Tag Archives: Harold Portteus

A Smelly Evening (Gladys)

1 Reply

August 30, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 30, 1945, p. 1

8-30-45

Dear Daddy –

I just wrote Madelyn M. and told her I had forwarded her request to you. Thought I would start another letter to you. It is hot today – supposed to get to 90°. Last night we were sitting peacefully in the living room when we got the awful odor of skunk. I went out in the yard – John wouldn’t venture out – but I told him it wouldn’t be that close. I saw Irene out – she was smelling “Mike.” I told her if he had been around a skunk she couldn’t get that close to him. It finally cleared, but I was beginning to believe it would last all night.

The Ration Board sent me coupons for 35 lbs. sugar. I was surprised. I only had 3 -13 stamps to turn in. Lucile J. said she wouldn’t humiliate herself to ask for sugar. This Board hasn’t been too nice to some people. I guess we haven’t any complaints to make. I saw Harold P. yesterday and he is going to have a beef killed killed in Oct. so we will soon have meat. Hope we get our oil burner by Oct., too. I will be so glad to get that basement cleaned, but it’s no use as long as we keep burning coal. After we get the oil put in then it can be cleaned & kept clean.

August 30, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] David is taking his nap and must have gone right to sleep. It was so warm this morning he just wore panties. He will soon get his sun tan deepened if this weather continues.

Mark told us that he promised Mr. Cole he would play in the band. He got his horn out this morning and wants to polish it. I made him practice his piano lesson, two or three times. He at present is out riding with Sammy Washburn on his bike (each boy on a bike).

The news about the Navy is good we think. I just wonder if after they get Japan signed, they will start demobilizing rather rapidly. We heard a lot about the subject last night. Of course, every time we hear anything coming on a newscast concerning the subject we sh everyone so we won’t miss a word.

Arlene was picking flowers this morning to take to the Country Club. The Funks (Wm.) and Casts were on the decorating committee. It’s celebrity day and I think there is a dinner tonight.

Fri. afternoon – Yours posted 27 & 28 came. You should have David’s picture (& ours) by now. The gold made good time if you got it Mon. I didn’t mail it until Sat. afternoon. I am waiting for the car. Sondergraths are working on it. Something wrong with the distributor. I am taking John back to Dr. Ade for recheck. Maybe he should have gone on the bus, but school is in session and it takes so long to go on the bus. The appointment was made for today by the office girl when I called for the first appointment. They do that as routine. Jimmy Ed was pretty bad last night. They were up with him all night. Also there was an electircal storm and that didn’t help matters any. It’s hot & humid today.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/28/a-smelly-evening-gladys/

Off Until Monday (Roscoe)

1 Reply

August 25, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 25, 1945, p. 1

25 Aug. 45
Receiving Hosp.
San Francisco (12)

Dear Mother,

Sat. PM and we are now off until Monday AM. I’m not sure what I’ll do but I’m pretty sure it will be nothing. This place is just about 6 mile from downtown and the only way to get here is by street car and then walk eight block – (mostly uphill) so I’m not too interested in going. A taxi would cost too much and anyway they won’t come this far out. I may if I can get someone interested go on out to the edge of town by foot tomorrow.

Three letters came today – yours of 21, 22, & 23. So far I have heard nothing from Harold P. so maybe he has decided to have Van or someone else give them the word. If I were you I don’t think I’d work too hard at that canning, etc., because I don’t believe you save enough

August 25, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] to warrant it and the points are off now so take it easy.

I don’t know what to tell you about the furnace since Chet seems so hard to contact – maybe if you keep on he will finally come across. I suppose if he doesn’t you will have to have Geo. M. go ahead. The only trouble with Geo. is the electric. He will have to get someone for that and that will probably be an extra $25. Do what you think best and I know it will be OK. I should be able to send some money home when I get my travel money but they don’t seem to be in a hurry about fixing that. I’ll probably get transferred again before that is fixed and that will complicate matters more.

If Jim should happen to come into the S.F. area and you get a letter be sure to let me know, as if you wouldn’t.

