Tag Archives: gasoline rationing

A beautiful snow (Gladys)

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: November 29, 1942, p. 1

: November 29, 1942, p. 2

: November 29, 1942, p. 3

: November 29, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 29 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon and nearly time for Gildersleeve. John is working on his composing and Mark has gone out to get some snow to make ice cream. We had a beautiful snow beginning yesterday late in the afternoon & lasting through the night. It is the scenic kind and the shrubs were bending over from the weight. I took two pictures of the house and if they are good will send you one so you can think about our weather and maybe it will help you to imagine a cold Christmas now. We also took some pictures of the baby in the Den but don’t know whether the reflection from all the snow outside will make enough light. David weighed 10 lbs this morning and is really beginning to show signs of getting fat. Dr. Cole gave me a list of things to start him on beginning with his third month – egg yolk (3d mo.), cereal (4 mo.), vegetables (5 month) & fruit (6 mo). He said for me to take him off the 2 am feeding but he still wakes

[page 2]up for it and seems so hungry – I am still giving it to him but hope he will drop the habit himself. Last night (or rather this morning) when I was feeding him I noticed the furnace kept running – so I went down to see what was wrong. The top door was open so of course the temperature couldn’t build up. I shut the door and everything was “OK” again. Mark blew a fuse so our lights were out upstairs last night. I had Mr. Monroe come out to fix a drain and he said he wanted to look over the furnace again – He had checked it while I was in the hospital so it is in good running order now.

Statons were gone over the week-end and when they came home this evening had to stop before entering their driveway – due to the heavy snow covering it. I think Mrs. James & Jimmy had taken a vacation over Thanksgiving – due to gas rationing starting Tues – they like a lot of other folks took one last trip. I don’t know what rating Link will get – having to drive to work but he will get more than the 4 per we will get. Earl was worrying about not being

[page 3]get enough to drive to work – but I think he will be taken care of.

John & Mark have gone to the Sunday evening youth fellowship meeting. There is to be a social hour to follow so don’t know how long they will be gone.

Lucile Johnson went with us to Laf. Fri. She said she had been on a milk diet – her urine showed a trace of albumin and the Dr. wouldn’t allow her to have anything but milk for four days. She was very hungry and said she didn’t like diets and this would be her last pregnancy. I told her she wouldn’t feel that way about it after it is all over. Mrs. Beekman had her baby this week – I thought she would have her baby before I had David. Dr. M. said she had him worried because she gained 50 lbs.

It is less than a month till Christmas. I don’t know what we will do – due to gas rationing Ruth & Earl won’t be able to go anyplace and I don’t want to

[page 4] take the baby away from home as young as he is. Haven’t heard from Ruth & Floyd for a week so don’t know what they are thinking about doing Christmas. Floyd will be able to get more gas so they may go home.

Had a letter from Jim and he is trying to get a furlough to start Dec. 30 – so they won’t be here till after Christmas – if he does get to come. I have been trying to write this through several radio programs so am not sure whether I am making sense or not, and I haven’t been out since Fri so don’t have any news.

I will send a box this next week and maybe you will get it by Dec 25. I’ll put in the mosquito cream, and a few other odds & ends.

I am getting hungry – don’t know whether I can hold out for the boys to come back – We had baked chicken & dressing for dinner so there is plenty to pick on this evening.

I owe several letters so will try to get some written this evening.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/07/27/a-beautiful-snow-gladys/

November 18, 1942 (Gladys)

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: November 18, 1942 Envelope

: November 18, 1942, p. 1

: November 18, 1942, p. 2

: November 18, 1942, p. 3

: November 18, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 18 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

David and I are alone again this evening. John & Mark have gone to band practice. Mark goes along for observation. Betty Lou & Mark were together all afternoon and Betty stayed for supper. After giving David his 2 P.M. bottle we took several pictures and believe got some good ones. Will know tomorrow and if they are good will put one in this letter. It was such a warm sunny day we walked to town and back with the baby. He slept a while then woke up and cried so hard I brought him back home and gave him his orange juice. He was quiet a while then began crying again. I gave him his bottle at 6 and he has been quiet. I put him in the den and turned the light off. He isn’t asleep but isn’t making any fuss. I want him to acquire the 6 P.M. bed time habit.

This wind I have been writing about quieted down but now it is foggy. It was foggy until about noon then cleared off enough to hang out the baby clothes. Now the fog is all around again. The wind took some more branches off the west tree in the front yard. I wonder if there will be any limbs left if we have many more wind storms.

