Tag Archives: Gladys R. (Foster) Yegerlehner

Your Daddy Says Not So

1 Reply

July 17, 1962 envelope

July 17, 1962, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland, July 17

David Dear

Your Grammaw has not willfully neglected writing to you, but last week’s heat together with the terrific humidity brought on a bad case of stupidity, also a slight attack of asthma to which I have recently been subject, making breathing, and exertion, difficult. At first I thought I was having a heart attack, but your daddy says not so, it is a mild asthma. I have always enjoyed hot weather, when others were uncomfortable, I felt fine, and I still love the hot summer time, but last week was a rough combination. Today, for a change, it is quite cool with a brilliant sun.

I do so enjoy hearing about all your work and other activities. Geography was always one of my great burdens in school. I always just barely passed, and sometimes not even that. I simply cannot locate other countries. To this day, I cannot tell you in what direction from here a given country is located. Way back in grade school, I used to get an F in geography. F meant “Fair,” but I would get an E plus (excellent) in reading, spelling and grammar, and once in a while a G (good in history) but always an F in geography and sometimes a scolding about it. I don’t believe I would have even got the F except for my efforts in other subjects.

I am so glad that good books are coming out in paperbacks although the few times I am in the drug store, which is the only place I know of in Kentland to buy them, I never seem to find anything worthwhile. I am so glad you are going to finish your set of the Interpreter’s. They are so wonderful.

I just finished reading an article in the July Red Book “The Nixon Family Under Fire Again.” I am almost sorry he is going to place himself in position to suffer the ignominy of another defeat. He doesn’t deserve it, and I just cannot see why some people feel as they do about him.

I also read an article in July McCall’s about William Holden, you remember “Father O’Banion” in Satan Never Sleeps. The reason I mention it, it said that he is strongly Conservative Republican. Now I admire him more than ever. If I were young enough, like Joyce, I’d gladly wear a Goldwater sweatshirt.

Your Chevalier record reminds me of another article I read last week, which was about him. Imagine, he is 72 and still has everything. It seem incredible that he could be my age. Still dancing and singing, and still the gay dog.

I miss Ike too, even Harry. Ike is going to be in Indiana I think it is this week. I wish I could see him.

Your trip to Tell City sounds like fun, and I think you have

July 17, 1962, p. 2

[page 2] a “break” coming. It sounds to me as if you are working hard, and then being a soda jerk also, yet. No doubt you are as anxious as I am as to what they are going to do today with “Medicare.” Phooey! The senate finance committee disposed of the withholding tax on dividends and I read where Kennedy had brought all his powers to bear on it, and left nothing undone to try to get it through, but how thankful I am he failed.

I must close so this will go in the afternoon mail, and get busy with a bite of dinner, or I won’t be though by 5:30. I have not seen your mother but once since she was in the hospital. She stopped in for a minute one morning, and said she was going to Lafayette for therapy. I do hope it is all worth while and that she will be more comfortable.

Lovingly,
Grandma Ruth

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/12/your-daddy-says-not-so/

State Convention

1 Reply

May 10, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

May 10, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, May 10, 62

Dear David

Thank you for your two good letters since I have written you. You do indeed have a busy week, and today you are going your observation and taking a test. I hope the weather is better there for your ROTC parades than it is here. It has been rainy all week, and quite cold. Right now we are having a cold rain, with a lot of thunder.

I haven’t seen your mother, but I presume they went to Bloomington on May 2^nd. You didn’t mention it. I thought of you all that day, and hoped you were together.

I have the Post with the Nixon article, and started to read it last night, but had callers so will finish it sometime today. I read the book condensation that ran for several months in Reader’s Digest of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I was glad I read it, for a lot of things I had not realized, or had forgotten.

I now understand how you can enjoy seeing a movie more than once, because I am sure I could see Pocketful of Miracles again with great enjoyment.

Your colored church dinner must have been quite an experience and no doubt delicious. In the old days when we had the dining room operating in the hotel at Mattoon, there was an elderly colored woman in charge of the kitchen and the food she turned out was wonderful, at least it seems so to me now, and I don’t think it is entirely nostalgia.

I pray that nothing interferes with your attending the State Convention. That would be just tragic. You just must go.

We are having a good week of business for a change, in fact the last two weeks have been better. But for goodness sake, look at where AT & T is today. The stock market started to fall and has fallen steadily ever since Kennedy and the steel affair. He scared business to death and it won’t recover in a hurry. I mean big business. I hope he’s satisfied. I would hate to have to sell at the present price. Still he wants to withhold 20 percent of the dividends.

