Tag Archives: genealogy

My Fountain Pen (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
1-31-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 21 today. Another warm Jan. day. I will have to cover the tulips. This warm weather is bringing them up fast. There was a shower last night. The weather prediction is for colder weather soon.

My sinus condition is better. Yesterday about 4 PM my nose started running and I spit for several hours, besides holding a tissue to my nose. By bedtime it seemed to have cleared up and I slept soundly last night for the first for 3 nights. I felt stiff this AM. I had slept so soundly. My throat wasn’t so irritated this morning as it usually is from the night drainage. I don’t believe it

[page 2] will be necessary to go see the Dr. unless of course it gets worse and I don’t believe it will the way I feel now.

David is taking his afternoon nap. He likes to watch Mark’s train, now that it is working again. He seems to understand so much we say to him, but he doesn’t improve in his toidey habits. I told him this morning as much as he understands he could tell us when he needs to go the bathroom. He is learning to feed himself. Still wants to turn the spoon over before he gets it to his mouth, but did a pretty good job eating his dinner.

You wondered what the dividends from J. Hancock meant – instead of deducting those from the polic prems.

[page 3] they sent us checks for the dividends and I paid the prems. as they appeared on the notices. I would say the long way to do it, but we got the benefit just the same, or, I should say deductions.

Today is tin can day. I open all the cans, flatten and put in a box for collection once a month. Sat. the scouts collected paper, so we are rid of cans and waste paper today. Bun hauled the clinkers last week so we feel very clean, with all the above disposed of. If we could just keep the basement clean, but that is out of the question. The coal isn’t treated this year and the dirt from the stoker is bad. I keep thinks straightened but in a few days the coal dust on the floor is thick enough to write in.

[page 4] Lucile came out with J.E., for a little visit again today. We were in the nursery talking and David came into the dining room. I called to him and he had my fountain pen and ink bottle – the lid wasn’t on and you can see what happened to the paper. Should see the floor. I have most of it up but ink goes right in this floor. I had been filling my pen and hadn’t fastened the lid down enough. I didn’t spank – I should have had the bottle tightly closed. I know he shouldn’t take things but I am working on that all the time. Maybe I haven’t spanked hard enough when I did spank. Just so he doesn’t do any more damage than spilling ink. I must get this finished and see if I can get D. quieted down – he is on a little rampage now.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/08/my-fountain-pen-gladys/ ‎

The Maytag Technique (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 26, 1944

Dear Mother,

Your two v-mail letters dated 12-19 & 22 came today. They were a little old but a few things were brought up to date. One was that matter of dividends on that paid up policy and the other dividends which I couldn’t get just correct. They evidently made a mistake in sending that other check rather than just deducting it from the premium as it had always been done before. Again however nothing of the much talked of picture arrived.

I did my laundry again this PM

[page 2] Just the socks, “undies,” and hankies. We have plenty of hot water and one of the fellows even has a washboard but I don’t use it. Just rub them a little and give them the up & down Maytag technique. It gets the smell out of thinks and that is all that is necessary. Ever so often I send some underwear to the laundry. That is when it gets so brown.

Our new captain is a little fussy about how the enlisted men keep their quarters and then he comes into ours and also claims that he is a little disappointed with how ours looks and I guess he is correct. In fact I’ve tried to

[page 3] do a little brushing off this PM. It would be better however if he didn’t open the dresser drawers or the closet door. Maybe I’ll get interested enough to do something to those some of these days. My closet isn’t like F. McGee’s hallway closet as yet but it has possibilities.

I have 8 drawers and none of them look too good. Some of the officers have only 4. I’m not just sure what I would do if I only had that many. I think I’ll just play like someday I have only 4 and then maybe I’ll appreciate the 4 extra.

Someone said we have

[page 4] some shoes in our store and do I need a pair. We aren’t supposed to wear field shoes and I still have just the same two pair as when I left the states and you know they must look terrible. They haven’t been worn much but the dry rot seems to have gotten them. We can’t buy shoes in town because of rationing. I guess I could go barefooted but that would hardly be “cricket” “don’t you know.” So if I can get a pair it will be “good O.” As we natives express it.

