasn’t being used enough to keep it there, so we brought it back home. However, we aren’t out of the stereo market yet. I think Dad will build one. Bun tells me that is the best way to get a good stereo. I am not interested in buying an expensive piece of furniture, when we have plenty of cabinets in which to place a record player. We brought all the records back home, including of course the new popular records. If Dad can get the parts, we will probably have a stereo by the time you come home for Christmas.

Joy Funk is going to be married Jan. 8^th. Some of Arlene’s friends are having a shower for her Saturday afternoon and I have been invited. It is a linen shower and that means I will probably have to go to Lafayette to get something. Did I write that Don and Nancy were married Oct. 2^nd? They are living in Rensselaer and Don is going to school. Jim Johnson had to make a trip east for the Company he works for and we gave him your telephone number. His dad said he tried all day to get you, but without any success. I didn’t know just when he was going or I would have let you know the exact time he would be in Boston.

The company that has been installing the sewer tile is about ready to leave town. They are supposedly putting the street back like they found them, but all it amounts to is a little strip of paving down the center, or in some cases, one side of the street. Our town still looks pretty torn up from the work this past summer. We never did get anything out our way. I think we will probably be hooked up as is. There is quite a story back of why they didn’t work out here. Seems our neighbor to the east wouldn’t give their consent to have the digging machine go near their back yard. Dad says however, they couldn’t have stopped them if the Company would have gone right ahead and dug. Right of eminent domain. I think the trouble was that our Town Board didn’t quite know what to do. They didn’t secure easements. They just took for granted that they had easements all over the town. Quite complicated. The sewage plant is being built and most of the town will be hooked up to it when it is finished, even if our end of town isn’t.

The United Church Women (I am Secretary-Treas.) had a meeting last Friday. World Community Day and one of the projects was to make sewing kits. I have to get those ready to send in the mail today to Napanee, Ind., so must get busy.

Love Mother

Your check received – sorry I forgot to mention it.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/20/sewer-work/

Election Day

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Kentland Wright 521 – in David’s handwriting]
November 14, 1960

Dear David:

I have been intending to write since Election day, but somehow I didn’t get around to it. Mark and Shirley and Becky came Thursday evening and the rest of the week I was pretty busy. Had to attend Myra’s wedding Saturday and the reception in the afternoon. Mark and Shirley went home (also Becky) yesterday afternoon. Becky is certainly a well trained baby. About the only time she is taken up is when she has to be fed. She has gained and weighs 10 lbs. 15 ounces – with her clothes on – which would be about 10-8 without. We measured her and she is 23” long, which indicates she may grow up to be tall like her uncle David. I suppose you are a little unhappy over the election. Now they are talking about doing away with the electoral college. I think it is about time. I hope now that the election is over that you can get down to some very serious studying. Lucile and Ed came out to see the baby Saturday evening. They said Jim was home. He comes almost every weekend, but since it is so close I can’t blame him. Mark invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them, so you will get a chance to see the baby. We took several pictures of her. She has grown so much she has changed since the last pictures we took of her. The baby bed Phyllis gave us fits in the NW corner of your room. Of course, when they move into a house they will take the large (it is much larger bed than the one they have now) bed with them. Please excuse this letter, but I am so used to writing to John in this fashion, it seems to come naturally. – Just an afterthought- even though the Democrats had a full slate in Newton County, none of them won anything. Everything in the county still in the hands of the Republicans. I am going to make a trip out to the hospital this afternoon. I have taken over the job of seeing that the gift cart is supplied and I have to go out and check merchandise. I plan to take Mrs. Myers along. I haven’t talked to her since the election. I know she feels the same way we feel about things. Mrs. Fields came out to see Shirley and the baby Saturday and when Mrs. F. saw Shirley, she said “I know you.” They were at I.U. and worked in the dining hall at the same time. Mark said he could remember her also, since she was on campus when he was. Small world. Mark Fields is walking now, but he still would rather crawl. He had a ball crawling around in our living room.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/09/09/election-day/

A Petition (Gladys)