May 10, 1962, p. 2

I read a lot in the papers about your new President, Mr. Stahr. From his history he should be qualified. I am enclosing some clippings from the Trib.

Yesterday I went to Watseka to Dr. Wood to have my feet taken care of. He is the only podiatrist closer than Lafayette. Our maid drove me in Harold’s car. Marie brought me an armload of lilac from her yard, and they are so fragrant and lovely, a real breath of spring.

Now please don’t work too hard, and I will be anxious to know how your tests came out, and how you survived your busy week.

By for now
Grandma Ruth

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/11/state-convention/

Future Republican President

1 Reply

April 5, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

April 5, 1962, p. 1

Kentland
April 5, 1962

Dear David

Thank you so very much for your letter and the campus newspapers. I am taking my time and shall read them thoroughly. My, what publication, and daily, at that. I’m sorry you are not going to show “King of Kings” as I remember the old silent movie of many years ago, and it has always remained with me.

I am delighted to hear about you’re a on your government test. Ah youth – how wonderful to be able to accomplish so many worthwhile things. I have not been feeling well recently, and last week I was in the office and while Arvella was doing a blood test for me, we decided that a certain young man of whom we are both very fond, would very likely, twenty years from now, be our smart young Republican present of the U.S. Or, if that is expecting too much, we would settle for having him be governor of Indiana. How about keeping that in mind. I would not expect to be here to see it, but it could very easily come to pass.

Yes, I remember Faye Emerson when she used to be on I’ve Got A Secret. She always impressed me as being a person of great elegance. I remember one time she lost one of her very high heels on stage. She proceeded with the utmost aplomb to remove both her pumps, and carry on from there in her stocking feet.

It’s fine that you are elected chairman of the council for next year, and I am sure there couldn’t be a more competent one and that you will do fine things. No, your mother and I do not compare your letters. I think we are both to glad to get them to have any thought other than appreciation. I know I am telling you no secret when I say that your mother is quite a little proud of you.

I watch the Tribune for anything worthy of sending you, but it is all in such a negative vein that I dislike to read some of it, and of course you are familiar with it all anyway.

I am glad your snow lasted only the day in Bloomington. A year ago it was April 16 when we had the terrific snow storm here that blocked traffic for two days. The grass is only starting to green here, quite late. My fingers are quite stiff and painful, so I make mistakes, but I intend to keep at it. Bye for now, and thanks again.

Ruth M.

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/10/future-republican-president/

Spring Fever

3 Replies

March 22, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

March 22, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, March 22, 62

Dear David

Thank you so much for your good letters, which are always so welcome and so much enjoyed. No, dear, you have never sent a duplicate card. I have them all. Now I am much surprised when you say “This is where I will live this summer.” I didn’t know you planned to study this summer, and I think that is wonderful, unless you need some rest. I know you must work hard, and no doubt you will have some vacation during the spring. Am so glad to hear you did well in the tests, but of course you would.

Yes, you sent me a picture of the auditorium. I can well imagine how you enjoyed the Beethoven music, and with Met singers, well, I wish I could have heard it with you. There is sometimes some good music on WGN on Sunday night “Great Music from Chicago.” But to be able to hear it as you did would indeed be a treat.

I was interested in Dr. Buley’s views on Cleveland. You know I have read many times in articles about the early turn of the century times, that Cleveland was a fine man. I think my Dad was just one of those Republicans who felt that any Democratic president had to be a scoundrel just because he was a Democrat. I remember as a child hearing all his old comrades speaking in the same vein. It seemed universal among the Civil War veterans.

If I see Rev. Fields again I will tell him about your Bloomington ministers. Was sorry you had to miss Goldwater and hope you get another chance. I don’t know of anybody running against Sen. Landgrebe. I usually get a chance to see the Indianapolis newspapers in the evening. I feel the same way about Nixon in Calif. I wonder.

Yesterday may have been the first day of Spring, but it is so cold, but Oh how good it looks to see the bare pavement, no snow. I was married on March 21^st, 1914, forty-eight years ago, in Chicago, and there was a windy snow storm that day, but a few days later Spring was bustin’ out all over, so maybe it will eventually come. I know what you mean about spring fever making it hard to work. I used to have that too.

Your mother dropped in for a few minutes yesterday. She seemed to be O.K. and busy as usual. I was pleased to hear you had another date. She better be nice.

Thanks again for writing, I look forward to your letters.

Sincerely,
Ruth M.