Well, I’ve sure covered the field and said nothing but anyway.
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/01/the-maytag-technique-roscoe/ ‎

You Take It Any Way You Like (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan 25, 1944

Dear Mother,

I reread and have decided that the group you were talking about that David was in was the group that the Democrat took way back there when you first wrote me you were having the picture taken. That picture seems to be the most talked of or rather written of in the past month. It seems a long time but I believe it was only about one month ago that you sent it if I remember correctly. I could dig out your old letters and find out for certain but that is near enough and I’m certain it will be coming along in a week or 10 days. It’s been too long now for air mail

[page 2] and not long enough for regular mail.

Our nice sunshine of yesterday is gone and a cloudy sky keeps the sun back and really makes one wear more clothes. However the natives don’t mind. I’ve seen kids barefooted when you’d think their feet would freeze. Most people here, one can see by their complexion, have been exposed to cold because they have a chronic red skin and they as a rule appear a few years older than they really are. Their span of life according to figures is about 8 or 9 years longer than ours but one can see how that would be because they don’t get excited and they take plenty of holidays. Never work on Sat. at least for the most

[page 3] part they don’t work on Sat. Fri. night is the big night for stores to stay open late and on Sat. they have the whole day off instead of Sat. PM as many of our stores do at home. Offices as a rule are closed all day Sat. Maybe I’ve written this stuff before. If so just forget that I did and remind me that I’m repeating myself.

I’m writing early today because I have O.D. duty later and I’m afraid I won’t feel like writing after finishing that stretch, but it isn’t so bad. I might save a little space at the end in case mail comes. There probably won’t be any but one never can tell sometimes

[page 4] strange things happen and sometime in the sorting a letter or two gets lost and those come in a day late.

I guess Mr. Washburn is getting along OK now that Dr. Van is back in town. I imagine he is of some help to Dr. M. to take a few of the old ones off his hands and maybe to relieve the O.B. situation. That last remark could be taken in more ways than one – you take it anyway you like and I’ll bet I’m thinking the same way you are.

Well, I think I’ve said enough for today – so solong –
Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. No mail.

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/30/you-take-it-any-way-you-like-roscoe/ ‎

Senator Van Nuys (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
1-26-44 [sic 1-25-44]

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 13 & 14 came today. So glad some late mail finally reached you. Now if David’s pictures just come thru. He is still on the sick list – that is he still coughs and that makes him feel not so good. He isn’t running any tem. But coughs a good bit. Early in the morning he has quite a siege. I think I’ll have Dr. M. give him a shot – he had his whooping cough shots last summer but one now may clear this cough up. I could have gone to Laf. today with Mr. Z. but didn’t want to leave D. while he feels so touchy. He has such a good reputation for being such a pleasant baby I wouldn’t want to spoil his record by leaving him with anyone while he feels this way. Dorothy would keep him and her Mother is with her now but I think I should keep him home another day or two. I think this cough is a culmination of a condition that has been present since before Christmas. He had a cold way back then and has had a hang on cough ever since. He seems to be alright otherwise.

I went to town to mail letters and get groc. after school yesterday and stopped in the restaurant to tell Dorothy I wouldn’t go today. Pinky and Marg were there. Pinky was on the funny side. I think he had been drinking a little. He said when you were in Frisco he waited two months for you to come and see him. I told him you were there one week and that you couldn’t go see anyone. He wouldn’t have it that way and kept going on about not seeing you. He said if he had known you were at Moffett Field he could have flown over to see you. Marg didn’t seem to think so but he insisted. I don’t know just what happened to him,

[page 2] but I was told that he had been grounded because he smashed up a $75,000 job – at any rate whatever the truth of the situation he doesn’t seem to be getting places very fast. He has a desk job now – at least that is what I heard. Marg stayed out in Calif. with him then I think they were in Colo. But since he has been closer home she has remained here, tho she doesn’t see him very often. It may be that she feels she should stay here and help her mother run the newspaper. She has quite a nice column in the paper every week for service people.

The new license application came so now I will get the car tagged for another year. They were late in getting the blanks out this year. I saw a notice in the paper that some may be delayed yet. I was surprised to get ours this soon.

I have a washing going today, should have put the line out and hung things out but I resorted to the easier way. I figured it probably wouldn’t be this warm the next time I wash and what good would one day do. Sometimes the things get covered with smoke from the trains across the way so they look better when dried in the basement than out of doors.

