Tag Archives: Indiana University at Bloomington

Far Behind Schedule

Letter transcription:

[513 Wright – handwritten by David]
Kentland, Indiana
January 12, 1961

Dear David:

I haven’t ordered the Bible for Gary yet, because I want to know if he wants his name on the cover. Let me know and if he does, just how he spells his name, etc. It won’t take long to get it and you can take it back with you after semester vacation. The Commentary is $8.75 from Cincinnatti. I think there will be a handling charge in addition.

Mark and Shirley won’t be down the 20^th or 21^st. That is the Saturday Mark has to work. Maybe we can go to Chicago and see Becky while you are home if they can’t come down. All depends on the weather, etc.

We received a letter from John this week. He said he didn’t get my letter suggesting he call home for Christmas until after Christmas and since the last time was so unsatisfactory he didn’t think too much of the idea. He said when it was Christmas morning there, he got to thinking that we were having our Christmas Eve, well this is what he wrote, “As I woke up on Christmas morning here, the thought came to me that it was now Christmas Eve back home, that you all would have finished stuffing yourselves and that you would be sitting around watching television or something, waiting to open the presents. I suppose you had the usual potlatch?” Let’s just hope he can be with us Christmas Eve 1961.

This has been a busy week for me. I had to work for Arvella yesterday. She had to go to a funeral out of town. Daddy has been so busy in the hospital, he has had to miss some office hours. I am going to the office again this AM to help out a little since they are going to be so busy. I didn’t get the shirts to Mrs. Shoaf as usual on Tuesday, so I am going to take them today. That is how far behind schedule I am this week.

If I get time will send you some vitamins today. There are some here at home, but Dad said last night there were some he thought would be better for you at the office, so will send them out this morning.

Let me know if you want me to meet you at Rensselaer.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/09/14/far-behind-schedule/

Sperry Dividends

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

[Wright 513 – handwritten by David]
Dr. R. S. Yegerlehner
Physician and Surgeon
Kentland, Indiana
1-4-61

Dear David:

The Sperry dividends came today, so I deposited $3.00 to your account. Don’t forget to add that to your balance.

Nothing much to write about this soon. Dad has been awfully busy since you left. He had to go to Watseka to help on surgery last night. Didn’t get home until after 8 o’clock. He had to go to Geo. Ade this afternoon to assist Dr. Gery. I am at the office now. He just returned from the hospital at about 4:30, so we are rather busy.

Your stock came back with your name corrected. You are supposed to sign some papers and return them. I think you can sign them when you come home again. The stock salesman will be here tomorrow and will tell us. If they are in a hurry, I will send the papers to you to sign and return to the Company.

Are you taking any vitamins? If not let me know and I will send you some. You were complaining about being tired. Maybe it is because you need vitamins.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/09/13/sperry-dividends/

Christmas Presents

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[to Wright Quad 513 – in David’s handwriting]
Kentland, Indiana
December 12, 1960

Dear David:

Your GM dividend came today, so I banked it for you – – add $2.00 to your account.

I suppose it is cold in Bloomington. The temperature was down to 10 when I first looked at the thermometer, but now has climbed to 20. It seems awfully cold. We had a little snow, but nothing like the areas where storms stuck.

My S.S. class party was held at the parsonage last night. There were 33 present (counting 7 children). We are going to decorate the church Saturday night, then come out here for pie and coffee.

Mark and Shirley came Saturday afternoon and stayed for supper. They went back to Chicago Sat. night, but we had a nice little visit and had a chance to play with Becky. We could see a difference in her since the last time we saw her. I am sending in the roll of film that was still in the camera – we finished the roll after they came Saturday. I dare say Becky is a most photographed baby. Maybe not the most, but she is getting more pictures taken of her than most babies. I was going some Christmas shopping this morning – bought a very pretty pink sweater to give Mrs. Myers – and ear rings to match – and I saw a cute little dress that I just had to buy for Becky. When Mark and Shirley were here they were surprised I think, at the packages that I had wrapped. I have turned your room into Santa’s work shop. Shirley took Becky to your bedroom and when she came back into the kitchen, she said Santa had already been here. Mark went in and started snooping. He wanted to know what was in the big boxes. I bought two end tables and just had Jack leave them in boxes and a high chair for Becky – and it was in a box. I have all those things wrapped in holiday paper. There are several other packages stacked on the larger boxes – to disguise them if possible. Mark said he could remember when he used to snoop around the tree when he was a little boy – he said he didn’t do any of that snooping when I was around.

