Tag Archives: James L. Foster

Letter from Jim #4

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December 21, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

December 21, 1945, p. 1

21 Dec. 1945

Dear Sis & Co. –

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

December 21, 1945, p. 2

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

Love,
Jim

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

Letter from Jim #3

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December 17,1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

December 17, 1945, p. 1

17 Dec. 1945

Dear Sis & Co. –

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

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

December 17, 1945, p. 2

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

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

Love,
Jim

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

Letter from Jim #2

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December 9, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

December 9, 1945, p. 1

9 Dec. 1945

Sister & Co. –

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

Love,
Jim

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

Letter from Jim #1

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December 7, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

December 7, 1945, p. 1

7 Dec. 1945

Dear Sis & Co. –

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

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

Love,
Jim

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/17/letter-from-jim-1/

Going Too Smoothly (Gladys)

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October 19, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 19, 1945, p. 1

10-19-45

Dear Daddy –

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

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

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

October 19, 1945, p. 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love,
Mother

: Medical Society Program (exterior)

: Medical Society Program (interior)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/11/going-too-smoothly-gladys/

Going Ahead (Gladys)

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October 14, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 14, 1945, p. 1

Oct. 14-1945

Dear Daddy –

I didn’t write yesterday – I was waiting for your wire and it didn’t come until after mailing time. At any rate I am going ahead with the office as we planned. Vincent called me and said his estimate for labor and material would be $113.00. That he said would include everything he would do. Of course Mr. Monroe would (will) have another bill. Mr. Monroe came out to the house Sat. and asked me what we wanted – I told him and he said he would look it over and see what would have to be done. I am going ahead with our heating plant – because I am afraid it would cost more to pipe the heat across the alley than to use our own heating plant. Mr. Monroe asked me how we were getting along with the furnace. I said we were hand firing and since you were coming home we may just have the auger fixed. Mr. M. said he couldn’t get any burners yet. They didn’t have anything yet last week.

We are enjoying a lively fire in the fireplace. We bought some coal up and it lasts so much longer than logs. David is in bed – he was so tired this evening he was cross and cried at everything. John is up in the attic looking for Reader’s Digests – he wants

October 14, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] an old number for something. He took his first organ lesson yesterday ($1.50 hr.) and I went to the church with him for one hour practice this afternoon. He can only use the church when it’s warm and now that is only Sat. & Sun. He also took a piano lesson yesterday afternoon. Miss Smith is discouraged with Mark and told John he was wasting his money & her time – however I think when you get back and can help him he will improve. We got all the storm windows on yesterday – all but the doors, but they won’t be much of a job.

Jim called me from Great Lakes yesterday. He is getting his discharge in a day or two, then he is going to N.Y. to get his car – Washington to get Thelma – back to Terra Haute then up here to see us. Maybe you will get back about the same time.

I am wondering if you will be sent back to G.L. for discharge – but maybe your first letter will answer some of my inquiries. I wish now we had arranged for you to call – then I could have given you the estimate on the office, but I am assuming you want me to get it done.

Emmett Miller is home. I called Lila and she doesn’t know about Joe – but now that he has enough points he will surely be home soon.

It is cooler today. Rained a little and stays chilly. I looked out a few minutes ago and saw a bright moon, so it must be clear. Just hope is doesn’t get too chilly before we get this furnace fixed one way or another.

Love Mother

P.S. Kenneth is on his way home.

October 14, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Mon. morn – Arlene called me last night and asked me to see if I could get her an appointment with Dr. Ade (first she asked if you were home). It seems Bobby is losing his hearing. He has been having some ear trouble and Arlene is quite alarmed over his condition. I called Dr. Ade this morning & he said to bring him down this afternoon. I called Loughridge this morning but Bun didn’t know much. I am afraid we will have to get this furnace fixed or I will get a bad cold. I am bordering on a throat condition now and it’s so much cooler

October 14, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] and takes the house so long to heat up in the morning. I went down and burned a lot of trash to build the temp up and I finally have it up to 66. (10:45) I have to go to the store to get a few things. Maybe it will be up by the time I get back.

It is nice and sunny today so maybe the temp will get up before the day is over.

