Tag Archives: Emma (Lawhead) Foster

White Cap (Gladys)

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/

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/04/those-two-neighbors-gladys/

Clothes Line Broke (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 11, 1943 envelope

: August 11, 1943, p. 1

: August 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Aug. 11, 1943

Dear Mother,

As I stated in yesterday’s letter, there wasn’t any mail. It wasn’t too disappointing because after three straight days one hardly expects mail on the fourth day.

One thing you mentioned and I didn’t comment upon was the bill you were going to send Lloyd Tilton. I think that is OK provided you paid Geo. The bill we owed him. You wrote as if you had paid it but you never did say for sure. It would be swell if those things could be collected but I’ve given up hope long ago. I just want you to keep the records so those people can be remembered later on, but why worry about such things now.

This is getting well on with the time of the cast for D. I’ll bet you have a time keeping him off that foot and I doubt if a little weight on it will bother too much. This will of course get there too late for you

[page 2] to get much relief and I suppose you have almost worried yourself sick trying to keep him quiet – but Mother must not worry too much less her features be spoiled – beauty I mean. I’ve had many comments on your pictures. However as you said in most of the snap shots the camera was moved and the pictures weren’t clear, but I can still see you haven’t lost your beauty. I’m not try to be funny – I’m very much in earnest so don’t get me in the dog house with the Mother of my sons.

There is one little wee suggestion I might make for your mother – Ten drops of HCL in water with or after meals – yes, the same that you take for your eczema. Don’t however do it if she is getting better but if her stomach still bothers you might try a dose or two.

This is Wed. and the rain has kept our clothes wet so I’m going dirty because of lack of dry clean clothes – one fellow’s clothes line broke and you should see his sheets & other white clothes –

Space all gone – Lots of love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/03/clothes-line-broke-roscoe/

A Favorable Answer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 10, 1943 envelope

: August 10, 1943, p. 1

: August 10, 1943, p. 2

: August 10, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Aug 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter of July 27 came yesterday – That makes 3 days in succession that I’ve received mail from you so I hardly expect any further mail for several days. I hope I’ll be agreeably surprised but I’m afraid not. Yes the one letter that was most important – July 17 with the check was missing. I suppose it will be a month or more in getting there and you seem to need it rather badly but your regular checks will be there Aug. 1^st so maybe that will help until this other comes tagging along.

You said D. was getting along swell in the cast – moving around

[page 2] etc. That cast probably won’t slow him down one bit. And about the criticism I think I expressed myself in yesterday’s letter so you know how I feel and further more I’ve repeated it several time – I think the boys have a wonderful mother who is really trying and getting results – more than she can see right now but results which will show themselves in years to come. So don’t criticize yourself for things that happen.

I know Commander Frerricks Frericks Frerricks (That is the correct spelling) had written the boys but I did not know what he was going to say. Really I think that is one person I was able to pull the wool over – because I believe he did think I was OK, and still does I hope. I wrote to his daughter (21 years old). She is a collector of Hotel Letter Heads and a fellow gave me a letter head of a hotel

[page 3] in Hawaii, and I wrote a little note on it and sent it to her for her collection. He told me when I was down to see him she was engaged – The boy in question had written him asking him the fatal question and he had given a favorable answer.

Well, there is a fellow waiting to do some work so will have to stop right now but maybe can fill up the space a little later –

Lots of Love (in case I don’t get to add more)
Daddy

Got thru sooner than I expected but now I can’t think of anything to say –
Hope you mother is improving. I feel so helpless about making suggestions
Again lots of Love
Daddy

Frerricks address is Navy 152 F.P.O. San Fran Calif

Lt. Roscoe S. Yegerlehner, mostly likely in the Solomon Islands

Lt. Roscoe S. Yegerlehner, New Caledonia, 1942

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/01/a-favorable-answer-roscoe/

A Fine Boy (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-10-43

Dear Daddy – No mail today – but 3 up to July 31 came yesterday. In yours of July 30 you wrote about leaving a year ago and I rec’d it Aug. 9 – the day you sailed. It doesn’t seem sometimes like it can be a year then other times it seems much longer. We will just mark off each day as one day nearer to coming home. The Burgees were today. Gus is working for Kent Dairy at Gibson City and they were visiting here today. Lucile wanted to weigh the baby – she is 4 ½ mo. and weighed 13-11 with clothes on. A little smaller than David at that age. They said to tell you they thought David a fine boy. He showed off for them – as he can do so much of the time. He has another tooth thru today – that makes 4 – another is almost thru. He is taking a nap now. It is hot today and I have had him in the yard a lot. I put him down on a cover but he would crawl off on the grass. He is tired today from the trip to Laf. yesterday. Mark went to a 4-H meeting this afternoon – John had his piano lesson here – he wanted Miss Smith to see the piano. She tells John she thinks he will be a composer – she has him play his pieces for her. I listened some to his lesson and he really is in advanced music – Mother is about the same today – The heat is hard on her – but there has been a cool breeze in her room all day –

