Tag Archives: James L. Foster

Birthday Letter (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-13-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Aug. 26-29-30-Sept. 1-2 & 6 came and David’s birthday letter. I read it to David and he jabbered something I couldn’t translate. He is drooling again so must have more teeth coming in. I’ll put the $2⁰⁰ on another bond. Jim & Thelma got to come home again. Thelma is in T.H. today. Jim & Glenn are in Laf. at the hospital with Mother. Jim got 5 days again. Will be here tomorrow then start back. Mother was a little better yesterday so let the night nurse go – just had her two nights. Have supper ready waiting for Jim & Glenn to come. John is snuffing – Seems his allergy, hay fever, whatever it is, is worse this eve. He came home from school sneezing, nose itching. Mark is getting his vegetables ready to take to the 4-H exhibit at the fair this week. It is cloudy toady – won’t be dusty or hot for the fair this week. Have been so busy with everything here haven’t had much time to think of the fair – Jim & Glen are here now – They talked to Dr. Cole – He said he couldn’t give much encouragement about Mother’s condition. However she was pretty good today – Will go down Wed. if not called sooner – Mark is busy again baking a cake for the exhibit at the Fair. David is tucked in for the night and I am ready to go to bed too, a bit sleepy.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/06/birthday-letter-gladys/

Glenn Returns (Gladys)

4 Replies

: September 11, 1943 envelope

: September 11, 1943, p. 1

: September 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

St. E. Hospital
Sept. 11, 1943.

Dear Daddy,

Writing from the hospital again. Glenn & family returned last night – got in just before Juanita & I returned from the hospital. Glenn, John & I came down today. John had an appointment with Dr. Van Buskirk and we spent some time in the clinic waiting. No seemed to be in a hurry. Alma had taken John with Jimmy two weeks ago and we had this appointment together too. We went to eat lunch and had a little time before our appointment so went out to Cole’s office but he was so busy we couldn’t see him – I will talk to him on the phone before going home. Mother seems better but is so weak & pale. I noticed Dr. Cole had two ampules of coramin of C on the dresser so I think he must be expecting another spell to come on like Mother had yesterday morning. I was afraid to leave her last night so got a special nurse to stay during the night. She said this morning she didn’t want her to stay tonight – she bothered her – but I am afraid she will have another spell and won’t be able to call a floor nurse. While in the Clinic I talk to McClelland about the X-Rays but he said Mother didn’t have enough barium to get good pictures & he couldn’t make a diagnosis from the X-Ray. There is a lot of fluid in the abdomen and he said that could be caused from a lot of things. However Cole says there is a mass in the abdomen – I am not a Dr. and I can feel it when I press on her abdomen.

Juanita & Pauline are holding forth today with Danny, Mark, David & James L. Juanita was going to pick tomatoes & makes catsup. Also help Mark dig potatoes. Just so they take care of the babies & do the necessary things – I don’t care about the extras.

[page 2] John has been “hacking” around with an irritating cough so had Van Buskirk look at his throat. He wanted to know if John had any allergies. I said he had day fever – he said this cough is an allergy condition and it wasn’t anything serious. I think I wrote you last year about this time that John would cough & sneeze every morning during hay fever time. He had been doing that some this year then the cough got more persistent and goes on thru the day. The Dr. listened to his chest – looked at his nose & throat. He gave me a prescription – bromides, but said John is on the jittery order & thought a good sedative was indicated. You know how jumpy John is about having anything done to him. Dr. Van kept telling him to relax when he was trying to look at his nose & throat.

This weather is still on the cold order. This is the first third of Sept. gone and as cool as we expect in Oct. Glen says it’s probably cold in Nev. now. He isn’t as bad as when they left to go to Penn., but says he will be glad to get back to the dry air in Nev.