Dr. Messman talked to Dorothy yesterday. He said to tell you he has been discharged – nervous condition – I didn’t talk to him myself so don’t know just where he has been or what brought about the condition necessary for a medical discharge but maybe you know something about it. Those things get around and I know when I wrote to you about Dr. H.in Laf. you knew something about it. I am glad you are in good health. As much as we want you home, I would rather you stay well than have to be sent home sick – don’t you agree?

[page 3] Mr. Z. took my glasses to Laf. to get the left lense replaced so I am going without them today. I just hope I don’t get a headache, but have been having one some days anyway so maybe it won’t be so bad if I don’t knit or read. I probably won’t have much chance to do either. David keeps me pretty busy these days. I left him with John when I went to town yesterday and John was about worn out trying to keep him quiet. He said he finally just walked around with him – carrying D. of course – I told him D. would get over that when he feels a little better –

The temp in Chi this am at 7:30 was 49 – so you know how unseasonably warm it is. It is more like a spring day – windy, sunny and sometimes a little cloudy.

I hear the washer – it’s about ready to stop, so I much stop and get things done. I put D. up in his bed while I went down to put the things in and he went to sleep. Have to make hay while the sun shines.

Love Mother

P.S. Heard over the radio at noon that Senator Van Nuys died suddenly this morning.
It is warmer this afternoon but didn’t take D. out. Thought maybe I should keep him in out of the wind. He is full of pep this afternoon. I have him in the nursery. He has a box of toys I can hear him dumping.

Senator Frederick VanNuys

Senator Frederick Van Nuys

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/29/senator-van-nuys-gladys/

Joke Box (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
1-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 5 & 12 came today. So glad you rec’d the box but I sent two so maybe you will get another one yet. – It was similar to the other – not much in either but better than nothing at Christmas, however late. Now about those chasers, etc. – Those were John’s idea of a joke. I told him what you wrote about them and he said to tell you it was only for a laugh. They were in the box from the boys. The box I sent didn’t have any in it. David is better – No measles, etc., but he still coughs. Dr. M. was out to see Martha Zell so I asked him to see D. again. He says his cough is bronchial and if it doesn’t ease up in a few days he will give him a whooping cough shot. I am still giving him sulfamerazine today and to give it to him tomorrow – just twice a day. David is somewhat spoiled from this cough. At first when he had temp. we kept him on the couch and entertained him and now he wants me to hold him most of the time he is awake. He is in his bed now and should be going to sleep but is watching a train go by. When J. & M. come home noon and evening they have to let David take their caps off. He puts the cap on his head then expects us to applaud. He is very conscious of his “public” and knows when to act cute. Dr. M. said to give you his regards and to write to him. He has been out several times during this winter to see D. – twice this time.

There is a music club meeting today but I am not going due to David’s “disposition.”

[page 2] He is a little “touchy” and I don’t like leaving him when he feels this way. However I have a change to go to Laf. tomorrow and would like to go for several items. Dorothy’s mother is here visiting and she said they would keep him for me. It all depends on how he feels by tomorrow. Dorothy is home from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. and that would cover most of my time away. Mrs. Z. had planned to go tomorrow but Martha has a cold and she can’t leave her or take her along.

Had a card from Uncle Wes. They are in Fla. He wants your address so he can write to you. His address is 103 Osceola Ave Clearwater Fla. In case you want to write to him before he writes to you. I am sending him your address today.

It isn’t cold today but cloudy – I am glad for the warmer days. It’s kinder to the coal. The good coal is getting low and no more to be had I am afraid, but maybe we can get along with the other by spring – but I know the pins broken in one month by the Ind. coal.

My Christmas cactus is about as late as your boxes. It is just blooming – but doing better than last year – it didn’t bloom at all.

I just had a “round” with D. I had put him to bed without anything on but pants & shirt but he wouldn’t go to sleep – so I dressed him and put him back in bed. I don’t like for him to cry because it makes him cough so I can see he is going to be a little spoiled by the time this cough is gone. I took his temp. when I dressed him and it’s normal, so he should be in the pink in a day or so, if we can do something to relieve the cough. He certainly doesn’t act like there is much wrong with him, the pep he has.

[page 3] Here’s hoping you do get home at the end of your 18 mo. but if not the only thing to do is be patient – It certainly will be grand when you do get home.

