Tag Archives: Emma (Lawhead) Foster

Heading to Wilmington (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S.YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
5-22-43

Dear Daddy – We are about ready to leave for Wilmington with 350 sweet potatoe plants & some snap plants. Mother is feeding D. his 2 P.M. meal – the boys are ready and waiting, both had hair cuts & a bath so they look ready to be seen. I feel a little rushed but think I’ll be O.K. after we get started. It has cleared off and seems to be getting hot this P.M. so maybe the ground will be in the right shape for Earl to set out plants today. I told you in yesterday’s v-mail David cut his first tooth. The one next to it is about ready to pop thru. I took all your clothes out and aired them yesterday. Those little moth bugs had been in and I used a new spray – hope this one works. I wish your Navy uniforms were here – I am afraid they will be moulded beyond help staying stored. No letters today but had yours of the 10^th the 20^th – not bad – 10 days. It is about time we want to start and I have a few things to do yet – will write a more detailed letter when time permits. Grand day after all the rain this week.

Love Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/26/heading-to-wilmington-gladys/

Tuesday and partly cloudy (Gladys)

1 Reply

: May 18, 1943 envelope

: May 18, 1943, p. 1

: May 18, 1943, p. 2

: May 18, 1943, p. 3

: May 18, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
May 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy – Tues and partly cloudy. Had another hard rain last nite. Had a clear sun set and thought it would be dry today – It hasn’t rained so far and I hung clothes out that are about dry but it may rain any minute. We have a lot of garden stuff up but haven’t been able to get any beans or corn planted. Mark will have a good job getting weeds out when it gets dry enough to work. Mark is planning a big summer. He decided he wanted to take piano lessons again so went with John this morning to get started again. I do hope I can keep him at it this summer. He needs a lot of supervision and I should be able to give him more

[page 2] now. John is still taking his lesson. Mark came back home when he finished. I am to dialate John’s eyes today – have an appointment with Dr. Ade 9:45 tomorrow. This isn’t such a good time – with the recital the 28^th of this month but he had to have his eyes checked – due to the recurring headaches – – I see John coming and I waited to eat lunch with him. Mark & Mother were too hungry to wait – so will finish this later. – – Some hours later –

After lunch I went out and took clothes down. Took David out withme in his buggy so he could get a good sun bath. I then went to the green house and got snaps, asters & daisies to set out. I was getting tired and Mrs. Foulkes (Harold’s mother) came along, and visited a while – After she left I went back to work and just got three packages of seeds sown when it started to rain – but it was time to feed David so after getting him fed

[page 3] and put to bed we had supper, so you can see I missed the mail today but maybe it will catch the midnight train from the hotel.

The summer kintergardens have started and Statons are sending Jimmy. That gives Mrs. James some relief – She had to do police duty about all day long during fair weather – because Bobby would usually be around and when he & Jimmy play together they have to be watched. Last summer they would quarrel but it has developed to actual fighting this summer. Link is putting up two rose trellises. They keep putting more flower beds in their back yard. Their backyard grass is like ours so they are trying to eliminate it with flower beds.

I see Mark is out in the driveway so the rain must have stopped. He is doing some running and jumping so I must do put a stop to that (too hard on shoes)

[page 4] So far this week no letters but I always look for something tomorrow. Last week had letters as late as Apr. 30. – now getting behind again. Got the pictures today we took last week. I am enclosing two – the one with John standing on the step, I am standing on the flag stones and makes him look taller than me but I still stand half a head above him. He has a very sober expression and Mark has on the uniform that I bought for a Navy Officers uniform but about the only thing that looks like it is the color – After you wrote what you did he quit wearing the strap across his shoulder.

I saw Ira Dixon driving his car today so he must be getting along OK. Dr. M. said Eddie Ray is going to be alright. They brought him home from the hospital.