John & Glenn are tired of sitting here in the room so are going to walk down the hall & mail this.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/03/glenn-returns-gladys/

Almost Gone (Gladys)

2 Replies

: September 10, 1943 envelope

: September 10, 1943, p. 1

: September 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

St. Elizabeth Hospital
Sept. 10 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Am writing from Mother’s room. She had a bad spell this morning. Dr. Cole called me – said he had come in to give her a hypo – was giving her shots of Betalin complex – and when he came in the room she was almost gone – she told me the gas was hurting her so – but he said it was her heart. Anyway he gave her coramin injection as soon as possible and she came to. I met Juanita at the train this morning at 4:25 so we came down together. Dr. said he thought I should come down. I tried to get Clara Molter to stay with David & Dannie – she couldn’t come till noon but Mrs. Zell said she would stay till Clara came. Their two older girls are in school & Mr. Zell could take the youngest girl with him. We got down here about 10:30 – Mother is awfully weak & pale. Dr. Cole is sure she has an obstruction but McClelland says no – However she is bloated and I think Cole is right – there is an obstruction there causing the distention. We went out to get some lunch & of course the Dr. came while we were out. However I think he will be back – says he has two O.B. cases going here today, so I’ll probably see him sometime before we go back home. I called him before we went out to eat and I talked to him over the phone, but I want to see him personally.

It is cool today – a coat feels very good. I hope Chet gets some coal in soon. We have enough to last a while but if this cool weather continues it will soon exhaust our coal supply. I have had an order in for coal – weeks or maybe months, but Chet hasn’t been able to get any. I hear that Harlan’s did have some but I imagine he had more orders than he could fill. I was going to have him send me some but Van Scoyck told me he had me down for coal as soon as a shipment came in so I

[page 2] didn’t say anything to Harlan.

I thought Juanita & I would get the washing done & clean up the house and come down this afternoon but when I got the call this morning – before I was up – we got ready & come one. Dr. Cole said I had better stay all day. I told Juanita I was in the garden yesterday evening and didn’t have time to get all the things gathered that need to be – She said she would dig potatoes tomorrow. There are beans & tomatoes that need to be picked. This cool weather is pointing toward an early frost, if it doesn’t warm up soon. Was almost that cold this a.m. Mark’s garden wasn’t quite what it would have been had he had better supervision – but I couldn’t devote the time I wanted to and as much as he likes to do things he needs someone over him all the time. I told Juanita I felt like we got our seed back. We didn’t have to buy any vegetables all summer, canned more than 30 qt. green beans, so far several qts tomatoes & more coming on. Had some cabbage & onions all summer. Will have carrots to store for winter and tho the potatoe crop wasn’t very good have had potatoes to use along. I found in digging yesterday that the hills didn’t have very many potatoes in them. Mark wants to do things but needs company when he does the. His nervousness is at present is completely gone & he has a better appetite. I believe the tonsils were guilty of that trouble because he runs & plays just as hard as ever and has no reaction, so from all appearances the tonsils were harboring infection.

The new bond drive is on & John wanted me to buy him a bond – or rather give him the money to buy one at school – I told him I would give him his allowance in advance but he said he just wanted it outright – however I think he was just trying me out – I told him he could buy our (yours & mine) next bond for us – he said couldn’t he add another name[?]. I said that wouldn’t be fair to Mark & David. Jim sent your letter on to me – Thanks for all the nice things you said about me – so

Love – Mother

St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Lafayette, Indiana

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/02/almost-gone-gladys/

Best Regards (Jim)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

James L. Foster, CSK
AREA B3-101 N.C.T.C.
CAMP PEARY
WILLIAMSBURG, VA
9 SEPT. 1943

Dear Jake –

Glad to get a letter so quick, think nothing of not answering my other letters. I was not sure just where I would be by this time, although I will no doubt be here for a few months, having trouble with my feet and legs.

Mothers’ case has us all very much on edge. She returned to the hospital this past week for a possible operation or ex-ray to try to correct her trouble. I am going home again Saturday to be with her while Glenn and his family are there, we will try to all be together once more altho I can not help believe she will fully recover.

