Tag Archives: James E. Foster

Momento Mori

5 Replies

This month our family lost one of its oldest surviving members. My father’s oldest cousin. The first grandchild of James E. Foster and Emma (Lawhead) Foster, my great grandparents.

Indiana birth certificate, 1914, “Waneta” Geneva McCammon (Image courtesy Ancestry.com)

Born in 1914, Juanita lived a long life! It was a life filled with tragedy early on. Her mother died when she was not yet five. Her only full sibling, Wesley, died in a car accident on his way to school, aged 11. Her father remarried and produced a large family with his second wife. Jesse McCammon survived until his 101st year, but his daughter surpassed him by celebrating her 103rd birthday last November.

I never met Juanita in person. I corresponded with her a few times after I discovered who she was. I even helped, in a small way, to bridge an introduction between Juanita and another first cousin whose branch of the family had disappeared for 50 years. Juanita shared some lovely stories of my grandmother and my great grandmother Emma. After Juanita’s mother died, she spent parts of her childhood living between her two sets of grandparents.

Gladys Foster with Juanita and Wesley, 1918 (Image author’s private collection)

My grandmother, Gladys, was only ten years older than her niece so they were close when they were younger. When my uncles John and Mark were young, Juanita came to stay for a while to help take care of the boys, while Gladys ran her beauty parlour and Roscoe attended medical school.

I am most grateful to Juanita because she left me a legacy, beyond her letters and stories. Her DNA. Several years ago, unbeknownst to me, her family asked her to do an autosomal DNA test. I use this data on a regular basis. Most likely, without really knowing it, Juanita has helped me to solve several family mysteries over the last few years. I will be forever grateful for Juanita’s willingness to take a DNA test. Rest in peace, dear cousin!

©2018 copyright Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2018/01/20/momento-mori/

Farewell Emma (Gladys)

2 Replies

[Editor’s note: Gladys did not write a letter on October 17th as she was likely too busy with the funeral and all the visiting relatives. Emma’s obituary appeared in the next edition of the Newton County Enterprise. The paper announced that the funeral had been the previous Sunday (10/17).]

016 - Newton County Enterprise 1943-10-21 (Emma Foster Obituary)

 

RITES HELD FOR FOUR RECENTLY

Emily Foster, Adda Watkins, Florence Archibald and Dr. Cox Succumed

Mrs. Emily H. Foster

Final rites were conducted from the Hufty-Crane funeral home here for Mrs. Emily H. Foster, 71, Sunday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. V. B. Servies in charge. She died at the St. Elizabeth hospital in Lafayette Friday after a three months illness.

Born at Robinson, Ill., she was married to James E. Foster, in 1894. Surviving are three sons, Jesse, of Arkansas; Glenn, of Nevada, and James, USN, at Norfolk, Va., a daughter, Mrs. Gladys Yegerlehner, of Kentland, and a sister, Mrs. Minerva Metcalf, West Union., Ill. She was a member of the Methodist church.

“Rites Held For Four Recently,” Newton County Enterprise (Kentland, Indiana), 21 October 1943, p. 1.

Foster, Emma (Lawhead) - tombstone

Emma was buried at the Fairlawn Cemetery, Kentland, Indiana. You may visit her memorial at Find A Grave.

 ©2015 copyright Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/16/farewell-emma-gladys/

Progress – September 27th

7 Replies

Well, this update is not about the book because I am on book hiatus until the end of October. [Insert crying face emoticon here] I have too many other projects on the stove cooking at the moment to devote time to the book. I am frustrated by this lack of time. I want to be able to focus on the book completely instead of stealing a moment here or there. But the time just is not there at the moment, and I have to be realistic.

My main focus is writing my proof argument for my ProGen Study Group. The first draft was due September 25th which I turned in a few days early. After I wrote mine, I had to review the four papers of my group mates. We have such different writing styles and research problems. It is great to see what we are all working on. This next month we have to take the comments and suggestions of our group mates and polish up our first drafts into the final arguments.

I chose a research problem which I have been working on for 20 years, since I first starting working on Gladys’ family. One branch of her family has Quaker ancestry which stretches back to the early days of Pennsylvania and William Penn. Due to all the various migrations across the eastern part of the United States in the early years of the nineteenth century, some records are non-existent. The purpose of a proof argument is to gather indirect and direct evidence together in one place, and to write an argument “proving” whether or not events occurred. In my case, I have been searching for the parents of Alfred M. Dicks, Gladys’ great grandfather.

