Tag Archives: Emma (Lawhead) Foster

Dropping the j.g. (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-22-43

Dear Daddy – this was a 12 letter day – yours from Feb. 27 to Mar 11 came today. Glad you had some letters, even tho they were old – Hope you get the pictures I sent in Feb of all of us. Will write your Mother & Ruth M. today. Ruth called last night about going to C.C. with us. If the measles don’t overtake John & D. we plan to go Apr 2 and take Ruth & Romaine with us. I have been giving Mark unicaps & taking them myself. Since Mark had measles I thought unicaps would be as good as anything – if a little expensive – Don’t worry about taxes I have everything under control. I read in the paper that gross would be refunded on pay received in the Service in 1942 – so should get a check some time for yours. So glad you could drop the (j.g.) I know you were glad too. I took some pictures of D. and J. & M. yesterday for his 6^th month – which will be Wed. I will send another registered better with several pictures as soon as I get those developed. Those people around town did all their guessing on their own before. Dorothy thought I might talk while under ether or coming out when D. was born but I didn’t. Of course there is a lot of speculation now. I am glad you shaved. You might have to use something heavier than a razor if you let it go too long. I didn’t know you had any grey in your beard – tho a few whit ones were showing in your hair. I have a noticeable “few” now myself, but somehow I don’t even care. Link & Irene are back from Mayo Clinic. They haven’t said anything but both have gone back to work and from all appearances aren’t ill. D. is raising a fuss and his grandma is trying to get him quieted. He gets into some awful shapes sometimes and needs a little help. He gets cross ways on his bed and pushes and he is too long to do that and not hurt his head. Weighs 17 lbs.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/01/dropping-the-j-g-gladys/

Yet another winter storm (Gladys)

5 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-26-43

Dear Daddy – Today is Mark’s big day – 10 years old. I gave him a dollar and his new finger-tip over coat. – John gave him 25¢ for stamp & Mother gave him a pr of mittens she knitted. I will bake a cake for him this morning. He wrote you a v-mail last night thanking you again for the dollar you sent and gave his grades. John also wrote. It is cold today and a small blizzard is on. The air is full of snow. Not much on the ground yet. Hope this finishes off winter weather. The tulips are up and I didn’t get them covered so they might get nipped. I told you in yesterdays I think the tax will be around 200⁰⁰ but the rate is higher this yr and exemptions lower. However I won’t have to pay it now and have enough bonds to cover it and last half of ’41. Didn’t get my (our) Jan bond bought so will have to get two before the end of this month (by tomorrow). So far have 14 – $25 and 6 – $50’s. Couldn’t rent a safety box – they are all taken. I think Ruth & Floyd will be here sometime Sunday. They are at Ruth M’s now. The papers just came but haven’t had time to read them – I hear the stork is going to fly over the Bartlett’s – don’t know when but probably be a few months yet. Soon be time to bathe David. He slept from his 6 P.M. bottle til 7:15 this morning. The pictures we took of he & Jimmy Ed were fair – will send them in next bunch of pictures. The storm has let up some but the wind still blows.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/15/yet-another-wi…r-storm-gladys/

The Weekly Letter (Gladys)

3 Replies

: February 21, 1943 envelope

: February 21, 1943, p. 1

: February 21, 1943, p. 2

: February 21, 1943, p. 3

: February 21, 1943, p. 4

: February 21, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Feb 21 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Sunday evening and just like spring today. Had an invitation from Arvilla to attend her capping ceremony this afternoon so we drove down. Mother & John stayed in the car with D. and Mark and I went to the service. It was very nice. There were 23 nurses received their caps. After the program was over we congratulated Arvella then Dora Diedam went with us to the hospital to show D. off. We went up to Sister J. in X-ray. I showed her the picture of you you sent me and she said, ‘he looks tough.” I told her I was going to write and tell you what she said and she said for me to. We visited two nurses who were on O.B. when I was there, but they are on 3^rd north now. Of course they made quite a fuss over D. After that we stopped to see Forest & Gertrude. Helen had taken her children for a walk and didn’t get back before we left. I wanted to get home in time to give D. his 6 P.M. bottle & cereal, and with driving reduced to 35 mi per it takes quite a while longer to make the trip. I was sorry to miss Helen but felt like I had to start home.

[page 2] Chas Kline is still in Peru and gets home rather often but Bud is stationed in Calif. He had been home recently on a furlough, but his trips home are very few because he has always been stationed so far away.

