Tag Archives: Emma (Lawhead) Foster

Peaches (Gladys)

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: August 26, 1943 envelope

: August 26, 1943, p. 1

: August 26, 1943, p. 2

: August 26, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 27 [26] – 1943

Dear Daddy –

8 P.M. – just finished trying to seal (2 didn’t) 11 qts. peaches. There was a truck around today from somewhere with peaches and I bought a bu[shel] (4.25) believe it or not – They are 8⁰⁰ in some places. In figuring the cost they cost around the same as canned (tin) we buy in the stores but I could save pints. Peaches were 24 pts. A can or half a month’s points for one person. I put seven qts. in the oven and 4 in hot water. Mrs. Zell was canning corn and would have brought the cooker home but I told her wasn’t necessary to pressure peaches and it is for corn. I prepared 12 cans for the locker and got over there to find the place closed (Thurs. P.M.) This I figure is the last Thurs. for the summer our stores will close for the afternoon. Mark went to town and stopped at the P.O. and yours of Aug. 17 was there. If you remember you were discussing other people’s vacations and certain persons being bothered about the draft.

[page 2] I agree with you about both cases. Some people haven’t yet found out what things are all about – guess I had better change the subject – it gets pretty deep sometimes. No use spoiling our letters with stuff like that.

Mrs. R. came last night for a few minutes. She had some pictures Joe sent – they were all working in the pictures, digging, etc. I suppose you know all about such things.

I had sent Glenn a night letter telling them to come and hadn’t heard from them in over a week – I sent a tracer after the wire and word came back that Glenn had started east Aug. 23 so I am looking for them anytime. Juanita has been here since Tues. but is leaving tonight on the 12:16 train – however she is coming back to see Glen (& family if they all come). I was looking for some word from them so I could send Jim a wire. He thinks he can get time enough on a week-end leave to come for a few hours. I think he is taking a risk because he may not get flying accommodations back and he would have to fly to Indpls. & back from there. I am not going to send him any word until I get some definite word from Glen.

I took a roll of film and had some pictures of your Mother & Dad – and the negatives came back with no prints. I could see the pictures – I sent them to Laf. I had used a smaller film and sent them

[page 3] down there to have them all enlarged. I am going to send them to Hubert and see if he can print them. I couldn’t get film to fit our camera so haven’t taken pictures yet for David’s 11^th month. David is changing so much I think since his front teeth show up so good. His smile is contagious and he usually has one. We were eating supper and he was in his play chair and started to climb out onto the ironing cabinet so I slapped my hands together and said “David” rather loud – he sat down and tried to cry but couldn’t. It is so cut to see him pucker up his face in an attempt to cry –

It has been cool today but Mother seems awfully weak. The heat yesterday afternoon was so hard on her. She didn’t eat much today – never does – but seemed less today. I thought possibly Dr. Cole would be up today but no doubt he was tied up at hospitals. Mrs. Roberts says the Sr. Dr. is so busy too. He hardly has time to stop and see her and the children. I am to take Mark to Fowler tomorrow to have the clamp taken out of his hand. I think his cut is healing – but you know how he likes to pick at things – keeps wanting to put new bandages on.

I have been writing this in competition with John, Mark & Juanita.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/03/peaches-gladys/

A Little Childish (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-25-43

Dear Daddy – It cooled off and rained after the intense heat yesterday – We put some clothes in the Bendix to show Juanita how it operated. She didn’t know about that type machine. It looked like the sun was going to shine when John started the Bendix and now it is cloudy again. Can’t tell what our weather will do next. Had a letter from Jim and he is all upset about Mother – says he can’t believe such a thing could happen to her – His attitude is a little childish I think. I don’t like to think of it either but know if she has carcinoma it didn’t get there in a few days. Maybe I have been around you long enough to look for a logical answer. Of course I can’t say how it started but something caused it. – The heat yesterday was so hard on her. A week from today school starts. David is going to miss J. & M. for a few days. They are both with him in the yard encouraging him to make noises. He got somewhat spoiled while in the cast. He has always had more attention than J. & M. had at his age. He has enough toys to amuse him and a play pen, play chair, etc. – but gets tired of everything but attention. He will no doubt learn to amuse himself when left alone. No letters today but two yesterday (Aug. 9 & 12). I want to take more pictures – but haven’t any film and can’t get any here. Have to take Mark to Dr. Altier to have his hand dressed Fri.