Three stores had grand openings this past weekend – Murphy’s, Stevens Pharmacy and the new TV story Mailloux.

I tried to buy some record albums from Sears, but Janssen said they didn’t have them in stock – Magic Flute and Madame Butterfly. I think if we could find Butterfly that would be enough – a gift from you to Mark & Shirley. I didn’t think about how expensive they are – about $12.00 each when I started looking for them.

Love Mother

(over)

I will try to find something for them they will like – if not Butterfly. If you have anything else you would rather get for them let me know.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/09/12/christmas-presents/

John is OK

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

[to Wright Quad 513 – in David’s handwriting]
12-8-60

Dear David –

Just read your letter. Do you want me to send your jacket? You didn’t specify. I just called the bank and your balance is $0.33. Maybe I had better put some in for you. I will deposit $30.00 this morning. When we ate dinner at the Nu-Joy Sunday Cele gave me a menu they had made the day after election. I was going to send it to you but I am writing this at the office and the menu is out at the house. There were such items as roast rump of elephant, etc. The bags (3) were stolen out of Dad’s car, right by the office last Sat. afternoon. We did not have the kind of insurance to cover the theft. We estimate the loss at around $500.00.

I haven’t finished taking the pictures in the camera but Mark & Shirley are coming Sat. so I will finish the roll. I am as anxious to see Becky as you are. I finished the cap and sent

[page 2] it to her. I have knitted another and also have a sweater started. I dress the doll. I am wrapping Christmas gifts and will wrap the teddy bear if I can find a box to put it in.

I am having the neighbors in for coffee next Thurs. afternoon. Mrs. Fields is having a cookie party this afternoon. She & Rev. Fields are going to entertain my S.S. class Sunday nite at the parsonage.

We received a letter from John. He is OK. I think he just gets too busy to write – or maybe he feels like he doesn’t have anything to write about.

I also clipped an ad from the paper – “an abacus” – I thought if we can find one we would give it with the ad to Mark for Christmas.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/09/11/john-is-ok/

Christmas Party Planning

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Kentland – to Wright Quad 513 – in David’s handwriting]
December 1, 1960

Dear David:

Thanks for the schedule – just what I needed. I suppose you will have a few days at home after examinations in January.

My S.S. Class (the girls) came out this afternoon to plan the Christmas party. Mrs. Fields invited us to have the party at the parsonage. I am in favor of that if it meets the pleasure of the rest of the class. Mrs. Fields is having a cookie party next Thursday, so she will have quite a gathering if everybody responds to her invitation. She had a chance to extend the invitation to all my class today. She didn’t bring Mark along, but most of the rest of the crowd brought their children along, so we had quite a meeting. Several of the children – the smaller ones – wanted to get between the tv set and the draperies. I should have shoved the set back a little further against the window, but didn’t think about it being such an inviting spot.

We received a letter from John Monday. He is having trouble with his cook. Says she has been taking things and that he is going to have to get another. He didn’t sound too happy about the whole thing. He had received the pictures we sent of Becky, so he can have some idea about her looks. I am going to send him some more when I get the next roll developed.

I have been rather busy this week. I made statements which took Monday evening, Tuesday evening and Thursday morning. Edna and Arvella helped me get them ready to mail. I didn’t run them on the adding machine (you remember you did that little chore one time), so have no idea how much my mailing list was worth. I told the girls we had to get those statements out this month so we can buy them a Christmas gift. They wanted me to tell them what to get for Dad. I told them I was having the same trouble. I brought Kathy Cheek a Christmas gift today – a charm bracelet. I bought it from LeBeau – a sterling chain with one little charm – the charm is a miniature bicycle.

I need to do some work on the books, so must wind them up.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/09/10/christmas-party-planning/

Election Day

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Kentland Wright 521 – in David’s handwriting]
November 14, 1960

Dear David:

