Tag Archives: Ira A. Dixon

Renting the House (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 26, 1944 envelope

April 26, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
4-26-44

Dear Daddy,

In a manner of speaking you had better get us a place to live – I have taken the first step in renting our home – Now this is the situation – I saw Ira Dixon, was looking for Al but thought Ira would know whether Smiths have a house – and according to Ira the “powers” were very much worried about the housing situation for the new Supt. And said if we would rent ours it would help them out a lot. He also said there was only Mr. & Mrs. Since the daughter teaches school and isn’t home. I told Ira we didn’t know how long you would be on the present duty but thought it would be for a few months at least. He said there was to be a school board meeting tonight and he knew they would welcome this news. Financially speaking

April 26, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] it would help us out about $45 or $50 a month. How much should we ask if we do rent?

Both J. & M. are doing home work and both jiggling the table. Mark explodes once in a while and makes the table move. He has so much trouble with the arithmetic. He thinks the book is off – not him. He mowed most of the lawn this evening. Link was out mowing and hired Mark to do his the next time. Said he would give him a dollar. It finally cleared off and I washed white clothes. I put your Christmas presents in and except for a few spots are in pretty good shape. I didn’t soak them in bleach but put the stained pieces on the grass and the sun did a good job bleaching them. I got the pictures back we took Sun. I am enclosing one of David and two other pictures of the rest of the family.

April 26, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I am still going without glasses, but hope to get to Laf. some time this week. Dorothy is going Fri. – I presume, to see Dr. Cole. Said she had to be there by 1:45. I would like to go sooner but if I can go with her think I should save the car, tires, gas, etc., for possible driving this summer.

Lucile called me today. Jimmy is all over his measles and they have put him down again. Said if it is warm tomorrow will take him out of doors. She didn’t want to take him to Laf. tomorrow – thought it too soon to take him with other people. Dr. said he might expose someone. David hasn’t shown the slightest sign of measles yet but he could start any time now. I took him out for a long time today just in case he starts

April 26, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] anything he will have had today out. Mrs. Zell offered to keep him so I could attend club but I told her to go and I would keep Martha, so she did. I took David & Martha out and Bobby joined us for a while, then he turned “nasty” and I told him to go home. He seems to get along nicely for a while then as Beulah says he goes “bosoik.” I think a little or a lot of applied psychology at the right times would help the little man a lot. I know that old touch system still works here with David. I ask him if he wants me to spank and he says “no.” I put training panties on him today and he got along pretty good. He was wet both times when I brought him in from playing but that wasn’t his fault.

I didn’t get much done today so am going to try and work some this evening –

Love Mother

Wed. a.m. It is cloudy and forecast is rain. Mark is out now mowing – he didn’t finish last night.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/31/renting-the-house-gladys/

Dear Dr. Yegerlehner

2 Replies

: February 3, 1944 envelope

: February 3, 1944, p. 1

: February 3, 1944, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
2/3/44

Dear Dr. Yegerlehner,

We planned to send you a Christmas greeting, but lots happened around here about then and mothering but mere essentials got our attention. Although we have not met, it seems I know you fairly well by knowing the rest of your family.

Mark and I do some swapping of work. Not long ago we cleared off and burned the gardens one evening after school. Another evening he burned brush and helped me saw up a maple top on Rinehearts lot to the North of our lot.

Ed Johnson and I had fun fixing up the electric train. Ed did some soldering and I got a new screw for the engine. Last Sunday all of us had dinner with your family. While the women decided some big problems, Mark and I put the train in operation here. He said he had some trouble this week but changed transformers and all is OK.

We want to tell you how much Virginia appreciated your letter last fall. She has faithfully kept it. It seemed to ease her. All of us regretted the whole incident so much.

You probably know Al Cast is going into Prairie Realty at the end of this school year.

[page 2] “Socky” is reported to be due for service soon, so I suppose Al will take over. Al and I were closely associated last summer on Farm Labor work. He is tactful and can put a lot of “fire” in the job when he wants to, so I think he’ll make good. The back porch “chorus” will be short at least one voice when Wilson leaves.