Love – Mother

©2012-2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/01/a-little-childish-gladys/

Juanita (Gladys)

2 Replies

: August 24, 1943 envelope

: August 24, 1943, p. 1

: August 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug 24 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d yours of Aug. 9 & 12 today. John went to Laf. with Walkers so he took his 2⁰⁰ from m.o. & with his birthday money had enough to buy an album of records he wanted. Walker were taking Jimmy to Van Buskirk so John “sneaked” in on their appointment and got an eye exam. Dr. V. is writing me a letter about the situation. Said John’s lenses were correct but something about the muscle – I’ll tell you what else he has to say after I get the letter. I had Alma call Dr. Cole and tell him about Mother throwing up and the bitter taste that came last. He sent a prescription for that and said to give Mother an enema every day. He seemed rather worried Alma said about the throwing up and the bitterness. He told me when I had David down last Fri. he would come up soon. I know he will as soon as he can. Dr. Matthews is gone, Pip is gone & Rumkorf is gone – all taking vacations. I shouldn’t criticize but looks like they would get together doesn’t it – on such things.

[page 2] I met the 4:25 a.m. train – Juanita came this morning – It goes thru Robinson (7 mi. from where she lives) into Chicago. I’ll have to confess, I didn’t know about it until she came on it but it goes at such an hour and not touching towns we are interested in, I suppose that was the reason I didn’t know about it before.

Clara Molter picked lima beans from her garden and we shelled enough to fill 16 pts. To put in the locker – she gave us half to put them in. Not bad – all I did was hull a little while, blanch and take then to the Locker. I stopped at Parttens to see Ruthie – and talk about beef. They are going to butcher in 3 weeks and we are to get a quarter. It will take 800 points – or 2 ½ months meat tickets (stamps) from all our books. That shouldn’t bother us because we haven’t yet used a full month’s supply of stamps. – Ruthie is able to sit up now but hasn’t walked yet. The last x-ray looked pretty good Mary said.

It is a proverbial hot Aug. day and night – There isn’t any breeze stirring and it’s hot everywhere except out in the yard. The heat is awfully hard on Mother.

David was so hot today – his hair was in ringlets all over his head. Mark said David said “Daddy” – not da-da once today.

Love – Mother

Emma Foster with her granddaughter Juanita, circa 1940s

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/30/juanita-gladys/

Eleventh Month (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-23-43

Dear Daddy – Today is David’s 11^th month. He has 6 teeth, gets around as good as ever. Traces of cast almost gone. He got a few blisters around edge but they have healed. I was feeding him and he hit the cup & spilled milk. He knew he was a naughty boy – when we scold him he will try to cry but can’t quite make it. – John has been having headaches and I am sending him to Van Buskirk tomorrow. Alma W. is taking Jimmy down and has an appointment – said she would take John in with her. I haven’t been satisfied with his last two eye examinations and he keeps having head aches and is dizzy – Mother isn’t so good today – threw up her dinner and the last to come up was bile – (or bitter). I called Juanita and she is coming tomorrow. I haven’t heard any more from Glen – have been waiting for word. Jim is going to try and come home again on a 72 hr leave. Said he would get a plane to Indpls. and come in his car from there – will have the auto club get his car to Indpls. It is getting hot again. We have had some rather cool days. It rained early this a.m. and now it is hot and steaming. No letters today but had Aug. 10 & 11^th Sat. so didn’t look for any today. David is in his pen making a fuss. He is a little spoiled from so much attention when he was in the cast.

Love Mother

Gladys and David, August 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/28/eleventh-month-gladys/

Thirteenth Birthday (Gladys)

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: August 22, 1943 envelope

: August 22, 1943, p. 1

: August 22, 1943, p. 2

: August 22, 1943, p. 3

: August 22, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 22 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another birthday for our John – 13 – He looks the part – voice changing – growing fast – face full of pimples and blackheads. At present he is listening to Radio Readers’ Digest. He likes to get it every Sunday evening. I baked & decorated a cake, made ice cream & had the Zell girls & Jimmy come to help eat them – they ate almost all the cake and so far no tummy aches. I gave John a dollar, your Mother gave him 25¢ – he rec’d the $2⁰⁰ you sent, the Zells gave him sox & a hankie, so he fared pretty well. Bobby is gone and so are the Krull children so they didn’t get in on the refreshments. I was feeding David his 3 P.M. meal, Mark was working on a block of balsa wood and his knife slipped and cut his hand around the base of his thumb. It bled so much I couldn’t tell at first the cut was so extensive but after trying to wash