I believe I have a very solid argument. My first draft was 18 pages long, and over 6,000 words. I received some good feedback from some of my study group mates, and now I am beginning to make some corrections and additions. It is also my plan to publish the argument as an eBook when I am done in October.

In my genetic genealogy work, my father’s mtDNA results came in last week. I have two exact matches, but I think they are several generations too far away to help me at present. Mitochondrial DNA is the type of DNA which was used to prove that the bones buried under a parking lot in England belonged to Richard III. My goals are a little less lofty, but no less important to me. I am hoping to prove the connection between Sarah Ann (Jewell) Rea and her parents with mitochondrial DNA. The most plausible candidates are John P. Jewell and his wife Mary (Hoagland) Jewell. My father’s haplogroup is H1g1. This haplogroup appears to be more common in Germany and the Northern European countries. If Sarah’s mother was Mary Hoagland (who was of German ancestry), and I can find another of Mary’s descendants who matches, then I may have solved this mystery.

Last night, as I was searching for more information about Crawford and Clark counties (in Illinois) where Gladys’ family lived, I discovered that the Marshall Public library has begun digitizing the local county newspapers, back to the 1850s. This is AMAZING news! I have been stymied by the lack of records access in these two counties for the last two decades. I finally had to step away from the computer at midnight, but I could have gone on for hours more. The website says that they are still scanning and adding more newspapers, so patrons should check back often! [Can you see me doing Snoopy’s happy dance?] I was able to find the obituary of Gladys’ great grandmother, Belinda C. Foster, which previously I had only been able to find in a transcription, and many other little tidbits of gossip about my ancestors.

I will leave you with a small sample from the weekly news gossip column of West York, Illinois, from March 1896, announcing the marriage of Gladys’ parents.

Foster-Lawhead Marriage Announcement, 1896

Clark County Herald (Marshall, Illinois), 11 March 1896, p. 5, col. 2.

©2014 Deborah Sweeney.

Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/27/progess-september-27/

Sunday’s Obituary – James E. Foster

4 Replies
Terre Haute Tribune, Saturday, January 29, 1954, p. 2

Terre Haute Tribune, Saturday, January 29, 1954, p. 2

JAMES E. FOSTER

James E. Foster, 85 years old, died at 1 o’clock Thursday afternoon in Warren, Pa. Surviving are two sons, James of Indianapolis and Glenn of Cheyenne, Wyo: one daughter, Mrs. Gladys Yegerlehner of Kentland; two sister, Mrs. Cora Miller and Terre Haute and Mrs. Lizzie Johnson of Largo, Fla., and one brother, R. W. Foster of Sharpsville. The body will be brought to Cross Funeral Home where friends may call after noon Sunday and where services will be at 10 o’clock Monday morning. Burial will be in West York, Ill.

James Edward Foster was born 3 May 1869 in York Township, Clay County, Illinois. He was the eldest surviving son of James B. and Lydia (Dicks) Foster. James and Lydia were the parents of thirteen children of whom only five survived to adulthood. James grew up on his parents’ farm, and after the death of his father in 1887 (when James was 18), he worked as a farm hand. Later he worked as a traveling salesman and a clerk. At the end of his life, he appears to have worked as a gardener.

On 29 February 1896, James married Emma Lawhead in Hutsonville, Illinois. They were the parents of five known children: Lydia Allie, Glenn E., Forrest, James L. and Gladys R. Of the marriage little is known. According to Gladys, her father was an alcoholic. Eventually Emma got tired of James’ behavior and kicked him out. Whether they were officially divorced or not is unknown.

Foster, James E. - St. Louis, Missouri, 1924-05-03

James E. Foster
St. Louis, Missouri
May 3, 1924

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/03/sundays-obitua…james-e-foster/

Happy Birthday Gladys!

5 Replies

Foster, Gladys - 1920s (#1)

Today is the 108th anniversary of Gladys’  birth. She was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, the youngest child of James E. Foster and Emma H. (Laughead) Foster. She was an amazing women who lived through extraordinary times. Happy birthday Gladys!

Photograph from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/01/happy-birthday-gladys-2/ ‎

Saturday’s Surname – Foster

6 Replies
The Foster Family, by The American Genealogical Research Institite, 1973.

The Foster Family, by The American Genealogical Research Institite, 1973.