2 Replies

August 25, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 25, 1945, p. 1

Aug. 25 – 1945

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Aug. 21 & 23 came this a.m. – so the air mail really gets here the quickest. I went over to Lucille’s last night to watch the wedding – Doris Wilson & Goog Marvin were married at the church at 8 PM. It was a very pretty affair. Bethel was bridesmaid & wore blue – Doris in white, of course. Jimmy Ed has hay fever & asthma too (at least he sounds like Glen does) and was so stopped up he could hardly breathe. All Dr. M. had given him was Phenobarbital – ¼ of 1½ gr. every three or four hrs. He got to coughing and threw up one dose – Ed called the Dr. and he said to repeat. I didn’t stay long – Ed had Jimmy on the glider and after he had the last pill acted like he was going to quiet down. I haven’t talked to Lucile today so far so don’t know how they got thru the night. I went over to Mildred Gerricks to class party about 9 o’clock. After the party I talked to Pauline Hiestand. She said Mary Childress came to her and asked her if she would be willing to sign a petition. She said she would be more than glad to. However, I am not so sure of thinks. Lucile told me some things Dr. M. said to her, that he claimed he said to you while you were here and I told Lucile he had not said anything at all to you of the kind. The only time I know of that he talked to you was in front of the barber shop the day Dorothy was with us.

August 25, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Well he told Lucile that he told you to come and see him and he would see what he could do for you. All I can remember hearing him say was, “Sorry you have to go back to San F.” He also told Lucile if you got back now, it would have to be thru him. I think he meant a petition would have to go thru him. So I don’t know what to do if anything. I think I’ll go talk to him and ask him if he has any “info” from the Amer. Med. Assn. – I suppose they will have something if there is anything out on the situation.

Link took Irene to Chicago yesterday. Atkinson said she had a blood clot – he put her right in the hospital and elevated her leg and applied heat. She has to take penicillin too for “phlolitis.” (incorrect spelling) I don’t know how long she will be in the hospital. I wonder why her Dr. at Sheldon couldn’t diagnose her case?

It is very cool here. I have washed and now have corn to put in the locker. It isn’t such a job tho. Just cut is off the cob and put it in the boxes – It has to be dipped in boiling water then cold before its cut off. It will be easier than cooking it tho.

Miss Smith was here yesterday and thinks John should attend a conservatory in Chicago Saturdays for piano lessons this winter. She is going to Chicago soon and said she would go to the conservatory and see about making arrangements. The place she has in mind is close to the bus station, so he could go up on the bus.

A letter came from your Mother this a.m. She says she isn’t feeling so well – I’ll enclose the letter. She sent us some red points.

Our magazines came to Kentland, so the change of address is in effect now.

I’ll send the gold braid & shirt & pants.
Love Mother

Letter from Lovina, dated August 23, 1945, p. 1

Aug. 23

Dear Gladys and boys

Received your letter. Glad you got back in your home again. I guess you have heard from Roscoe since he got out to San F. Hope he won’t have to stay long. It’s real chilly this morning, raining all morning. I canned some peaches yesterday not doing anything but cleaning up the house this morning. I’m not feeling very good (Haven’t felt good for nearly two weeks.) I’m going to the Dr. this

Letter from Lovina, dated August 23, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] afternoon. My hearts been bothering me so then I have the headache so in the back of my head. Pop wanted to finish digging potatoes today but it rained him out. We haven’t washed this week yet. We had to take the wash machine to town to get it worked on. Hope we can get it this week yet so I can wash some things. I’ll send you a few red points. I don’t have any news now to tell you. Hope your all well. Etta Campbell came out Tuesday, brought her cooker. We canned 24 pts. of corn. That’s all I want to can. Will have more in a few days. It’s no use to can so much. We don’t eat much corn.

Love Mom

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/17/a-petition-gladys/

Train Schedules (Gladys)

6 Replies

June 9, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 9, 1944, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
6-9-44

Dear Daddy –

Went of Laf. today & got a Sante Fe schedule – I found that I can get a train out of Chicago at 10: a.m. as Jacobs told us that gets into K.C. 8:35 – Now we can get the train out of here at 5 a.m. if we can’t get someone to take us to the train in Chi. Ed is going to Hammond one day next week and if it isn’t too soon we will go up with him – I inquired about the train from Laf. and it goes to St. Louis and we would have to change trains so I checked that off the list. I suppose I’ll call you and talk all this out over the phone, but will write anyway.

Just listened to the Amos & Andy

June 9, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] show. Mark has been out chasing lightening bugs – He worked on his exams today. I found that the report cards hadn’t been mailed – Miss W. refused to give Mark his card unless he took the exams. She said if Mr. Cast wanted to go over her head and promote him he could and probably would – I found myself in the midst of a tempest I had precipitated (unwittingly). It seems there wasn’t the understanding about Mark’s promotion I was led to believe. At any rate I didn’t argue with Miss W. but told her he would do his exams and he did them today.

I have cleaned out a lot of trash to burn but it’s too late tonight so will leave it for tomorrow.