Sometimes I’m doubtful about being in the good grace of your family, especially you, after hearing reactions to other specimens known as county agents. I do work though and even get dirty at times. We are trying to do a lot of 4H club work including livestock and cropwork. Much of our time in the past 2 years (even before I came here) has been spent in helping farmer with labor and production efforts. The favorable weather, and the fact that farmers know no hours have done the job. Better seeds and methods have helped some I hope.

Speaking of active service, I passed my final physical last Tuesday. When I am called will depend upon how my Employer’s policy works out with Selective Service. Purdue (my Employer) has been requesting that experienced men stay on, but I know nothing except Army-Navy Doctors say I’m healthy.

Our office often helps organize “Drives.” Attended Red Cross planning session today. County Quota is $11,500, 150% of last March. Ira Dixon handles publicity. I know he would appreciate any story of Red Cross activity you have thought outstanding.

All of us join the members of your family wishing you a speedy return to the States.

Sincerely,
Russell Zell

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/15/dear-dr-yegerlehner/ ‎

Independence Day 1943 (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: July 4, 1943 envelope

: July 4, 1943, p. 1

: July 4, 1943, p. 2

: July 4, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

July 4, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Cal.

Dear Mother,

This being Sunday and a holiday no doubt we will spend the day with firecrackers and later a picnic supper on the sea shore. Sound like a rather enjoyable day don’t you think? I have other ideas about the enjoyableness of such a situation.

The crowing event so far as the day is concerned has already past and that was two eggs sunny side up with bacon and toast. That is not the usual breakfast however. Just a pick up by one of the officers in his wandering

[page 2] around. Of course those eggs were either state side or New Z.

Have been giving the regular routine yearly shots and since I’ve been in over a year mine were due also, so my arm is a little stiff but other than that there are no bad affects.

I saw in the Newton C. E. issue the law about the car insurance and I think ours is OK, but you said you were going to check with Ira. Since it isn’t due until Aug. 11 (I believe). You will have had plenty of time to arrange to make it OK if it is not.

The bell just rang for 8:30 and

[page 3] I’m supposed to begin giving shots at 9:00 so before long will have to get things arranged for the bunch that come in. Just something like the days when the kids came from school to get their shots. Only none of these cry and carry on but some do get very white and act as if they would like to pass out.

Well, I’ll promise to do a better job of writing next time as I so often do –

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/20/independence-day-1943-roscoe/

A regular letter (Gladys)

1 Reply

: March 25, 1943 envelope

: March 26, 1943, p. 1

: March 26, 1943, p. 2

: March 26, 1943, p. 3

: March 26, 1943, p. 4

: March 26, 1943, p. 5

: March 26, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
3-26-1943

Dear Daddy –

This is the first regular letter I have written for some time. I got out of the habit – due to not having pictures to enclose, but have some now, covering D.’s 5^th to 6^th month. There isn’t much difference is his pictures but we can see a lot. He does something new quite often and of course that isn’t caught with the camera. We should have a movie camera so we could keep a more accurate record of his growth. It is so nice and warm today I intend taking him out for an airing. However I want to keep away from school children – there are so many diseases going around now – measles, chicken pox & scarlet fever. I have mentioned in several letters that we gave him Immune Globulin and he hasn’t taken measles from Mark – neither did John. The minute Mark said he didn’t feel good I sent him up to bed (Sat a.m. 8:30) and John stayed down, then John went to Krulls & stayed from Mon. till Fri. I do hope John won’t start

Dolores and her husband, James Stevens, c1953

[page 2] feeling bad in about a week. We are planning to go to C. C. Apr 2. Dolores will be home and we want to see her. I didn’t plan to go this week-end due to measles – that is John’s exposure by Mark will be three weeks tomorrow and some say an exposure can go three weeks in developing – and I didn’t want to take a chance. Dr. M. said it was not very likely he would take them from Mark after that long. John wrote an essay in a contest and won second – Angus W. won first. He said today he won a spelling contest and the reward was a candy bar but Miss Kitsmiller just gave him a nickel. He is taking algebra and likes it. Mark is still working on the cornet and I must say does good for no more practice than he puts in on it. He had to miss several days school when he had measles but so many were out too that they all had to catch up.

