Tag Archives: James Staton

Spreading the News (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 16, 1944, p. 1

: January 16, 1944, p. 2

: January 16, 1944, p. 3

: January 16, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Jan. 16-1944

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 3 & 4 came yesterday. I told Mark he could tell people you are in N.Z. He was more than delighted and said right away he would tell his teacher.

I took a walk to get David out of doors and stopped at the Shandy’s to leave a snow suit she had loaned me. It was too small for David so thought I would take it back to her. Cliff is gone and she had word he had arrived – I think Miami. She showed me thru the house. They have the downstairs pretty well furnished but nothing much up but beds. She is going to stay there with the baby. He is past 2 now and quite a good size boy. She spends a lot of time with him and is training him not to touch their new furniture. They have a coffee table in front of the fireplace with a white wooly rug under it and she says he doesn’t step on the rug. I told her she may be able to train him not to touch their davenport and chairs, but I would hate to try and keep J. & M. off of ours. Of course we had furniture the boys could be raised on. I have got David so he will leave the coffee table alone. He keeps taking the tidies off the chair arms. We make him put them back on but he will repeat the same offense. He is getting better all the time about leaving things alone when we tell him to. He used to get into the lower parts of the corner cupboards but he would be scolded every time

[page 2] he got near them, so suppose he decided it wasn’t worth the effort. He walks very carefully and his left shoe isn’t worn like the right. He seems to favor that foot, but I think when he gets so he can run he will overcome that. His leg never seems to bother him. It really shouldn’t because the bone was only cracked and that not over 1/3 or ½ across. David has gone to bed. J. & M. are at Youth Fellowship. John is leader tonight. He was elected pianist for the Jr. Dept. and assistant for the adult Dept. Harold Reiger is John’s assistant, so if he has to play for the adults, Harold will play for Jr. He plays for youth fellowship too. John has changed more I think since you left than Mark. He seems so much more grown-up – He is almost as tall as I am. There is fuzz on his upper lip – He doesn’t like it – Says he will look like the Remsburg boy who used to live here. His voice is still changing and he gets so mad sometimes when his voice goes up high. Says that doesn’t happen to him at home but if he is somewhere else. However we notice it once in a while. He has almost outgrown the suit I bought for him in Mar. I can still let the pants out but the coat sleeves are beginning to look short. Mark is much the same. Like to get out and play football. He spent the afternoon at the pond skating. I walked over to see about the ice and it is still solid. Mr. Z. was there with their 3 girls, Bobby & Jimmy, pulling them around on sleds. Bob Schurtter was there too. He told me he didn’t get a commission in the Navy due to no vacancies

[page 3] in his line. He is classed as 2-A until July 44, so he will get to finish his year teaching. I suppose Dot will have to work if he has to go in the Army as a private. She had a chance to take the office job with the County Agent (Mr. Z.) but Steve is still so small she could hardly take the job now. Mr. Z. had her do some extra work for him and he said she was the best help he had had in a long time. He had quite a time keeping help for a while, but Evelyn Kudig is working for him now. Office girls seem to be as hard to find or keep as any kind of help. The factory still can get the help because of the good pay. The subject of the factory makes me think of Irene. I suppose she is still in Chi. Trying to find out what the trouble is. Last week her mother said they had not found anything. I still think it’s a lot psycologic, and I am sure you will agree with me. Last year when she went to Mayo Clinic they told her to quit work. After that they had their house for sale and Dr. M. had it bought, that is he was all ready to buy and had a buyer for his place when Statons decided not to sell.

The Funks had their new baby christened today. She will be 3 wks. old Tues. I saw Rosemary when I was coming home with David from Shandy’s and she said she had been one of the sponsors. One of the other Funk men had been the other. Carl was sponsor for either Bobby or Donnie so he couldn’t e with Rosemary for Joy Selene. Carl and Rosemary had been out walking with Tommy. He is eight months old and looks almost as large as David. He isn’t as tall of course but is on the heavy order.

[page 4] I noticed the Foulkes’ car in their driveway. They have been on a business trip east. Their house has been in the redecorating process while they have been away and I noticed they still haven’t their drapes up yet. I cleaned a little but didn’t try to take drapes out. This year’s coal is so dirty. It isn’t treated and certainly makes a difference in the dirt we get in the house. I wish and have wished so many times now we had put oil in, but that is a waste of time, so won’t harp on it any more. Harping doesn’t help things.