Haven’t much news from about town – Haven’t had David in his buggy for a walk for it seems like weeks – but can’t take him walking in the rain. Maybe some of the Rotarians are writing and giving you the low down on things around.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/18/tuesday-and-pa…-cloudy-gladys/

Raining Again, Buckets Full (Gladys)

1 Reply

: May 17, 1943 envelope

: May 17, 1943, p. 1

: May 17, 1943, p. 2

: May 17, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
May 17 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Raining again, buckets full. The Music Dept had their annual May breakfast this morning and since Mother was here to oversee thing I went to the meeting. Cocoa & I were going to walk but it was pouring down when we were ready to start – so I drove. Harold’s Mother is here so she went with us. It was still raining when we came home and now at 12:15 there is a slow drizzle. Zells went to Laf. today so John Mark went over and fed their chickens. They are big enough now to fry, so we will probably have one soon.

[page 2] I thought the way the weather was yesterday e would be able to work outside today but not so. It is so wet in the flower beds I am afraid I would mire down. Well I have to get Mother’s things put away – (the back porch is full) so maybe it’s just as well to have rain today.

Mark wrote you about getting a bike – I haven’t mentioned it because I wasn’t sure about it and the ration board won’t let him get it because he doesn’t have a paper route. He was awfully disappointed because he didn’t get it but I think he is getting over it. The band teacher has a good cornet to sell and he brought it over this morning for Mark to try. He wants $75⁰⁰ for it. The old trumpet is so hard to do anything

[page 3] with. He really can play the pieces much better on the cornet. I told Mr. Webster to leave it here a few days and we would consider it. I was going to pay 31⁰⁰ for the bike but since he is reconciled over that I think it would be better to put that much toward a horn.

We need to go to town to mail this and get David some food for his next feeding. He is much better about his eating. Eats his vegetables & cereal now without a fuss. He got such a good tan yesterday but can’t go out today. I saw Pauline Dennis this a.m. and asked her about Jimmy Ed. She said he is getting better. Dr. M. gave them a salve to put on him and it soothes so he isn’t so cross.

I thought I would get to write this in a little quiet, but John is playing for Mark and he is blowing the cornet.

Love – Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/16/raining-again-…ts-full-gladys/

Mother comes to stay (Gladys)

3 Replies

: May 16, 1943, p. 1

: May 16, 1943, p. 2

: May 16, 1943, p. 3

: May 16, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind
May 16, 1943.

Dear Daddy,

Sunday evening and just got the boys in. They were running around in circles – getting a sweat up and going a lot of damage to coupon 17 (shoes). It has been such a grand day they have been outside most of the time. Mayroses brought Mother up today and she came to stay this time. I got a chicken out of the locker and we had baked chicken for dinner. And I ground up the leftovers and made sandwiches for a supper. It is light so late now they weren’t in any hurry to start home so decided they could eat before starting out. Those chickens certainly are handy to have all ready to use,

[page 2] after all the rain yesterday, it came down in sheets & torrents last night. They started to come up on highway 63 but the water was so deep over the road they had to go back and cross over to 41, which made them a little late in arriving (12:30). Mark was about the only one to suffer – he thought he would starve before we could get dinner on. We sat out in the yard after dinner. Put David in his buggy so he got a good sunbath. John, Mark & the Zell girls decided to play croquet and Mr. Mayrose looked on.

Mark’s grades weren’t very good this last period and his exam grades were worse I going to try to get him to read a lot this summer and also work on arithmetic – He made C – on his arth. Exam. His Lennes pad [an arithmatic workbook] wasn’t nearly finished

[page 3] so I am going to get him to finish it. He can get his work if he takes time. I had him read to me last night and he does very well, but keeping him at it is what he needs. John is practicing on his recital piece. The recital is to be the 28^th of May.

You remember the girl we went to see out on Ocean View last summer whose husband is a Navy officer? Well she is in Sheldon with her parents. She has a baby girl eight weeks old and she was several weeks getting word to her husband of the baby’s arrival. Her name was Sipe – married John Hamm. Miss Smith keeps me posted on them. I didn’t ask about his location, I suppose it is not to be known.

Link and I were working on the flower bed that divides our yards Fri evening and both intended to resume our work

[page 4] Sat. but the rain kept us from doing so but I noticed he was out this evening finishing his side. If it doesn’t rain tonight or in the morning I want to get out tomorrow and finish our side. This reminds me of the seeds I sent you. I looked up to see when I mailed them and it was Apr 13 so you should have them by now. Your Mother wrote that she sent you several packs, so if you get them all should be able to farm in a big way –

The competition I have now is almost too much. Mark is sitting by me reading & John is practicing – Mark is going thru the patent leather hair phase – keeps his hair soaked all the time and is trying to get a wave trained – and what’s worse he uses brilliantine on it. That is hard on the pillow slip – had to soak the last one I took off to get the oil out. Well I give up for this time and will try to finish tomorrow when I hope I can find it a little more quiet here.