I bought ½ doz. pair of black socks and 2 ties today. I’m going to try to get my

August 25, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] laundry out Mon., but I’ll always be a little afraid that I’ll have to leave some behind. They say it’s 3 day service but I’ll have to see before I believe. Twenty four hours on dry cleaning. I’m going to take my good grey down on Mon. morn. Both the laundry & dry cleaning is here on the base. Our meals are 25₵ per and we check each time we eat and this is deducted from our pay. Some meals are not worth it but most of them are more than —.

Especially the steak meal and yesterday the chicken. However, the chili & rice and the spag. & meat balls are a total loss. I do sorta mess a little with them but go very light. There is always milk & coffee and bread which will do until the next meal if chili happens too often. We had shrimp salad with tomato sauce today

August 25, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] noon – very good. Also roast beef – turnips and cabbage with watery mashed potatoes. I didn’t take any of the potatoes – too anemic.

We still live in the temporary quarters but expect to move into new ones about the first. I don’t know what those will be like. These are good enough but the furniture isn’t good.

I have an Ellery Queen story book which I think I’ll have a date with for the next few hours. I read two stories in it last night but there are several still waiting and in reserve I have a Charley Chan book. I think with those I’ll be pretty busy until show time tonite. The show is the story of G.I. Joe and it’s only just down the hill.

Well it’s the week end that get’s you isn’t it?
Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. Is Mark working on the enlaying [?] picture, if not I may want it later.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/18/off-until-monday-roscoe/

Cleaning up the yard (Gladys)

2 Replies

August 21, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 21, 1945, p. 1

8-21-45

Dear Daddy –

We worked in the yard yesterday afternoon – I wanted to be in the house after 6 PM in case your call came thru early we wouldn’t miss it – however we figured it wouldn’t come before 8 PM. I weeded the large flower bed on the west side of the back yard. I got two or three bu. of weeds. Mark mowed the back yard and we got it raked – John & I cleaned off the terrace – so the back yard is looking much better. Mark kept at the east side until he got it conquered. John helped me weed and we got the evergreens and iris cleaned out. We got the yard all raked where it was overgrown and it looks pretty good all over now. There is just a little more weeding to do around in spots, but the biggest jobs are done. My arms ached so last night, but I feel pretty good this a.m. Got a bu. Of peaches yesterday but couldn’t put them all in the locker (4 qts.) because they weren’t ripe enough. I will prepare today what has ripened since yesterday. It won’t be so hard this way. I ordered a bu. of green beans for today but that isn’t hard work. Since the yard is under control I can now work in the house with undivided attention.

August 21, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] I asked Link about this strip of ground east of our lawn and told him we wanted to put a hedge along our east side – he said we could put it out as far as we liked because there will be 60 ft. between our lot and the new highway if it goes thru. However I won’t do anything about that until later in the fall – hoping I’ll have “good help” by then.

I called Loughridge yesterday and I think they wanted to see what they could get before giving an estimate and promised it by Wed. I went down to the Lbr. Co. yesterday to see about coal and Chet promised to send out 500 lbs. but must have forgotten it. We had enough coal to keep the fire going. John has been very good about firing. J. & M. went over to school yesterday & registered. They didn’t see Smith but the office girl was there. They didn’t know her (not Mary McCray) and John wasn’t at all pleased about the changes Smith has made. He can write you all about it.

There was no mail this morning so didn’t hear from the niece. Maybe we will soon.

I got David three pr. sox in Laf. Fri. Yesterday in emptying the den waste basket I found them. I think David had put them there. He is really having a grand time. So far hasn’t left the yards – is usually where I can see him. He likes to play in Zell’s sand box.

After talking to you last night, I thought I might have sounded a little odd, but I had dropped off to sleep waiting and wasn’t as alert as I should have been. We miss you.

Love Mother

August 21, 1945, p. 3

P.S. Harold Portteus called just a few minutes ago – He said the letter Dr. Horton wrote for Jim had been lost and he needs a new letter. They can’t locate Horton can wonder if you can write one for Jim. I told Harold to send you a night letter and he said the Draft Bd. Here would write you he thought, but he wanted to let you know in advance what it is all about. The man who brought the green beans is Mr. Illingsworth (Mrs. McG.’s dad). He also gave us enough corn for today. He had tomatoes to sell, but I am afraid to work with them.