Yes I have been wanting to get out but since I have developed this foot and leg trouble I am not so anxious to get out until I am fully recovered.

Jake, I can really appreciate your feelings towards your faithful wife, it did me good to read that in your letter, she is doing a grand job, I know her well, she is my sister.

Best Regards,
Jim

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/01/best-regards-jim/

Spiders (Gladys)

4 Replies

: September 7, 1943 envelope

: September 7, 1943, p. 1

: September 7, 1943, p. 2

: September 7, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 7 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of Aug. 23 came today. It has been cool today. My hands are in the pealing stage & very tender. This cooler weather makes them very rough & sensitive. However I think in a few days they will be normal again. At least I think they won’t swell again.

Funks came back yesterday. I took the birthday gifts I had for Bobby & Donnie & had a chat with Arlene. She was wearing slacks and didn’t look any larger than three weeks ago. She says she thinks it will be a girl this time because so far she isn’t as large as before. Bobby didn’t have hay fever while they were at the Lake but has a little now. He was out this morning looking for someone to play with. Donnie walks alone now but Arlene keeps him in the pen. He is so heavy (25 lbs.) he broke the bottom out of the pen. Arlene says he is learning to climb and thinks he won’t stay in much longer. I was going to the groc. store so did some shopping for Arlene. She said the lost three

[page 2] of their ration books while away. I don’t know whether they can get replacements or not. Fords were closed – saw in the paper they would be closed Sept. 6-7-8 – for what reason I don’t know – but when we went to town Arlene wanted her groc. from Bairs – and people were crowded in there, (that 5 P.M. rush you can remember) mostly around the meat counter – and for cold meats – Bairs just don’t have much any more but prepared meat. While in there I saw Ruth Dixon and she said it was the first time she had seen David. I noticed Tommy and his teeth are nearly all decayed in front – I suppose the back ones are the same. He is growing but still small. I was introduced to a Mrs. Lyons (living in Barce house). I thought I was back in Va. – when I told her you hadn’t seen David she said “ah declare.” Mrs. Lyons was with Cecil Dixon – Must be a southerner.

I didn’t go to Laf. today, but plan to go tomorrow. Mrs. Zell wants to go and said she would drive their car so ours can get a rest. – however I haven’t driven much lately – to Laf. & back last Sun. – and that was the first time down there in two weeks. I just hope the Dr. will have some definite report to give on Mother.

Jim called last night. He has plane reservations and is coming to Indpls. Sat. or Sun. He will have his tal car taken to Indpls. And will drive up to Laf. from Indpls. & we will meet him there at the hospital when he gets there. He is to call us upon arrival.

[page 3] As cool as it is I wouldn’t be surprised at an early frost and we still have beans & tomatoes in the garden. We have lots of carrots and I noticed Swiss chard that I thought wasn’t going to do anything. There will be enough for a meal or two. I haven’t had much time to go to the garden – went out to see about tomatoes yesterday but didn’t try to pick any – left that job to Mark – I was afraid to touch a tomatoe vine.

Yesterday I was sweeping the spider webs out of the windows on the outside – they had covered the kitchen, dining room & living room windows and found a large yellow spider that Mark & Virginia captured in a jar & took to school. Mark found a black & yellow one on Funk’s shrubbery today and has it penned up in a jar to take to school. I told him to get it out of sight but it is on the desk.