I wouldn’t have gone this afternoon but I haven’t driven the car much recently and thought the battery needed charging – especially after the severe cold of this winter. I didn’t use all the ration tickets for the first period. I still had tickets for 8 gal I didn’t use and the second period is almost gone and I used two tickets Sat. to fill up the tank and that is all I have used so far, so you can figure I am not doing much driving. I will put a few miles on if we go to C.C. in April – which I hope we will. Floyd & Ruth took the movies of us down home last week-end and showed the folks.

I got out John’s baby book and snap shots taken from 6 weeks to 1 yr. I think the baby resembles him a lot in those earlier pictures. Of course J. is a few pounds heavier at this age than John was but John was fat enough to take a good picture.

I saw the Sullivan baby Sat. She is so fat looking but isn’t any heavier than D. but she is short and he is

[page 3] long – hence she looks lots fatter.

Sat afternoon I walked to town with D. in his buggy. It was sunny and the baby buggies were very prominent on the streets. The nice weather always draws them out. Several people saw him early in Dec – or it was before that in Nov – because it turned so cold after Thanksgiving I didn’t go out with him for weeks – but everyone could see how much he has grown since last fall.

John & Mark discovered the tulips coming up. This warm weather the last of the week did the trick. I haven’t paid much attention to them but they should be doubled this year. I wish I could tell that Omargo [?] man a few things. He wouldn’t replace that tree at the west corner and tho it is going to survive I don’t believe it will grow and the one it is supposed to match is about twice as tall. I think I’ll write the Co. and tell them I want another tree. I don’t believe they will come over here anymore since gas rationing.

The family is all in bed and I suppose asleep and I am writing this in bed so think I’ll turn off the light and get some shut eye too. D. squirmed around a little after I turned on the light but has settled down now.

[page 4] 2-22-43
Mon. – Since this is Washington’s Birthday there wasn’t any mail delivery and the P.O. closed. I started this the 21^st finished the 22^nd and will mail it at the hotel and it will probably be postmarked 23^rd. Took D. for his airing this afternoon and stopped at the dress shop and you should see what I got – a red dress a red hat & red purse and when I say red I mean just that – nothing pale about it – would you like it? I am sure you would. I thought about how you always liked for me to wear red when buying the things. The way it all started – last week I was in at Sharps and saw a red jacket and thought it would be nice to wear this spring so got it – didn’t have a skirt to wear with it so stopped in the dress shop to get a skirt – it is plaid – has blue, red etc. I took it home to try on and when I paid for it today got into this red outfit and since everything was my size & color bought same. That is the first I have bought for myself since last spring. I haven’t bought the dress to go with the buckle & necklace’s but can wear the necklace with the red dress mentioned above. I feel like I shouldn’t spend money on clothes but once in a while it becomes necessary. I won’t spend much on shoes at the rate of 3 pr per year.

[page 5] I got a ration book for D. and asked about turning yours in – which I am supposed to do – so will send it to the ration bd office or take it. I have to go one day this week and get our new ration books. They are for point rationing. The things most scarce will have a higher point value – that is it will take more points out of one’s ration book to buy some things than others. I don’t know yet what foods will have high point values but sure that that will include canned goods. Geo Wolf was here today – and said the stores in Laf. stayed open until 12 o’clock Sat nite. So many things were frozen for this week while the new books were being issued that I suppose the stores were giving people a chance to stock up. I understood that was what we weren’t supposed to do so I didn’t stock up on things – except get a supply of milk for D. and vegetables (canned). I ran out of onion skin paper and wanted to finish my letter – so excuse this last sheet.

This warm weather certainly is welcome and makes me want spring to come – but I suppose we will have lots of cold raw weather before warm weather is here to stay. I am about to run out of space so will get this ready for Mark to mail for me. He has been working on his model and is getting a little tired so the fresh air will freshen him up.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/09/the-weekly-letter-gladys-2/

The Gopher Hole (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND
2-19-43

Dear Daddy – Just finished cleaning the “gopher hole” – that’s what we call J & M’s room. One day John came downstairs and said “Mother, a self respecting gopher wouldn’t stay in our room” – The reason was Mark’s airplane mess and mess in general – So I cleaned it this evening and Mark has a corner in the dormer – that is the dormer is his. He is up there now at work – and should be practicing on his horn. John has done his practicing for today and is now lounging on the davenport. It is warmer but still rather a sharp wind. Mother has a quilt ready to start quilting. We showed it to Mrs. Plummer. She admired it so much we are going to give it to her. They are going to Fla for the mo. of March. Servies were here and hadn’t seen David since before Christmas. They both thought he had grown very much. Mrs. S. says he looks just like you – as so many people do. Irene said I am in the “Nursery” with D. when they come and go to work and we wave and that is about as close as we get. I told you we had Christmas dinner there – Thompsons were there too. I told you before about her asking to use your large office desk but Newell wouldn’t let her have it. I didn’t enter into the thing only I told Irene she could use it if n. would let it go. They can’t get a new one. There are so many things can’t be bought now. Arlene needs a new bed for Bobby but can’t find one to buy. Fortunately Mary P. loaned me one for upstairs and Harold’s sister loaned one for downstairs. I will be looking for a letter with your suggestions about the lawn. Will send you pictures of the yard after things start growing. Mark is starting to practice horn.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/08/the-gopher-hole-gladys/

