Tag Archives: Indiana

Romaine

2 Replies

January 27, 1946 envelope

January 27, 1946, p. 1

Letter transcription:

January 27, 1946

Dear Aunt Gladys –

Mother sent me your letter, and I was to answer right away about the navy blue sox. Somehow or other I always seem to put letter writing off; but I decided to get busy and write you before exams begin.

I’d like very much to have the navy blue sox – that is if you haven’t all ready given them away or something like that. If you have, that is

January 27, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] O.k.; but if not I’d appreciate them. I’m learning to knit; and so far have one mitten done. Maybe from now on I’ll be able to do my own knitting.

How’s everyone in Kentland? I went home last weekend, and everyone there is fine. In about two weeks our semester will be over and we’ll all be getting a two week’s vacation. I’m really looking forward to that.

Well, I must get busy. It’s almost

[page 3] time for dinner, and I’m not ready.

Thanks again, Aunt Gladys, for all the things you’ve knitted for me.

Love,
Romaine

January 27, 1946, p. 3

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/24/romaine/

Aileen Easterly

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January 26, 1946 envelope

January 26, 1946, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Los Angeles, California
January 26, 1946
Saturday morning 11:30

Dear Gladys:

Received your letter dated January 1 and enjoyed all the news immensely. So happy for all of you that Jake is home for good now. Wish he could have visited us while he was here on the coast, but S.F. is 500 miles from L.A. and that would have been so far out of his way. Too bad about the fire in his new offices – – do hope the repair job won’t take too long. The way conditions are these days with help and equipment so difficult to get, one never knows what to expect.

The new restaurant sounds interesting and it really is a pleasure to entertain that way occasionally. I manage to cook dinner every night from Monday to Thursday inclusive, but Tom works Friday night, and then on Saturday we have a big pot of some kind of soup. Sunday is our day out – – we usually try a new place, go alone or with friends, and we enjoy it, especially after putting in such a full week of hard work.

I’m sure your Christmas was exciting because of David – – I can just imagine how thrilled he was with everything. John and Mark will always wee that it is interesting for David. Christmas doesn’t mean so much unless there are children around to enjoy it.

We are having such beautiful weather – – I’m sitting in the kitchen next to the window with my back to the sun (window wide open too) and how I love it. I don’t feel at all well today, so perhaps the sun will pep me up a bit.

Well, I might as well tell you about myself now. You probably thought I was going to have a baby, but no such good luck for me. I think I told you about the bad case of diarrhea I had last May, well, I had another such attack in November. Our company doctor gave me a thorough physical examination, thinking perhaps it might be my appendix causing the trouble. The appendix apparently is alright, but he did discover a fibroid tumor the size of a grapefruit around the uterus. He said no doubt it had been growing for years and asked me when I first noticed any discomfort from it. I haven’t felt well for about three years, but thought I was going through the change. Sometimes I would skip a month at my periods and then I seemed to cramp continuously, almost every day. I’m at the point now where I feel so low both mentally and physically that I just make myself do things. And of course my job at the office hasn’t helped me any either. There are three of us in our division now (450 on our pay roll) and I’m sorta in charge, a little more prestige, but a great big headache. There are 4,000 in the company, but the other employees are on another pay roll because they are in the districts. Ours is the General Office. We even had to work New Year’s Eve and all day on New Year’s.

January 26, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] Our Chief Surgeon said I should have the operation soon. I decided to help out at the office during December and January, the two worst months of the year. I have consented to the operation and will perhaps be in the hospital around February 6^th or 7^th. Our Chief Surgeon has been with our company for 25 years and is claimed to be the best in the City, so I have a lot of confidence in him. All hospitalization will be paid also my two months sick leave. After that I plan to take three months leave of absence on my own time without pay. If everything turns out as we have planned Tom and I will make a trip east perhaps during the month of June.

I am curious what Jake thinks of the operation – – does he approve. Maybe I have no alternative! The doctor said the tumor has kept me from getting pregnant. Is that true? I say that I have confidence in our doctor yet I ask Jake his opinion. Silly, isn’t it? That’s just like a woman.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you when you find time to write. I know how busy you must be, with all your family at home now.