[page 2] the blood away I saw it wasn’t just a stab – so thought I had better get him to a Dr. and see if it would be necessary to have stitches taken – I called Matthews, he was out of town for the day, called Hungess at Sheldon, he was out of town, called Brook & Pip was gone on a trip, called Goodland, Rumkorf had left for his vacation, but finally and at last contacted Altier – I took Mark down. He cleaned the wound and found it wasn’t so deep but required one clamp. He gave me sulfathiazole power to dress it with and I am to go back Fri. to have the clamp taken out. I had filed it with sulfanilamide powder as soon as I discovered how long & deep the cut – however would have put sulfa on it anyway. I would have pulled it together myself with tape had it been on the arm but since it was at the base of the thumb thought a Dr. should see it. I washed Mark’s hands & face and put him to bed about 8 P.M. He insisted he wasn’t sleepy but I imagine he is asleep now. He got sick after his hand bled so much, but was very brave and didn’t cry – you know it hurt to have it cleaned and a clamp put in. He kept insisting he is like Daddy and can take punishment without making a fuss.

[page 2] David is getting a “little” spoiled – he has had so much attention he doesn’t want to stay put in his bed or pen. He is always reaching for something he shouldn’t have and climbing out of things. The play chair he is in in one of the pictures I sent – with the table around it is just an invitation for him to climb out on. John said if he were an ordinary baby he would be satisfied to sit & play in the chair. I just got the taylor tot out for him to ride in and today he was turned around in it trying to climb out on the handle. He got fussy so I put him on the floor and he walked around his bed & pen enclosures. He has another tooth today – making 6 altogether and 4 since he was 10 mo. old – He will be 11 mo. tomorrow. He hasn’t gained any the past month but I didn’t expect him to.

Mother wouldn’t eat any supper today – She ate a little broth at noon & drank a little milk. I bathed her yesterday – she doesn’t feel like being bathed every day – and I was feeling her abdomen – There is a definite mass in the middle of her bowels. I am no Dr. but I could feel it. I didn’t tell her, of course, what Dr. Cole told me, but I think she is very despondent about her recovery. I do wish I could

[page 3] do more for her – but I feel so helpless about the whole thing – Dr. Cole says she is definitely too weak for surgery. I asked him if her condition would become painful, but he said it shouldn’t. She has a lot of gas at times and so far her bowels have moved freely. He said she might get a bowel obstruction. The past week the weather has been cool and she hasn’t suffered from the heat.

Mary Parttens called today and said they were going to kill a beef in about 3 wks. And we can have a quarter or more. Clara M. is giving us lima beans to put some in our locker – we are to have half of what she puts in. She is moving to the south side of town – has bought her a house – Henry Molter & family are going to move over here where she lived.

Mary P. said Ruthie hasn’t stood on her feet yet but 2 wks. Ago Dr. M. took another x-ray and her break seems to be in fairly good shape – I saw the first x-ray and both sides of the pelvic bone were broken. I wish I could draw a picture & show you how it looked. Mary said every Dr. & nurse who looked at it said it was the only one like it they had ever seen.

Enough about such things – John is waiting for me to finish so we can go to bed and I am ready to turn in – Have to run the car in first.

Love Mother

P.S. I pd. Your Masonic dues

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/26/thirteenth-birthday-gladys/

An Old Slow Poke (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
AUG. 21-1943

Dear Daddy – Your Mother went home this morning. I suppose she thinks I am an old slow poke but I couldn’t keep up to her tempo. One day while she was here besides the regular work which I think enough to keep one busy, we picked and canned 4 qts. of beans and made jelly with some old grape juice we had in the basement. She said if she had been home she could have got a lot more done. I think she feels pretty good. She didn’t seem to have any complaints and I know she can do more work in a day than I can. We got David’s cast off yesterday and he is using his leg almost normally today. At first his knee didn’t work as good but it is gradually getting stronger. While in the cast I gave him all his milk from a bottle but started today on the cup again. Want to have him drinking all his milk from a cup by 1 year. Mother doesn’t seem to feel so good today. I gave her a bath and she is so thin and frail – not much to her. Dr. Cole told me to give her Vit. B shots until he examined her Sun., then after deciding she has a malignancy thought the shots wouldn’t do much good. Jim called me Thurs. nite after getting the letter I sent him Sun. He wanted to know if there is anything to be done. Dr. Cole says she is too weak to stand surgery. Rec’d your letters of Aug. 10 & 11 – The 9^th hasn’t arrived yet. Will send some more pictures in a few days. Tomorrow is John’s birthday and will try to get some pictures taken then.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/24/an-old-slow-poke-gladys/

