Tag Archives: Hotel Kentland

Jackie and Carolyn Dolls

1 Reply

October 11, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 11, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, Oct. 11, 62

David Dear

At long last I thank you for your two good letters and enclosures. I, too, feel sorry about Goldwater’s statements. I happened to catch him on a film in a late news cast while the Miss trouble was going on, and heard him say that he thought Gov. of Miss had every right to do what he did, although he did not approve of his actions and was sorry he had done it. He did not even look like he did on film a couple of years ago. I still have your book by Goldwater, and have been going through it again.

I am enclosing the clipping on Jackie, and share your feelings exactly. I sometimes think she is not really very bright. I heard on the Tonight show last night, there is a Jackie and Carolyn doll coming out for Christmas, and the two dolls and their complete wardrobe cost $400. I wonder if it was a gag?

A week ago tonight I saw a TV program Alcoa Premier and it was a baseball story, shown at this time on account of the World Series I suppose, and it starred Jimmy Stewart as an old worn out player, who sponsored and coached a young chap who of course went on to become a star and win a World Series. Jimmy turned in his usual flawless performance.

I have been ailing, really kinda bad this time. I have had a spell of acute pain and disability with arthritis and my lameness. For the first time in five years I was not able to do for myself. I almost decided to go to the hospital, but then Nettie Fitzgerald came and stayed with me during the day for several days, until I was able to be around again. The medication has made me listless and dreamy like, although it has taken the edge off my misery and helped me sleep.

I have heard nothing from your mother, and I too, am anxious to know about the new baby when SHE arrives. I hope it will be Julie.

Your description of the tasks before you sounds like you have too much. I don’t see how you can do it all, but I know of course that you will. I wish you had time to take one of your wonderful books and sit in the woods under the beautiful trees and read for a whole day. Yesterday I went to Watseka to have my feet taken care of, and enjoyed the little drive. We are having real Indian Summer, and I love it. I like warm weather, and would like to go where it is always warm.

Hope you enjoy the football game, and whatever else you can find time to do that isn’t work. I enjoy your letters and appreciate your writing when you are so busy.

Love
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/2016/08/15/jackie-and-carolyn-dolls/

Birthday Greetings to a Grand Person

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September 19, 1962 envelope

: Card exterior

: Card interior

: September 19, 1962 envelope

© 2016 copyright owned Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/14/birthday-greetings-to-a-grand-person/

Bing & Bob

1 Reply

July 27, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

July 27, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, July 27, 62
8 PM Friday

Dear David

I enjoyed your nice newsy letter. I have had a rather busy week as Harold has been away. He and his family last Sunday drove up into Wisconsin to join Dr. & Mrs. Logan at their cottage, and will return Sunday.

Your comments about the Road to Hong Kong took be back twenty or more years. You know Bob & Bing made a series of “Road” pictures away back when, and we didn’t miss a one. An early one, I think, the Road to Zanzibar, had an incident I have never forgotten. A black tribe of some sort had captured Bing & Bob, and had a huge kettle boiling over a fire, and the boys stood petrified, and one of the tribe turned to Bob and said “Don’t worry, we won’t cook you today, we are going to put you in the deep freeze for the Fall festival, but we are going to serve him (Bing) on our blue plate special tomorrow.” And of course they were forever chasing Dorothy Lamour.

I haven’t read Around the World with Auntie Mame, and would like to. You could bring it with you when you come home. That article about Maurice Chevalier was in a magazine that a guest gave me to read, and he took it away with him. It was one of those movie magazines, but I don’t remember what one.

You know, if Kennedy keeps up his present rating, I don’t believe he will get a second term. I hear nothing but critical comment about him. Of course not from Harold, but he has quit bragging about him.

I’m glad you are having an opportunity to read your Interpreter’s Bible, and make use of it in your work also. I think that’s wonderful. It surely would be absorbing reading.

No doubt it is cool enough to suit you. The Lafayette paper this evening said that it was 48 there this morning at sic o’clock. I know I had to arise and close my window in the night, and get another blanket.

I am wondering if you went on your trip to Tell City. Somebody is knocking on my door, and I think I have a caller, so will say by for now. Don’t work too hard

Love
Grandma

[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/2016/08/13/bing-bob/

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/

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.]

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.]

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.