The stool in the “Powder Room” stopped up so had Monroe come out. He said it was from the septic tank and I had to have it cleaned. Billy Floyd cleaned it today – (6.25) and had

[page 3] to dig up the yard quite a bit – now will have to get that place smoothed down again and grass seed sown. I saw Bill out working on his lawn – I went over and he was putting arsenate of lead to kill moles. The moles have been working under his lawn a lot. I want to get some vigaro and seed for our lawn but there is a shortage of fertilizer and I may not be able to get any. There is a new special fertilizer called “Victory Garden” and of course it is compounded specially for gardens and to be used for just that. Paul Y. was here yesterday. He was looking for a manure spreader but hadn’t found one. He said Earl was definitely exempted for but talked like he might have to go – He said he had just bought a new tractor outfit. I’ll get all the “low down” and details if we get to go to C.C. next week. Kenneth would let Clarence try to keep him home. He said he didn’t want to stay home, with all the young men his age going. Had a letter from Ethel W. and she said Allen had gone – his dad could have had him exempted for farm work but Allen wouldn’t let him do it.

[page 4] Ethel said she didn’t blame Allen – because he would have to live with “those boys” when he comes back. That is the way I feel about us. You know I would rather have you here at home – but this thing is bigger than our own personal lives, and as you have written before – we are not the only ones – and when you come home we won’t have any guilty feelings about shirking a duty – so chin up – and all that sort of thing. It can’t last forever. – Well I hear a grunt and that means David is awake and soon will be clamoring for eats, and mentioning eats – it really costs us to eat, but I certainly am glad we have our locker. I haven’t bought meat in the stores for so long but once in a while glance at the show case to see what the prices are and the last time I looked – Hamb. 35 lb T-Bone 48¢ – and with rationing starting Apr 1 – 16 points a person a week is allowed and the amt. of meat one eats depends on the kind. Steak takes 8 pts a lb – so not much steak to be head in a week.

[page 5] I wrote you several times but will repeat – the income tax for ’42 figured 157.53 – also I read that all gross pd on salaries rec’d in Service will be refunded for ’42 – so that will be a little – Haven’t taken time yet to figure what refund will be coming.

— Some time later – Fed David (vegetables & milk) Tried fruit but he didn’t seem to retain it so thought I would try again later – He is taking orange juice again. Also went out and took down the clothes. Certainly is grand to hang them out again – after all the basement drying all winter. I haven’t heard anything about Ira D. recently so he must have gotten over the attack whatever it was. I suppose the people around town will keep you up on most local news. Your letters of Mar 12 & 13 came today. Never think anything you write is boring. If you can only say so much you know I always look for letters and don’t think they are ever dull – I have saved every one – I think they should be kept to hand down to the grandchildren –

The bank bal. at present is about $120⁰⁰ I haven’t had any collections for such a long time – and that much talked of uniform money hasn’t come yet.

[page 6] I am keeping bills paid – Ins, etc. Still have a 34⁰⁰ coal bill but will get it next month. I am taking the dividends off next 59⁰⁰J. Hancock prem. So that will be about half next time (Apri). I sat David up in his buggy – you can see by the picture the kind it is and he has scooted down till he has his feet braced on the foot piece. That is the way he likes to rest in his buggy.

It is a little hazy out like we might get a rain – Wish we would so that loose dirt would sink down where it was dug up.

Hope you can get an idea about us from these pictures. Now that we are getting into spring we should be able to get some good ones.

It is so warm today the physical ed classes have been held out of doors. Hope none catch cold. So far it hasn’t bothered John. I think the physical ed is good for him – he has to take it.

I must get this finished so can take it to the P.O.

All my Love
Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/08/a-regular-letter-gladys/

A Heck of a Long Summer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 19, 1943 Envelope

: January 19, 1943, p. 1

: January 19, 1943, p. 2

: January 19, 1943, p. 3

: January 19, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Jan 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

About the middle of the P.M. and the weather a little cooler – we have had a few clouds and the wind is blowing so that helps, but it sure was hot before that. I’ve just been thinking that this has been a heck of a long summer. When I reported in at Norfolk in May it was very hot and here it is 8 or 9 months later and still hot of course we have had some warm cool weather but mostly hot. Really I don’t think I’d like to live like this all time – I mean the warm weather – a change to the cold winds and frosting mornings is most desirable.

