Tag Archives: Emma (Lawhead) Foster

Check Received (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 28, 1943 envelope

: July 28, 1943, p. 1

: July 28, 1943, p. 2

: July 28, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 28 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of July 17-18 & 20 (Thanks for all the compliments I need a few) so you can relax now about the ck. I’ll deposit it this a.m. and figure how to spend it to our best advantage. I think I’ll buy an $18.75 bond for each month so far and pay off the loan on my ins., then put keep enough on dep. to keep our bal. up to 100⁰⁰ and may yet try to buy the piano – I mentioned several times before. However I would like to start paying Ruth & Earl off it I can manage it. Rest assured I’ll try to be sensible about it and not spend any foolishly – I have thought about this piano business for a month and can’t decide what to do – if I could only get a word one way or the other from you. I wrote you about it some time ago so maybe an ans. will be coming thru one of these days.

[page 2] I got your first reply on Mother’s condition. She has decided she will go back to the hospital if it’s necessary – however I am hoping it won’t be necessary. She had a good night last night and it’s cooler today. We had a hard rain and hail that cooled things off yesterday. We were needing rain. The sun was so hot yesterday before the rain the flowers in the yard wilted. I hung sheets out to dry & they were ready to bring in in a short time – It was like an oven out in the yard.

I called your folks last nite & they are coming up Thurs & bring Ruth & Romaine this far. I also called Mrs. R. She doesn’t know yet where Joe is. I shudder to think what my telephone bill will be next time. I must have 8 or 10 calls on it and you know what they mean.

I have hit the jack-pot in letters from you this week – what makes me feel good is to hear you have our letters. I am anxious for you to get the last pictures I sent. Glad you finally got the box I sent in Jan. or Feb.

I must study-up something Mother can eat for lunch – that’s a problem now. Also it’s about time to take care of David

[page 3] Just in case my letters haven’t reached you I’ll repeat again about David’s leg. The femur at the angle was broken – not all the way across and he is in a cast up to his hips. Dr. Cole said he wouldn’t be able to sit but we found him sitting once yesterday. We were eating supper & he was in his bed – we kept running in to look at him and once John went in and he was sitting up in a corner. I don’t think it will hurt the bone but I imagine it wasn’t too comfortable. Hope you have my letters explaining all the details about the fall. David is doing fine and doesn’t mind the cast – he crawls around his bed or pen and plays as before.

John wants to go home with the folks for a week – Mark is booked to go to 4-H in Aug. & John thinks he should have another week too – He said Mark could do a little work around here if he went – I think I’ll get a lot more out of Mark if John is gone – Mark is a lot to “let John do it.” John’s voice is changing – Jim & Thelma noticed it while they were here. There has been so much going on around here I haven’t had time to keep up on outside news.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/05/check-received-gladys/

Third Day in Cast (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 27, 1943 envelope

: July 27, 1943, p. 1

: July 27, 1943, p. 2

: July 27, 1943, p. 3

: July 27, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of July 7-13-14-15-16 and 19 came today. I suppose the 17^th & 18^th will come along in a day or so. Of course the 17^th would be delayed. Jim & Thelma left this morning about 10:30. They are going to T.H. and leave their car & go back by train from there. I think it helped Mother for Jim to be here. I do hope she gets better. When she came up here she notified the Dept. so her pension could be transferred. They came out and wanted a budget so they could make a smaller amt. so I just told them to drop it. I talked it over with Jim & he agreed with me. He & Thelma both said they would help out any time we needed any money. I told them at present it isn’t necessary but should there be future hospital bills I would call on them if necessary. Jim is getting more now that he is a C.P.O. and should I need help from them I won’t hesitate to ask for it.

[page 2] This is David’s third day in his cast. He is doing fine. I took the top off his buggy so he can be taken out in the sunshine for his daily sunning. He is unusually good about it and so far eats as much as ever. I heard the 6 a.m. church bell & he heard it but I dozed off again & he played until almost seven – then I got up & gave him his bottle – glad now I didn’t have him entirely off the bottle – it’s much easier to feed him liquids from his bottle. I think he has gone to sleep now. I thought he would go to sleep much soon but he kept playing in his pen. In spite of the cast he can get around his pen when he wants to. He acted like he was going to pull up on his feet but Dr. Cole said not to let him do that. I had started to break him of sucking his thumb but I won’t try to do it for a while. He has a new tooth – not one of the upper front but the upper left next to the front – The front one next to it is about through – In fact both upper front ones are. I sent a bunch of pictures in yesterday’s letter and hope you get them because I think they are good – however as usual John jarred the camera when he took mine and it’s not so good. Dorothy has a bunch she took with her Kodak and I

