Tag Archives: Indiana

The Easter Candy (Gladys)

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April 17, 1944 envelope

April 17, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-17-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours mailed yesterday came this a.m. with the M.O.’s. I will go to the bank this afternoon and deposit the most of it. Will keep out a few dollars for daily use. I am so glad you are planning to come home Sat. Just hope nothing turns up to change your plans. It is sunny so far today but there are grey clouds hanging around and the weather forecast is for rain tonight. I hung out two washers of clothes. Took David out in the yard with me. Jimmy & Martha ran around and played with him and he had a good time. He is still having a time, but in his bed. I put him down just before J. & M. came home from school and he got too much attention when he shouldn’t have had any. He is tearing his bed up but will quiet down and go to sleep after John goes back to school. John is practicing now.

April 17, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Mark has gone back to school. He always has so much play to get done before the bell rings. John is keeping his report card so you can sign it before he takes it back.

I had a little experience with the Bendix. I was trying to push some soap thru that I had cut up on the grader. I pushed too hard, was using a blueing bottle for the pusher, and the metal screen pushed thru. It dropped to the drain and I got it out thru the little drawer at the bottom, where the drain is cleaned. I didn’t try to put it back in place. Thought I would save that job for you. However I hardly think you will have much time for things around here, since you won’t get home until Sat. nite.

I am wondering if you have done anything about the housing situation and if so what the results have been. I know you haven’t had much time yet.

April 17, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] No mail today except your letter and Colliers. I can’t understand Jim’s silence. I suppose we will hear from him when he gets around to writing. I think I wrote to him about a week after you came home.

– – I resumed my duties such as washing dishes & clothes. Had a few of David’s things to do and didn’t want to do them by hand so gathered up enough others to put in the Bendix. It is all clear and sunny now. No dark clouds hanging around. I feel that way myself. That is what your letter did for me today. What a man.

Have you seen or heard anything about the neighbor’s brother-in-law? I would have thought he would be in the hospital where you are. So far as I know our neighbors are still vacationing in Fla. I suppose they will be coming back soon, now that the weather seems to be warming up. Hope it warms up for you so you can change uniforms. Purely mercenary thought.

April 17, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] David finally went to sleep and is still snoozing. I would like to grab 40 winks myself before he gets awake.

You remember the Easter candy? I took it all out of the box and put it in a desk drawer – to keep the wolves away. I just left the box & empty papers on the sewing cabinet. J. & M. made several trips to the empty box (force of habit). Finally Mark said this box of candy was a gyp. I didn’t say anything. They never did find my hiding place. I knew if they did it would soon be gone – This way I can have a nibble once in a while – Now am I an old meanie?

Shall I send Vince’s wife a check or money order for $34? What shall I say about the money? I don’t believe we settled on that. This mail service is something, eh what? Write one day, you get it the next and vise versa. I’ll not write to Mrs. Stanich until I hear from you.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/18/the-easter-candy-gladys/

Busy (Gladys)

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April 15 & 16, 1944 envelope

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-15-44

Dear Daddy,

I wrote one letter this a.m. Have been keeping busy all day and thought I was feeling pretty good but during supper John said, “We got used to Daddy being gone before, but this is awful.” I asked him if he was lonesome and he said, “very.” Mark said something about going down to Grandma’s to spend the summer. John said, “Who wants to go down there? I want to be with Daddy.” I thought John acted rather casual Thurs. morning when you told him good-bye, but I suppose that is his way. He doesn’t say much at the time or demonstrate but it comes out sooner or later. He is playing records now. We listened to the radio for an hour then the programs didn’t suit us so he decided to play some Beethoven. Mark is busy with his drawing.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] He keeps talking about taking lessons this summer. I hope it can be arranged.