Love,
Aileen

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/23/aileen-easterly/

News from Wilma Bryan

2 Replies

: January 14, 1946 (front)

: January 14, 1946 (back)

Letter transcription:

Dear Mrs. Yegerlehner,

Patricia received the lovely little shoes a few days ago. They had been sent to Brownwood. I’m sure they were your handiwork. They are the prettiest I’ve seen.

We have a big fence around our yard. Mary Lynn loves to learn all the gate latches. Still a “tomboy.” But wants to help wash dishes, cook, and in general do everything about the place. Here’s hoping that helpful attitude continues.

Was so sorry to hear about Dr. office burning. – Hope he is all back in order by now.

Patricia still the good girl.

The weather here has been mostly sunshine, except a tornado in the eastern part of the state. Would like to see some snow.

Love,
Wilma

[Editor’s note: The WWII collection contains the birth announcement for Patricia Bryan. It can be found here.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/22/news-from-wilma-bryan/

Letter from Aunt Jessie

1 Reply

: January 3, 1946 envelope (front)

: January 3, 1946 envelope (back)

Letter transcription:

January 3, 1946, p. 1

Dear Gladys and Roscoe –

I am sending, parcel post, a box containing ties, socks and underwear. Now you may not wish to wear such but – if you have any feeling about this please give them to someone. I shall understand. I know you do not need such but I preferred you whom Silvester admired

January 3, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] so much thru the years to have these.

So hard to go on without Silvester but strength is given and I must carry on as he would wish.

Hope you are all well and that the new office is installed completely.

With love,
Jessie

Jan. 3, 1946

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/21/letter-from-aunt-jessie/

Letter from Jim #4

1 Reply

December 21, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

December 21, 1945, p. 1

21 Dec. 1945

Dear Sis & Co. –

It is now 0645, ask Jake, he will tell you what time that is. Just one hour and thirty minutes ago I was talking with Glenn, yes he called me from Lovelock, says he is OK and feeling fine but that Pauline is acting up, says she took a pot shot at him and says she will shoot both of them or something. Anyway, Glenn wants me to have the boys, so does Pauline for that matter so we are going out there to get them, the boys I mean. We will leave here Saturday, go to NY. Spend Sunday and Monday in N.Y., leave N.Y. early Tuesday, Christmas Day, go to Terre Haute, try to get two new tires, so if Jake can swing a deal for me for two new tires in Kentland, please have him do so and write me at 2226 Sycamore, we will only be in Terre Haute, just long enough to check a few

December 21, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] things then onto Kentland to spend a few minutes with you folks then on to Lovelock. It is about 3,000 miles from N.Y. to L. so we will have to keeping moving as Thelma has only a limited time. But if it is at all possible for Jakie to get me two new tires in Kentland please do so and write me that he has as soon as we arrive in Terre Haute we will either call or wire you.

Love,
Jim

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/20/letter-from-jim-4/

Letter from Jim #3

1 Reply

December 17,1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

December 17, 1945, p. 1

17 Dec. 1945

Dear Sis & Co. –

Thanks for the quick answer. My shopping is almost completed now.

Our plans have been changed – Mayroses were planning spending Christmas in N.Y. with their son, providing they could get train reservations both ways, they did not know until last Friday. So now that they have them they want to have a Christmas with their two children for it has been a darn long time since the family has been together so now we are going to N.Y., leaving Saturday, we are to meet them at the Penn station and drive on out to Larchmont to spend Sunday, Monday and Tuesday – we will then start for Terre Haute at least not later than Thursday so we should arrive in Kentland on our way to Terre Haute – sometime late Wednesday night or Thursday morning or sometime late Thursday night or Friday morning all depending on when we leave N.Y. We will get word to you so you will know the day we get underway from N.Y.

December 17, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Thelma has 17 days and of course I have all the time I want, have three applications so should get some word from one of them soon. Thelma has another month to serve on her contract then she will return to Terre Haute to be with her mother for a season and of course I may have a job of some kind by that time.