Love – Mother

YEG1943-05 Gladys and David with Mayroses

Gladys holding David, with Mr. and Mrs. Mayrose

Emma, Mr. and Mrs. Mayrose, and David

[Editor’s note: Mr. and Mrs. Mayrose were the parents of Thelma Mayrose. Thelma was the wife of Gladys’ brother, Jim.]

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/14/mother-comes-to-stay-gladys/

Tell the News (Mark)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind
May 15, 1943

Dear Daddy,

Since school is out, I wanted to tell the news In school I passed to the fifth grade. John passed to the eight grade. Grandma Foster is coming tomorrow and I am going to bake a cake.

I am taking gardening and baking the 4-H. In my garden I have up: peas, radishes, lettuce, carrots, spinach, onions, and potatoes. But unluckily a horse got in all the gardens around here and ruined some of the stuff. Well that is about all I have to say

Love Markie

P.S. David is beginning to say Da-Da.

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/11/tell-the-news-mark/

Hospital Day (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA

5-12-43

Dear Daddy – Two letters came this a.m. Posted Apr. 18 & 19. Took John to see Dr. Ade then went out to St. E. to Hospital day ceremony. Dr. Holliday was there and gave a talk – Mrs. Ash sat by me and said he was discharged because of nervous instability. Mrs. Payton talked – Dr. P. is in N. Africa. I saw Dr. & Mrs. Cole. Mrs. C. was having a club meeting at home and left so Dr. C. & I ate lunch along with Mrs. Ash & Mrs. Rommel – Lunch was served in the auditorium at the college. Dr. Cole is going to see Don – Don is in the air corps, stationed in Oklahoma & Dr. C. has plane reservations – if they aren’t cancelled when he gets ready to go – Dr Ade looked John over and gave him a little spraying – said his throat looked a little red – I am to take him back next week for refraction – I am to give him sulfadiozine, two days – said his headaches may be from his cold condition – I think it’s his eyes – because his cold is hardly noticeable and when he reads he gets headache. We’ll find out next week. I hope. This was Mark’s last day in school – Clara M. came and stayed with David, got dinner & ironed, so I feel like I accomplished a lot even tho I was gone most of the day. Mother is coming Sunday so next week won’t have to get anyone to keep David. Clara said he was the “best” baby. Said he didn’t cry all day. He is good most of the time.

Love Mother –

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/05/hospital-day-gladys/

The Jackpot (Gladys)

4 Replies

: May 8, 1943 envelope

: May 8, 1943, p. 1

: May 8, 1943, p. 2

: May 8, 1943, p. 3

: May 8, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
5-8-43

Dear Daddy –

As Mark would say – I hit the jackpot this a.m. – 4 letters Apr 16 – 19 & 2 dated the 20^th – The box with the chicken bones – I sent those in the original tin box so they would be intact when you received them. You should get another box soon because I sent one a few days after sending the chicken bones. There is a 5 lb limit so had to divide the original box I packed.

Our weather has changed rather drastically. Wed. it was hot and windy, Thurs it began to cloud up then started to rain – rained most of Fri and today is still wet and raining and pretty cool, so it is just as well we haven’t taken the storm windows down yet. All three boys have colds, but I think it is due to weather conditions. John didn’t take measles after all, tho I had to keep him home from school Wed – Thurs & Fri. He didn’t go to take his music lesson today either.

[page 2] Some time later – heard a special radio weather broadcast – frost is predicted – as cool as it is now it wouldn’t surprise me. It seems to be clearing off now and if it does by night time I am sure it will be cold enough to freeze. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day – I got your letter mentioning it – came right when it should. I told J. & M. not to spend anything for me for Easter & Mother’s Day and I would just add that much to a set of dishes. Not expensive ones – but you know how dishes go around here and it’s about time for a new set. I sent your Mother a pr of hose & a hanky & card. I got myself a pr of shoes and after walking around in them decided they weren’t comfortable for walking (what I bought them for) so Mother tried them on and said she could wear them – I gave them to her so I told her that was her Mother’s Day gift.