August 21, 1945, p. 4

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/08/cleaning-up-the-yard-gladys/

Mark’s Birthday (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 26, & 27, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 26 & 27, 1944 (envelope back)

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-26-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Feb. 15 came today. So glad you finally rec’d David’s Christmas pictures. He does, I think, resemble your baby picture. So many people around here comment on how much he looks like you. Mark has him out now getting some fresh air and some sunshine – however the sunshine is a little pale now. It was brighter this morning. It is very warm and windy. Last night I was awakened by thunder & hail. It was quite a storm while it lasted. The hail was very bad for a while. The north windows showed the effects of the storm – especially the kitchen windows are covered with dirt.

I am having a little party for Mark at 4 P.M. Buddy is here now walking around with Mark while he pushes David around. I tried to keep the party a surprise but John didn’t know it was to be such and began talking about the party. John wanted to play a trick on Mark, so he sent him a birthday card and signed a girl’s name. This girl is in Mark’s room and according to Mark is poison ivy, or something equally unpopular. He says she is very ugly and he dislikes her very much. He suspected John as the sender and was ready to tear him apart. John told Miss Smith about it and she in turn told him about something she did when in high school. There was a girl who wasn’t very popular

February 26, & 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] and didn’t have dates – a certain boy she admired from afar – Well Miss S. sent her an invitation to the prom and signed this boy’s name. She said the girl wrote him a note accepting his invitation – The boy was very angry – but I don’t know whether he took the girl to the prom or not. I think John felt a little badly about sending Mark the card until Miss S. told her story, then he didn’t think he had done as much as she had.

This rain and warm weather is making things look green. The tulips are up so high. I am afraid they will get nipped yet but can’t keep them from growing in weather like this.

I see in the paper the Barces held a reception for Betty & Paul. They spent a week in Missouri on honeymoon. I think Paul has to return to Panama at the end of his furlough.

Kenneth Wood has been in Calif. since he finished his training at Allison, but has been sent to New York. He was in Kent on his way to N.Y. one day this week. Harlan Parr was in Fla. until last fall then sent to Mich., was there a short time, then sent to N.Y. I see in the paper that Frank Morton is working in Nashville. Mildred & Frank Jr. were down to see him. Frank Jr. will soon be in the Navy.

– – The party was quite a success – Two Zell girls, Buddy, Bobby, Jimmy & David Diedam were here. I made a white cake and decorated it will pink candles. John went to the drug store and got strawberry ice cream which carried out the color scheme. I made a punch with grapefruit & orange juice.

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Everybody seemed to have a grand time.

This is Sun. P.M. – I didn’t get to finish this yesterday due to the party, etc. Buddy wanted Mark to eat supper with him after the party and John wanted to go to the show with David Diedam – Mark saw the show Fri. night with Zells – I wanted to take David to the Dr. because of this cough he has had several days. Dr. M. gave him a whooping cough shot and said to bring him back the middle of the week for another. There are so many cough cases and he says the shots are the only thing he has found to help. After seeing the Dr. I went to the restaurant and got my supper. The supper crowd was gone and there was only two or three men at the counter, so I stayed. I wouldn’t have taken David in if there had been a crowd, or several children. David didn’t seem to mind the shot so much. Just cried a few minutes and was able to smile at the Dr. when we left.

According to Dorothy, the reason Doris Wilson didn’t get to the hospital to have her baby (no. 4) she couldn’t find Ellsworth in time. Dorothy said they (several couples) were at Tiltons, after the Bond rally show,

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] having refreshments (about 2 a.m.) and Doris called inquiring if Ellsworth was there. She didn’t say why she wanted, so no one tried to find him. He didn’t get home in time to get her to the hospital and the Dr. didn’t get there until after the baby was born. He was expecting her at the hospital. I’ll bet Dr. M. was plenty “sore” about the whole thing. I remember how they started to the hospital when Eddie Ray was born and stopped to see a show on the way.

It was so nice out of doors yesterday – but it’s not quite so inviting out today. The Zell girls, Virginia (11) & Betty (8) are here playing Monopoly with Mark. Martha Jane is the youngest (3) and is home taking a nap. John has been listening to the radio and David in running around the house getting into everything – Just found some of Mark’s cards, so Mark came running to the rescue. David loves to close doors and will close any door in the house he can find that will close for him.