Will try to have more info about everything this evening.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/02/going-ahead-gladys/

Toss His Cracker (Gladys)

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September 8, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 8, 1945, p. 1

9-8-45

Dear Daddy –

I rec’d two letters yesterday so didn’t get any today. Probably get two or three Mon. They have been coming pretty regularly. Dorothy came out yesterday and said Bobby had gotten some rat poison she had put out for the mice. It was on a cracker and he bit off one corner before she knew he had it. She told me when they came back from their vacation what she was going to do and I wondered at the time if it was wise to put poison out. The cracker he got was in the cabinet under the sink. They tried to get him to throw-up but he never did. She got Babe Carrol & Pauline Dennis and Babe even stuck her finger down his throat but “no go.” Nick went to see Dr. M. and he gave some medicine that should have made him “toss his cracker” but it didn’t work. He seemed perfectly OK when she was here with him in the afternoon. I told her he evidently didn’t get enough to hurt him. She said she knew he got some because she could smell it on his breath. Bernard Funk’s little girl drank iodine and had to be taken to the hospital and have her stomach pumped.

We are having rain today and cool. I am glad we got our washing done yesterday. Mark is trying to finish the lawn. He started this morning but didn’t hurry and had to stop between rains. Sammy has been here and of course he can’t work as fast if he has company.

September 8, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Mark went to the fair with Zells yesterday afternoon. They stayed until late – saw the stage show. John didn’t go out and I didn’t either. I couldn’t get up any enthusiasm about any part of it.

Had another letter from Jim. It was written Aug. 19 and he didn’t seem to know the war was over. He said they dropped anchor near an island not long ago (before Aug. 19) and picked up a letter from me. Maybe by now he knows. Don’t they have radios on ships and don’t they keep up on the latest?

Uncle Wes & Aunt J. plan to come back Wed. and be here for dinner. Aunt J. sent me a card. Mom had received the picture of D. I sent for her birthday.

We listened to a Comdr. Crum on a radio program today. Thought he might give out something but it was all about Army discharges. However, he promised the points for Navy overseas duty will be given out soon. He said it would probably be ¼ point for each month, which will give you about 5. He invited anyone to write him on any questions they have and he will answer. He said this is a free country so feel free to ask. Anything you want to know. If I thought I would find out anything I would write the big question in our minds.

Dr. Hungess is gone on a month’s vacation and Irene changed the baby’s feeding this week. She put him on S.W.A. Maybe he told her to do that if he didn’t get along – but he is past 2 months old now – I would think a little advanced for that type of feeding.

Mark is waiting to take this –
So Love Mother

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/15/toss-his-cracker-gladys/

Word from the Philippines

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September 1, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 1, 1945

Manila, P.I.
1 Sept. 1945

Dear Sis & Co. –

Just a line to let you know where I am. Enjoying good health even tho it is hot down this way. Enclosing some Japanese occupational money for the Boys think they will enjoy receiving. Most of it is for the Philippines but some is Dutch money. The value is

Centavos = ½ ₵
100 centavos = 1 peso
1 peso = 50₵

I am not sure as to the value of the Dutch money but I think a gulden is the same as our dollar.

Be sure to let me know where Jake is sent. This is someplace, all shot up, in almost complete ruins. Our next stop is Japan.

Love Jim

Jim Foster’s letter with the enclosed money

Off Until Monday (Roscoe)

1 Reply

August 25, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 25, 1945, p. 1

25 Aug. 45
Receiving Hosp.
San Francisco (12)

Dear Mother,

Sat. PM and we are now off until Monday AM. I’m not sure what I’ll do but I’m pretty sure it will be nothing. This place is just about 6 mile from downtown and the only way to get here is by street car and then walk eight block – (mostly uphill) so I’m not too interested in going. A taxi would cost too much and anyway they won’t come this far out. I may if I can get someone interested go on out to the edge of town by foot tomorrow.

Three letters came today – yours of 21, 22, & 23. So far I have heard nothing from Harold P. so maybe he has decided to have Van or someone else give them the word. If I were you I don’t think I’d work too hard at that canning, etc., because I don’t believe you save enough

August 25, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] to warrant it and the points are off now so take it easy.

I don’t know what to tell you about the furnace since Chet seems so hard to contact – maybe if you keep on he will finally come across. I suppose if he doesn’t you will have to have Geo. M. go ahead. The only trouble with Geo. is the electric. He will have to get someone for that and that will probably be an extra $25. Do what you think best and I know it will be OK. I should be able to send some money home when I get my travel money but they don’t seem to be in a hurry about fixing that. I’ll probably get transferred again before that is fixed and that will complicate matters more.

If Jim should happen to come into the S.F. area and you get a letter be sure to let me know, as if you wouldn’t.

I bought ½ doz. pair of black socks and 2 ties today. I’m going to try to get my

August 25, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] laundry out Mon., but I’ll always be a little afraid that I’ll have to leave some behind. They say it’s 3 day service but I’ll have to see before I believe. Twenty four hours on dry cleaning. I’m going to take my good grey down on Mon. morn. Both the laundry & dry cleaning is here on the base. Our meals are 25₵ per and we check each time we eat and this is deducted from our pay. Some meals are not worth it but most of them are more than —.