John is doing homework – David is in bed asleep and I feel like I could go to sleep right now. I woke up some time in the early morning – got up to see about D. He was wet so I changed him – he woke up so had to put him in bed with me to quiet him down – he didn’t cry after I put him in our bed but would jabber – so I couldn’t go to sleep until he did – then I overslept – and David was warm and he overslept. It was 8:15 when I looked at the clock – you can imagine the scramble to get J. & M. off to school – J. didn’t recover from the rush all day –

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/26/spiders-gladys/

New Meat Locker (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 5, 1943 envelope

: September 5, 1943, p. 1

: September 5, 1943, p. 2

: September 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 5 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Went to the hospital today. I stopped on the way in to see Dr. Cole at his house because I wanted to talk to him directly. He said they tried to give Mother an enema for X-ray & she couldn’t retain it long enough to get a picture. He said they had ordered the barium given by mouth and when I got there she had had it and thrown it right up. I noticed her abdomen looked distended – Dr. Cole had Baylee & McC. See her. Baylee says she has a bowel obstruction – I believe she has from the looks of things. I called Cole when I left the hospital to come home and told him about the throwing up. He said he would order no breakfast & see if she could keep it down without food. The other [order] was given shortly after her dinner today. I intend to go back again Tues. Marie Steinbaugh has to go for her X-ray treatment at the clinic & she may go along with me. If you missed my letter about her – she had one breast removed (cancer) and has to take treatment regularily now.

I saw Mary McGee Arnott in the hospital this afternoon – She has a baby girl – her husband was shipped out

[page 2] and she didn’t know where – when the baby was born and doesn’t know yet for sure but is guessing on England. She was permitted to send a cable however – more than we could do. – so maybe he will know he has a daughter and not the son he wanted, before you knew about our David. I believe you got the word about D. Oct. 20 & he was a month old Oct. 23.

I was going to take the family along this afternoon but Dorothy asked to keep David then Mark said he would stay too so John & I went to Laf. and D. & M. stayed at Krulls. When we got back Nick & D. had their dinner ready & invited us to eat with them so we had dinner at the restaurant – They are closed all day Sun. They had just had their breakfast when we left for Laf. this afternoon. They had a pork roast, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, baked squash, gravy, bread & butter. They told me Tom Spencer has bought the Shell Station. He was running the Crown Dairy – but evidently not too good. Cochrans are closing down now & Spencers are reopening Sept. 14. This restaurant business around Kentland isn’t what it used to be. You can’t drop in any place, any time, any more and get a meal. It is almost to the point of getting to eat by appointment. Maybe not that bad but not what it used to be.

[page 3] It doesn’t bother us any because we eat at home. Which is a problem I will have to work on next week with Glens, Juanita & possibly Jim coming. I am going to turn in my meat coupons for the beef I am getting so will have to collect meat tickets from the guests. It puts me in a spot – I have to turn in the meat stamps before I can use any of the meat but I think we will get along. There is a locker to be put either in Kentland or Brook. I have signed up & pd. $10⁰⁰. If it isn’t built here we get our money back & continue with Sheldon. The Government is allowing just so many to be guilt & I think there can’t be one here & at Brook so the town that hurries the fastest will get the locker. There has to be 300 signers.

I slipped up on your Mother’s birthday gift but am sending her a towel, wash cloth & hankie. She will get it a day or two late but she will know we thought about her. I was getting the package ready at the store and the P.O. closed before I got it finished. Then too Mon. being Labor Day there won’t e any mail delivery so guess it will get to her just as soon mailed tonight.

I sent you some pictures in yesterday’s letter. Your latest was Aug. 21. Rec’d Fri last. It is getting late and I want Mark to take this to the P.O. tonight so it will go out early in the morning. My hands are much better. Guess the H.C.L. still works. I am beginning to peal off – still some places yet to dry up but it doesn’t bother me.