I have been intending to write since Election day, but somehow I didn’t get around to it. Mark and Shirley and Becky came Thursday evening and the rest of the week I was pretty busy. Had to attend Myra’s wedding Saturday and the reception in the afternoon. Mark and Shirley went home (also Becky) yesterday afternoon. Becky is certainly a well trained baby. About the only time she is taken up is when she has to be fed. She has gained and weighs 10 lbs. 15 ounces – with her clothes on – which would be about 10-8 without. We measured her and she is 23” long, which indicates she may grow up to be tall like her uncle David. I suppose you are a little unhappy over the election. Now they are talking about doing away with the electoral college. I think it is about time. I hope now that the election is over that you can get down to some very serious studying. Lucile and Ed came out to see the baby Saturday evening. They said Jim was home. He comes almost every weekend, but since it is so close I can’t blame him. Mark invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them, so you will get a chance to see the baby. We took several pictures of her. She has grown so much she has changed since the last pictures we took of her. The baby bed Phyllis gave us fits in the NW corner of your room. Of course, when they move into a house they will take the large (it is much larger bed than the one they have now) bed with them. Please excuse this letter, but I am so used to writing to John in this fashion, it seems to come naturally. – Just an afterthought- even though the Democrats had a full slate in Newton County, none of them won anything. Everything in the county still in the hands of the Republicans. I am going to make a trip out to the hospital this afternoon. I have taken over the job of seeing that the gift cart is supplied and I have to go out and check merchandise. I plan to take Mrs. Myers along. I haven’t talked to her since the election. I know she feels the same way we feel about things. Mrs. Fields came out to see Shirley and the baby Saturday and when Mrs. F. saw Shirley, she said “I know you.” They were at I.U. and worked in the dining hall at the same time. Mark said he could remember her also, since she was on campus when he was. Small world. Mark Fields is walking now, but he still would rather crawl. He had a ball crawling around in our living room.

Love Mother

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

Winter Came Today

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[to Wright Quad 521 – written in David’s handwriting]
Kentland, Indiana, October 19, 1960

Dear David:

Winter came today. I suppose it has turned colder in Bloomington also. Since we will be leaving Saturday evening, I called Mark this evening just to talk to them and to know about Becky. Mark says she is growing and getting along fine. He took your telephone number and his address is 6107 N. Kenmore, Apt. 1-C, Chicago and telephone is Holleycourt (HO 5-4673), so in case you might need to talk to him while we are away. We told him we would be calling you from time to time and if they need to get in touch with us while we are gone, they can call you. We will call you Monday Oct. 24 evening at about 7 o’clock, so plan to be in your room when we call.

Yesterday was a full day. There was a club convention at the Church and I attended most of it. Last night I had the ABC class party. I was a little tired when the guests had all gone home, but my committee washed the dishes and helped me straighten the house, so when I went to bed everything had been taken care of. I slept a little late this morning, and didn’t feel any after effects. I have been getting some housecleaning done before we leave.

The open house at the parsonage Sunday was quite a success. They received 150 guests, so felt quite happy about everything. The Fields came to the party last night and brought Mark and his pen. He was good most of the evening, but by the time Miss Kitsmiller had finished her talk about her trip to Europe and had shown her pictures, Mark was getting pretty sleepy, so they didn’t stay for refreshments.

It has turned so cold I rather think Dad won’t have to mow the yard until spring. As cold as it has been all day I rather think all the flowers will be finished tonight. It has rained most of the day and those nasty worms are all over the front patio. I heard on the news that it had snowed in Chicago today. Since it has been such a warm fall this weather doesn’t seem to be right, but here it is the latter part of October so it must be time for it. It should be nice for us to head south now.

Did I tell you that Edna and her mother are going to stay here while we are away? We thought it would make it easier for her – so she won’t have to make that trip to Brook every day.

We will be leaving Saturday evening as soon as we can get away from the office and hope to get as far as Kentucky before stopping. If there is anything you need to talk to us about, call us before Saturday evening.

Love Mother

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

Bus and Train Schedules

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[to Wright 521 – David’s handwriting]
Kentland, Indiana
October 6, 1960

Dear David:

I deposited $100 in your account Oct. 1. Your statement showed your Sept. 30 balance $19.02, so with the $100 you should be in pretty good shape financially.

I thought about the Monon after talking to you, so called the train station in Rensselaer. You can get a train out of Bloomington around noon each day and if you can’t find any other way to come, come home Saturday the 15^th and go back the 16^th (by bus). The train schedule isn’t too good as far as you are concerned. It leaves Rensselaer around noon going to Bloomington. If the bus schedule is the same as when you went for orientation, you could get a bus back, leaving here around 4 o’clock. If you come home by train I would meet you in Rensselaer. You will have check with the station as to the exact time it leaves Bloomington.