[page 3] can’t get the pictures or the negatives so can’t send them. Maybe some day she will get around to getting them for me, but I am not going to ask her any more because I asked her for the negatives and she said she would have Jack Byrnes (the druggist) take them and that’s the last I have heard of them. Dorothy probably is a little peeved at me but I don’t need to do any explaining about her to you. I feel like I have done all I can to keep things straight but I don’t feel I should be reprimanded by her. I told you all about it is yesterday’s letter & hope you have it or get it. I stay home and try to be a good mother to our children (sometimes I wonder how good I do) and I don’t leave them to run around & play cards or do anything else and because of an accident that happens while I am right here, I hardly feel she has any right to tell me I am careless with David. I guess that’s enough of that – I am going to forget it – I have decided as Arlene said the other day you can pay any attention to what people say.

Had a letter from Ruth M. She is in C.C. and Mom suggested she & Dad bring Ruth

[page 4] and Romaine this far and they could go on the bus to Chi – then down to Wilmington. She wanted to know if it would be alright, or if I though company would be too much on Mother – I am going to tell them to come on. When she wrote she hadn’t had time to receive the news about D. I wrote to your mother, Ruth & Ruthie Sunday when I wrote you.

I told you in yesterday’s letter the boys had letters from you but it was from Comdr. Fredericks – two 4^th menu’s and a note written on each noet menu – one for J & one for M. Do you know what he wrote to them? He certainly thinks you are “O.K.” Now beat your chest some more – If you pound it every time I tell you to you may have some knots raise up –

It is hot & humid today. We washed all the white things – Have to keep sheets washed. Tried to buy sheeting in Laf. last Wed. and Loebs didn’t have anything but unbleached. I did buy two ready made ones. Don’t have much washing for D. now but diapers. With the cast on one leg and around his hips I don’t put clothes on him – It seems a shame to have all that cast one for such a tiny break. Jim took some pictures and if he ever sends them I’ll send them on to you.

Love,
Mother

©2014 copyrighted owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/03/third-day-in-cast-gladys/

Drinking Cream (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 24, 1943 envelope

: July 24, 1943, p. 1

: July 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 24 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another day without any mail – but probably will get a load Mon. Haven’t had any now for several days – the last was of July 11. It is warm again today and a little cloudy so we may get rain. Have clothes hanging out on the line. It is past noon and we haven’t had lunch yet but I was a little tired and thought I would rest a bit then would feel more like eating. Fed David at 11: and sent Mother’s tray up a few minutes ago. Someone she knew in T.H. had stomach trouble and a Dr. there had this person drink cream. She wanted to try that so I got cream this morning. I haven’t much confidence in it but will give it a try. Jim & Thelma are to be here tomorrow so maybe she will pick up a little.

[page 2] I sent John down to the basement with the kitchen waste basket & he has come up so I imagine he is getting hungry. He usually has a good appetite.

I went to town this morning and bought meat for our company. I was in Ford’s yesterday – They had dressed chickens – I asked the price – 57¢ a lb. – I got steak – it’s a little cheaper – 50¢ lb. If I had wanted chicken enough would have gotten one on foot & dressed it myself. I got bananas 16¢ a lb. – apricots 37¢ lb. – That gives you a fair idea about the cost of groc. I won’t buy any more apricots. One thing now we don’t have to buy potatoes & green vegetables.

David is fussing a little but it’s time for him to take a nap. He stood along about a second yesterday – He is a little afraid yet, but more daring than J. & M. were.

The clock just struck 12:30 so must get out to the kitchen & get something ready to eat.

Lloyd Tilton is home on furlough. I am going to try & collect what he owes us, thru Geo.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/29/drinking-cream-gladys/

Weiner Roast (Gladys)

5 Replies

: July 23, 1943 envelope

: July 23, 1943, p. 1

: July 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 23 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but will probably get one or more tomorrow. The latest I have is of July 11. It came the 20^th. I told you before I got Jim a leave thru the Red Cross. He called said he would be home Sunday. He & Thelma are going to T. H. then drive up in their car. I really feel it is necessary for him to come home. Mother doesn’t seem to improve much. As I said before, if your Mother were in the condition Mother is in I would go thru the Red Cross to get you a leave. Margaret asked me to go give Bud his 2:30 shot. Then I went to a meeting at Mrs. Ade’s home – I was put in as Vice-President of Cosmopolitan and we had to make out the years program. I just came home. John was to feed D. at 3 but when I came home he said D. wouldn’t eat. I had left pudding and asparagus for his dinner. He will probably he hungry at 7 – his bed time