David was getting restless around 5 o’clock and I thought maybe a haircut would divert his attention. It rained most of the afternoon and he didn’t get his play out in the yard and he missed that quite noticeably. To go on with the haircut, he objected to the clippers right off, so I used the scissors & comb. Finally we coaxed him into letting me use the clippers but he wouldn’t hold still – results a little cracky, but looks better than it did. I gave him his supper about 6 o’clock then put him down and fixed ours. I had put a plate of hamburger on the table and looked around in time to see him grab some hamburger and cram it into his mouth. To keep him in good humor while we ate, I gave him one pea at a time. He would run into the dining room to eat the pea then come back for another. I taped his thumbs good enough last night he didn’t get the guards off once. I cut them off to give him his bath tonight. I may not have done as good a job on the new ones but haven’t heard him chewing on his thumbs yet.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Sunday afternoon

To continue the letter I started last nit. We have had dinner & washed dishes. Mark is at a loss for something to do. Says he is lonesome. Seems to be contagious around here. I am at one end of the dining room table and he is at the other. He is drawing something. He wanted me to take a walk but it is either raining or will be, so that let’s that out. It is very chilly. Took David to church. He behaved very nicely. It was Communion Day and Rev. Servies asked the Juniors first so John took David out after that and kept him in the vestibule. Lucile was at church and asked us to bring David over to see Jimmy. Ed was still in his robe and pjs. Said Jimmy saw David going to church and got very excited. They haven’t taken Jimmy to church yet. I don’t mind taking David when he behaves as

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] well as he did today. He doesn’t want to go to sleep now. After he finished his dinner I put him to bed and he is still fussing around and it’s past 1:30.

My hands are almost back to normal. There is still some peeling but no new places starting. They feel very tender and sensitive to water, but I think in a week I will be able to resume routine work, like washing dishes, etc., without any ill effects.

The Zells went to Oxford today and Mark went over to feed the chickens about 1 PM. Mr. Z. said if the sun came out to open the west door. I told him he was very optimistic. He was, because it is raining and looks like it will for quite a while.

John is listening to his regular Sun PM programs. He has a new piece of music that cost $1.50 however he hasn’t paid for it yet. I haven’t any money. I thought I would wait until your ck. comes and when I deposit it get some cash. I paid the telephone bill yesterday. It was $4.72 but the San F. tolls were not on it. The calls I made to Wilmington & C.C. were on it. I wonder why the two you made weren’t included.

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 5

[page 5] I was glancing over the ck. book and the bal. is $70.17 but I think there were some cks. cashed by you & me that aren’t recorded, so we probably have less than $70.00. I will call the bank in the morning and check on our balance.

Verna Burns just called from Watseka and wanted to know if you could appear on a luncheon program for a sorority meeting as a speaker. I told her in the first place you weren’t permitted to do any public speaking and the second place you were on duty and wouldn’t be available at that time (May 5 – 1 PM). Correct me if I am wrong. I told her Dr. R. was home and she said she knew it. I wonder why she did [not] try to contact him. Maybe she doesn’t know him personally.

David finally gave up and went to sleep. He got his thumb guards

April 15 & 16, 1944, p. 6

[page 6] off once but I put a new one on. I haven’t made the kind you suggested yet, but will try to get that done tomorrow. I have done a few other things since you left tho. After baths last night I dried the wall around the tub. So far no signs of water seepage around the putty. I am “right proud” of your work. It certainly makes the bathroom look much better. I want to get the lower half of the “Powder Room” painted or maybe I should save that job for you.

I haven’t been away from home since you left so haven’t been out news gathering – if there is any. Somehow I don’t relish the idea of having people ask questions about this & that. I hope you get next Sun. off so you can come home. If not I am coming up. I wish we could arrange something for the week-end if you can’t come home, if not I’ll come with Joe. This month is having a long beginning. I hope it doesn’t seem as long as the first few days have. I had a notion to call you last night but didn’t. We all miss you

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/16/busy-gladys/

Four Pages With What Have You (Gladys)