We are still having beautiful weather with just enough rain to keep the grass growing. Last night after office hours Daddy was able to get the west side mowed. He hopes to get the east side finished this afternoon – – – lawn finished. Dad has the ball game on and runs in once in a while to see how things are going (World Series).

We are planning to go to Earl Park tonight to a smorgasbord given by the Presbyterian Church and we are taking Hensleys as our guests. I will try to think about you when we are enjoying all that good food.

Enclosed is your Operator’s license. It just came today. You probably won’t be driving a car, but maybe you should have it with you.

It is just about time for me to go to Doris’ to have my hair worked on, so won’t have time to write any more now. Let me know how you are coming home.

Love Mother

P.S. The northern lights were the most beautiful and brilliant I have ever seen them, last night. We played cards a while after coming back from eating and we would all take turns running out to see the big “show.”

Upcoming Vacation

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Kentland to Wright 521 Postmark Sept. 25 (?) 9- AM 1960 – in David’s handwriting]

Dear David:

I am sending this reminder on to you, but I rather think you will have enough to do without taking Briefs again.

Dad has been moving the lawn this evening after office hours, but due to an accident he had to go back to the office. He didn’t quite finish the east lawn. The grass just keeps growing, but I don’t mind, because I would rather have the warm weather. Jerry is out shooting at the sparrows again this evening.

I understand Nancy came home for the week-end. Julie’s mother was talking to me Sunday about whether Julie would come home this next week-end. Dad was talking to Mr. Molter about your registering. Mr. M. said for you to go to the draft board in Bloomington and register and have them send it here. He forgot to tell me that when I talked to him one day last week. This draft board’s number is 58 (Newton County Draft Bd.)

We are planning to go to Florida on our vacation. We will leave here Saturday October 22. We will come to Bloomington and spend Saturday night there and after breakfast Sunday the 23^rd, we will start south. If you want to come home before that time it is OK, but in case you can’t make it, we will get to see you before we leave for Fla.

We had a robbery in town one day last week – two negros walked into the Kentland Hdw. Store and got $30.00 from Wayne. I am very careful to keep our doors locked all the time. One evening not long ago the man next door (in the little cottage) said he saw someone prowling around here. The prowler came to their house and tried to get in the back door. Our neighbor was a Marine and knows how to use a gun. He took his gun and went out into the yard and asked the visitor what he wanted. He said he was looking for cottage #14. I think when he saw the gun he probably thought he had better get away from there. He said something about wanting cottage 13 and it was rented. I told Mr. Banner the motel didn’t have a #13.

We received a wedding invitation from DeDe and Jerry. I wanted Mary B. and Marge Janssen to go with me. The wedding is at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, Oct. 8th. It is 150 miles to Canton, and they think it is too far for them to go. I haven’t talked to Esta, but they said she was just going over and back. I may go with her and I may not go. I haven’t decided yet what I will do.

Mr. Polk said to tell you the flags you ordered came. Jerry Harris said to tell you he is the official flag raiser.

N.I.P.S. is working in town now on the pipeline. We should be using that kind of gas by Christmas, or sooner. We don’t know just what the gas line will do to our driveway. The line will be put down by the street instead of back of our house.

We moved the peonies and they were so large we made 16 plantings. We are getting all the work taken care of around here. There won’t be anything for you to do when you come home, but wash windows. The neighbors got the spirea, so all Dad has to do now is fill the holes. He should be able to finish mowing the lawn tomorrow evening, then Thursday, if it doesn’t rain, he can fill holes.

My class (12 of them) went to Chicago Sunday to see Ben Hur. I talked to Dorothy Donaldson Monday about the trip and she said they thought it was worth going that far to see. Peggy and Howard didn’t go, but she said they were sorry afterwards they didn’t order tickets. There were 20 in my class Sunday. Rev. and Mrs. Fields are on vacation for a week. Rus Zell and Mel Fisher did the talking in church Sunday. There was a large crowd at Sunday School, but not so many stayed for church.

I am going to Boswell for a meeting tomorrow. Have to leave here at 8 O’clock. I should be back home by 3:30 (I hope).

You call the Stony Crest Motel and reserve us a room for October 22^nd. Tell them we won’t be in until late and if necessary make a deposit. You had better take care of that right away. Sometimes you can’t get a reservation there for just one night if there is a ball game scheduled for the week-end. If you can’t get us room there, get one at the Union Building or the University Hotel.

Dad has gone to a School Board meeting. We watched the debate last night. I have listened to some comments on it today. I suppose you watched it.

Love Mother