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/09/spring-fever/

Jackie Does the Twist

2 Replies

March 2, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

March 2, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, March 2^nd 1962

Dear David

Your wonderful letters have given me much pleasure, and I do so appreciate the pictures you send me. I do indeed have the map you sent, and I locate the buildings on it. I am particularly delighted with the pictures of the Lilly Library. What a joy it would be to have access to that place. I didn’t know there was a Gutenberg Bible in this part of the U.S. how I would love to have a few hours in the Lincoln Room and the Poetry Room. I know you must appreciate these things.

I was glad to have Sen. Landgrebe’s message and hope to meet him. I thought of you Wednesday night, and hope you had a good attendance at the Lincoln Day dinner. We too had a storm here when you had the ice storm, but it was mostly snow. Also note with interest that you had a date. Good.

Your mother was in this morning, and she tells me you taught a Sunday School class for one of those who went to Washington. I was so thrilled with Col. Glenn’s orbit that I was really shook up that day, even forgot to eat. He has also conducted himself in a wonderful manner since that event. He seems to be the personification of dignity and modesty, and I think he has done more for our prestige than the billions wasted on foreign aid.

I had a pleasant surprise yesterday. Rev. Field called on me and brought a tape recording of last Sunday service, the whole thing, including his sermon, and sat with me through it. I appreciated his giving me his time, and also enjoyed the recording very much. It has been such a very long time since I have heard a church service. I like him very much.

I know you can’t imagine how much I appreciate your letters, and I realize what a busy life you have and I think it is lovely of you to take the time to write me. I am just now appreciating what Indiana University is and what a fine thing for you to be there.

I watch the papers for some little things you might like to read, and am sending some clipps. As you can see, my fingers are not very accurate, as they are becoming quite stiff, but I don’t want to quit trying.

March 2, 1962, p. 2

You will be having another attempt soon.
Ruth M

Over

Your feelings about “Jackie” doing the “twist” in the White House with the Sec. of Defense is exactly mine. When I saw that item in the paper I had to look again to make sure I was seeing correctly, I could hardly believe it. Also, what about “Ethel” wife of the Atty. Gen. when in Rome, riding a motor scooter and striking a car with it, did you read about it?

Newspaper clippings

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/08/jackie-does-the-twist/

Thank You for the Pictures

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

February 8, 1962

Dear David

Your two good letters delighted me very much, and thanks so much for the pictures. It’s an excellent on of you, and it’s interesting to see where you live and work.

I hope all went well with your two important visitors. I gave Harold your message about “Charlie.”

Your description of the warm Sunday which made you want to sleep, made me smile. It was near zero the morning your letter came.

Yesterday I went to Watseka to the podiatrist, and felt as if I were out of jail. First time I had been out for so long, it has been so very icy. Marie takes me in her car.

Your desk looks interesting. Who is that hanging behind the elephant? Is it Ike or Dick?

Your grades were very wonderful, and I was very happy about that, and of course so was your mother. She was in for a minute the other day. She had been to Lafayette for XRay treatment.

Knowing about your activities and interests at school gives me an uplift, and your letters are like a breath of fresh air.

Sincerely
Ruth M.

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/07/thank-you-for-the-pictures/

Gladys Dear

2 Replies

January 1, 1961 envelope

Letter transcription:

January 1, 1961, p. 1

January 1st, 1961

Gladys Dear

New Year’s Day, and I am thinking about what a happy day I spent with you folks in your home on Christmas Day.

I felt I must thank you again for having me and to tell you how much I enjoyed being with you. You cannot imagine what it means to one with no family ties left, to have dear friends on such a day.

Thank you again for a lovely dinner and companionship, and for the lovely sweater and ear rings.

Thanks, too, for dear David’s kindness to me on the occasion of our trip to Lafayette. I love him dearly.

When thanks are in order, I always think of Doctor’s kindness to my dear Lloyd, which I assure him will never be forgotten.

May the New Year bring continued happiness to all your dear ones and you, and a special prayer for Becky.

Most sincerely
Ruth Myers

(over)

January 1, 1961, p. 2

Forgive me useing the typewriter, but it is so much easier for me than trying to hold a pen for any time. My fingers just don’t seem to want to do it.

Ruth

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/05/gladys-dear/

Report From Washington

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

November 15, 1960

November 15

Dear David,

Since we have to take what comfort we can find, I thought you might appreciate the enclosed clipping from last Saturday’s Chicago Tribune “Report from Washington.”

I saw your mother this morning and she is pleased with your progress at I. U.