Like spring again (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-18-43

Dear Daddy – Like spring again today but since we have had so much sub zero weather may have more before this month is over. Everything is quiet at present except for the stoker running – J & M both reading Mother and D. in bed. After the 6 P.M. feeding D. gets tucked in. He is getting old enough to show off – not quite 5 months – but J & M fuss around him so much when they are home and he is awake – I imagine he will be quite an actor by his first birthday – but will try to keep him from being too spoiled. Mark was first cornet player in the ban and was set back to second, so I got him to practice more and now he is back as first. I think if I keep on urging him he will get along. John has a habit of practicing the sax every evening when he comes home from school – Francis Kenny was married and is stationed in Bethesda Maryland. Art was attendant. He is in New River, N.C. – Byrnes said he has a permanent assignment there. Eileen Masters is in the WAAC – was she the one at St. E? K. Jones has been home – is going to take sub training when he goes back (New London – Conn) Boomershine is in N.Y. – He got a (j.g.) It seems strange for high school boys to be enlisting but that is happening now – Yost & Egan are two – – Funks went to Green Bay today for a visit. They took Louise along but with both boys they need help. I am glad D. isn’t as large as Donnie – because Donnie is so heavy (over 20 lbs at 6 mo.) To date no money for uniforms. The Dept that mails my checks has been moved to Cleveland. If Dolores comes home in April I am going to try and go down for a week-end. I think D. will be old enough to travel then. Your mother is anxious to see him again. Give me your suggestions about the yard.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/04/like-spring-again-gladys/

The Weekly Letter (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 11, 1943 Envelope front

: February 11, 1943 Envelope back

: February 11, 1943, p. 1

: February 11, 1943, p. 2

: February 11, 1943, p. 3

: February 11, 1943, p. 4

: February 11, 1943, p. 5

: February 11, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Feb 11 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Will write my weekly “letter.” Have been using v-mail but about once a week – We were told over the radio and by other means that after Jan 15 not to send air mail letters – but use v-mail so that is the reason you are getting so many v-mail. However Tony told me to continue to use air mail – that it would get to the coast quicker even if it didn’t travel by air the rest of the way. I am sitting by the fireplace with my hair rolled up – and with the idea of getting it dry but the fire seems to be going out. Mark brought in a wet log and it won’t burn. The dryer is in our bedroom but D. is asleep and I was afraid it arouse him before time of his 10 P. M. lunch. He sleeps right thru horn & piano practicing & radio but turn the light on and bang around close to him and he sometimes wakes up – so we stay away from the bedroom after he is tucked in. I looked over your letter again to answer your three questions. The house payments are around 48.33 – sometimes the cents vary. The interest on your pol. Is 14.22 so that makes the loan around $233. Those dividends were taken off when we had the policies changed when you were home – remember?

[page 2] Since paying up the insurances and a few other bills our bank acc’t is getting a little weak. We have a bal of 330⁰⁰ now but I haven’t pd for my coat yet – isn’t due till Mar 10 – and I had more coal put in. Just had the bin filled and what I had put in in Dec. – altogether $60⁰⁰ so when I pay those two will have around 145⁰⁰ Bal. and there will be something turning up all the time. I haven’t been getting any collections in and with all the insurance we have to pay cuts in on the reserve. The house payment takes ¼ of the 200⁰⁰ and groceries are so high – milk can’t be sold for 10¢ qt now so that stepped up our milk bill – but now that the big bills are taken care of for a while maybe we can get enough ahead to buy more bonds. If your uniform money comes I’ll pay the Hancock loan off. Besides the 6 – 37⁵⁰ that took 225⁰⁰ out of the big balance we had last fall. I have the 1943 car license pd for. I had Ellsworth write a policy for D. and it is $22.57 annually. I thought that pretty high but it is a 20 yr endowment and will have a higher pd up value that the ones of J & M. – Well don’t worry about our finances – I can manage on what we get and keep all the bills paid. I am so glad we have our home