“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/27/joke-box-gladys/

Sniffling Sunday (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1-23-44

Dear Daddy – Sun. P.M. Have been indoors all day – David didn’t have any temp. today and felt pretty good. Still coughs some but no sign of breaking out with measles. Must have been irritation from his diaper. It was so nice out today I wanted to go out with him. I stood him in the doorway and took some pictures, this being his 16th month – Lucile came out with Jimmy, but didn’t bring him in – just stopped to see about D. She was taking J.E. for his airing. He is fully recovered from his attack of flu. David

[page 2] must have had bronchitis (sp?). That’s what Dr. M. said. John was sniffling this a.m. so he didn’t go out either. I gave him rhinitis all day & he went to bed early. Mark spent the afternoon with Buddy and they came out this evening. Buddy just went home. Dorothy was out early this afternoon to see David. She said Link told Nick the last Dr. in Chi. She consulted told them her ailment was all in her mind. Said she probably had someone in their family somewhere she takes after. Link said she has one such aunt. Mrs. James said one time Irene is like her aunt.

[page 3] I have knitted today and now have a headache from too much. Also my glasses need to be straightened. I want to go to Laf. Tues. with Zells and go have my glasses fixed. David broke one lense – I mended it with airplane glue but it is not straight.

Zells are getting more chickens. They sold off the last batch, cleaned out the brooder house and now ready for more.

Virginia spent the afternoon here helping me entertain David. I think he was tired watching J. & M. build block towers – He seemed to enjoy

[page 4] Virginia’s for a change.

Mark is begging to sleep with me tonight. He got that habit way back when, I really can’t put my finger on the exact date but sometime last summer. I think it all started when he had his tonsils out. Last night I put D. in our bed because he was so restless and coughed a lot, I knew I would have to be up all night trying to keep him covered, so to save the getting up & down, didn’t put him in his own bed. I didn’t sleep much so am going to turn in now & try to catch up.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/26/sniffling-sunday-gladys/

Gold Brick (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 13
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
1-22-44

Dear Mother,

Sat. P.M. and things more or less on the lazy order. We are still having a slight, fine rain and of course the coldness that goes along with the rain.

I must tell you about the gold brick I bought this morning – a watch. I had gotten along without one for so long but still missed one very much. One of the patients went into town and when he came back had one which he bought for on  5 pounds so I thought if he could get me one for the same it would be OK. That amounts to something around $17.25. I may have gotten stung and it may be a bargain. The only name on it or indication as to the make is that it is Swiss

[page 2] made. It seems to be gaining a little but I can probably get that regulated. Watches are very hard to obtain around here. In fact this is the first time I’ve heard of any for sale.

This is Sat. as you note from the date and I said that at first so don’t know if I’ll mail this today or just combine this & tomorrow’s – depends upon how much I can think of today. It isn’t mail time as yet so don’t know if there will be anything to comment upon or not.

I was able to do Joe R. a good turn the other day. He sent his glasses down with another fellow to have fixed so and he couldn’t go into town with them so I made a quick dash in with them. The other fellow got them, paid the bill and sent

[page 3] them on. Well I’m going to stop this and see if there is any mail later this P.M. and then I’ll decide whether or not to mail it or wait until tomorrow.

Sun. No mail on Sat. and I didn’t mail this as you know. The rain of the past few days has slowed down. In fact I don’t believe we had any rain today unless it was a mere sprinkle early this A.M. but it has been cool. Right now I have the radiator turned on full blast and it isn’t bad.

My watch has been running now for better than 24 hours and seems to be doing OK but that doesn’t mean a thing. I still hope I didn’t buy a gold brick but I have my fingers crossed.

This being Sunday I’ll have to

[page 4] write the folk but I don’t have the slightest idea of what I might write. It seems I have trouble writing to them as well as other folk. However I never have trouble writing you. I mean I always get something written and really I enjoy it but more than to you seems the darndest burden.

Well it’s getting into the evening so I’d better stop this and get going on the letter to the folks, and may I say lots of Love
From Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/25/gold-brick-roscoe/

Mairzy Doats (John)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana
Jan. 22, 1944

Dear Daddy,

I have not yet used all the money that you sent me for Christmas. With the stamps I had and with the money I got for Christmas I lack just a dime of having enough to by a bond so that’s what I’m going to use the money you sent me for.

I got exempted in all my exams but Mr. Schurtter made everybody take his exam any [way]. It was in arithmetic. Arithmetic is my favorite subject. We have had some algebra and geometry in our studies. These are what I liked best.