After so long a time we get word from Glenn. Got a wire from Pauline says Glenn has left her with word that he is not returning. I left Erie last Friday and before I got to Washington Pauline called long distance from Lovelock to talk to me, Thelma answered the phone and tried to tell her I was out of town so she left word for me to call, then the next day (Friday) the wire came, it was waiting for me when I got home, I wired her to this time. “NO POINT IN PHONING SEND ME AN AIRMAIL LETTER OF YOUR PROBLEM” – So far I have not received any word, not time yet of course. When she talked with Thelma she insisted I call her as soon as I got in but that cost too damn much money and we would not have accomplished a darn thing. I am enclosing the wire from Pauline. Please save it, I want to try to impress upon her when I do see her how useless it all was so I want the wire to have when talking with her. I am going to try to get the boys, Thelma and I will take care of them. I told her once I would be glad to adopt them so anyway when some more news develops I will let you know.

Love,
Jim

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/19/letter-from-jim-3/

Letter from Jim #2

1 Reply

December 9, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

December 9, 1945, p. 1

9 Dec. 1945

Sister & Co. –

I am up a blind alley to know just what to get John. Got a present for Mark and David which will be a joint present for the two but so far have not got John anything. Here are a few things I have in mind – What do you think of any of them or if he has them so state so I will not duplicate – Records-Rhapsody in Blue; Tchaikovsky piano concerto No. 1; Morton Gould Concert; Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E Flat; Mozart Quartet No. 18 in D Minor: Sheet Music; Rhapsody in blue, etc., etc., etc., etc. – So what do you think of what I have listed –

Love,
Jim

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/18/letter-from-jim-2/

Letter from Jim #1

1 Reply

December 7, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

December 7, 1945, p. 1

7 Dec. 1945

Dear Sis & Co. –

Now don’t get all excited there is nothing about which to get excited, I only have reference to the way we are living at present, Thelma does not have time to do any shopping and I am out running around trying to make the connections I want so I do not have much time so what we do buy will be small but good and we will buy the Boys something. I did not mean to cut them out, you know darn well I would buy those Boys something regardless. I left Washington a week ago last Monday, was in Johnstown, Ford City, Pittsburgh and now Erie. Have application in about ten places and am hoping to land a good job here in Erie. Spent two hours with the Sales Manager the other day so I am sure he is interested.

We expect to spend Christmas in Terre Haute, so will be in Kentland either the day before Christmas or two or three days after.

Love,
Jim

Life Goes On (Gladys)

1 Reply

[Editor’s note: This is the last letter written by Gladys during the World War II era. Hundreds of letters also survive from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. In the near future, I will begin organizing and transcribing those letters and we will hear from Gladys again! Until then, keep reading as I post Roscoe’s few remaining letters and a series of letters written in late 1945 and early 1946 by friends and family.]

October 20, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 20, 1945, p. 1

Sat. Oct. 20 1945

Dear Daddy –

No letter this a.m. and since the P.O. closes at 1 p.m. I probably won’t get any until Mon. I contacted Arnold last night on the phone and he is going to look at the heating plant Mon. evening, so maybe by Tues. I can give you an idea whether he will take on the job. Vincent worked Wed. & Thurs. evenings and is going to work again starting Mon. He says he will soon have it done.

I saw Juanita Schneider yesterday and gave her her gloves and got mine back. She said she wishes you would take to the Dr. who has been taking care of her husband when you get back to G.L. They are planning to come to Kentland when he can leave the hospital and she thought you would like to know something of his case history. She gave me his name, etc.

I went to the beauty parlor this a.m. and got a new perm. Emma is booked ahead so far I couldn’t get an appointment for shampoo & set for 10 days. She won’t try to work in extra appointments.

Mark is practicing his music lesson. He was playing foot ball with Jimmy Sammons and came in and wanted to go to town with John to find someone. He hadn’t practiced any today and is to take a lesson at 4:30 so I told him he had better come in for a while. He got awfully angry and wasn’t being treated right, etc. He hasn’t done a thing around here today so I told him to go ahead and spend the day with his friends but forget about an allowance – that slowed him down a little. I hate to be so mercenary but I don’t think he needs to spend all his time playing. He went over to school this morning and helped decorate

October 20, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] for a dance they are to have Mon. I let him go to the Attica game last night. He went with Tooles. This morning he was telling me how Mrs. T. & Robert used so much swearing in their conversation. He seemed to think it wasn’t very good to listen to. He just asked me if he could go to the next out of town football game then he promised without any soliciting, to practice if I would let him go.