[page 3] and can keep our payments up on it. I really should have some painting done on a few places inside this spring but I doubt if I can get a painter. Now don’t be alarmed about my having things done – it is those window sills the sun & rain ruined. If I had the time and energy would give the walls some paint like you had put in the office – but I have about all I can do with David. Mother takes care of the cooking & dish washing and I don’t try to do much but keep D. fed & comfortable. I got some unicaps yesterday and thought I would follow your prescription. I do feel a little low after all that sinus trouble. Now that it is over – that was without question the worse infection I have ever had in my sinus. The drainage was the foulest I have ever had. When Dr. Ade first washed it out there seemed to be about a cup – maybe there wasn’t that much – but it seemed to be – and it was brown. Well that is all over now and I can get along with a box of Kleenex in every room. I feel a little sleepy this morning. D. was sound asleep at 10 – so I didn’t take him up – thought he would sleep through – but he began to fuss

[page 4] about 1:30 – so I got up & fed him – I would have saved myself that if I had fed him at 10 – but he has slept thru several times and I thought he had established the habit – but not last night. It is about time for the mail to come and Mother is looking for the mail man to come. I may get a letter or two myself this morning since I didn’t get any yesterday.

There is Band Mothers’ meeting this afternoon so think I’ll go – just to let them know if nothing else that I am not interested in doing any work. Let the butterflys’ do that sort of thing. I have enough to do (that I can’t get done) at home. I suppose you have heard of “them Gremlins” – in case you haven’t, they are a distant kin of youhedi – well its “them gremlins” that get blamed for everything around here – especially concerning Mark. He doused his hair with kreml last nite and I couldn’t have him near me for a while. His latest is a weighing complex – It is so funny – he gets on the scale and he will say, “I’ve gained” – and he hasn’t. John always checks on him – and you know practical John will say – “You have not” – Then John will explain to me how Mark weighs the same or even less than the last time.

[page 5] John is so logical – he wants things right and of course Mark always get correction if he is wrong about anything – (which happens often). Of course Mark can take care of himself and John doesn’t make much impression on him if Mark doesn’t want to be impressed. So much for family life. They both agree about David – that he is the – well all the adjectives you can think of to describe the perfect baby.

Mrs. Mullen called me to read me your letter. They were so pleased to get it, and thought I would like to hear it. I told her I had 5 this morning – Jan 27-28-31 & Feb 3 & 4. I had two Feb letters before the last of Jan’s. I was glad to get those stragglers because they had some news I would have missed. None of your letters have been lost – I am sure I have every one. The next time I am in Laf. I will talk to Helen. We will have lots to talk about. I see J & M coming up the driveway now – making a beeline for the door – running a race – as they usually do.

Lunch over and trying to get this ready for Mark to take back with him

[page 6] Sorry I haven’t any pictures to put in this time but I sent the Hubertz pictures last week and will have some ready to send in my regular letter next week.

Had a letter from your Mother & one from Ruthie. Your Mother said Ruth M. & Earl have had the flu. I wrote to Ruth M. this week but haven’t had time for an answer. I must write to your Mother today. I get one out to her once a week.

Just glanced at the local paper and saw an item that more winter is ahead. Well we have had winter since Thanksgiving – and are used to it so won’t mind so much if it last till Easter.

Lois Wittenkellar is in the hospital – had a ruptured blood vessel and there was a qt of blood in her abdomen. Mrs. Merrit Wood is in the hospital at Laf. recovering from an abdominal operation.

Mark is waiting so much hurry.

Love
Mother

Fair and Colder (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-11-43

Dear Daddy – It is fair and colder. Had snow flurried this a.m. but not much snow fell. I would rather have the cold now than the warm days like we had the first of the week. I am hoping we have an early warm spring. Should have good lawn this summer if the rain & snow of this winter will help. Mark is writing to you. John is talking to D. D. didn’t sleep much until after his 2 P.M. feeding then woke when Mark came home. He chewed his fingers like a tooth may be coming thru but I won’t believe it until I see one. If D. does everything J. & M. try to teach him he will be a super – quiz kid. John is trying to get him to patty cake now.—Had an accident – that is J. & M. did – Mark was using the ink and was writing on a chair with the ink on the floor & John upset it – I had to mop up so my hands are stained. Just wrote Mead’s thanking them for the 5 lb can Dextri & Pablum. Haven’t been out much this week so short on news. Papers didn’t come today (as usual). Mr. Boomershine leaves for the Navy tomorrow. He got a (j.g.) I don’t know where he is to go – except someplace in the East. Will write all the details you ask for in a registered letter but you may be slow in getting it – will try to explain things fully. Must send Jim something for his birthday – that is – sending something for Mother. I sent him a card. It is too cold to take D. out today so will go to town in the car.
Love Mother