Many years ago I was given a copy of the book The Foster Family from the American Genealogical Research Institute. The book is copyrighted  1973 and it does not specify whether there were multiple printings or additions. I know the book was given to me by a well meaning relative but I don’t remember who at this point. The book has several chapters ranging from “the family name and arms”, “census of 1790” and “constructing the foster family tree”. And before you comment upon my lack of capitalization, I am copying straight from the book. Books like this are great for the novice genealogist, I guess. But even when I received the book, I already knew how useless it was for my own research. Books like this are mere grandiose summaries. They talk big, but they have no meat as they are comprised mostly of lists.  And since the book was written in 1973, much of the information is likely inaccurate and obsolete.

One fascinating aspect of the book is the first section “the family name and arms”. It gives a brief history of Europe, which starts laughingly with the collapse of the Roman Empire and the waves of Barbarians sweeping across Europe in the 4th and 5th centuries. Wow! Really, how does this help me trace my Foster family? The narrative continues with the Norman Invasion in 1066 and then engages in a mini lecture on the evolutionary nature of names. According to the book, Foster was originally Forrester. The title of Forrester was given by the Saxons to men appointed to guard the forests and to protect the Lord’s hunting rights. Over time the name Forrester evolved to Forster and then Foster. That may be, but how does that help me trace the lineage of one Gladys Foster, born 1905 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Frankly, it does not. There are multiple origins of the name Foster. What about those individuals who “fostered” children? Or, I like this French version “Shearer or scissors maker” from the Old French “forceter”. Regardless of the actual history of my Foster family, I am sure it has little to do with this pompous tourist brochure that now takes up precious space on my bookshelf. I guess it is good for a laugh or two.

Chart of the children of James B. Foster and Lydia C. (Dicks) Foster, in my grandmother's handwritting

Chart of the children of James B. Foster and Lydia C. (Dicks) Foster, in my grandmother’s handwritting

I was lucky enough to inherit a lineage chart that was written in my grandmother’s handwriting that traced her father’s family. The chart names all of my great grandfather’s siblings and his parents. Considering my grandmother never spoke about her father or his family, it is rather fortunate that the chart even existed. My great grandfather was James Edward “Ned” Foster whose father was James Benjamin Foster whose father was Benjamin Coates Foster. And that, ladies and gentleman, is the end of the line, the brick wall of my Foster family. I have traced the line back as far as my 3rd great grandfather, six generations. That’s decent by some standards, but not good enough by mine. I’ve hit that proverbial brick wall because of those early waves of western migration that brought young Americans from the coastal states to the new territories of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois and the lack of proper recordkeeping.

Benjamin Coates Foster was born April 13, 1797 in Pennsylvania. Yeah, Pennsylvania! No county, just Pennsylvania. On the 1800 census, there were 602,365 people enumerated in Pennsylvania. There were at least 68 heads of household with the surname Foster. (I got this figure from Ancestry so we also have to allow for entries misspelled in the index). The first time I can legitimately find Benjamin C. Foster on a document is his marriage on March 28, 1828 in Lawrence County, Illinois to Belinda Barker. He appears on the 1830 census in nearby Clark County, Illinois where he remained the rest of his life. In 1838 and 1839, there were several land purchases in Clark County. Benjamin can be found on the United States censuses for 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, and 1870 in Clark County. I have also found him on the Illinois State censuses of 1855 and 1865. One of my favorite things that I learned about Benjamin from the 1850 and 1860 censuses is that Benjamin’s occupation was a tailor! For those of you that don’t know me, I am also a seamstress and pattern maker so it is nice to know that such things are in my genes. This is also why I like the French translation of Foster since it has to do with scissors.

Benjamin and Belinda were blessed with at least 9 children, of which only 6 survived to adulthood, and of those only 4 had children to pass on the genes, 2 were male, leaving my 2nd great grandfather James B. Foster the only child of Benjamin and Belinda to have any male children to pass on the surname of Foster.

I believe this is one of the last letters I have from Uncle Jim for awhile. It is good to know that eventually the brothers-in-law will meet up.

Letter transcription:

U.S.N.C. T.C. Camp Bradford, Ships Co. c/o Camp Allen, N.O.B. Norfolk, VA

Sunday 7 June 1942

Dear Sis-

Just today received a letter from Jake, he wanted me to meet him last night at the Y.M.C.A., mail is not so fast here as you can readily see, anyway I wrote him and I think we will be able to get together soon.