With best regards to you
Most sincerely
Ruth Myers

Newspaper clipping included in November 15th letter

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/04/report-from-washington/

Ruth M. Myers

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Ruth Augusta (McGee) Myers was born August 7, 1889, Coles County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Charles H. McGee and his third wife, Phebe Jane (Brewer) Woods McGee. After the death of her father in 1907, Ruth moved to Chicago with her older half-sister, Ella Woods.[1] A graduate of the Mattoon School of Commerce, Ruth had obtained a good position in the city.[2] Seven years later, on 21 March 1914, Ruth married Lloyd H. Myers, a fellow Mattoon resident, in Chicago.[3]

The couple settled in Mattoon where Lloyd was the manager of the Hotel Byers; they lived there for over two decades. Ruth’s sister Ella eventually moved into the hotel as well, assisting Lloyd with the management of the hotel; she died there suddenly in 1933.[4]

Hotel Byers, Mattoon, Illinois, circa 1913 (Image courtesy of the Illinois Digital Archive)

The following year, on November 4, 1934, Lloyd and Ruth were in an automobile crash and both were seriously injured. Lloyd’s knee and pelvis were shattered while Ruth crashed through the windshield, which resulted in a concussion as well as deep cuts to her face and other bruises.[5] It took many months for the pair to recover. Both Lloyd and Ruth sued Victor H. McDonald for damages resulting from the accident.[6]

On January 27, 1942, a fire destroyed the fourth floor of the Hotel Byers. Two men were killed outright and many were injured.[7] A third victim died later of his injuries. The inquest ruled that the cause of the blaze was a lighted cigarette in a waste paper basket. Lloyd was one of many who testified.[8] Over the next two years, several lawsuits were filed against the hotel owners as well as Lloyd.[9] During this time, Lloyd left his position at the hotel.[10]

In April 1944, Lloyd and Ruth purchased from Claude D. Gilmore (and wife) four lots in block 17 of the original plat of the town of Kentland.[11] Presumably these were the lots where the Hotel Kentland stood. Lloyd and Ruth managed the hotel, and remained in Kentland until their deaths: Lloyd in 1957 and Ruth in 1973.[12] They never had children, and they were buried in Mattoon, Illinois, near their parents and siblings.

Hotel Kentland (Image courtesy of http://www.ingenweb.org)

You may be wondering what this has to do with the Yegerlehner family, other than the circumstance that Lloyd and Ruth lived in Kentland at the same time as the Yegerlehners. Lloyd and Ruth were members of the Yegerlehner family FAN club (Friends, Associates, Neighbors). After the death of Lloyd in 1957, Ruth “adopted” David Yegerlehner as her grandson. All of David’s grandparents had died when he was a young boy, so he did not really remember them. David explains his relationship with Mrs. Myers in a letter he wrote following her death on June 5, 1973:

“Many years ago Mrs. Myers was widowed and, within a matter of months, she broke her hip in a fall. She was one of my father’s patients, and, because she had no family (she had no children), my mother made special efforts to visit her while she was recuperating. I often accompanied her on these visits, and, in time, we frequently made shopping excursions with Mrs. Myers – just the three of us. I pushed her wheelchair all around the department store. We also sometimes went to see films together. She had not been to a movie in decades, since she and her husband had been tied down to the hotel which they owned and operated.

Since I cannot remember any of my grandparents, and since Mrs. Myers had no children, we agreed that I could be considered her “adopted” grandson. When I went away to college I wrote to her, although my letter writing was not very faithful for long periods….”

About thirty of Ruth’s letters survive and I will be sharing them over the next few weeks.

[1] Personals,” Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois), 16 April 1907, p. 5, col. 3: “Misses Ruth McGee and Ella Wood have gone to Chicago to make their home.”

[2] “Mattoon School of Commerce Notes,” Mattoon Morning Star (Mattoon, Illinois), 14 May 1907, p. 6, col. 1: “The Misses Ruth McGee and Nellie Struck have each been placed in good positions in Chicago.”

[3] “Cook County, Illinois, Marriages Index, 1871-1920,” database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 August 2016), Lloyd H. Myers and Ruth McGee.

[4] “Eleanor Wood,” The Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois), 6 September 1933, p. 10, col. 6.

[5] “Crash Occurs in Highway 45 near Tuscola,” Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois), 5 November 1934, p. 1, col. 8.

[6] “Asks Damages of $25,000,” Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois), 17 October 1935, p. 1, col. 5.

[7] “Two Die in Hotel Fire at Mattoon,” Daily Independent (Murphysboro, Illinois), 27 January 1942, p. 1, col. 3.

[8] “Hotel Fire Attributed to Cigaret,” Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois), 4 February 1942, p. 1, col. 6.

[9] “2 More Suits Result From Hotel Fire,” Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois), 26 January 1944, p. 6, col. 3.

[10] Ibid.

[11] “Real Estate Transfers,” The Brook Reporter (Brook, Indiana), 27 April 1944, p. 2, col. 4.