[page 2] I saw Chuckie Harlan this afternoon. Lorene said the operation corrected his eye trouble – however he is still wearing glasses. I didn’t ask her who did the operating but his eyes did look much better. I suppose that is what Wilson’s will do for Susan.

While walking saw Bernard Funk. He looked at the baby and was telling me that Arleen had left Donald with them today while she went to Laf. He said he weighed their baby & Donald – Eveline is 7 months old and weights 17 lbs and Donald is 2 ½ mo old and weighs 14 ½. I wonder what he will weigh at one year. Someone had evidently been hunting and left a pheasant at Bills. When John and I came home I saw a beautiful bird lying across the mail box. I wouldn’t mind having some of the feathers. Maybe to put on a hat. I imagine Earl will get some this fall – if he can go hunting. He said when they were here he would be able to get gas enough to drive to work but that would be all.

Had a letter from your Mother & she said she wanted to come up. Kenneth promised to bring her but he is busy getting his corn crop in. They will have to come this week if they come before gas rationing. I figure by having the tank full at the beginning and just driving enough to get my 4 gal a week and keep the tank fuel maybe we can make a trip home sometime when the baby is older.

Newspaper clipping from January 1942

[page 3] There was a letter from the F.B.I. inquiring about a man wanted for kidnapping. This man seems to be in bad health and the letter describes his ailments – seems he has been to different Doctors and I imagine a lot of Drs. got the same letter. I will return the letter to the Bureau and inform them you have been away since May and no way of having any information on “Clarence V. Stevens.” His picture and finger prints are in the Post office, same as came with the letter.

—Just came up from cleaning out the furnace – I mean clean. Took everything out and started a new fire. Mark carried out a full can of clinkers this morning. Now there is almost another full can. That is the first entire cleaning job it has had I think since you did it in July – but I will see to it now that is doesn’t go so long. Can’t understand how it kept from ruining a pin. Just hope after all that effort it doesn’t do something like that now.

Thurs P.M. – was rather tired last night after my furnace work but feel fine today. It is so warm it is like summer. The sun is so bright I just had to wash out the days wash – couldn’t resist the urge to get them in the sun while I can

[page 4] Didn’t get any letters yesterday or today. Maybe I will tomorrow or this evening. I have to get the serial no. from the tires so I can register for my gas card. I could get the no. from every tire but the left front and the no. is turned to the inside. It’s a good thing you gave me power of attorney because the owner has to sign for the gas card.

Arlene was going to make an appointment for me with Dr. Cole Sat. but he isn’t going to be in but have to take John down to broadcast with the band and to see Dr. Ade. I really don’t need to see him (Dr. Cole) yet because I think I can feed the baby for a while yet without further instructions. The little rescal is beginning to gain so fast now. Weighed over 9 lbs this A.M. Arlene is going to keep him for me Sat. She insists and since she knows how it’s done and has Louise I think I’ll leave him. It is such a job to take him along because of fixing the bottles and then I would have to take someone else along to hold him while I drive.

Since I started this last night and haven’t been out yet today haven’t any fresh news. It is so nice I will take David out again & maybe I can collect something to write about tonight. No paper today so no news from that source. I hear a bell ringing. Must be the Methodist or Presbyterian, I suppose there is a funeral but don’t know.

Will try to write again tonight with lots of news –

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/20/november-18-1942-gladys/

November 17, 1942 (Gladys)

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: November 17, 1942 Envelope

: November 17, 1942, p. 1

: November 17, 1942, p. 2

: November 17, 1942, p. 3

: November 17, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 17 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d two letters today – the latest one posted Nov 9 – Hope they keep coming like this – I am glad to get them but rather get one each day than in bunches. This afternoon when I was taking David for his airing noticed men working in the Chevrolet building and unless I was mistaken we are going to have a new post office – all new features, etc. I hadn’t heard anything about it or read anything in the papers about it, but I could have missed it. I haven’t done much reading and don’t always read the paper thoroughly. As I have said before – and as you are getting tired of reading, I am pretty busy, and haven’t done much reading since the event of David. After I get housecleaning done maybe I can catch up a little on my literary duties. You remember the Mrs. Morris I visited in Norfolk? Mrs. Swartz told me her son is in Peru now at the Navy Air School. Now I could comment but I am sure you know what I am thinking – but no use going into that. John had to go to band practice again tonite and Mark went with him. They got back just after Fibber & Molly program started. I am listening with one ear and it isn’t so easy to

Fibber McGee and Molly, 1937 (Image via Wikipedia Commons)

[page 2] write. Mr. Wimple is now whinning.