Especially the steak meal and yesterday the chicken. However, the chili & rice and the spag. & meat balls are a total loss. I do sorta mess a little with them but go very light. There is always milk & coffee and bread which will do until the next meal if chili happens too often. We had shrimp salad with tomato sauce today

August 25, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] noon – very good. Also roast beef – turnips and cabbage with watery mashed potatoes. I didn’t take any of the potatoes – too anemic.

We still live in the temporary quarters but expect to move into new ones about the first. I don’t know what those will be like. These are good enough but the furniture isn’t good.

I have an Ellery Queen story book which I think I’ll have a date with for the next few hours. I read two stories in it last night but there are several still waiting and in reserve I have a Charley Chan book. I think with those I’ll be pretty busy until show time tonite. The show is the story of G.I. Joe and it’s only just down the hill.

Well it’s the week end that get’s you isn’t it?
Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. Is Mark working on the enlaying [?] picture, if not I may want it later.

Replacing the Furnace (Gladys)

1 Reply

August 23, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 23, 1945, p. 1

8-23-45

Dear Daddy –

Mr. L came out this evening and after looking over the heating plant said flatly he would install everything complete and wouldn’t miss $200.00 over $10.00 either way. That includes one 270 gal. tank – the same size Statons have – and wiring – everything – He said it wouldn’t take but a day to make the change over. He was in Chicago Mon. and the Delco people said he could get all necessary equipment in Oct. so he said he could have it all installed by Nov. 1. I told him I would let you know and then I would give him an answer. Shall I have them go ahead and start the process to make the change?

After Lucile Burgee left I finished my afternoon letter and took it to the P.O. John Parr said air mail should be here or there in two days. Since no mail has come this week I am wondering if you are sending them air mail.

I went over to Statons to borrow some mouse traps this evening. I didn’t

August 23, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] ask Link directly about what he had said he would do, but he was rather evasive about anything. I wonder if he could do anything or not. I am rather doubtful.

I talked to Blanchard this morning when I bought some gas. He said I should do something, but I said I thought other people should. I have been waiting to hear from you and no letters.

We got the back yard furnace all cleaned out and if we can find a grate will be able to have some picnics in our back yard. We could have wiener roasts without a grate.

The Jr. Woman’s Club called for your address for forwarding the Digest and they will have it sent here and I’ll forward it. The latest Rotarian came and I looked up the International Officers to find Uncle Wes. Treas. You had told me.

I must write to Jim. He picks up mail when they hit a port. Said he had a letter from me the last time they stopped.

Fri. a.m. Yours sent by air mail Aug. 22 came today the 24^th so please use air mail – this is the first letter we have rec’d from you. Had a letter from Dolores. She has been transferred and said she didn’t know anything. She isn’t in the same bldg. and doesn’t know anyone personally where she used to be. She says so many changes had to be made so quickly she doesn’t think you will go “out” again.

August 23, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] John has started a fire this morning. We didn’t watch it closely enough yesterday and it went out. I will be so glad to be rid of that firing business along with all the dirt involved.

I do hope you get to take a draft to Great Lakes. Just wish they would do something about releasing. Surely something will start before long.

The account of Maybelle Tower’s wedding was in the paper this week. Last Sun. we were at Johnson’s and I saw Rev. Servies drive by, going home, and I just wondered if he had been to a wedding. Maybelle was married to the band instructor. When John & Mark went over to register, John asked about seeing the band teacher and the office girl said he would be away for a while. John thinks he wants to play the oboe again. I think it will be a good thing for him to be in the band. He didn’t get to talk to Gertrude Wed., but she said she would see him today. He wants to take organ lessons from her. I saw

August 23, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] Rev. Servies yesterday and he said he thought it would be a good thing for John to take lessons so he can help at church when they may need him.

David is playing with Betty Zell this morning in their sand pile. Last night when Chet Loughridge was here I had gone to the basement with him to show him the furnace and I heard David at the front door calling for me. I didn’t want to go up so called for John to go help him – by the time John got to him it was too late – John came down & asked me if I could come – I said “take his clothes off and give him a bath” – well he didn’t want to argue with me in front of someone so he took care of David. However, he undressed him in the bathroom downstairs and left the mess there and took him up to the tub to bathe him. I think he used yards of toilet paper to clean him off, from the looks of the toilet. He told David this morning he was “bachie” last night. David can let himself out the front door but can’t get in. We had corn day before yesterday and it was too laxative for David. I am not going to cook any more. I am enclosing some “stuff” from Meade.

Love Mother