Harold Portteus came yesterday to tell me he might not be able to get a permit to sell us the beef – but I think he will get the permit. If there is any objection I think, I’ll do a little talking. They had had a lot of hospital & Dr. bills the past year and really need to sell. Ruthie was in the hospital several weeks and Harold is just recovering from a hernia operation. He said he was anxious for you to get back. One reason being Jim’s induction into service. He said he was thinking about shots he would have to take and would like for you

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 5

[page 5] to give them a statement regarding Jim’s reaction to shots. Dr. M. said he could give them a statement but he knew in some instances the examining Doctors disregarded any such statements. Knowing how Jim is, I would think it would be very risky for him to take shots Army or Navy style. Harold says he thinks they will let Jim remain home until late fall because Harold won’t be able to do much heavy work this summer. Jim will graduate this spring. He is getting thru high school and that is better than some. Romaine’s boy friend will have to enter service this fall and has one more year of school. I would think some provision could be made for those boys who want to finish high school, but since they are taking fathers with several children, maybe it’s better to take some of the younger ones. I still think there are some who should be in and are not – but that’s an old story. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd is called up for another physical. He is dissatisfied with his job at present and I don’t think it would take much for him to quit. He was rejected, but just between you and me, I think if he wasn’t working for this co. he would be called up for another examination. Do you get what I mean? He was told his rejection was due to his nervousness, but I really don’t think he is that nervous. Well that is my opinion and I may be wrong. This may all sound like I am wanting him to be in Service, but that isn’t the way I feel. If he can do more here raising tomatoes to feed the Army, he should be where he can do the most good. I am about out of space and feel fun down.

“Love Mother”

Mark’s Birthday Party (back row: Buddy Krull, John, David Diedam, Mark holding David; front row: Virginia Zell, Betty Zell, Bobby Funk & Jimmy Staton)

Furnace Dirt (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 1, 1944 envelope

: February 1, 1944, p. 1

: February 1, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 1, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-1-44

Dear Daddy –

The first day of Feb. – Yours of Jan. 21 came today. It was unusually warm for Feb. 1 –

Took David for a walk. We went to Jimmy’s and then we all walked again. The boys enjoying playing or riding together. David won’t leave his mitten on, then J. gets a similar idea so we are busy putting mittens on. we came from our walk, Mark, D. & I went to Sheldon to get a supply of meat and our fresh lard. Harold Portteus (just out of the hospital, just recovering from hernia operation) called today to say we could have

[page 2] half the beef they have ready to butcher, so we will have a new supply T-bone steaks, etc. I brought some strawberries and lima beans from the locker. We had some berries for supper. They weren’t thawed enough – as far as I am concerned I would just about as soon eat chunks of ice. The boys enjoyed them, so that is all that is necessary. The berries I bought last year weren’t so good for freezing – they did very well in the preserves.

Mr. Z. went to Indpls. for his physical today. Several were going from here. I think Jr. Morton was in the bunch. Mr. Z. is registered at Brookville but asked to go with the men from here.

[page 3] Davie Diedam is here this evening playing with Mark and the electric train. Our David likes the train too.

Mary McGee Arnott is visiting in Kent for a few days. She had a bunch of pictures of her baby and a picture from her husband, somewhere in England. He was standing by a jeep on which was pained their baby’s name, Marylin Sue. He had to leave before their baby was born. She didn’t know where he was when she was in the hospital, but she did send a cable to his A.P.O. number.

We are getting low on coal again. I called Chet Harlan and he promised us some when the next load comes in a week or 10 days.

[page 4] I washed the chair cover last night and got them ironed and back on this afternoon. They show up the furnace dirt more than anything else because their light background – Everybody who burns coal “gripes” about how dirty it is this year, but I suppose we should be thankful to have coal at all.

I was appointed by the woman’s club on a committee for Post War Planning. The first meeting is Thurs. evening at the High School. I don’t have the slightest idea what they intend to do but will give you the “dope” after the meeting.

John is working on his essay. You remember he won second prize last year writing in competition with high school students.

I am about out of paper.
Love Mother

P.S. another picture of D. enclosed.