Three letters today (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-10-43

Dear Daddy – Three letters today – yours of Jan 30 – Feb 1 & 2. Also Mark’s birthday money. He will write you a reply. You had seen Dan Heinkle – I saw Helen in Laf. last Fri. of course didn’t have your letter then. I will write a registered letter and give you all the info you ask for. It always makes me feel better when I get a letter saying you have had mail of any kind, and especially from here. I am anxious to get your reaction to the pictures I sent by registered letter last week. The weather has turned on us again and from the spring we have had Sun Mon & Tues it is raining & blowing and a forecast for cold again. It was pouring down when the children went to school. Mr. Zell took all 4 to school – their two & our two. Had a valentine from Jim – he is still at Camp B. and I told you before Thelma is there now. Just re-read your letters to help me write things you asked about, but will send reg. air – registered full of details. The boys are going to the father & son banquet tonight. Warren Unger and Powell are taking them. John saved enough and I advanced Feb allowance so he got another bond yesterday at school. Mark isn’t as careful with his money so doesn’t put as much in stamps as John. David slept all night – after his 6 P.M. bottle until time for his 6 o’clock bottle this morning. I hope he makes that regular. He is getting vegetable soup now. The Mead J.[Johnson] Co. sent me a 5 lb. can of D.M.[Dextri-Maltrose], a large box of Pab. [Pablum] and a bottle of Vit C tablets besides the 50 c.c. bottle of Oleum Percomorph. Mother is hanging up some of D’s clothes so I must get lunch started and formula mixed. Telephone just rung but it was a false alarm. There is a little storm in the air and makes the line pop. Same old telephone service – if you know what I mean. Had the coal bin filled again ($34) this time.

Love Mother

Darning sox (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-8-43

Dear Daddy – Monday evening and studing going on – Mark is supposed to be practicing his cornet but is munching an apple – David is tucked in – Mother is darning sox. Have the den about done over into a nursery. Looks much better now, but now the piano seems to crowd the living room. Maybe we will get used to it. I didn’t get this finished last nite – but sent a registered air mail yesterday – Lucile came out today with Jimmy Ed – It is so nice today – Just like spring – but will look for anything tomorrow. Jimmy Ed is getting a skin irritation so Dr. changed his formula. She has to add lactic acid now. He is on the bottle altogether now and isn’t gaining quite so fast but weighs 11-4. It is about time to eat – I made biscuits and you know that always suits the boys. This eating business is getting more expensive all the time. I want the boys to make a garden this summer if we can find a place. Mark wants to join 4-H so I thought we might be able to work out something – However I am not going to fill my cans until I get the vegetables. If he had a little help I think he could do a lot with a garden. Jimmy Staton is better but Mrs. J. [Mrs. James] is sick. She has been taking liver shots all winter but they haven’t seemed to do much for her. Mark brought his spelling paper – had C in spelling & B in writing. Would sent it to you if this way regular mail. John wrote an essay but haven’t heard it yet. It is getting near D’s feeding time and he is getting a little “mean.”

Love – Mother

Went to Lafayette (Gladys)

6 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-5-43

Dear Daddy- Your letter of Jan 16 came today after all up to the 26^th – was so glad to get it because you mentioned several things you hadn’t in other letters. I took my checks to the bank (I get two each month – 170 & 30) and asked about a safety deposit box but they haven’t any for rent so that settles that. Went to Lafayette today – Took Arlene & Donnie – she wanted to get his shots started. Mrs. Zell & Martha went along – also Mother & David. It was just like spring – warm and sunny. Tried to get a buggy but there were only a few for sale and they were 25⁰⁰ and up – thought that was too much, so will look for a used one someplace but they are scarce too. Mrs. Shirk is going to loan me a play pen. It won’t be long until we will need one. Had to get material to recover the studio couch. It was worn thru all along the edge. Saw Helen Heindle in Loebs and her husband is somewhere in the South West Pacific, You might see him sometime. You might also see Hickey too. Have you ever written to him or heard from him? Jimmy Staton has been sick – thought he would have pneumonia but he was better yesterday. Mr. Marvin died this week. They had taken him to the hospital for observation. John is working on an essay – I told him I wouldn’t help him & he said he didn’t want any help. Mark is reading the paper and listening to Joey Brewster. David is tucked in and I am going to turn in soon. I am a little tired after the trip. I sent you a registered letter yesterday with our pictures – also sent you a valentine. Will send you a box next week. Have some more sardines.

Love Mother