Yesterday when I was in town saw Shirley Boze and she looked like she needs an O.B. Dr. again. This afternoon saw Lucile Burgee and she was the same – very definitely so. Two cases you would probably have had.

The boys raked some leaves and burned them in the furnace outside. The wind blew a small mountain of leaves over the terrace and I was afraid they would smother the grass. It looked like rain and if there had been a heavy rain on them would have made matters worse. This wind I have been writing about swept the rest of the back yard clean but the wind has ceased at present.

There isn’t any school tomorrow due to students working on the gas rationing, so the boys will be home. I want to get the furnace cleaned good and the clinkers carried out, and a few other things done, as I think of them. Seems like there is always something to be done but as I have said it better to keep busy.

Just read your last two letters over again – and I’ll tell you again in case – I bought each boy a bond. John got his books full and it made Mark feel so badly I had him clean the floors and finished his books so he could get a bond and David had rec’d 9⁰⁰ in gifts so put the difference to a bond for him.

[page 3] Again I’ll tell you – it took the V-mail you sent the boys 3 weeks to come. They have each written you V-mail several times but you haven’t mention receiving.

I sent Lentz’s pictures and the film in your birthday box. Maybe you have some by now. The picture you mentioned surely wasn’t good. I noticed there were several blanks on the film. All his pictures are in the bunch. The only ones I kept were of you. I hope you get all the snap shots I have sent of us. There were some good ones of the baby. I sent several this week – some week we took last week. I have a new roll of film and if there is any sunshine tomorrow will try to get on of David. He will be 8 weeks old tomorrow. He weighed 8-14 this morning so by tomorrow he should be a little heavier. Maybe 9 lbs for his 8^th week. We have been home 6 weeks and he has gained about 2 lbs – 11 oz – which is almost an average of ½ lb a week. His face is getting so full and is [his] legs and arms are showing some curves. He measures 22 inches long so when he gets a few pounds added will be an armful.

Wed Afternoon – It is almost time for the 2 P.M. feeding but will try to finish this first. It seems like I am so pokey I can’t get much done. David is still asleep. He has been very good today – but that is the usual thing – He weighed 9 lbs this morning and that was what

[page 4] I told him he should do – so he would be at an even number on his 8^th week (8 weeks old today).

John has an eye headache today. He will see Dr. A Sat. and get a check-up. His head bothered him quite a lot this morning – so I gave him an aspirgum to chew – there was a box of samples came thru the mail. It relieved him some but his head is still touchy. Mark has gone with Betty Lou up to the stable. He enjoys being around the horses. He is talking about ice skates for Christmas. I don’t know what the outcome will be.

Had a letter from your Mother this morning. She had gotten your last letter. I suppose it was your last to her – the one you mentioned in the last I had from you. I didn’t get any today but suppose will get two tomorrow. They have been coming rather regular – day by day for some time now. You said you had the bank bal. I don’t remember what it was then but right at 700 now. I haven’t spent anything this fall only what I had to. Somehow I don’t feel much like buying things. I am going to buy two bonds this mo. and two next. I missed Sept & Oct so will catch up.

This is a beautiful warm sunny day. Unusual weather again,

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/20/november-17-1942-gladys/

November 16, 1942 (Gladys) Part I

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: November 16, 1942 Envelope

: November 16, 1942, p. 1

: November 16, 1942, p. 2

: November 16, 1942, p. 3

: November 16, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov. 16, 1942

Dear Daddy –

Two letters today so that bring my mail up again (in 9 days). All letters in order according to dates. Today we are having another high wind. I was going to take the baby out today for the first in the Johnson buggy but it is getting cloudy. I will wait until about 3:30 or 4 to see how it is then. I just had to go out and take some clothes off the line. The wind had whipped them around so. It feels warm out and much like rain. In case you don’t get those other letters Lucile is getting ready for a new baby and has a buggy and loaned it to me until she needs it in the early spring. I sent you a Nov. & December calander off my desk and will send you a complete one for 1943 as soon as I can get one. I have one from Mennens on the back of an O.B. chart but thought I could find a better small one than that. Today is Buddy Krull’s birthday. I baked a cake & decorated it. Mark took it to the restaurant as soon as he finished his lunch. Thanks to the mixer I can now make a cake I can send to someone for a gift. Wish I could send you one but that is out of the question now. Maybe I’ll make one and we will celebrate for you here. We will think about you especially on the 25^th (as if we don’t all the time). I think you know you are in our thoughts and conversations