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April 15, 1944 envelope

April 15, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-15-44

Dear Daddy –

Your letter written the 13^th and post marked 4 PM Apr. 14 came this a.m. I sent out a letter yesterday and hope you get it by today. When your letter came the boys gathered around to listen and got quite a “kick” out of the 23 little men. John decided we needed a cake, “now that Daddy is gone,” and is mixing one now. Mark is putting bon ami on all the windows. It is raining and he can’t play out so I thought this would be a god job for him. He (Mark) slept with me last night. This a.m. David was awake and very insistent about some attention. Mark brought him to me and he was wet and had had a B.M. which was very soft and extensive. I suppose he had too many green beans yesterday. Mark got up and went to the store and got a few things we needed – and a qt. of cottage cheese. I gave David some and will give him some each meal today. That has always acted as a “builder upper” for him. When I

April 15, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] started to dress him after breakfast he reached into the drawer and got out the pink knitted suit I made for him last year so he looks a little like a sissy in his pink and needing a hair cut.

The weather cleared up about noon yesterday and we had sunshine long enough to get two washes out to dry. It is raining this a.m. so no washing today. I ironed and ironed yesterday and finally got it all done. I even got what was washed yesterday ironed. I was so tired last night I was afraid maybe I had worked off some of my excess fat but this a.m. I still balanced the scales a shade under 100. I won’t work so hard today now that I am caught up on the washing & ironing. I promised Mark we would make a batch of cookies after John gets thru with the cake.

Mark said Geo. Dinwiddie called his drawing “corny” so our Mark comes back with, “well we are going to live with Daddy this summer and I am going to Chicago and take drawing lessons.” The little Sammons boy and one or two others took up the discussion and said it wasn’t essential and Mark couldn’t drive to Chicago to take lessons. From there on I don’t know what was said, except that in all probability our Mark had

April 15, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] the last work. I had a good notion to tell Mark to tell Jimmy S. that it wasn’t essential for his parents to take a trip to Ga. or wherever it was they went this winter. However I didn’t make any comment. Yesterday after school Mr. Zell asked John & Mark to help him roll his yard. Mr. Z. was a little on the touchy side and Virginia said to Mark, “I’ll bet your Daddy isn’t grouchy.” I asked Mark what he answered – he said, “I just kept my big mouth shut.”

Haven’t heard from Jim yet. All that came Thurs. & Fri. was the Kent papers. Your letter & a letter from Wayne Pharm. Supply Co. was all that came this a.m.

I was thinking about a radio last night and wondered why you didn’t take the kitchen radio with you. We could get along with the one in the living room. If you want it and I come up with Dr. Joe I’ll bring it up. However I hope you get to come home by that time. If not I think I’ll come up as planned.

April 15, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] My hands are peeling off but I can’t close my left hand yet. There are still some water pockets on my left hand but the old places are about gone. I believe the worse is over. I keep my left hand out of the water and am still very careful not to get my right hand in water more than I have to. I keep scaling off all the time. Now believe me I will not touch tomatoes in any form again (soon).

I haven’t been away from home since you left, but have been busy doing things. I would take David for a walk today but it is too wet and I have been taking him out in the yard the past two days and he doesn’t want to come in when I do. Arlene was looking for Bobby Thurs. afternoon and I told her I would keep Donnie out with David but she declined. She looked so tired and said she was having Carl & Rosemary come for dinner. They (C. & M.) are having their house painted (inside). I am afraid Arlene isn’t getting enough rest so soon after she had that repair work done. She has a girl from John’s class come after school and help I think. Louise is past helping her now.

John got into a little difficulty with his cake – he forgot to add the milk and it was so thick he couldn’t pour it into the pans.

For no news I have pretty well filled four pages with what have you. Maybe one of your 23 helped me.
Love – Mother

P.S. John got his report card Thurs PM A+ on hist., arith. & Eng. – A on all the rest except shop B+

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/14/four-pages-with-what-have-you-gladys/

Tired (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 13, 1944 envelope

April 13, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-13-44

Dear Daddy,

Just bathed David and taped up the thumbs. John took him up to bed and now John is doing homework and Mark is drying dishes.