[page 2] We had the weiner roast last nite and Zells all came over. Mrs. Z. brought ice cream, cookies & baked beans. I furnished wieners, buns, pickles, mustard, cheese and ice tea. They said next time they would furnish the meat. I had Bobby & Jimmy come too. After eating the children played croquet & worked down the food so no one was sick during the night. Bob & Clarice came out while we were still sitting around the furnace talking. Bob had taken care of the call to Jim for me. I gave David his bottle out there then when he began to act sleepy took him upstairs to bed. Bob & Clarice think he is “O.K.” 10 months old today. He hasn’t gained much the last month but I think that is due to his activeness.

The children are out playing croquet now & noisy too so think I’ll have to go out & quiet them.

I have to get to town & buy some meat for our coming company.
Love Mother

David with one of the Zell girls, July 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/27/weiner-roast-gladys/

An Emergency Leave (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 22, 1943 envelope

: July 22, 1943, p. 1

: July 22, 1943, p. 2

: July 22, 1943, p. 3

: July 22, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 22 – 1943

DearDaddy –

If the weather takes a beating it’s because of the variety. It is too cool today to have the windows on the north open. Yesterday it was so sweltering hot after the rain we had in the a.m. then during the night this cold wind started blowing in from the north. I was tired from the trip to Laf. yesterday, besides cleaning the weeks out around the evergreens after supper, and thought I would go right to sleep, but heard Mother and went in to see about her. She was having gas pains so bad she couldn’t rest. I didn’t have anything for pain so gave her a nembulal – she quieted down and has slept most of the day from it – however she didn’t sleep any yesterday due to the heat and

[page 2] said she didn’t sleep between 3 & 4 this morning so that is one of the reasons she has slept so much today. I saw Dr. Cole and he changed one of her medicines. She took one does last night and while I was downstairs this morning after taking her breakfast up she tried to take a dose of medicine & dropped the bottle and broke it, so will have to get that prescription refilled. Jim wrote that if I thought he should come home to go to the Red Cross & get him an emergency leave. I called Bob Hufty this a.m. and he was going to talk to Ed M. – the Red Cross man in Goodland who takes care of those things – and get Him to come home. I hope I am doing the right thing, but Jim think he will get a leave after he gets a placement – but I am afraid it may not work out that way – and as frail as Mother is I think he should come home. If it were your Mother I think I would go thru the Red Cross and get an emergency leave for you.

Mark is out with D. giving him a sunning – David slept so long this afternoon I had to awaken him to give him his dinner. He has had only one bottle today. Drank his milk from a glass at 11 & 3.

[page 3] Mark picked beans again and we got 4 more qts canned today – by picking them and canning 4 qts at a time it won’t be such a task. We have 8 qt now and think there will be another picking Sat.

Tomorrow is David’s 10^th month. I weighed him this a.m. but he hasn’t made much gain the past month. He eats good and takes a can of milk a day but he is so active I think he keeps streamlined. He doesn’t look thin but his Mother wanted to add another lb. to his chart on his 10^th month – He is doing “O.K.” so that is all that’s necessary. He won’t sit on my lap – he climbs all over me if I try to hold him – he likes action. He climbs out of his play chair (you saw it in one picture). The other day he managed to get his chair pushed over to the stove and I watched him to see what he would do – He got hold of the oven door handle and pulled himself up to the stove and played on the burners – I stood right behind him so he wouldn’t fall to see how far he would go. He doesn’t like No! No! he gives them a dirty look.

[page 4] John is reading the new Colliers. He needs a new reed for the oboe & couldn’t get one so can’t go to band practice tonite. I have been promising the children a wiener roast in the back yard so will have that for them this evening. There is a lot of trash accumulated in the furnace I want to get burned. It’s hard to get marshmallows but John is a good buyer and has cornered several packages so they are going to have them in addition to wieners – Mrs. Zell said she would furnish ice cream & cookies.

Mary McGee Arnett went to Laf. with Arlene & I yesterday. She is Dr. Cole’s patient. Her baby is due in 5 wks. Her husband is in Texas and she thinks maybe he will have to leave U.S. before the baby is born (it’s been done before).