In re-reading the letters that came today. The v-mail hasn’t come yet and I have been sending v-mail & air mail both – The past week I have alternated – The reason I stopped sending air mail

[page 3] when I did – I was told they wouldn’t go by air at all – but will try again and you can let me know which does the best. I’ll keep sending v-m every other day & air mail on the alternate day.

Mark is taking 4-H this summer – Gardening & baking – imagine our Mark wanting to bake – I helped him stir up a syrup cake this morning. He really enjoys it. What I think he likes most is licking the bowls and then eating the cake when it’s baked.

When I sent your Christmas box I didn’t have room to pack the box of chicken bones – and that was the reason I took them out the tin and wrapped them in a wax paper bag – I told Nick & Dorothy what happened to them – Nick was rather sarcastic about “leave it to a woman to do something like that” – So when I got your letter this morning in which you mentioned the bones I presumed they weren’t in the tin box I sent them in – so I called D. and told her to tell Nick his sarcasm was unnecessary.

Nick took one exam for a commission in the Navy but he didn’t go back for

[page 4] a final – and I doubt if he does. John got a letter from Dwane written on their way to see Kenneth at Camp Robinson in Ark. I suppose Mom wrote you that K. is in Medical Div.

I was to go to T.H. today to get Mother but thought maybe I had better call her to be ready – well when I called she said she thought she would stay another week then Mayroses would bring her up – so that saves me the trip down and I don’t care. I wasn’t anticipating the trip. I want to go to Laf. Wed. to the Hospital Day Ceremony honoring the Doctors in Service.

As I have told you in previous letters, I haven’t bought any bonds this year but have been waiting for the uniform money to come thru. By the time I got all the first of the year bills paid and bought the 6- 50 bonds I haven’t much of a balance – at present it will be under $100 when I get everything pd – Just wrote a ck for $44 for coal, etc. In spite of all the ceiling – the price of food is much higher and it costs just to keep the grocery bills paid. David is singing – about time for him to eat – and – he has a coming appetite today, in spite of a slight cold.

Love Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

Miss Kitsmiller called (Gladys)

3 Replies

: May 7, 1943 envelope

: May 7, 1943, p. 1

: May 7, 1943, p. 2

: May 7, 1943, p. 3

: May 7, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
5-7-43

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Apr 3 & 4 came today – but had up to Apr 15^th earlier this week – you mentioned the seed again – which I sent out some time ago – also the lawn – and I had an earlier letter about that and gave you a reply which you should have by now. So much for answers. It is wet today. Had a hard rain yesterday & last nite. I was thinking of going to T. H. to get Mother but since it was raining so hard and didn’t clear away I put off going till tomorrow. John is till home from school and feels “O.K.” but I was afraid he might break out with measles any day. In case you have missed earlier letters – He came home Tues. from school having a chill & with a temp of 102. He hasn’t had any temp. since Tues except Wed he had 2/5 degree.) and has felt pretty good – had headache yesterday. Miss Kitsmiller called

[page 2] this morning to find out why he wasn’t in school. I said I hadn’ let him study any in case he was taking measles – she assured me I didn’t need to worry about that. I think he will make all exemptions again because he has an a average.

I wrote a v-mail yesterday and told you about David’s new toy – the “Cradle Gym” – it is a cute trick – just like a trapeze – cross-bar – hand rings, etc. He tries to pull up on it but hasn’t made the grade yet. He sounded a new low note this morning – John and I were watching him and with an appreciable audience he can really perform. He says Da-da all the time. Maybe he will do like John did before he talked.

Jackie Lamb came out this morning and borrowed the shadow box to use in court to show some x-ray’s. She promised to return it as soon as they are thru with it. I think I told you Newell didn’t get into the Navy. They bought the place Shirly Baze had. Baze’s went to Calif. to live. Shirley was ready to have another baby when they left here.