Please let me know when you plan coming for sure I will try to get two or three nights away if you want me to, if that won’t interfere with your plans, maybe we can have a grand party, or something. Anyway I will get to see you at least once, I am writing to find out if Thelma is going to get a vacation, if she does I will have her down here for a week or two. It won’t be in June I am most sure of that, but sometime later.

Hello John and Mark, you should see your uncle Jim in a sailor uniform.

Love Jim

©2012, copyrighted & written by Deborah Sweeney

Emily Hogue (Lawhead) Foster

5 Replies

Today’s letter is very special. I believe it is the only letter I have in my collection by my great grandmother, Emma Foster. Chronologically, it falls right after my grandfather’s last letter. The two letters are postmarked the same day. Word is definitely getting around that my grandmother is heading to Norfolk. An added bonus (genealogically speaking) in the letter is that Emma ran into Uncle Wes and Aunt Jessie one night in Terre Haute. Uncle Wes is Silvester Schiele, my grandfather’s uncle. You may recall an earlier post I did on Silvester. His friends and family called him Wes for short. Wes and Jessie must have just come through Kentland on their way down to Clay City from Chicago.

My great grandmother’s story is one that I had to figure out mostly on my own. My grandmother gave me a little information to start with but the rest of the journey was all mine to uncover. Emma was a twin. Aunt Minerva, the one mentioned in the letter, was my great grandmother’s twin sister. One story that my grandmother did relay to me regarding her mother was the story of her naming. Emma Foster was born Emily Hogue Lawhead, daughter of James Henry Lawhead and his second wife, Margaret Allie Rea, on November 14, 1872. The twins were the second and third children of Margaret & James. Margaret was to have four more children, but none survived their infancy. Their oldest child was a boy, Jasper, who was born in 1869. When the twins were born, Margaret did not know what to name them. I suppose Margaret was out of the question as she already had an older step-daughter named Margaret. The story goes that Margaret named her daughters after the first two women who came to visit after the babies were born. I don’t know what Minerva’s middle name is so I haven’t been able to track down her namesake. There was a young woman named Emily Hogue who lived in the neighborhood so there does appear to be some validity to the story.

In 1894, when Emma was 22, she had a child out of wedlock. I have no idea who the father was. According to my Dad’s cousin Juanita, Emma talked about Jesse all the time but she didn’t know who he was. She assumed he was given away. On the 1900 census, Jesse was living with his grandparents, Emma’s parents. If he was given away, it wasn’t very far. Jesse lived with his grandparents and migrated with them to Arkansas. Jesse stayed in Arkansas after his grandmother died and his grandfather returned to Illinois. Another comment made by Juanita in one of her letters was that Emma had grandchildren but they were too far away. Jesse had three children: Alvin, Elwin and Francis. On his death certificate, Emma is named as his mother, but the line for his father is blank. Who knows what happened to this mysterious male in my great grandmother’s life? Was she raped? Did he run away? Why didn’t they marry? I have lots of questions and no solutions for solving this puzzle.

On February 29, 1896, Emma married James Edward “Ned” Foster in Hutsonville, Crawford, Illinois. I would love to say that he was a good man, and was able to accept Emma’s past. I don’t really have an answer to that. What I do know is that their marriage was a rocky one.  James was an alcoholic. Over the years, Emma threw him out several times. I assume in the beginning that things were good, but I really don’t know. Love works in mysterious ways, plus it might just have been all about the sex. James and Emma had at least five children. The ones who grew to adulthood were Lydia Allie, Glenn Edward, James Laughead, and my grandmother, Gladys Ruth. Evidence suggests that there was another child Forrest that died young. I have a photograph of a large family grouping. On the back it written: James, Emma, Lydia, Glenn & Forrest. Emma is holding Glenn and a baby on her lap in the picture while Lydia is sitting by her feet . Lydia was born in 1897 and Glenn in September  1900. There is a jump in births before James was born in February 1904. The 1900 census records that Emma is the mother of two living children; this would be Jesse and Lydia as Glenn wasn’t born until after the enumeration.  On the 1910 census, Emma is the mother of 6 children, 5 living.  The five would include: Lydia, Glenn, James, Gladys and Jesse.