Kathryn Ade joined the Women’s Marine Corps. She is at present at Lake Geneva, Wis. awaiting call. I see by the paper that Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Lohr (Rose Carter – still owes us 12⁰⁰) have a baby boy. Also Bud Hancock is a father – baby girl – That’s about all the news I see & think will interest you.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/25/an-emergency-leave-gladys/

Writing Early (Gladys)

3 Replies

: July 21, 1943 envelope

: July 21, 1943, p. 1

: July 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 21 1943

Dear Daddy –

The mail hasn’t come yet – I am writing early because have to go to Laf. Arlene wants to go to the dentist at 1: and we will have to leave about 11: – I am going to get things all done before I go – baby’s bath & food – Mother’s dinner & something lined out for J. & m. It is raining right now so will be a good day to leave the family – they will stay in better (without resentment). John doesn’t mind so much. Mark wanted to go along – I don’t know why, except he just started saying he wanted to and wouldn’t change – but John remonstrated and with good cause because Mark can help here at home and he has nothing to go for. I wouldn’t go myself but have to get Mother’s Bacillus Acidophilus at the hospital. That is about all

[page 2] I need to go for – except want to see Dr. C. and tell him about Mother. She has been having gas pains, and food hurts her stomach.

One day last week Jessie & Clarence Schauwecker stopped on their way home from Whiting and Jessie told some of the people around C.C. she had stopped. We got a letter from Opal Storm. It was a nice newsy letter – the same old Opal but we appreciated it and had a few chuckles over it. She said Harry had written you & had an answer.

Had an inquiry from Allison in Indpls on Cracker Algood. I answered the questions & returned it tho it was addressed to you. I wonder why she is in Indpls wanting work. I just wonder if there is any family trouble there. I thought Gerald had a good job in Laf. and with the baby to look after – I don’t understand.

I must start moving around here & get things in order before I go.
Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/23/writing-early-gladys/

Rotary Dinner (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 20, 1943 envelope

: July 20, 1943, p. 1

: July 20, 1943, p. 2

: July 20, 1943, p. 3

: July 20, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 20 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of July 11 came today – now the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 have to catch up, and I suppose they will be coming along in a few days. Went with Zell’s & Shirks to the Rotary dinner last nite. It was at Curtis Creek Country Club – North & East of Brook. We left town about 6:30 and after arriving waited until about 8:30 before dinner was served. The crowd was unusually noisy – had time to get what it takes – but finally after getting seated at the table (there were 50) the serving started – with tomatoe juice & crackers. I passed my juice on to Mr. Z. and nibbled on crackers. A salad was put on and it looked like something made from any available scraps.

[page 2] Finally at last the main course was brought on – It was good, fried chicken, etc. – I felt Bob sorry for Bob Shurtler – he & Dot were guests of Chet Van Scoyck. Bob had been shocking oats all day and was so hungry he could hardly wait, but he got along. I think our side was last to be served. Paul Funk was a guest to furnish piano music so we had some singing directed by Chet Van S. Art Burdick was present – he is a Sec. Lieut. In the Army Signal Corps – and is en route to someplace – so he was urged to sing & sang two songs. A group tried to get up a mixed quartet but it didn’t do too good. Some kept trying to keep songs going so Ralph Bower put a coin in the juke box and said he bet he would put a stop to that. Finally after much noise etc. the speaker was introduced. He was from Mexico City and to make his talk more effective donned native garb and

[page 3] had a guitar. Where he was about thru talking he sang some serenades. He is sort of good will ambassador from the Mexico City Rotary. After the dinner was over we came home but I think the rest of the crows stayed and danced. On the way home Mr. Z. said some of the fellows told that Sacky was going to take our Mexican guest for a poker game, but seems Roberto knew a little more about the game than Sacky. He told at the beginning of his talk something about it and we would have thought it just a gag in the speech, but guess it wasn’t after all.

Gladys Krull was there too. She says John is being sent out soon. She was feeling so badly about it & Mrs. Krull Sr. told her to think of me. Mrs. Shandy was invited but I didn’t see her there. I talked to Bob H. about your dues & he said they were taken care of for another year. – Bart was at the Party alone – friend wife being away this week – and was he having himself a good time – need I say more?

[page 4] I am planning to go to Laf. tomorrow to get Mother some medicine. It is the “Acidophilus Broth” & Dr. Cole said I could get it only at St. E. and it has to be kept on ice. Arlene wants to go along – she has an appointment with the dentist. Also Mary McGee – I think her last name is Arnold – is visiting Arlene now & she wants to go see Dr. Cole – She is going to have a baby before long.