I am very tired this eve but thought I would be able to sleep better if I am really tired. I don’t feel quite as low as I did this morning. I started cleaning up as soon as you left. Got the dining room back in order. After lunch I cleaned the kitchen floor and put a washer of clothes in. I was so tired by then thought I should rest. I took a short nap then hung out the clothes. David took a nice long nap. After I finished hanging the clothes I came in and dressed him and took him out in the sunshine. I thought I would sit on the step & read the Dem. but D. kept running around the house. Jimmy and Bobby came over and visited a while,

April 13, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] but they got into a bad quarrel and Jimmy went in the car with his Mother & Daddy. While sitting on the step Bobby said they might get a stone driveway. I asked him “where.” He said where the cement drive is now. I must have looked like I didn’t understand what he was talking about, and he followed with this, “Mommy & Daddy haven’t said anything about it, but I think we will have a stone driveway.” He said he liked the hills on both side of ours. After Mark came home I turned David over to him and Mark said Bobby got in trouble and his mother made him stay home. It was so warm today I hung the clothes out after 3 P.M. and they got dry. The water was very hot so thought I would take advantage of it & the sunshine. I got the clothes line up but it was quite a pull.

I just heard David and I think he is working on a thumb so will go up and see. He was looking out the front door and I said, ”See the robin.” He said “obin.”

I wrote a letter to Ruth M. and John took it to the P.O. I told them they could find a recruiting office either in Joliet or Chicago.

I was looking at the new evergreen tree. It is still damp around there from the recent rains but the tree is beginning to look brown around the edges. In a day or so I will water it if it doesn’t rain. I won’t mail this till morning and if there is any mail or news will add a line.

Love Mother

April 13, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Fri. a.m.
It is about time for Mark to go to school and the mail hasn’t been delivered yet so no news. It is cloudy and looks like it will rain. I am glad I got one washer of clothes done yesterday. Slept like a log last night but still tired. Going to try and get this mountain of ironing done. Mark tries to use the belt you left but it is too wide. David is full of pep and

April 13, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] going strong. I worked on John’s face last nite with soap & wash cloth & washed his hair. He looks pretty good this a.m.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/11/tired-gladys/ ‎

Home Sweet Home (Roscoe)

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Roscoe finally received his long awaited orders on March 22, 1944. He journeyed by train, arriving in Kentland, Indiana, on March 24th. He enjoyed about three week’s leave before he was required to report for duty at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital, on April 13th.

: March 22, 1944 orders, p. 1

: March 22, 1944 orders, p. 2

Obviously no letters were written during this time. However, Gladys made note of David’s first meeting with his father in the baby book.

March 23 – 1944
David is 18 months old – weighs 25 1/2 lbs – 33″ tall.
March 24 – Daddy came home and David saw him for the first time. David thinks Daddy is “OK.”
Cutting lower left and upper left first molars.
David is wearing thumg guards, but still puts his thumb in his mouth when he gets the guards off.
Apr. 9 – Easter Sunday and David’s Christening Day. Vic, Beulah & Carol Jean came for dinner and spent the afternoon with us. David found several Easter nests with the help of John and Mark.

Roscoe and David, March 1944

©2016, copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/09/home-sweet-home-roscoe/

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)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/29/marks-birthday-gladys/

Chicken-Pox (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 24 & 25, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 24 & 25, 1944 (envelope back)

February 24 & 25, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Another beautiful sunny day makes me think spring is just around the corner but I know we have March yet and any kind of weather may come then. This kind of weather makes me want to get out & dig.

I started out with David yesterday and stopped at Funks. Arlene said Joy had chicken-pox. I went in and looked at her and could only see a slight rash – I asked Arlene is she knew what chicken-pox looked like – she said “no.” Well, if Joy has chicken-pox I don’t know what they look like. I asked her if she had had temp. or felt cross the past few day and evidently Joy has been perfectly normal. I think she has a rash. Arlene was puzzled how Joy could get anything, since she hasn’t had her out of the house recently.