[page 2] In other words buckets of snow would be good or maybe acess to snow would be better. Several years ago in Indianapolis along about this time it was so cold – The heating plant in Elmer D. house froze up when you were up to see me and all those troubles – Remember. Well skip all those things.

Even our mail censoring job has fallen off. Just too hot for fellows to write. I thought I’d write others yesterday – but yours is the only one I’m able to get out each day. Sweat just pours out and gets the paper wet and the old thinking apparatus don’t work. It’s Thundering now. The second time I’ve heard that

[page 3] since leaving Norfolk. The other time is rained for 6 days straight – Hope it doesn’t do that this time.

I’ve taken five pictures all together. Fred and Dr. P. don’t know it but I’m taking candid pictures of them. Just started today and it’s a little hard to get one that the other don’t know it. I’m just trying to surprise them. Oh Yes. I’ll get some of myself on one or two to send you also. Those that I take of them are something of camp life.

I feel like working on some shells or something so I’ll finish later after the P.M. mail time – You notice I didn’t say after the P.M. mail.

Yes the mail has arrived. One letter for me from Wayne W. dated Dec. 14, so while it wasn’t a complete black out it wasn’t exactly what was expected. Of course I wouldn’t

[page 4] tell that to Wayne – but I’d much rather hear from you. So far we aren’t sure about a show tonite because it’s trying to rain and this is before the show so it may not be started. It is now 7:15 and the show generally starts at 7:45. Even with all the thundering etc. It didn’t rain much this P.M. just sprinkled now and then.

There is one thing I forgot to tell you and that is to file to mortgage exemption. I’ve forgotten what time of year to do that. It may be too late now. Ask Link or Ira or Boonie. Funny how one forgets those things but it sure happens that way. Guess it’s the continuous summer time.

Well, I’m thru for today except for lots of Love –

Daddy

P.S. went to the show after all. It rained but rain coats were in order.

Another mix-up (Roscoe)

1 Reply

I just had one of those moments when I realized that page 1 DOES NOT go with page 2. I jumped ahead to Roscoe’s letter dated October 29^th but those pages fit together just fine. I went back to his October 27^th letter and realized that the transition between the two pages was off. I am surprised no one mentioned how choppy it sounded. So let’s redo the last letter with this letter. The pages are now in the correct sequence for both letters.

: October 27, 1942 Envelope

: October 27, 1942, p. 1

: October 27, 1942, p. 2

Oct. 27, 1942

Dear Mother,

This being Tue it rained all day and it being a raining day omits Tue – Don’t pay attention to that I just tried to tell you in a complicated way that it rained all day today up to now and it is now about 1615 and no sign of letting up. About the middle of the afternoon I was very ambitious went to the shower thru the rain Took a complete bath and came back thru the rain. I didn’t know whether to wear a rain coat or to take my clothes off and wrap a towel around me. I chose the latter so was ready for soap when I got there. The shower needless to say was cold but very invigorating. It was the first time I’d changed for some time and I think it helped to raise my moral by getting out clean clothes etc. It has been out of the question to have laundry done because it has been raining almost continuously since Fri night and in that time we haven’t seen the sun not even a peep.

I wrote both the boys this A.M. and put their letters in separate envelopes so if they don’t get there at the same time you will have to explain. Possibly I should have sent them in one so they would either have or had not together. It was a little hard to write to them because news are so scarce and I try to write all I can to you but I managed to fill a couple pages each.

I haven’t said anything to you about the fellow here who graduated from Indiana whose folks lived at Morrow [?]. He is still with us and

[page 2]came in to shoot the breeze. I mentioned him in a letter I wrote back at Moffett Field. His name is Coffel. We talked for some time about mutual friends & class mates at Indiana. U. He is now married and was practicing in La. His wife is from the South also.