Mark is out sunning David. Yesterday he picked, washed, broke & put into cans 4 qts of green beans – then I put them in the pressure cooker, so we have 4 qts green beans towards our next winter supply. This morn. I fed David without a bottle – gave him potatoes, egg yolk, apple sauce & what milk he would drink from a cup. I want to have him drinking from a cup altogether by Sept. John have him his bedtime bottle last night just after I left and put him to bed. I was so sleepy this a.m. but he was ready to eat at 7 a.m. so I got up – because Mother likes her breakfast early too – John has gone to take his piano lesson – It’s 11:30 – so must get lunch ready –

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/21/rotary-dinner-gladys/

Homemade Ice Cream (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 19, 1943 envelope

: July 19, 1943, p. 1

: July 19, 1943, p. 2-3

: July 19, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 19 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Monday and doing the usual week-day work. Just fixed Mother’s dinner & John took it up. Says she feels better today than yesterday. I put some broth, custard & potatoe soup on her trap. She got a little upset Sat. from something, and didn’t eat much yesterday. She can’t eat much in the way of vegetables yet, but think she will in time. Had a letter from Jim this a.m. He & Thelma couldn’t come home when he had a 9 day leave due to both being ill from sunburns. He thinks he is going to get a 10 day leave before he is sent out but I am not counting too strong on it. He is waiting now for placement.

[page 2] Zell’s and Shirk’s have invited me to go to Rotary dinner tonight entertaining the wives. It is out of town and Mrs. Z. said Shirks were wanting to take their car. I am not sure where it is, but north.

Mark went to the garden this morning and picked enough green beans to can 4 qt. and digged potatoes for two days. Sure is nice now to have the garden to get such substantial things. Soon will have cabbage & tomatoes. Will have carrots today too.

David is in his bed and not liking it too well. Mark had him out in the buggy & he didn’t want to come in. He is a little spoiled from yesterday. I didn’t have anything else to do so played with him a while and now he doesn’t like being put off in the nursery alone. He will be 10 months old Fri. He isn’t growing much now but he is holding his own.

[page 3] He works any fat he may get off. He is so busy all the time. I think from the quiet in the nursery he has decided to go to sleep.

John has been helping me wash & wash dishes. He made ice cream this morning. He likes to make desserts. I am glad he does. Saves me the trouble. Seems his voice is changing. His nose is covered with pimples, but he doesn’t care. He is reading now. Some new magazines came today and he usually devours them when they come.

Mrs. James is still in Ft. Wayne and I suppose will be for some time. Irene took Jimmy with her this morning. There is a nursery school for the factory workers in the grade building. Irene said it is to be discontinued so she doesn’t know what she will do then.

My new gas ration book came today. Nos. 7,8,9,10,11,12 The other book was numbered up to 6.

[page 4] Mark is munching on a raw potatoe. Sorry I can[‘t] send you a bite. It is past 12 and I feel it. I got up about 7 this a.m. and have been busy most of the time. I have a roast in the oven. I am saving a steak I bought over a week ago. It was 48 or 50¢ a lb – so we just don’t eat steak often. Chicken is cheaper. I promised the children a weiner roast so think I’ll try to make good my promise this week. There is a lot of brush accumulated from the storms I want to get burned.

Will stop put this in with the letter I wrote yesterday & hope you get it. Have to drop Jim & your folk a line. Keeps me busy writing as much as I have to. Will give you a report on the party in next letter.

Love Mother

Roasting Weiners (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 18, 1943, p. 1

: July 18, 1943, p. 2-3

: July 18, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another lazy Sunday afternoon – John & Mark are playing croquet with the Zell girls. David is taking a nap. He got so he didn’t want to eat so I decided to change his eating times. I gave him a bottle of milk at about 8 this morning (the first) then at noon gave him mashed potatoes, apple sauce, custard and a little milk. About 4 I will give him some milk and at 7 cereal and put him to bed. He is slow about drinking out of a cup but I think he will come along by the time he should get along without a bottle. Donnie Funk gets along without a bottle

[page 2] now, but he has to hurry, with a new baby coming there in Dec. He has developed so fast. I think he will soon walk, but he must have known he had to hurry to make way, for maybe a little sister. However Arlene says she won’t be disappointed if there is another boy.