I don’t know where or when baby Forrest died or where he is buried. The family moved back and forth between Crawford and Clark counties in Illinois and Terre Haute during these years. James was a laborer and he moved to where the work was. They were probably pretty poor and couldn’t afford a stone for Forrest’s grave. Both my grandmother and Uncle Jim were born in Terre Haute.  After that, I think the family pretty much stayed in Terre Haute. Sometime before 1920, Emma kicked James out for his drinking for good. On the 1920 census, James is not enumerated with the family. Emma’s profession was a pie baker for a Baking company.  Cousin Juanita also mentioned in one of her letters that Emma did this along with Aunt Cora. Cora Miller was one of James’ sisters. Apparently at one time, they all lived in the same building (but not on the 1920 census). A couple of the Terre Haute directories after 1920 record James and Emma living together but I think this might have been a smoke screen. Emma and James never divorced. Even on Emma’s death certificate, my grandmother reported that Emma was married.

Emma had a decent life but it was filled with hardship over the years. Any of these events would have broken a weaker person: an illegitimate child, an alcoholic husband, the death of a baby, being a single working mom, her beloved oldest daughter dying young, her grandson being killed in an accident. Her life could be measured by these tragedies but I would rather think of her as my grandmother’s mother, the woman who came to Kentland to help my grandmother while her husband was away at war, during the time after she had the baby (my father). I like to look at her pictures and her elusive smile. Yes, she does look old for her age in most of the pictures, but I look and I see a little part of me looking back at me, and it makes me proud to be her great granddaughter.

In school, Emma achieved a sixth grade education according to the 1940 census. While transcribing her letter I struggled between trying to make the letter readable and making an accurate transcription. If you want to see the actual letter, click on the pictures above.

This letter also mentions that Gladys’ mother-in-law, Lovina Yegerlehner, has not been feeling well lately and that Ruth has been home helping her mother while she was sick. Paired with yesterday’s letter from Roscoe which also mentions his mother not feeling well, that’s a nice bit of documentation from two corroborating sources.

Letter transcription:

6.8.42

Dear children + grandson

Receive your letter this morning. I had to go up to town yesterday afternoon + was walking along + seen a group of folks? standing in front of a restaurant first like that had their dinner, said to myself that look like uncle Wes + stop + look + sure among it was aunt Jessie, Mary Sheperman + some more I didn’t know so stoped + talked to them a litter whin? + they said that they stop at your house + seen you + the boy + that

(page 2) you was going to see Jake next week. Said that they would tell you that way seen me. I have had a letter from James + he never said anythins about seeing Jake yet James has got his insinmet[assignment] + will be there six month or a year he said I sure am glad that Ruth is at home with her mother this week it will help her as much as the medison[medicine]. I thought that I would get down there this week but it has been so hot here it seems to take all of the pep out of me your aunt Minerva is looking for me to come over there + stay

(page 3) a few day but can’t pick up the nerve to go. I am writing you some of her tales of woe. when I got up yesterday morning I felt like going back to bed + giving up the strnge[strength?] + say here lord take me I have a little more pep today. I don’t feel sick + can eat good but is seems like it don’t do my any good hade plenty to eat this is my tail of wo[e] I said to my self this sond like aunt Minera letter.

(page 4)I would like to hear John play at the resite[recital] hope that he comes out first it sure is hot today I hope that you do go + see Jake + get to see James it will cheer him up to see you if I had a place for the boys to sleep they could come + stay with me. I see so many dresses in the window up to down. I told Mrs. Welsere I was going to write + tell you about their that is the seersucker only haha will sign off

Mother love

©2012, copyrighted & written by Deborah Sweeney

I had a little trouble last night…

4 Replies

This letter starts casually enough but very quickly gets rather serious. I can only imagine my grandmother freaking out when she read it.  I say freaking out because I know I would be if I were in her situation; even if I didn’t know more of the back story. On the surface, I see a pregnant wife with two other children with a husband far away from home. If anything happened to my grandfather, what were the options for my grandmother in that day and age as a widow? It is one thing for your husband to get killed in the service of his country, but to be killed because he was the passenger in the car of a drunk driver is something completely different (and unexpected).

I am impressed by the clear thinking of my grandfather and his ability to not cave to peer pressure. Forgive the expression, but he had some balls that night. My grandparents were not drinkers.  What I mean to say is: they had an occasional drink now and then, but they weren’t habitual. My grandfather did keep a stock of hard liquor in a special cabinet in the house. My father can attest to that.  When he was in college (I believe), he snuck his first drink from that cabinet.  That’s a funny story. I’ll have to get him to write it down for me again. But I digress; my grandparents weren’t drinkers because they knew the risks of drinking.