Not much news I care to write but will have a lot to tell you.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/28/train-schedules-gladys/

Housing Situation (Gladys)

1 Reply

May 1, 1944 envelope

May 1, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
5-1-44

Dear Daddy –

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

May 1, 1944, p. 2

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

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

May 1, 1944, p. 3

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

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

Love Mother

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

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

Mrs. Henry Molter (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 30, 1944 envelope

April 30, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-30-44

Dear Daddy –

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

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

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

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

April 30, 1944, p. 2

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

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

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

May add a P.S. later.
Love Mother

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

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

Gladys, with Jimmy Ed and David (R)

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

Busy (Gladys)

3 Replies

April 15 & 16, 1944 envelope

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-15-44

Dear Daddy,

I wrote one letter this a.m. Have been keeping busy all day and thought I was feeling pretty good but during supper John said, “We got used to Daddy being gone before, but this is awful.” I asked him if he was lonesome and he said, “very.” Mark said something about going down to Grandma’s to spend the summer. John said, “Who wants to go down there? I want to be with Daddy.” I thought John acted rather casual Thurs. morning when you told him good-bye, but I suppose that is his way. He doesn’t say much at the time or demonstrate but it comes out sooner or later. He is playing records now. We listened to the radio for an hour then the programs didn’t suit us so he decided to play some Beethoven. Mark is busy with his drawing.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] He keeps talking about taking lessons this summer. I hope it can be arranged.

David was getting restless around 5 o’clock and I thought maybe a haircut would divert his attention. It rained most of the afternoon and he didn’t get his play out in the yard and he missed that quite noticeably. To go on with the haircut, he objected to the clippers right off, so I used the scissors & comb. Finally we coaxed him into letting me use the clippers but he wouldn’t hold still – results a little cracky, but looks better than it did. I gave him his supper about 6 o’clock then put him down and fixed ours. I had put a plate of hamburger on the table and looked around in time to see him grab some hamburger and cram it into his mouth. To keep him in good humor while we ate, I gave him one pea at a time. He would run into the dining room to eat the pea then come back for another. I taped his thumbs good enough last night he didn’t get the guards off once. I cut them off to give him his bath tonight. I may not have done as good a job on the new ones but haven’t heard him chewing on his thumbs yet.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Sunday afternoon

To continue the letter I started last nit. We have had dinner & washed dishes. Mark is at a loss for something to do. Says he is lonesome. Seems to be contagious around here. I am at one end of the dining room table and he is at the other. He is drawing something. He wanted me to take a walk but it is either raining or will be, so that let’s that out. It is very chilly. Took David to church. He behaved very nicely. It was Communion Day and Rev. Servies asked the Juniors first so John took David out after that and kept him in the vestibule. Lucile was at church and asked us to bring David over to see Jimmy. Ed was still in his robe and pjs. Said Jimmy saw David going to church and got very excited. They haven’t taken Jimmy to church yet. I don’t mind taking David when he behaves as

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] well as he did today. He doesn’t want to go to sleep now. After he finished his dinner I put him to bed and he is still fussing around and it’s past 1:30.

My hands are almost back to normal. There is still some peeling but no new places starting. They feel very tender and sensitive to water, but I think in a week I will be able to resume routine work, like washing dishes, etc., without any ill effects.

The Zells went to Oxford today and Mark went over to feed the chickens about 1 PM. Mr. Z. said if the sun came out to open the west door. I told him he was very optimistic. He was, because it is raining and looks like it will for quite a while.

John is listening to his regular Sun PM programs. He has a new piece of music that cost $1.50 however he hasn’t paid for it yet. I haven’t any money. I thought I would wait until your ck. comes and when I deposit it get some cash. I paid the telephone bill yesterday. It was $4.72 but the San F. tolls were not on it. The calls I made to Wilmington & C.C. were on it. I wonder why the two you made weren’t included.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 5

[page 5] I was glancing over the ck. book and the bal. is $70.17 but I think there were some cks. cashed by you & me that aren’t recorded, so we probably have less than $70.00. I will call the bank in the morning and check on our balance.

Verna Burns just called from Watseka and wanted to know if you could appear on a luncheon program for a sorority meeting as a speaker. I told her in the first place you weren’t permitted to do any public speaking and the second place you were on duty and wouldn’t be available at that time (May 5 – 1 PM). Correct me if I am wrong. I told her Dr. R. was home and she said she knew it. I wonder why she did [not] try to contact him. Maybe she doesn’t know him personally.

David finally gave up and went to sleep. He got his thumb guards

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 6

[page 6] off once but I put a new one on. I haven’t made the kind you suggested yet, but will try to get that done tomorrow. I have done a few other things since you left tho. After baths last night I dried the wall around the tub. So far no signs of water seepage around the putty. I am “right proud” of your work. It certainly makes the bathroom look much better. I want to get the lower half of the “Powder Room” painted or maybe I should save that job for you.