David just came in with his hair tangled with burrs. I asked him how they got there and he said Jimmy S. put them in his hair. Fortunately I had cut his hair this week and it was so short I could slip the burrs out without doing any cutting. Mark got into a “froth” and was going right over and do things to Jimmy, but I quieted him down and sent him back to practice his music. After I got the burrs out without any difficulty I told him no harm was done.

John is over at school this afternoon working on the school paper. He took a piano lesson this morning. He is to take an organ lesson tomorrow. He will want to go practice a while this afternoon – if he gets thru with his “editorial work” in time.

I haven’t been to see Bobby yet but thought I would go this afternoon when they get their naps over. The whole house (except the maid) takes afternoon naps. Arlene was having a little difficulty explaining to Bobby why his throat was sore. He thought they weren’t going to take his tonsils out.

David has gone to the basement – Mark is down there now working on an airplane – so I must go get David or he will be black.

Love Mother

Dr. Pippenger sent you your Indiana State Medical Association card, so in case you want to attend the Indiana State Medical Association you will have your card. I’ll keep it unless you want me to send it on to you.

Going Too Smoothly (Gladys)

1 Reply

October 19, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 19, 1945, p. 1

10-19-45

Dear Daddy –

It is cloudy with some rain. I ordered a load of stoker coal from Harlan. Just hope Monroe can get a new auger soon. Since the weather isn’t favorable for drying clothes I didn’t wash.

I went down to the office and worked a while last night. I didn’t try to save much from the drug room. I possibly threw away something of value but I doubt it. I had Mark go over to Kenny’s and get a large box and we just dumped things into that. Now when Vincent gets the carpentry done I can go and clean that room since I cleaned out most of the junk last nite. Vincent said he wouldn’t work anymore this week, but is going to get it finished next week. Monroe said he would move the heating plant when Vincent finishes so I think things will get along very well. Nick took a case while we were there and said he would soon have it all out of the way. I asked him about Mildred and he said he had a card from her and she will be gone 2 more weeks. She should have had someone fixing her side while she is away. I went out in the back to find a broom and it isn’t so bad back there. There is plenty of junk to be moved out but it not as bad as it has been at times. Mrs. Krull said she was going to have Lontz clean it out and even mentioned having it white washed. I found a good toilet seat in the drug room. I have no idea where it is from, but it may be used on the toilet in back. I also found a box of glasses & drinking tubes which I think Geo. Tilton left. He had things stored in there last year and the box had Kentland Frurn on it.

I called Emma about a perm but she said she was booked two weeks ahead, then she had a cancellation for tomorrow so it took it. I was going

October 19, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] back to Mildred but she won’t be back for two more weeks and my hair gets more uncurly every day. I read the boys part of your letter with the “pun” about the frames and you can guess their reaction. It wasn’t exactly complimentary to your humor, but you know our boys.

Ellsworth is back. I haven’t seen him yet but he has been back several days. I saw Doris and she said I had gotten Juanita’s gloves the day we were together (the day I met you at the Lakes). Juanita is working this week so Emma Plummer can take a vacation.

John worked on his school paper last night. They have to mimeograph their paper this year for a while. John says the Supt. Isn’t interested in the paper so he doesn’t try to help them. I do wish there was more co-operation between the Supt. & student body, but I doubt that there will be. Mr. S. seems to be disliked by every one over there.

I think we are going to have some fair weather – the sun is shining now, so I think I’ll go put in a washer of clothes. – – It’s now 1:30 – I have put all the washing on the line, had lunch & dishes washed. It’s very nice out but a little chilly.

Geo. Monroe came about one o’clock and said he wouldn’t be able to do the work at the office, so now I am going to try Arnold. If Jim would come up he could do it if he had tools to work with. I’ll see if I can get Arnold. Vincent won’t be thru before the middle or last of next week so I should be able to get it done after that. – I thought everything was going too smoothly. (pessimist)

Arlene brought Bobby home. Dr. Ade took out both tonsils & adenoids. He said the adenoids were so large he didn’t see how Bobby could breathe thru his nose. The letter you wrote the 16^th – mailed the 17^th came yesterday the 18^th.

Love,
Mother