I rec’d a long letter from Marie so I must give her an answer – ant to do that yet this evening. She has been busy helping with Isla. I hadn’t heard from Marie for such a long time I was sure there was something wrong. I was glad Isla hasn’t T.B. – tho thyroid trouble isn’t anything to be treated lightly.

Had a letter from Jewell and she sent me a picture of Dot’s baby – Dot’s husband was rejected, so a present he is still home I told you all this before but this is a repeat in case my other letter didn’t get to you.

David broke my glasses and I keep mending them with airplane glue but I am afraid I will have to get new lenses – or one new lense. I keep feeling eye strain – just got new lenses last fall but I thought if I didn’t have the lenses straight it could cause the headaches.

I am about run down so will call this a letter & sign off.
Love Mother

P.S. Saw the enclosed clippings in the paper & thought you would be interested.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/11/spreading-the-news-gladys/ ‎

Starter Offer (Gladys)

1 Reply

: November 8, 1943 envelope

: November 8, 1943, p. 1

: November 8, 1943, p. 2-3

: November 8, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 in one envelope rec’d today. In one of your previous letters you omitted the Navy 133 so you may not get a few of those letters. I had the letter I wrote yesterday ready to go out but didn’t get it mailed so will put it in with this and add 133 to the envelope.

Winter is upon us in full force today. It isn’t so cold as it looks and sounds but chilly enough for a “starter offer’ for winter. The temp. in Chicago this a.m. was around freezing. It has been spitting a little snow, we have had a little sunshine, and lots of high wind.

Art Kenney finally got out to see me. He is in the Marines

[page 2] now. Was transferred to a Malaria control unit & wears the forest green uniform that looks more like an officer – (He is Petty O. 1^st Class now), than the white & blue middies. I think he likes the Marine uniform better than he did the other. He says they are getting ready to go out & is pretty certain it will be the S.W. Pacific. Wishes he had been sent on foreign duty right at first and have that much over with. Would like to see you out there if he gets out before you come back. However I think he would gladly forego such a pleasure to see you get home. He says the 18 mo. tour of duty for S.W. Pacific is correct. I hope I am not building upon that for a let down. He told me that a contingent of Marines that were first sent out are back in N.C. where he is stationed and that they were sent to New Zealand

[page 3] first before coming back here.

This is the first day this fall I have hung clothes in the basement but the weather is so uncertain outside (and too cold for me) that I did what I thought sensible. Last fall we hung things out until Thanksgiving day – which by the way is on your Birthday this year. You won’t get much from us this year for your birthday – we have all sent cards but you may not get them in time. I have a roll of film to finish taking – I thought I would take them for David’s 14^th mo. then send you the pictures. Maybe you will get them for Christmas. Anyway you know we are all wishing you a happy birthday.

I am having a little difficulty with John about wearing something on his head. No one else at school wears anything and he doesn’t

[page 4] want to either. I told him if he gets a cold & passes it around he won’t be very popular around here. Last year their coach told them to wear long underwear & he thought that was good advice – I wish someone like that would suggest headwear now. He did consent to wear his fingertip coat this morning. I asked him at noon how cold it was and he said “cold,” like it really was but says it’s not cold enough to wear anything on his head.

I hear Jimmy Staton – He must have been turned loose – It rained most all day yesterday so he had to stay in. I think Bobby must be out too. Jimmy, Bobby & Martha Zell make a trio. The Zell girls all are tomboys & can make as much noise anytime as boys.

Your letter came 6₵ due this am.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/30/starter-offer-gladys/

First Birthday (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 23, 1943 envelope

: September 23, 1943, p. 1

: September 23, 1943, p. 2

: September 23, 1943, p. 3

: September 23, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 23 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

David’s birthday & party over. Lucile brought Jimmy Ed, Arlene Bobby & Donnie, Clarice & Myra Jane. The two older Zell girls, Jimmy Staton, a Mrs. Bowen & baby from Kent apts., Mark brought Tommy Britton home from school. We took pictures of the party then I took a picture of David by his cake. He put his hand in the icing just as I snapped the picture but in rolling the roll off it got off the track so part or all of the film may be ruined. Dorothy took some movies of David too. He received $15⁰⁰, a sailor doll, a cat, an elephant, four suits, four pr. sox, a pull toy with Donald Duck on it, dusting powder puffs & two cards. Zells’ wanted to pay the hospital bill when David was there but I said no, so they gave him $10⁰⁰. You sent $2⁰⁰, your Mother sent $1⁰⁰, Statons $1⁰⁰ & Mrs. Plummer $1⁰⁰ – I am going to buy him another bond with all his money. He seemed to enjoy his party very much. I hope the pictures are all good. He had a pretty nice birthday. I weighed him just before bedtime and as close as I could get it he weighed 21 lbs. & measure 30 in. He reaches over and plays with the scale and it’s a hard job to get it correct.