Love – Mother

Gladys (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/23/new-meat-locker-gladys/

Moving the Furniture (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 4, 1943 envelope

: September 4, 1943, p. 1

: September 4, 1943, p. 2

: September 4, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 4 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

This is a typical Sept. day. It is raining – not hard but has been raining most all day. The humidifier shows “high” (60). It isn’t cold, but just pleasant. I am feeling better than when I wrote yesterday. My hands are going down – due partly to H.C.L. and rest. I didn’t do much yesterday. This being Sat. J. & M. are home and we have been doing some furniture re-arranging – The grand piano caused that change – otherwise I wouldn’t be moving things. I think they look right one way and don’t care to keep shifting. The piano is in front of the French doors, davenport at other end of room. The two slip covered chairs where the davenport used to sit with the gateleg table between with magazines for reading. The blue barrel chair is on the north of the fireplace with footstool in front. The radio sits on other side of fireplace. John says he doesn’t like the new

[page 2] arrangement, but I felt crowded with davenport next to the piano. The desk is now in dining room where antique table was sitting – antique table now sits in n.w. corner of living room. John wanted to place the radio where it is so we had to move your smoking stand away – That bothered him so I placed it by the wing chair – which sits next to the piano now. A lot of “lady stuff,” John would say.

I am enclosing pictures taken for David’s 11^th month and John’s 13^th birthday. He had jarred the camera several times taking my picture so when we saw his this time he said, “Now who jarred the camera?” You can see Glenn’s baby along with David. As I told you David is taller. James L. will sit where he is put (8 mo. old Sept. 11) and can be put on the bath table and left – we couldn’t leave David on the bath table unguarded from the time he could turn over. Can’t leave him anyplace now except in bed or pen without watching him. He wants to reach or climb all the time. His hair curls up on rainy days – however the curls don’t show up in any pictures. I wish I could get a good picture of the back of his head so you could see how curley it is. It’s a gold brown color now. Doesn’t look like it will turn as

[page 3] bond as John & Mark’s did at this age. He just awakened from a nap and seems to be a little unhappy about something. He loves to get out of his pen and walk around things – note the picture of him by the lawn chair – does he love to be turned out in the yard to walk around the chairs.

I started writing cks. today – haven’t pd. The groc. bills yet but pd. my ins., auto ins. & a few other little items. Have a bal. of 213⁰⁰ but still have to pay your Laf. pol. (Oct. 7) and the groc. Bills so that bal. will be taken down some. I just opened the bill from Loebs and it’s 50⁰⁰ but I had to get the boys some school clothes and got myself two pr. of shoes at once because I found two pr. that would fit. I am not going to try & pay Ruth & Earl anything yet – but will keep buying bonds and maybe we will have enough bonds to pay them off some day – so far we have 21 – 18⁷⁵ and 6 – 37⁵⁰ – John has 2 – 18⁷⁵ David has 2 – 18⁷⁵ & Mark almost has two. He has one and enough stamps for another. It looks like the sun is coming out but afraid it’s too late in the day to dry clothes.

Had a letter from Ruthie and they think Floyd will be up for examination again. So many men around here are feeling the breath of the draft bd. on their necks. Well this is war so we can expect to see them go.

Love Mother

John on his 13th birthday, August 1943

Back From St. E. (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 2, 1943 envelope

: September 2, 1943, p. 1

: September 2, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 2 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Just back from St. E. We took Mother down in the ambulance. She stood the trip very well. Bob has a rubber sponge mattress on the cot & put a feather bed on top of that. We left the feather bed at the hospital. I asked the sister at the desk if we could put it on Mother’s bed & she consented. Also took her pillows along. She seemed very comfortable when I left. Dr. Cole came & ordered her some glucose. She was getting it when I left. He is having Baylee & McClelland see her tomorrow. I will let you know the report when I get it Sunday.

Glenn & Pauline & James L. went on to Penna. Today. I didn’t want to take Mother to the hospital while they were here. She says she wants to be back home by the time they come back thru on their way home but I told Dr. Cole to discourage her in that

[page 2] if he thinks she should stay longer. Will see what X-ray shows & what the other Drs. think. Dr. Cole said she had fluid in her bowels this evening when he examined her and it might mean T.B. of the bowel but he wouldn’t say anything definite without X-ray.