I haven’t been away from home since you left so haven’t been out news gathering – if there is any. Somehow I don’t relish the idea of having people ask questions about this & that. I hope you get next Sun. off so you can come home. If not I am coming up. I wish we could arrange something for the week-end if you can’t come home, if not I’ll come with Joe. This month is having a long beginning. I hope it doesn’t seem as long as the first few days have. I had a notion to call you last night but didn’t. We all miss you

Love Mother

Open House (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 30, 1944, p. 1

: January 30, 1944, p. 2-3

: January 30, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
1-30-44

Dear Daddy –

This being Sun. evening, we are all sitting in the living room listening to the radio – Charlie MC is on now. John and Mark are studying, in a way – but I believe the radio has the most of their attention. We had the Zells come to dinner today. I was going to have them remain for some supper, but they had company come and had to go home before supper. Mr. Zell has to go to Indpls. Tues. for his physical. He has to go thru all the formality but he may not have to go. Purdue is trying to keep their county agents home. You know P.U. is really “boss” of the agents and should have enough to say about such matters to carry weight. We will see. Mr. Z. will go if he has to – he isn’t the kind to try for deferments, but if is kept home thru his employment, that is another matter. Lucile says Ed won’t ask for deferments but the company has had him deferred so far. His last one is about up and

[page 2] he may have to go. Lucile said she thought she would stay on here for a while even if Ed does go. She was out a while today with Jimmy Ed. He and David are about the same size. D. is just about an inch taller and a lb heavier. David at present takes everything away from J. Everything J. gets D. wants. I think in time J. will correct that situation.

Dorothy & Nick came out for a while this P.M. Since they have their Sundays off are at liberty to go out together. I think they do a lot of sleeping on their days off.

Mr. Z. and Ed Johnson worked on Mark’s train and got it in running order again. They set it up in our bedroom this afternoon (Mr. Z. & Mark) and we had a lot of noise until David’s bedtime then Mark had to quit for the evening.

I told you about taking Sulfa for my throat. I am allergic to said sulfa and this morning I noticed

[page 3] my right hand was a little swollen and thumb showing a few water pimples so the sulfa is out and my sinus is still draining like a sugar tree. No need to worry as long as it drains, just so it doesn’t get worse. If it isn’t better in the morning I’ll go down and have Dr. M. give me a treatment.

The warm weather last week brought the tulips up so I’ll have to get out and cover them up because Feb. will surely bring colder weather. I knew it was very warm for Jan. but didn’t think it would bring the tulips up.

I sent you some more pictures taken around David’s 16^th month. They are all very good of D. and not bad of the rest. I just reflected when I looked at those pictures about David’s smile. He is smiling in most of his pictures. We were discussing the difference between J.E. and D. this afternoon – David is so spontaneous with his smile that he will smile or laugh at

[page 4] most anything but J.E. is more conservative and sober most of the time. They had some pictures made of J.E. last week and Lucile said they couldn’t get him to smile in but one picture.

Irene was here a few minutes – Jimmy came over to see Mark’s train and she came to get him. I didn’t get to talk to her much. Dorothy & Nick came before she left. She did say she went to see the Dr. in Chi. Yesterday, but I didn’t ask her any questions. I don’t know whether she is working at the factory or not.

It sounds like we had open house today. I don’t know when so many different ones have been here in one day. Don’t suppose it will happen again for days.

Will write again tomorrow and since no mail goes out on Sun. will put both in one envelope.
Love Mother

David, January 1944

No More Exemptions (Gladys)

3 Replies

: January 17, 1944 envelope

: January 17, 1944, p. 1

: January 17, 194, p. 2

: January 17, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-17-44

Dear Daddy –

Mon. morning and no letters. Had two Sat. so can’t complain. It is sunny and getting warmer out today. It was 20° above in Chicago this a.m. but possibly a few degrees warmer here. I want to take David out for a while after he wakes from his nap. I still have to put mitts on him when he sleeps to keep his thumbs out of his mouth. His latest trick is to get me to pick him up and let him look out the window. Often there are cows and horses in the pasture or corn field – he points out and says “cow.” I am trying to get him to say horse but he hasn’t tried yet. He calls shoes & sox, sox, but I am trying to get him to say show. He did try today so maybe he will soon learn. He says “pretty” very plainly and several other words. He still calls John & Mark both “Dah.” We say “Mark” to him but he hasn’t gotten the “M” yet. We didn’t have to teach him to say da-da – That was the first word he said. His picture in the paper caused a lot of comment from people. The general opinion is that he looks like his Daddy. I am sure that opinion is correct.