Flower (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 20, 1943 envelope

: August 20, 1943, p. 1

: August 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 20 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I have been writing v-mail every other day and this should be a v-mail day but decided I would use reg. air mail again. Your mother, David & I went to Laf. today. Dr. Cole cut the cast off David’s leg. He was dreading the job but the case was pretty well soaked so wasn’t hard to cut off. He said he found that something else besides vinegar & peroxide would dissolve plaster. I had told him we called David “Flower” (the little skunk character in Walt Disney’s movie Bambi). He said is may smell like a flower but he didn’t know what kind. I was afraid David’s leg would be very touchy, and his knee would hurt when he tried to bend it but by the time we got home he was getting around pretty good. I put him down in his bed on his back and he pulled right up. In a day or two I doubt if we can tell he ever had it in a cast. I believe he was very happy to get out, he was so happy all evening – tho he is usually that way. Your mother says we should have named him David Roscoe. She says he looks so much like you. Now my dear, as much as I think of you, I still wouldn’t want to do that. We might compromise and call him Jake, or little Jake. Don’t mind me – just running off.

[page 2] I asked Dr. C. if he had written you about Mother – he said he hadn’t had time to even address a letter since he has been back – (Took Sun., Mon. & Tues. off). I said I didn’t suppose he would have since he came back. I asked him if he got to rest any while away & he said he slept the clock around. I don’t know when you will hear from him. After he told me Sunday I wrote Jim & Glenn and Jim called me last night. He wanted to know if anything could be done. Dr. Cole said Mother couldn’t stand surgery. I haven’t had any more word from Glen – Had an air mail from them Mon. & answered with a night letter & told them to come on – they wanted to know if Mother would be able to have them come for a visit, or wait until later. Since they haven’t answered I wouldn’t be surprised to see them come in any time.

Mark has gone to bed. He is still tired from his 4-H camping trip but I sent him to bed so he will feel rested by tomorrow. John is playing with a toy I got to give Bobby Funk for his birthday (Sept. 6). Also got a gift for Donnie – his birthday comes Aug. 29. I got a wedding gift for Earl & Imogene – they will be here tomorrow to get your mother – Ruth M. had me to get her gift at Loebs – so I got mine (ours) there too – a set of glasses & sherberts to match. Your mother said the shower will be next week & she is saving her gift till then but I will give them ours tomorrow. I had the store clerk wrap them ready to give in white tissue & ribbon – Well I am tired & John is going to take this to the hotel to mail so must sign off – with Love – Mother

Earl and Imogene (Photograph courtesy of Don Yegerlehner)

Wedding Presents (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 19, 1943 envelope

: August 19, 1943, p. 1

: August 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 19 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I was just about to get off to a good nap when John brought David in. I had to change him then put him down in his bed with a thumb guard on – which didn’t please him at all. He is trying to take it off, but he has a sore on his thumb, so must have the guard on. He needs a nap so doesn’t take much to make him cry. Your Mother is here. I think we will go to Laf. tomorrow & take David to Dr. Cole to get the cast taken off. I had an appointment for the next day but your Mother is going home Sat. so will go to Laf. tomorrow if I can get an appointment with Dr. C. Also your Mother would like to go to Laf. to shop. She wants to get Earl & Imogene a wedding present. I bought some glasses at Loebs and Ruthie M. liked them so much she had me get her a doz. – then decided they would make a nice wedding gift so I am to get a doz. for her to give Earl & I. I intent to get some kind of matching glass if I can and give them. They will be here again Sat. to get your Mother so will give them the gifts then. I didn’t know Imogene, but she is very nice and rather pretty.