Alma W. called me today & said they had tomatoes she couldn’t can so gave me almost a bu. With all the Victory Gardens there still seems to be not enough tomatoes. I canned 9 qt. before going to the hospital. Will get at least 6 qt. tomorrow. I think Alma appreciates you more every day – your absence and other Dr. fees make her appreciate how generous you were. I imagine she things about the many treatments you threw in extra when she give me grapes, tomatoes, etc. She has a cold now & is almost down with it.

I want to go to bed early – last night & the night before I didn’t get enough rest. The boys go to school for a full day tomorrow. It will seem quiet around here with only D. & I. He won’t know what to do with everyone one but me gone. I think we will get along – don’t you?

Love Mother

First Day of School (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-1-43

Dear Daddy –

First day of school. Mark sold his books and bought new books this year. Said he wanted new clean books – said those old books last year was the cause of his low grades – Is that a new one? John is using his from last year plus a new one or two. Al finally got new teachers he needed. No school tomorrow due to institute, but school Fri. Glen & family are going on to Penna. Tomorrow & coming back here next week. Mother doesn’t want to go back to the hospital but if I can get an air mattress for her think she will be willing to go. It is awfully hot again and makes her feel so bad. Have been so busy so far today haven’t been up to see how she feels – the rest of the family have done the running up and down today. I’ll go up now and see what she wants if anything. Glen has washed & polished his car & now going to give ours the works. He & Mark are working together. David is looking on from the taylor tot. James L. is asleep in the buggy. Yours of Aug. 19 came yesterday. Alma Walker brought me some grapes. Made juice to can for jelly later. Haven’t gotten any other canning done this week. Not much to can now but tomatoes.

Love Mother

Glenn (Gladys)

3 Replies

: August 31, 1943 envelope

: August 31, 1943, p. 1

: August 31, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 31 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another typical hot Aug. day. Glen, Pauline & James L. arrived here yesterday afternoon. Glenn is so stopped up he can hardly breathe but says he thinks he can stand it until they get back to Nevada. Of course this is the worst time during the year for them to be here. James L. is a big fat boy – weighs more than David but David isn’t a weakling by any means – David is more streamlined than James L. Pauline feeds him by the “book” – he gets canned milk too. They are going on to Penn. Thurs. and come back next week. I wrote Jim so maybe he can get leave and be here while Glen is here. Mother wants them to be here together. Juanita is planning to come too. I certainly have had company this summer. Since I couldn’t go anyplace it has been nice having our relatives here. I am trying to write in competition with the rest of the family and seem not to be making much progress. Dora Diedam was here this afternoon and I was talking to her about getting an air mattress fixed up for Mother at the hospital. Dora is to go back to the hospital Monday in OB. She went to Indpls. Last week and took the Sister Kinney course for treatment of Polio. She is all enthused about it.

[page 2] We washed today – Pauline had so much to do. They were very enthusiastic about the Bendix. Pauline told Glen that was what she needed. They aren’t on the market now. Foulkes wanted to buy one & couldn’t.

Yours of Aug. 19 came today – also J. & M.’s came. They will do their own answering. I have all I can take care of myself.

Chet Hall is painting Staton’s house. The paint Sandy put on last year pealed off in spots. Link said he had paint left over from when they first painted the house that he had Sandy use last year & learned that was the wrong thing to do. I thought Chet was working in a defense plant but evidently not. Our house is in good shape but looks a little dirty. The yard & shrubbery & flowers are looking a little dry but it has been dry now for some time. I think I told you before – I had another load of limestone put on the driveway.

J. & M. are collecting their books getting ready for school tomorrow. They will have to have new ones. Mark sold Deanie Musselman $1.05 worth of books this afternoon. Glen has silver dollars & Mark traded him 50¢ & 2 – 25¢ for one – he is going to use it in buying books – not that it’s worth any more than the fifty cents & two quarters he had. Your letters to the boys came almost on the nose about school starting.

Love Mother