Mother is still in bed. She ate a piece of chicken, a cup of custard and a piece of cake for dinner. I put some mashed potatoes & gravy on her plate but she didn’t eat much of them. It is hot this afternoon so she may not get along so good. The heat makes her feel worse.

The rain we had over the week-end helped a lot. Link sprayed part of their back yard to kill out the crab grass and it looks like all the grass where he sprayed will die out. I think I won’t worry about our grass. We will just

[apge 3] keep it mowed and let it grow. I am going to take some more pictures in the back yard so you can get an idea how much the shrubbery is growing and see some of the flowers. Some of the spirea has grown up until they are almost 5 ft. The rains this summer have made everything like that grow so good.

There is an army program on this afternoon – there has been a lot about the invasion of Sicily. I wonder if you by any chance heard the Fibber program when they talked about Sicily – They were so excited & Molly asked what the excitement was about – Fibber said that was the first place he could pronounce – Then he pronounced it wrong, putting the accent on “silly.” – said anybody could pronounce “c-silly.”

I have been taking some pictures of David but don’t know whether they will be good. Our camera seems to have one sight broken.

[page 4] and I can’t see thru the other one. I want you to see how he stands up in his buggy – just wonder what you would say about that – probably spank him.

— I went to get Mark at Funks, he had run an errand for Arlene then stayed. They were roasting wieners and wanted me to stay and have one. They had Donald’s pen in the summer house so we put both babies in and I stayed long enough to eat a “dog’ then came back to feed David & put him to bed. When both babies are in the pen Donnie doesn’t see much larger than David. Being almost a month older he gets around the pen a little better, but David does alright. Donnie would pinch David and pull his hair. David didn’t seem to mind but Bill slapped Donnie’s hand – Donnie jabbers back when they scold him or slap his hands.

I am sleepy so will try to get to bed – getting up time comes around so soon.

Love – Mother

David standing in his buggy

Boy Joins Navy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 17, 1943 envelope

: July 17, 1943, p. 1

: July 17, 1943, p. 2

: July 17, 1943, p. 3

: July 17, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

July 17, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

Five letters yesterday from you – The latest July 1. Another was a v-mail along the last few days of June, and one with the picture of D. I’m inclined to agree with John. In comparing this with previous pictures I don’t believe it is a good picture. It was under developed or over exposed or something. As usual there are letters missing because you mentioned Dr. M. being mad at Parttens for taking Ruth to a specialist but didn’t say what was the trouble – but I just know you wrote that in a previous letter.

Needles to say you will find the several times mentioned check enclosed. That should be enough to pay off the Ins. loan and buy a few bonds. If you

[page 2] wish and think it worth while you might even start paying Mutch & Ruth a little now and then. That is providing it doesn’t run you short. I’ll be able to send some home from time to time but I’m keeping around 200 on the books just so I’ll have enough for transportation in case I should need it. I’m hoping! – when I get an accumulation over that amount I’ll send it to you and you can use it as you see fit.

I didn’t know about your mother was having bowel trouble and it’s hard for me to suggest. Does she have diarrhea all the time with blood? You went a little indefinite about the symptoms etc. She should be on a bland diet. The sulfa drug is OK for a time and a little Metamucil would not be out of the way. A blood count

[page 3] and hemoglobin are very essential. The sugar in the urine may or may not be important but worth keeping in mind. All those things are merely suggestive and things I would do if I were there. Of course a rectal exam would come first. That is about all I can think of not knowing the circumstances and a 6,000 mile consultation isn’t good so you will have to use your own judgment which I know you are capable of doing.

Is Glenn married again or is that the wife he had? If it’s the same onee they must have bit a spark not visible before in order to reproduce after this long a period of married life. Yesterday I found myself being drawn into another one of the love struggles. Boy married to girl 8 years – Boy joins navy – find himself on a South Sea Isle – girl’s letters

[page 4] become fewer and fewer – one come 3 days ago – without date – 4 pages and then stopped in the middle of the sentence – later another started – whole new page – and it ended in the same way – not signed an both letter about 4 pages each and both ended in the middle of the sentence and no signature. The whole thing is beyond me. He seems very much discouraged and I can’t seem to blame him either, but why write you that stuff.

The regular weekly inspection is due now most any minute so I’ll try to put a finishing note at least I’ll try not to end in the middle of the sentence.

Inspection done and I must say things aren’t in as good a condition as they should be. Guess more bearing down in necessary.

Hope your mother is feeling better and that the hot weather isn’t too hard on you and the boys –

Love Daddy