About that song, “Maredoats and doesedoats.” I don’t understand why you can’t understand it. All you do is say “Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy, A kid will eat ivy, too, Wouldn’t you?” but you just sluss the words together and it’ll sound like “littlelams edivy a kidill edivy too, etc.” The song says, If the words seem funny, kinda jumbled and corny, say, “Mares eat oats and does eat oats” kinda H.V. Katlenborny. I guess I’ve written a lot of nothing but I want to thank you for the money

[page 2] you sent me.
Love John

P.S. By next Tuesday I’ve got to have a report on some kind of animal such as skunk or weasel. By next Wednesday I have got to have a book read and have a two page review on it, this is Saturday, and less than two weeks from now I have to have an essay written on “Pioneer Pattern for the nation of tomorrow.” I just wanted you to know I was busy

Again, John

[Editor’s note: A further explanation of the song Mairzy Doats can be found on wikipedia. In January 1944, the song was about it reach its height in popularity.]

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/24/mairzy-doats-john/ ‎

Early Valentine (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1-22-44

Dear Daddy – Will just slip a note in with my valentine. It is Sat. P.M. David has been a little cross today. Thurs. he had a temp. Yesterday it was gone but came up again today. I had Dr. M. come out. He examined him and said he has bronchitis. However it may be measles. There are measles around again. Where he could have been exposed to them I don’t know but there are some cases in town. He coughs and I thought I detected a redness like the measles start to break out on his tummy – I just took his temp. and he has 100° rectally which of course is 99 and that isn’t much. We have been keeping him on the couch and that requires someone to stay with him all the time. He seems to feel better now, just had a good nap. Dr M. had a v-mail from Earl R. somewhere in England. He was pretty despondent in his letter. Has been ill and in the hospital. I am inclined to believe he hasn’t the stamina of Joe, or you. I thought his letter sounded like a cry of self pity. Maybe I shouldn’t say that but knowing how long you and Joe have been away and keep your chins up – Well, I think you have the better attitude. Of course you haven’t been ill or hospitalized and that could make a difference.

It is a grey wintry day but not cold. J. & M. have been in all day due to David needing attention. I think D. will be better by tomorrow. Dr. M. ordered sulfamerazine for him and if he doesn’t have measles the sulfa should clear up any infection.

J. & M. have to carry out clinkers so I will have to go see about D. Geo. Monroe came out yesterday and oiled the stoker – He does every 60 days.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/22/early-valentine-gladys/ ‎

I Know I’m Nuts (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

The weather again comes in for the well known beating. It is or rather has been raining most of the time since I wrote yesterday, and it has been rather cold not to – if you don’t have to be out too much but I haven’t been out much just between ward & mess hall and back and forth, etc. I rather enjoy the rain – gives one a real reason to gripe and we always feel better when in that mood. Just by way of example – You remember Mead Johnson sent the vitamins. Well I didn’t take them because I was afraid I’d feel too good and

[page 2] therefore would have nothing to complain about and then I’d feel worse. Figure all that out and you probably will have something to complain about or possibly you have something to complain about because I’d write such stuff – Don’t worry that I might be ready for the bughouse because for lack of better subject matter I’m making poor conversation but I need not write you how poor it is because you have probably guessed it by now.

It sure is funny what one will think while just sitting trying to think of subject matter – Just now a little bird flew by and I wondered if birds ever have diarrhea or sore throats

[page 3] and what they do about if it if so. That last was off the record also. Up to the time that bird flew past I thought I was thru with the nonsense.

This is before mail time and I still have hopes. That picture of D. hasn’t come and I’m real anxious about it for you wrote so highly of it.

Later. The mail came and your v-mail of Dec. 21 and a v-mail from Brewer’s of Jan. 1. Again you wrote of D.’s pictures and I’m gradually getting all the dope on Virginia Zell. I think I now have the whole story – of course that is no fault of yours – It just the way the mail happens to come.

I think I forgot to tell you – yesterday a Christmas greeting came from Sinda Steiner – That

[page 4] was really a surprise. It was postmarked Berne, Ind. and I can’t make out the connection. The folks have said nothing about her being away from home.

I know I’m nuts but it is now 1225 and I’m still not sleepy and it goes that way every night. Seems as if the show, and Acey Ducey game, a bull session and always late to bed – Tonight it was Lentz, last night someone else, but what the ____ What else is there to do? So why not, we used to have fun with the nips and now with friends so what!

Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/21/i-know-im-nuts-roscoe/