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/30/a-fine-boy-gladys/

David’s Accident (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 9, 1943 envelope

: August 9, 1943, p. 1

: August 9, 1943, p. 2

: August 9, 1943, p. 3

: August 9, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco, Calif.
Aug. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letters of 24, 25 & 26 came – The one you wrote while in the Hospital with D. and the latest after you had taken him home – It’s too bad a thing like that had to happen but from what you say I can’t see but what it was an accident and no one to blame. It’s just one of those things. You remember the time Red Brewer fell – no one would call that carelessness and I can see no reason why that could be called carelessness just because an adult was not carrying him – anyone can stumble – You will not the person who criticized first was the person who probably needed the most criticism about her children – So pay no attention “by them.” No doubt it is a little hard for you to take however because of the pressure you are under from your mother being sick, the responsibility of the home and boys and then the added pressure of the accident. Don’t feel too badly because I’m sure from the

[page 2] way you described the break it really isn’t serious. The most disheartening thing of the whole business will be seeing D. in the cast but don’t feel too badly about that because kiddies get used to casts much more readily than grown ups. The worst thing I see about the thing is the extra work it will make you in keeping him bathed and in the handling you have to do for him. It will no doubt slow his walking and don’t be alarmed when the cast is taken off because you will probably be able [to] see a marked difference in the size of that leg – due to a lack of exercise, but in a few months times hat should right itself completely – as I figure it he has been in the case now a little over two weeks and by the time you get this the cast will be removed. The boys won’t be in school as yet and they will be a help thru it all. As I see the whole thing it isn’t serious and probably won’t slow D. down to any appreciable extent so the thing to do is be thankful it isn’t any more serious. I know you have taken this attitude, and I’m certain the boys have a mother capable of meeting those situations but and

[page 3] I’m just sorry I can’t share the troubles more fully with you but this war is a little bigger than families. So much for that.

You will find a m.o. enclosed – It’s made out to you but – here is the story – while Commander Frericks was here he bought beer on numerous occasions and I always helped him drink it and offered to pay my share but he never would take it – he insisted I send the money home to the boys. I had never been able to purchase a m.o. until this a.m. so that’s that. It’s to be equally divided between the boys – when they receive it I think it would be nice if they (J & M) dropped him a line thanking him – Maybe that is asking too much for possibly you will have to do the writing. I’ll send his address in a day or two and you can do as you like about having them write.

I hope I’ve made myself clear about D.’s accident – please feel that I don’t blame anyone and I know things will come out OK. I know the boys have a wonderful mother and I know now she didn’t mean she wouldn’t send anymore pictures for there was on in yesterday’s mail of her and several

[page 4] of the boys – and one of Virginia Z. Thank a lot for them and Lots of Love from Daddy

Virginia Zell holding David

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

Anxious (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 8, 1943 envelope

: August 8, 1943, p. 1

: August 8, 1943, p. 2

: August 8, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

Aug. 8, 1943

Dear Mother,

As you will note this is Aug. 8 and that really is some date for a few of us to remember. I wrote you a letter about 8 days ago of more or less retrospect of the year’s happenings to date – That letter could just as well have been written today but it seemed to be more appropriate at that time. In a big general way it has been a good year as far as the war is concerned. The enemy has been pushed back on all fronts in the Pacific and of course the European phase is also going good as far as news reports go. If things can just keep going during the next year

[page 2] maybe this thing won’t last too long.

Your letter of July 23 came yesterday. It was good that you could get a leave for Jim. I’m sure it will help your mother as well as anything. Jim must be pretty tired just staying in one place for over a year. Of course, he switched to Camp Peary but it has been more or less the same, I guess it hasn’t been too bad for him however, because Thelma has been near by and he was is also able to enjoy some of the benefits of modern civilization and these things are of value but maybe we don’t appreciate them until after being deprived of them for a period of time. He no doubt is anxious to get out of the country and after being out

[page 3] for a time will be just as anxious to get back. You see I can talk from experience. I was anxious to get going and I’m just as anxious to get back and swab jobs with someone else who would like to see what he can see.

Let me again remind you not to work too hard nor worry to[o] much about things because that is hard on your health and that is the biggest worry I have out here – The health of you and the boys – I’m of course concerned with your mother’s health the same as I would be of my Mother & Dad, but it’s very much different when it comes to you and the boys. Well I’ve said my say.

Love Daddy