Jack Byrnes (Art’s druggist) has two youngsters and last winter they had measles and scarlet fever and now have chicken pox. The little boy is just a little older than David. So far David hasn’t had anything except colds. He seemed to hold on to a cold most of the winter. It seems to come and go. I wonder sometimes if it isn’t an allergy. He has been coughing a little more than usual the past few days, but it doesn’t bother

February 24 & 25, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] his appetite in the least. I have been taking him out every day. It is too nice to stay in.

Sat. is Mark’s birthday and I want to have a party for him. I think I’ll have the neighbor children in for cake and ice cream. I don’t want to have too many because of David. The children around here are all in good health now, so don’t think there will be any danger of them carrying any contagious diseases.

A window light in the basement was blown out the other day when we had a high wind. I got another one yesterday, but haven’t tried to put it in yet. I must get it in, so if we have a cold spell, it will be in. If I could find someone to do the work I would have the partition around the furnace finished to keep the dirt in one place. This untreated coal is so dirty, our basement can’t be kept clean now.

I rather expect Lucile to come out with Jimmy this afternoon. Jimmy and David make a good team. They are almost the same size – – After David woke from his nap I put his sweater & cap on and took him out in the sunshine. I went over to Statons to tell Irene about Mark’s party Sat. When I started out again I saw Lucile coming. She wanted to stop and see Joy Funk so I kept our boys out in the sunshine while she visited with Arlene then I walked to the corner with her when

February 24 & 25, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] she started home. Come back and Arlene had Joy & Donnie out in the yard. She had Joy in her basket. She was sleeping soundly and absorbing sunshine. Donnie was running all around the yard. I was so warm it made us think it was spring. I didn’t finish this letter yesterday and now this is the 25^th. I am not making a habit of this so don’t get alarmed. I am out of V-mail at present or would have written v-mail yesterday. The boys got out of school at 11 a.m. today. It has rained all day and David didn’t get to go out any. The speed burner on the stove was out of order so the serviceman came out to fix it – Ed has ordered a new switch but Michaels said the new switch wouldn’t work, so Ed came out with him. They both worked on it a while and said it was ready for use. I tried it when getting supper and couldn’t get it to turn off, so Ed came out and put a new button on. If that doesn’t work he will put in the new switch.

Cosmopolitan was at Cost’s this afternoon, and being vice-president I went, because the Pres. Called and asked me to, she was going to be out of town.

February 24 & 25, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Coke, Cecil D. & I called on the Wilsons when we left Casts. Their new baby arrived the 23^rd without the services of a Dr. Ellsworth officiated. He said he was going to run an ad in the paper for his services – However he will probably soon be in the Army, his notice came today along with 49 others. Among those I understand Bill Nugent got his call. When asked what the new baby’s name is, he said he hadn’t decided yet. Doris said if he didn’t choose a name by tomorrow she was going to. Coke said, “do you name all the children?” He said since he couldn’t have them the least he could do was name them. Doris said she would gladly change jobs with him.

The Zells took Mark with them to the show tonight – John is practicing and David is tucked in, or I should say he is in bed because he is probably on top of the covers. He sleeps on them, rather than under unless I get up and cover him several times during the night.

John is going to take this up to the hotel to mail for me.

No mail from you today, but had a letter from your mother –
“Love Mother”

Growing Boys (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 23, 1944 envelope front

: February 23, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-23-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Feb. 10 & 11 came today. It is a nice sunny day since the fog has cleared. I want to take David out if he will go to sleep and get a nap first. For some reason he didn’t go right to sleep when I put him down after lunch. He is learning more about climbing every day. This morning he climbed up on a kitchen chair and played with the radio on the kitchen table. He climbs up on the couch when he takes a notion and sometimes tumbles off, but that doesn’t discourage him – he goes right back. Dot Salter Hoffman sent me two rolls of film today so will get a picture of David – today being his 17^th month. It seems to me the time flies by faster than ever. When I think of David begin 17 months old it somehow doesn’t seem possible yet he has made good use of all these months the way he develops. Of course we think he is advanced and “super” but we would be that way with him. I think he knows how he rates – Just looked in to see if he was covered – he finally went to sleep.