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform. Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

[page 2] all the time. Had a letter from Jim this morning. Said he was asking for a leave to begin Dec. 30 until Jan. 9. The boys often mention what Jim said last Christmas. Do you remember? Said you & he would be in uniform this Christmas. Ed Barce had a few days leave and came out to see us Sat. nite. He has finished at Norfolk and is waiting for orders. I think he is in Indpls [Indianapolis] at present. He drives a station wagon and takes other (comm.) officers around. He was wearing a blue uniform and it looked very good on him. Which reminds me to tell you to keep looking at yours from time to time (and air it once in a while). Maybe this is unnecessary advice but you might moth or mold. I took your clothes out of the closet and even with spray and moth bags the little “fellars” had gotten in and eaten two or three holes in those green pants (if you remember) and a black pr. but not too bad to be mended.

Mother went home last Fri and so far we have been getting along fine. I had been doing most everything before she left anyway. I am feeling fine and have been trying to take care of myself and rest enough. I am still taking shots but think I’ll start on something orally. I am going to see Dr. C. I think Sat and he will probably write a prescription for me. John is going to

Silvester and Jessie Schiele (Roscoe’s maternal uncle)

[page 3] play with the band to broadcast and intend to make an appointment for him with Dr. A. I told you all this before but just in case you don’t get my last letter repeat this. I also told you I had a letter from H. W. Reinhart, Ylc CUB Two Moffett Field – Calif. He wants to hear about you so you write to him. Had a letter from Ruthie and they were in Hannah. Floyd had to have his blood test but she didn’t say anything about whether the Co. would be able to keep him or not. They are coming over sometime because Floyd sold all his shop equip. to Mr. Zell and will bring it over. Also had a letter from Aunt Jessie. Just a hello note – said they are intending to come down to see us soon. I had forgotten all about the microscope but will keep it – as you say. Sometimes I wonder if I am forgetting something important but hope I am not. Keeping a baby clean & fed is a large order but it is better to keep busy under the circumstances. Don’t worry about the furnace. We are taking care of it. I am keeping the Ins. paid because you know those notices come and I won’t forget any of that and the bank takes care of the rent so that is that. David is kicking and trying to go to sleep to. He showed a definite demonstration of temper last night. He was in his basket and I was writing to you and he was crying. I reached

[page 4] over and patted him – but didn’t take him up – well you should have heard him – I took him up and he stopped as quickly as he had started. Maybe I shouldn’t have taken him up. I often wonder what you would say about one thing and another regarding his care. Maybe we spoil him just a little, but that is another natural thing under the circumstances (do you agree?) He isn’t too spoiled because he sleeps a lot. I am afraid the weather is against our going out, looks definitely like rain.

I do hope you get all those letters you listed even if the news is old you will enjoy them. I will put the radiogram in the scrapbook. I haven’t received a reply – only from you (that is enough for me).

John and Lovina (Schiele) Yegerlehner (Roscoe’s parents, c1946)

I thought your Mother would try to come up before the gas rationing but she will have to come this week – if she does. That is too much a trip with the baby now, or we would have gone down this week-end.

It will soon be time for the boys to come home from school. “My day” is so full I just go from one thing to another. I didn’t have much lunch for them so that means a good full supper. John gets so hungry. Mark does too by spells.

I must quit and do a few odds & ends. I hope you can read this – believe my writing gets worse.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/30/november-16-1942-gladys-part-i/ ‎

November 12, 1942 (Roscoe)

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I have been going through some of FDR’s speeches and World War II government films to add some more World War II historical context to the blog. Since the television was not an appliance found in American homes during this time, people went to the cinema to see their motion picture entertainment. Or perhaps such films were shown to children during the school day. The following film was one made by the Department of Defense in 1942 as part of a series. Titled “War Comes to America,” it is quite the masterpiece of American propaganda.

Part way through this letter Roscoe mentions President Roosevelt’s speech that he made from Arlington National Cemetery on Armistice Day. I was unable to find an audio recording of the speech. However, if you follow the hyperlink in the letter, you will find yourself at the FDR library’s website and the digital images of Roosevelt’s typewritten copies of the speech he made that day.