Local News (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 14, 1944 envelope

: January 14, 1944, p. 1

: January 14, 1944, p. 2

: January 14, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-14-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail today but two letters yesterday. Rec’d a letter from Jewell with a picture of Dot’s baby Janey – she is about a month younger than D. Jewell and Uncle Geo. had been to Roscoe Snedeker’s funeral. They had seen mom & dad. Jewell said she thought mom didn’t look so good but mom had the flu pretty hard so I imagine she doesn’t look so good as she did last fall. I wish we have gone there for Christmas but I was afraid to risk the trip at this time of the year.

No school today due to exams being over and teachers grading papers. J. & M. have been steel wooling the floors today. Buddy was here to spend the night and at breakfast Mark began to make plans for the day when I told him what I had planned. In “nothing flat” Buddy decided he must go see his mother and off he went to the restaurant. After he left Mark said, “Did you notice how quickly he decided to go when you mentioned working on the floors?” We have been doing the house today. After changing the beds, I cleaned the upstairs and John started the washing and after doing the lunch dishes I decided I needed a little rest so am writing to catch up so I can clean up the mess on the floors the steel wool makes. This job is pretty monotonous but seems to be necessary ever so often. – – Pause. I stopped writing to help with the floor work – we have stopped cleaning for the day. David woke up so I wrapped him up and put him out in his buggy – It has turned so much warmer. Mark is out in the yard entertaining David with his football. Bobby

[page 2] is out there now so David should be well entertained. It is so much warmer today I didn’t have to wrap David up so much. He have has a large blanket that was given to him last year that I kept nice and when I take him out on very cold days I wrap the blanket all around him up to his chin. – Mark just brought him in – Mark saw the others going to the pond to skate and couldn’t stand it. It’s much warmer but not warm enough yet to melt the ice yet. However if this keeps up it won’t take long.

I was looking over the Newton Co. E. for news items to include but see none I think would interest you. However I heard that Harold Portteus had an operation for hernia this week. I suppose he is in the hospital at Watseka. Clarice is there and I had thought about driving over to see her. Have to go to Sheldon for meat and it wouldn’t take much longer to run on over to Watseka.

I have never thought to mention about Bair’s niece Mary Eldeen, the girl they raised. She had a new baby last Oct. and is just now out of the hospital. Had to have a few blood transfusions. She has a baby about two years old and her trouble this time dates back to the first birth. I don’t know just what the trouble was but for a while she didn’t improve and Bair’s were awfully worried about her. Her husband is in Service and she is living with Bairs.

You wondered about Dr. Van. I mentioned him a time or two but you must have not rec’d those letters. I don’t know whether he knows me or not but I know him when I see him. One day I was downtown and saw Laura Milligan. She and John were in town visiting – John was enroute to the West Coast and I understand he is now in the Pacific someplace, but that is beside the story. I was chatting with Laura – I had been to the P.O. and she was going

[page 3] toward the highway and we happened to meet in front of Dr. V. office – While we were talking he came out and when he saw Laura he spoke to her – he gave her the once over and said something about her figure. – It rather amused me – I just thought he evidently is just like the stories depict him to be. Always an eye open for a good looking woman. I do think Laura is attractive. She seemed so glad to see me and asked about you. I asked what John’s work is and I understand he is boss of the ground crews – mechanics, or whatever they are called. I think that is the same work Harlan Parr does. The Parrs spent the summer in Fla. Were sent to Michigan in Dec. and now are in N.Y. – or were. I really couldn’t say where they are now.

Maybelle Towers wondered if you might be near Emery – however they aren’t sure of his location – except in the S.W. Pacific. She said they thought he was in Samoa.

Bill Schuh had pneumonia and now has rheumatic fever. Babe is taking care of him at her home in Brook. He & Tony were in the hospital at the same time. Tony had a gall bladder operation.

Here I sit and write when I should be out of doors – should do my writing at night. I have been having headaches again. I think it’s partly due to being inside so much. I still like warmer weather best. At least I can get out for a breath of fresh air without chilling in warmer weather. Well I think I would like the winter here if you were home, but I seem to tire of winter this year more than usual. So much for the weather, as you used to say, took a good beating.

“Love Mother”