Not having been around where news floats around I don’t know much about current events of Kentland. This being Wed., no weekly newspaper to gather items from.

February 23, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] You may wonder about Dot sending me film, but she works for Easley and when film comes in she is supposed to send me a roll or two. This is the second time she has sent. I was out and couldn’t get any here so her package was more than welcome. – – I stopped and took a little nap too. Now we are both up and I have a film in the camera and am going to take David out in a few minutes for a snap. He has been a little touchy since he woke up. Maybe he slept too long. I am not going to use the whole roll today – since Sat. is Mark’s birthday will want to take pictures then.

John went to town yesterday and got a new suit. He is growing so fast has just about grown out of the one he has now. His arms are so long and hip legs too. I let the cuffs out on the pants as much as I could and they are still short. He is almost my height (5-2 ½ ) lacking about an inch. If he keeps growing like this at only 13 ½ he will be tall – up in the 6 ft. class. Of course he may quit after this “growing spell” is over but he has a good start. I always thought Mark would be tall but not John. He is developing too – takes a 13 ½ shirt. Not far from his Dad’s size.

I have put David out in the buggy so must go see about him.
Love Mother

Tulips Peeping Thru (Gladys)

1 Reply

February 22, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-22-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail delivery today so we didn’t score anything. It is very warm and the snow is melting – There is some left where it had drifted but it will soon be gone. The tulips are all peeping thru and some are an inch or more above the ground. I suppose it won’t hurt now. They came up some time ago during a warm spell and we covered them with leaves but the leaves were blown off. Mrs. Zell fertilized all our shrubbery in the back. Now with the snow melting and all the moisture around them they should get off to a good start this spring. I will be glad to get out in the yard again and turn the earth up and get flowers started. The house should be painted this spring – I noticed several places peeling – and it looks as dirty as several years accumulation instead of just two.

There is no school this afternoon due to Rev. McCloud’s funeral and no school Fri. P.M. due to some kind of teachers’ meeting. Mark is out in the yard “tending” David. Two of his classmates are out with him. How they can find anything amusing to do I don’t know, because I told them to keep off the grass.

February 22, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] It is so wet that if they run and play on it now they make holes, etc., and it needs care instead of destruction. I want to get some grass seed before long and sow again. I sowed a little last spring. I believe it helped some.

David loves to sit in his buggy and watch children play. By spring he will have to be put down on the ground so he can do things too. He certainly kept busy this morning doing some things I didn’t want him to do. I was ironing and he would get into things then just stand and look at me when I would tell him to get out. I could persuade him sometimes to get out, then again I would have to get up and use more personal methods. He is a tease, and I wasn’t wanting to be teased with all the ironing I had to do. He will be 17 months old tomorrow – is 32 ½” high and weighs 25 lbs.

When I started writing it was very clear and sunny and now it is getting dark and looks black in the north. I wonder if we will get a rain, snow or what. Looks like something is brewing.

Sat. is Mark’s birthday. I think I will have a surprise party for him. He is talking quite a lot about his birthday. Said he wanted another watch but I told him no because he didn’t take care of the one he had. I got him two new shirts and gave them to him and told him they were for his birthday but I really intend to get him something else.