[page 3] The papers came today but I haven’t looked thru them. I didn’t get up very early and put a new top on David’s bath table so didn’t get much else done, except bathe & feed D, read your letters, and get lunch ready. I hope it clears away today so I can get some washing done this afternoon. You know these babies have to have clean clothes whether it rains or not.

Haven’t talked to Lucile since Wed. so haven’t any word about how Jimmy Ed is doing on D. M. A. – just hope it helps him.

Arlene told me they put Bobby in his play yard and saw him get ready to climb out. He found some boards and was fixing them so he could get over the fence. Her brother’s baby has glaucoma – (I think that is right) and they think they might be able to save one eye – They operated on the bad eye first and in 3 weeks will operate on the good eye. He is just 15 mo. old.

[page 4] John has been reading funnies this a-m. – He couldn’t read them while under suspicion of measles, so he is catching up. He has been listening to a lot of radio programs while he has been home.

Mark just started back to school and then came dashing back in for something – I don’t know what – never a dull moment around here.

The lilacs across the street on Kent are getting ready to bloom. They are very slow this year. The trees have just put out leaves the past week. If it stays warm everything will grow fast now.

I haven’t seen Helen Kline for some time but if I get to go to Laf. next week to attend Hospital Day will try to contact her. I tried the last time I was there to call her but couldn’t get the number. I suppose you haven’t seen Dan since you left the last place.

I must get dishes washed so will be ready to feed D. at 2 P.M.

Love Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

Hard rain and hail (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
5-6-43

Dear Daddy – No letters the past two days but had yours up to Apr 15 Mon & Tues this week (This is Thurs). It is much warmer here but the wind has been acting like March. It looks like rain any time now. I have some pansies to set out if the rain doesn’t come before I get out – stopped to set the “little” plants out – and just in time before it rained. David seems to be a little out of sorts – I think it is because I can’t take him out – had him outside nearly all afternoon yesterday. He has a new toy – it is called Cradle-Gym and it is a baby trapeze – it fastens across the bed and has several things on it. He likes it very much – tries to pull himself up on it but hasn’t quite made the grade yet. John is still home today but is feeling quite god, but if he has three day measles he won’t break out till tomorrow, so have to keep him home just in vase. He has a head ache and I think he needs his glasses changed but I don’t want to take him to Dr. Ade until I find out whether or not he has aforesaid measles. I sent your Mother a gift for Mother’s day today – am sending my mother a card – May get down there to get her before Sunday. John has the ballgame from Chicago turned on – there is a lot of noise due to the rainy weather – The Cardinals & Cubs are playing – Cubs won yesterday. Just had a hard rain and hail. It is time for Mark to be home from school – hope he didn’t get wet. He never takes his slicker unless I tell him too and he got away without it at noon. Our hero just arrived – he stopped in the P.O. while it rained so hard so all he has is wet shoes and I made him take them off. Strawberries are on the market now, but .39¢ a box and that is too much, I think.

Love – Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

A Grand Day (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
5-4-43

Dear Daddy – Two letters came this morning – but they were older by a few days than the four of yesterday. With getting yours of Apr 15 yesterday I felt pretty well up to date – – It is a grand day – just like May as we think of it – after all the weather we have been having. John Barce & a Walkup boy are going to take the storm windows down tomorrow. It has been too cool so far – maybe yet but I think we can chance it. I worked out in the yard yesterday – getting flower beds ready. Mark worked some in the garden pulling wild parsnips. There is quite a few and I thought pulling would be the best way to eliminate. Bun Walkup hauled the trash yesterday – He is always comparing their girl to David – as you know D. is just a few hours older. Their girl was quite a bit larger at birth but they are both the same now. D. is taking a little nap now. He looks like he is about to get a tooth, but none yet. Will try to get a good picture of him today – it is so nice out. Arlene got back from Green Bay and wants me to go to Club, but I would have to get someone to keep D. and I think I would rather stay home and work in the yard. Rec’d an invitation from St. E. to attend Hospital Day Ceremony given in honor of their Doctors n the Armed Forces. It is next Wed. (May 12) so think I’ll plan to go. – Louise O’Brien is going to be married this month so Arlene will lose her. I think I’ll go to T.H. about Fri and get Mother. Mark is waiting to take this as he goes back to school so must hurry.

Love – Mother