[page 2] Had a letter from Glen & Pauline. I wrote to them about Geo. Wingfield. Glen says he knows him. Said Geo. owns the Golden & Riverside Hotels (very exclusive). Glen still insists we should move out there to live after the war. Now that Glen has a wife who writes letters, we keep up a correspondence regularly. I am starting a sweater and cap for James L. Pauline doesn’t knit and she can’t find things for him out there. She bought quite a few things for him when they were here. I wrote her that I would shop for her here if she would tell me what to get. I am going to send a pr. of shoes David outgrew – the same pr. Jimmy Ed had and returned. Baby shoes from 4 ½ require coupons. David’s last pr. took a coupon. They are still large enough for a few weeks.

John said at noon he had the highest grade (95) in Arith. on the exams and Bob seemed to be a little displeased with the class and said, no more exemptions. I said “Well, if you make 95 that should exempt you,” but John says since he was the only one, that isn’t enough. He was a little “peeved” because he had to take the exam in the first place, because he had an A average, but Bob told them they had better take the exam, or else. I don’t know what the “or else” meant, but all the class took the exam and several were exempt. However, it seems most of them needed to take it because the next highest grade to John was 75.

[page 3] David is awake and I have put him out in his buggy to absorb some sunshine. I am going to take some pictures. It is such a grand day for photography. I just looked out and he had a thumb in his mouth but took it out. I gave him two toys, but he has a bad habit of throwing his things out. He is now pulling at the spread and will throw it out if possible.

I would like to get some pictures of J. & M. on this roll and will try to get some this evening. The light is getting too weak for good pictures by the time they get home from school, but maybe I can get some even if they aren’t so clear.

I thought Lucile might come out with Jimmy but evidently she decided that would be too much. Ed took him out for a few minutes yesterday. He had the flu much harder than D. In fact I didn’t think D. had flu until he had that hang-on cough for so long. I must go out there – he is pulling his cap off.

Love Mother

Reclaimed Rubber (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 18, 1943 envelope

: December 18, 1943, p. 1

: December 18, 1943, p. 2-3

: December 18, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but rec’d several this week – Also the boys got their Christmas money. John wrote you a v-mail last night – I’ll get Mark to write this evening. He is out skating this afternoon. He kept David out for about an hour in his buggy then I told him he could go skate. He gets so much fun from skating. We rec’d a box from R. M. this a.m. She wants us to come for Christmas but I couldn’t promise her anything depending on the weather. Before we got the better coal I couldn’t consider going because the furnace needed constant attention. Mrs. Zell said they would take care of it for us but I thought that was too much bother for them. And now that Virginia is in bed think they have enough to do. The Dr. hasn’t taken an x-ray yet. Says

[page 2] she shouldn’t be moved yet. I wonder if she has a basal facture. Will just have to wait for the x-ray to find out.

David has had a long nap. The fresh air made him sleep longer than usual. He is just waking up and sounds a little cross. I am just going to keep writing until he gets demanding. He loves to go out. Yesterday I took him for a walk. It had been so cold that was the first he had been out since Sun. I am enclosing some pictures Ed took of the two babies. It was hard to get them in the right mood together for a picture. I think the one of D. alone is very good. He is turned a little to the side but it’s a good profile picture. Can’t say so much for myself but was trying to get David to behave.

We worked on floors today. This soft reclaimed rubber in the heels mark the floors just like crayon. I took the boys shoes & had leather heels put on. It’s no easy job to steel wool the floors, and this is

[page 3] the third time this fall we have done the job. I hope the new heels eliminate the cause of all this scouring.

The check came today for the dividends on the three policies ($26.52) and a notice about the one policy being paid up. That check will take care of more than 1/3 of premiums due in Jan.

John has been listening to the usual Sat. p.m. opera. I sat and listened a while & knitted. I was tired from working on the floor so took that means to rest. John has a book on Italian operas and follows thru the operas with his book, when it’s an Italian.

The enclosed greeting came today so I just readdressed their envelope. I enclosed the v-mail in a letter one day this week they had sent here to be sent on to you. I have a greeting I am sending to them. I have a stack of greetings to send out and must get busy and get them in the mail.

[page 4] I went to town this morning to buy groc. but didn’t pick up any news but maybe Boonie will write and give you all the low down. He let me read your letter the other day when I stopped in to get the paper (no delivery now). He told me right away he knew where Col. Wilkie is, so you know how he delights in spreading the news.

David is out of doors again with Mark. Mark came home from the pond with being called.
Love Mother