: November 12, 1942 Envelope

: November 12, 1942, p. 1

: November 12, 1942, p. 2

: November 12, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 12, 1942

Dear Mother,

Got two letters today one a V-mail dated Sept 25 and one an ordinary letter dated Sept. 9. Both were rather stale and why couldn’t I have gotten the Sept 25 before the Oct. 6. The first that I knew about David. Anyway that’s the way they came and still the latest news is Oct 27 which came several days ago. Maybe things will happen tomorrow. We always keep thinking that. And once in a while it really hits.

WPA Censorship Poster

I’ve been officially appointed on the censor board. I’ve censored lots before but not officially. It’s a job that isn’t very desirable but still has to be done. I’ve heard some of the enlisted men say they just put things in to see if the censor will catch them. So you see why it has to be done.

I started just a little late to finish this by daylight. So I may have

[page 2] to stop any time now. Due to the fact that I had night duty and didn’t have a flashlight I was given one of Navy issue today. So if you have granted my desire I’ll have two which won’t be too many because one never knows when one will go bad.

Our mosquitoes are truly viscous at night if we aren’t in the hall. We have to be under our nets as they really carry on. Even bite thru shirt & pants, but we can really thumb our noses at them when inside the net.

I’ll have to stop – have been listening to news broadcast from both sides and strange as it may seem both sides think they are going to win. Things do look pretty good. We heard the president’s speech as it was rebroadcast. We heard it at about 4:00 AM this morning.

At 8:00 tonite
This is my night off so I hope I can go to bed and not be disturbed by mosquitoes also if you could get some of the ointment that

[page 3] that we had when we were in Wis. last year I think that would help. It would keep them off while we got undressed for bed.

Had very good chow this P.M. – Hamburger balls, a cabbage pineapple salad and peach cobbler that’s all I can remember but it was good. Our chow is much better now than it was a few weeks ago. We don’t seem to be rationed on anything but love & kisses and we just don’t have those at all only in our dreams – which don’t help much.

You had better buy all the gas you can and preserve the supply so if you have to make any trip to Lafayette you’ll have enough to make the trip.

I started this letter about 6:00 PM and it is now about 9:20 PM almost bed time and soon time for taps when all lights have to be out.

Well, I’m all run down So Solong

-Lots of Love

Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/22/november-12-1942-roscoe/

Gas Rationing (Gladys)

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Click to enlarge

Gas rationing was big deal for the people on the home front. For Gladys and the boys, living in Kentland, they did not need to use the car much. In most situations, the family could walk to their destination. Rationing did limit visits to relatives in Terre Haute and Clay City or trips made to Lafayette for shopping or doctor’s appointments. Had Roscoe been at home, he would have received a different rationing allowance for his occupation. It is hard to imagine only using 4 gallons of gas a week. In 2013, the typical American uses many times that in a single day.

V-mail dated November 9, 1942

Letter transcription:

Lt. (J.G.) R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy S.S.A. (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Indiana
11-9-42

Dear Daddy –

It was raining rather hard at noon so I took the boys & Zell girls back to school. Stopped in town and got some groceries – Also was able to get ¼ lb coffee. That is how scarce it is here. I haven’t been drinking coffee since I was in the hospital so didn’t need it for myself but got it for Mother. I understand gas rationing will start Nov 22 – and we will get 4 gal a week. Of course people having to drive to work will get more. I think we will have enough for the driving we do. I take the car out enough to keep the battery charged. Will have to make a trip to Laf. Soon to take the baby down to Dr. C and have John’s glasses checked. The baby weighed 8-6 this morning. He shows a gain of about 14 oz in two weeks. That according to your letter is enough. He is getting regulated pretty good now – sleeps lots & is good when awake. He won’t take orange from a bottle so I give it with a spoon. I think that will help when I start him on Pablum – he will have an ‘idea’ of what a spoon is for. I am going to teach him to drink out of a cup as soon as possible. He is so tiny yet compared to Funks baby. He weighs over 13 lbs and it just 3 ½ weeks older than David. Arlene said they sent you some pictures. I have too but don’t know whether you have rec’d all or not. I sent you stamps twice. I rec’d two letters today & two Sat. The boys each rec’d theirs and answered. Hope you get all the letters with stamps & pictures & your commission. I have rec’d all the letters you sent I am sure.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/05/gas-rationing-gladys/ ‎