One of our tent mates have moved out so we aren’t so crowded but probably someone else will move in. It really doesn’t make any difference because ¼ is all we need or use anyway and what wants more than ¼ of a 16 foot square place anyway? I really wish you could see the place. I think you would think it very lovely or something. This reminds me of someone who took a camping trip and it rained the entire week they were there. The only thing we aren’t fishing or hunting nor trying to get our own meals. Don’t even have to make our own bunks. And once in a while the boy even brings us a bucket of water, but the toilet is still just as far up the slope.

No mail yet today. That’s all I’m going to say. I had been wearing my heavy shoes around, but I got out my four buckle overshoes today just to see how they would work. They probably will slip better but maybe won’t feel so damp. When Wish we had a small oil burner to help get the damp feeling cleared away. Well, its almost chow time finish later.

Later- got 2 letters one from Ira Dixon dated Oct 12 and a V-mail letter from Sykes Oct. 4 but none from you. Played bridge my partner & I won 5140 to 1550 had a good run of cards. Played 3 rubbers

Lots of Love Daddy

: October 28, 1942 Envelope

: October 28, 1942, p. 1

: October 28, 1942, p. 2

: October 28, 1942, p. 3 (written on the back side of p. 2)

Wed Oct 28, 1942

Dear Mother,

It was cloudy all day today but not nearly so much rain – just a few sprinkles now and then. It has been dry enough so that the mud stiffened somewhat and doesn’t stick to the shoes quite so badly, but it looks like more and harder rain any minute now.

Just like all good housekeepers we decided to rearrange our furniture. My bunk formerly was East and West but now it rest North and South. I can’t explain the whole situation but it makes us have lots more room. Two of our former tent mates are gone and one new one has moved in and with only three it makes more room. The roommate I told you about the other day finally left. I think he was pretty badly frightened and all shook up but maybe he will get over that in time.

Ira said there probably would be meat rationing as well as other things in the near future back there. And the way he talked there were lots of boys leaving and business was very dull and I can’t imagine Nick’s being closed on Sunday, but if gas is rationed I suppose people don’t travel as much as before and everyone will have to stay home. We had roast lamb for dinner – Don’t know if that was a result of the meat rationing at home or not. I’ve been wondering about the locker and if you will be allowed to buy meat

[page 2] in that way.

The Sykes seemed OK. They had just bought the first load of coal they ever had to buy and it cost 15°°. They thought that was pretty high – guess they had always been furnished their coal before. Your mail between Aug 29 and Oct. 14 is still on the way. It doesn’t bother so bad now since we get a few letters now and then. So far I don’t believe I’ve missed on any mail delivery yet. Some of the boys are envious, of course I didn’t get one from you yesterday but did get the other two.

The reason we got such a big bridge score last night wasn’t our good playing so much as it was our opponents’ poor bidding. They were both better than we but we doubled them four times and one time they went down four doubled and they were vulnerable so you see that counts up. Then twice the doubled us on bids of 3 diamonds and clubs and we made both bids so that doubled us into game. I know that sounds funny for me to be talking about bridge but it’s either that or go to bed at dark and it’s all in fun. Some of these men are good. I’ve seen bids of little slam and even grand slam made. Me I’ve never been able to do that yet. Last night was the first time my partner has been able to hold any cards. We don’t have the same partner. Just four fellows get together and draw to see who plays who etc. It’s raining pretty hard. I’ll leave the space for further developments. Later, Just received your letter air mail of Oct 12. It was older than the letter by 2 days than the one Sun. This one did answer a few questions and it had David’s picture. If you haven’t sent the laundry just keep it until I write for it.

Our new tent mate has a radio and we got California

[page 3] at 1:00 AM. Sounded pretty good. I think that is the first real radio reception since leaving home. Red Skeleton was on but we couldn’t get him.

We had half roast chicken for supper and let me tell you those bones were picked clean. It was also our regular time to get cigarettes. We get two cartons per month on our usual ration pay and that about does one for cigarettes.

You still haven’t said how often my letters are coming but I suppose you have already done so. Well it’s about time for bed. So solong

Love
Daddy