[page 2] Mark is due home this evening some time. I suppose he will be worn out. The week John was gone to your folks, Mark had to stay in and help me and didn’t have time to run & play. He had been shaking his head a lot & batting his eyes, but after he had to stay in and not run & play so much I noticed he had quit all those nervous habits. I supposed that proves he spends too much energy for his own good. – I believe having the tonsils out is just beginning to show results too. He has been out a lot and has a good healthy look.

We gathered beans & canned four qts. today. I am about to use up all the jars wwe have. I have beans (33 qts.), peas 4 qts., spinach 28 pts. and 4 qts. tomatoes so far. I have been buying corn, peas and fruit with our points so have a small supply ahead.

David can unscrew the bolts on his bed downstairs and John just had to run in and put the tap back on. I am going to have to invent something to keep him from taking things apart. I am afraid he will get the taps in his mouth sometime when we aren’t looking. I know he will be happy to get the cast off and I know I will be.

Mother is about the same. Your Mother is up talking to her now. I didn’t tell her what the Dr. said to me Sunday about her condition. I suppose it will become painful in time – she complains of gas now some, but I think it must be from the source of her trouble. Hope you got Dr. Cole’s letter explaining things –

Love Mother

Visitors (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-18-43

Dear Daddy – Your Mother came today – Tillie Z. – Earl Y. & bride, Imogene, were going to Whiting so they brought your Mother here. We did intend to go over to Ruth M.’s but with Mother not so good we won’t go. There too the gas has been cut to 3 gal. a week and we may have to take Mother back to the hospital. This noon she threw up her dinner, then said bile came up. I am going to call Dr. Cole & tell him if she does that again. I have to take David down Sat. to have the cast off so will see what he thinks about things by then – I wired Glenn to come after receiving a letter saying they were planning to come and I am waiting to hear from them as to what they are going to do. Rec’d yours of Aug. 7 today. I agree with you, patience is the only thing to have about getting home. We are as anxious to have you come as anyone but know it won’t help to get impatient about it. Just hope for an early return. Grandma Y. & John are out in the yard with David – Mark is still at 4-H camp. It was cool enough today for the heat to kick on. Emmett & Olene Miller were at Statons again & I talked to them. His father died last week. They are going now to Tenn.

Love – Mother

Something Like Whistle (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 17, 1943 envelope

: August 17, 1943, p. 1

: August 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 17 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters again today but didn’t really expect any for a while after getting Aug. 3, 4, 5, 6 & John’s the 12^th. I know it comes in bunches. Had a letter from your mother that she would be up tomorrow if Dad doesn’t start hay fever – He has been taking shots and doesn’t know whether they will work or not. Had a letter from Glenn’s and they said they would come for a visit if I thought Mother could stand company. I wired them to come if possible. The way Mother is doing I am afraid she won’t get any better. She looks so frail – hasn’t eaten much for such a long time. She thinks after hot weather she will get better – The hot days last week were awfully hard on her. Last week so melting hot, now it’s so cool we have the house all closed. It was so cool last night I thought the heat might kick on, but we closed doors & windows and that kept the house comfortable. Mark’s 4-H outing will have a chilly time. Also Funks will find Northern Wisconsin a little cool I am afraid.

Zells told us we could gather their tomatoes while they are gone – I think we will get enough to can a few this evening but that won’t take long. I don’t particularily want many but we use a few along in the winter.

[page 2[ They are selling for 10¢ a lb now – and with so many people having gardens – I would think they would be lower in price – We have all we need in our garden but there is not enough yet to can. We have canned about 30 qts. beans from our garden. There are more coming on.

I took David out in the sunshine to give him his bottle just a few minutes ago. It was so cool this a.m. he wasn’t out – also John took his music lesson & couldn’t stay out of doors with him. He wants to go places when he gets out of his bed, pen, or buggy. Last nite while we were eating supper I took him out of the buggy, because he was climbing out and let him stand by it – he walked to the table they then walked under the table and played on the chairs. He isn’t satisfied unless he is getting around – the past two days he has been trying to do something like whistle. John asked me when he whistled & I told him it was when he was 11 mo. old. We say no no to David and he shakes his head – he knows what it means. When I slap his hands or tap him someplace else – he can’t cry hard but will pucker up and try to get a cry out. He is making a fuss now but needs dry pants so think I’ll have to go change him.

This change in weather had made my hands feel like sand paper. I had to quit eating tomatoes – just would eat a piece now & then – but that much was telling on me.

Love Mother