Love Mother

Death of Rev. McCloud (Gladys)

1 Reply

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-20-44

Dear Daddy –

Another wintry Sunday P.M. I was going to take David out for a walk but a fine snow is coming down – so fine it is almost a rain, so unless it lets up we will stay in or go in the car. I thought we might go out to the greenhouse. Rev. McCloud died yesterday and I would like to send flowers. Rev. McCloud suffered a heart attack last week and I understood he would have to be in bed for sometime but he was up getting his breakfast yesterday morning when he died. As active as he had always been I never thought about him having heart trouble. He used to play tennis every summer –

The snowing stopped so I walked for a while with David & Mark then we came back and went out to the green house and ordered flowers to send to McClouds. Then we stopped at Plummers. Mr. P. was in bed – had been sick with near pneumonia. They won’t get to go to Fla., because they were to go about the time he got sick a week ago, and he isn’t able to be up yet. I think Mrs. P. is rather disappointed because they can’t go. She has been working pretty hard since he has been down, taking care of the chickens, furnace, etc. Then they got a quarter of beef and she canned it. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas eve and didn’t know about Mr. P. being ill. I thought

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] they would be in Fla., but saw the flowers in the window so knew they were home.

We came back home and listened to the radio all evening. David Diedam came about 7 P.M. and played with Mark a while. Mrs. Z. came over and invited us to eat fried chicken with them tomorrow evening. They have kept chicken in their refrigerator since the middle of Jan. We had baked chicken today that we put in the locker almost a year ago.

Mon. A.M. Yours of Feb. 8 & 9 came today. Had a leak in the upstairs bathroom. Had to call Mr. Monroe – The leak was from the flush box. It had run out on the floor and soaked down on the ceiling in the dining room before I discovered it but it is fixed now and not much damage done. The other side of the dining room ceiling has water marks from the bath tub. I hope to get some painting done this spring & cover the water marks.

It is nice out today. Sun shining and snow melting. I want to take David out after he wakes from his nap. He was a little busy body this morning. Wouldn’t stay put anyplace – just kept going from one thing to another, getting into things he knows he should stay out of. He is beginning to talk more. When he wants to do something to get attention, he gets your picture and says “Da.” He knows he won’t get scolded

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] for that. He has been saying Ma-Ma the last two days. We are trying to get him to say mother. He can say John & Mark, not quite plain, but we know what he is saying. I have to keep the bathroom door closed (downstairs) to keep him from playing at the lavatory. He climbs up on the clothes hamper and does things.

Irene borrowed some coffee this morning – Said her mother is away but I didn’t ask any questions. I suppose she has gone to Ft. Wayne to stay with Margaret. Irene isn’t working now – Dorothy said Irene was to rest a month before she goes back to work. I can’t imagine Irene staying home and doing hum drum house work. Not that it is that to me – but I am geared differently from Irene. I imagine she will return to the factory.

I have been wondering what the men getting married in foreign lands will do about their wives when they are ordered back to the States. Will Bob be able to bring his bride back with him if he is sent back here before the war is over? He won’t mind staying down there now but what a situation to be ordered back here soon and have to leave his wife. Of course it isn’t any worse than your situation but it would seem a little ironical if he got traveling orders now when that is what you want. I think I hear little David getting awake.

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I knitted a suit for James L. – I want to get it mailed today. I wanted to send it for his birthday which was in Jan., but I didn’t get it started in time. I made this suit in dark blue. I want to make one for David in red. He still has dark brown hair and his eyes are so dark they almost look black, so he should wear red. D. & Jimmy make a good contrast. Jimmy is so fair and his hair is so blond it is almost white.

–Pause to take D. up and set him on the toidey – it worked – saved a diaper. He is busy now playing with a box – much more interesting than a toy – Toys are something to throw down and leave on the floor while a good box is playing with.

I am afraid this letter has been rather jumbled, but I started on it so many times & I didn’t have a very good train of thoughts any time I started.

I want to start planning flower gardens for spring. I haven’t thought much yet about a vegetable garden. It is nice to have vegetables all summer but almost more work than I care about. If the boys could carry on without my supervision, but they couldn’t last year. John doesn’t like gardening and Mark won’t work consistently unless he has someone with him all the time – It is almost compared to getting blood out of a turnip – except that he can work but doesn’t care to.

Love – Mother