By the time my grandmother was 15 years old, her mother had kicked her father out of the house for good. One of the reasons I was given was because of my great grandfather’s drinking. I don’t know the exact year that this occurred, but sometime between the 1910 and 1920 censuses. I know very little about my great grandfather’s life. He eventually ended up in Pennsylvania. I know this from his obituary and a letter I have which was written to my great uncle Jim. I have yet to locate him on either the 1920 or 1930 census, but I’m pretty sure the man I found on the 1940 census is him. He was living alone in Erie, Pennsylvania. He gives his place of birth as Illinois and his age as 70. These are both consistent with the other sources I have. He was working as a gardener for a private home. He also gives his marital status as married. I don’t think my great grandparents ever got legally divorced so this would also be correct.

So when I picture my grandmother reading this letter from her husband, I know the role alcohol had already played in her life. I think I also have a pretty good idea about how she felt about drinking. I also appreciate the apparent honesty in my grandparents’ relationship. He felt comfortable enough telling her about this escapade and was able to (hopefully) reassure her that it wouldn’t happen again.

Letter transcription:

Sun

Dear Mother,

Just finished reading the paper and thought best to write now and maybe finish later on in the day. Dr. Lentz is playing golf but I don’t believe I want to start that now or because that’s one habit that grows and I don’t want to buy clubs etc.

Don’t forget to send in the next Income tax installment before June 15. Guess they wouldn’t throw me in the jug but it would mean lots of red tape. Then some day when you have lots of time you can total up the Jan, Feb, March, Apr + May income for next year it should be simple from then on.

Haven’t seen or heard of Jim. I don’t believe you gave me his correct rating because the CK doesn’t mean anything. SK would but the CK seems to be foreign.

I had a little trouble last night. My roommate drove over to 2 other Dr’s rooms and they started

(page 2) hitting the bottle. Then they wanted us to go along to get something to eat which was agreeable but the driver was half tight – drove down the wrong side of a two land highway + honked + wave at everybody, finally when we got near the YMCA I said I wanted to see if there was any mail there and when I came back I told them to go on without me. Where upon they seemed much put out and coaxed etc.-but I got sore and told them I didn’t like their carryings on, and walked away from them. Lentz came in about 1:00 AM and seemed a little ashamed of himself, said he wanted to get away also and the one of the other Drs. Wanted to get out also, but the driver of the car was the one who caused the uproar. He is a bachelor and doesn’t care what happens etc. Has no relatives etc. but from now on I’ll stay out of his car. So much for that. I took care of myself in that situation so don’t worry I can do it again if necessary.

I’m going to ask for leave in a couple of weeks. It’s a little soon but they can’t anymore than turn me down.

(page 3) I guess you have enough money to go one for a while- I thought some of sending home some but I’ll have to buy a blue suit ($45) 2 or 3 more whites $8.50 each and I have about $45 charged downtown so if I keep what I have I can almost clear that up by the June 15th pay. After that I’ll have an allotment sent home each month.

Kate Smith is supposed to be around here someplace today but those programs are mostly for recruits. There is always a small portion set aside for officers but they sorta frown on too many going. They think we can pay for our entertainment.

After today when we go out in the Eve, we are supposed to war only white uniforms. Even if we go out to eat, but those things get dirty very easy. Anyplace away from the base white is supposed to be worn. The K. is only for work. The overalls so to speak. I’d hate to think what a white suit would look like after I’d ride the train home.

Mark wanted some pictures of the peers etc. Those don’t seem to be available. There are cards with army guns

(page 4) but nothing of anything along the coast. Maybe I can find something to send them again today. We may go out driving this P.M. but only with Lentz and if he gets to acting funny I’ll get out and walk again.

I just happened to remember you asked me the charge on the Henderson baby, it was $30.00. You might let me know the amount of the Bank acc. of course less the first of the month rent which they take out. When you get the bills ready to turn over to Cliff, send me a list of them first. And did you get that old bit you had on that pink sheet of paper. There may be one or two good ones there-probably not. Did you ever write to Shell Luce in Clinton about(the accident. case)? Do you know if Jim or Joe has gone yet? It seems like ages since I was there but its less than 2 wks. So really I guess not so much has happened since I left.

Well, my space is limited. I’ll not sign off just yet however-Guess there is nothing more so [this is written in a different ink]

Love Daddy

© 2012, copyrighted & written by Deborah Sweeney