[12] “Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011,” digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 August 2016), entries for Lloyd Henry Myers, 16 January 1957 and Ruth M. Myers, 4 June 1973.

Barbara Moore

2 Replies

[Editor’s note: Barbara (Mothersill) Moore was the wife of John B. Moore. He was a university professor of economics and served in the Navy during the war. Roscoe and Gladys knew the Moores while they were living in Missouri. This letter actually appears to be two letters. The first letter may have been written prior to Christmas 1945 as John was released from active duty in February 1946.]

May 13, 1946 envelope

Letter transcription:

May 13, 1946, p. 1

Thursday

Dear Gladys,

Please forgive me for not writing sooner and for the haste in which I write now.

Yesterday the last boys left and very soon the school will be closed, and I hope John will be out of the Navy. Just how long it will take to get his orders I don’t know. He hopes to have them soon after Christmas. When and if he gets out, we will go to the Univ. of Mo. to finish his P. H. D. or phd whichever it is, the very next move we make.

There is just Wells and John

May 13, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] here now. Wells might to leave soon. We have been [tp] your old house just once since you left. The Weathralls have been very busy. Eleanor has been working in John’s office since Ruth left. Ruth is now head of the Red Cross in this District. Some stuff. Has a car furnished and everything.

Please excuse this letter. I know there is a million mistakes but I’m in such a hurry.

Poor little R.A. has such a bad cold and feels tough. John has one also and I have a little one.

Please let me know right away how large you want your tablecloth. Maybe in the very near future I can finish it.

It’s just about the same kind of a day that it was a year ago. R.A. is a year old. I know you must be very happy to be together in your own home again. Lots of luck and good wishes.

Barbara & John

May 13, 1946, p. 3

[page 3]

May 13, 1946

Dear Friends,

This is really terrible of me not to have written to you long ago, but really and truly I have been as busy with my own kid as you are with your three. Of course I know that doesn’t speak very well for my management, but then you know that ever was any good anyway.

How have you all been? I certainly hope doing better than we have. We all have had terrible colds. R.A. the worst ones I ever saw a little one have. He has very large and bad tonsils and adenoids. I hate to think of going through what we have this last four months, until he is old enough to have them out.

Mary 13, 1946, p. 4

[page 4] I took R.A. and went to St. Louis to visit, the week before Easter and stayed till the Tuesday after Easter. Mother & Dad were there, staying at the Roosevelt Hotel, so they got me a room. We got the see most of our old friends, and I got to show them R.A. I’ve just been [?] to do that every since R.S. arrived. This was my last chance. The Folks were leaving for Minn. Soon and I knew that we would be leaving for parts unknown in the fall. My brother and his wife received their little girl not long ago, and she is a darling. Two years old, blue eyes, blond hair, short and fat. Butch thinks she is wonderful and is now, very much, one of the family.

Here is a bit of news we are

May 13, 1946, p. 5

[page 5] very happy about. Last Thursday John got a telegram, asking him to come to Denver Colorado Univ. for an interview. He left and got back Sunday. There were to let him know as soon as the Dean had approved. Monday morning he got word that the job was his if he wanted it. So we are about to find ourselves on our way to Colo. in the fall. The whole set up is a nice one and we are very happy about it. Now our worry is finding a house. Our family is considerably larger than before and we will have to have a large place. Mother Moore is quite thrilled, as she has some friends and a sister not far from Denver.

My Mother is a little anxious

May 13, 1946, p. 6

[page 6] about our going, as she is afraid it’s too high and will affect my heart. What do you think about that Doctor? You know as much about my condition as anyone. John talked to several people while he was there, and they didn’t seem to think it would make any difference. Would really like to have an answer from you though.

I hope by now you have your tablecloth altogether and that it is plenty large. I would like to have had the time to finish it myself, but just couldn’t. I’m sure you found it larger when pressed. Please let me know how it came out.

Did the Doctor’s office ever get finished? That certainly was a terrible thing to happen. We were very sorry to hear it.

May 13, 1946, p. 7

[page 7] Mother M. and I have been sewing like mad. I had to have several house dresses. R.A. had to have overalls. Mother M. had to have house dresses, afternoon dresses and slips. While I was in St. Louis, I got one new dress, material for a housecoat pink and while material for slips and Aunt Min. had just made herself a [?] formal, and didn’t like it, so she sold it to me for the price of the material. When I got it home I didn’t like the neck or the sleeves, so made it over. It sure was a job, but I think it’s very pretty now.

Did you hear that Eleanor is expecting? I never was so surprised. They are in K.C. now. He has a mine job. Eleanor’s brother was here to see us not long ago. He will be here in school next fall.