David sticking his finger in the cake icing

[page 2] He gets three meals a day now with a glass of milk in between. Breakfast about 8 0 orange juice at 9:30 or 10 – Dinner at 11:30 – Milk about 3:30 & supper at 7 – I started him on that schedule yesterday & he has done fine on it. It saves a lot of time not to give him that big meal at 3 in the afternoon. He goes to bed soon after supper. Sometimes he cries about it, but usually settles right down. He still sucks his left thumb but not much.

Glen went to Laf. today to see Mother. He says she is so weak she can hardly take a drink of water. I intend to go down Sat. afternoon. Glen thought if we could have taken her to Mayo they might have been able to do something for her. I told him they are just Drs. and with a case like hers I believe Cole is doing everything that can be done. Mother told your Mother she had not felt right for sometime – that I did not know. I knew she didn’t have as much pep when she came back in May but at her age I didn’t think so much about it. I know when Cole first saw her he didn’t think she had a malignancy but didn’t have x-ray done because of her bowel condition. Probably couldn’t have gotten any better x-ray then than they did later.

[page 3] I am at Zells. Mr. is out to a meeting & Mrs. wanted to go out & three girls are in bed. Mrs. Zell has always helped me out when I needed her so I thought I could sit here & write while they are gone. I left just in time to miss washing dishes. John had homework so Mark was to help. Glen is all chocked up this evening. He doesn’t know what to do about going home. He hates to leave now with Mother so low & is about out of money. I don’t believe I told you before what he had been doing – He was a bartender, but got a notice from his draft broad to get into essential work. They had enough saved for him to come on the train but he wanted to bring the family. He got gas to make the trip so that is how they all come. He of course intended to go back much sooner but as Mother isn’t getting any better hates to leave. I hate for him to go too. He says he has a job on the police force when he goes back. He should go because his asthma is beginning to bother him quite a lot. He has been telling tales about what he used to do when he was a kid – things that happened when I was too young to remember about them. He has an art to telling those things. I told him

Chicken Every Sunday

[page 4] they would make a good book and I believe you could write the book if you had the information. What gave me the idea – John was reading a book review from Reader’s Digest & I said I believe Glen’s tales would make better reading. The book I mentioned was “Chicken Every Sunday,” and the true story of a boarding house written by the daughter of the lady who had the boarding house. If you get a Sept. 1943 Digest you will read it.

Yours of Sept. 11 & 14 came today. I am still sending some v-mail, but not as much as air. I saw in the paper that Capt. Dye has returned to Hawaii. He was home for 10 days. That would be nice but I would rather wait a little longer and have you home longer.

Mrs. Plummer came out today to bring David’s birthday gift & John a belated $1⁰⁰ – She gave David a plate, cup, spoon & fork & $1⁰⁰ – I forgot to mention the set before. I hadn’t seen her since before Mother got down but I couldn’t go much of any place all summer.

Arlene is surely carrying this baby well – She doesn’t look any larger than she did several weeks ago or either her dress was clever enough to makes her look small. Donnie walks alone now & weighs 25 lbs. He really is a big boy.

Ruthie sent David the Navy doll so I must write & thank her.

“Love Mother”

P.S. Jim gave me $100⁰⁰ to help with Mother’s expenses.

September 23, 1943 Birthday guests

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/27/first-birthday-gladys/

Thirteenth Birthday (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 22, 1943 envelope

: August 22, 1943, p. 1

: August 22, 1943, p. 2

: August 22, 1943, p. 3

: August 22, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 22 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another birthday for our John – 13 – He looks the part – voice changing – growing fast – face full of pimples and blackheads. At present he is listening to Radio Readers’ Digest. He likes to get it every Sunday evening. I baked & decorated a cake, made ice cream & had the Zell girls & Jimmy come to help eat them – they ate almost all the cake and so far no tummy aches. I gave John a dollar, your Mother gave him 25¢ – he rec’d the $2⁰⁰ you sent, the Zells gave him sox & a hankie, so he fared pretty well. Bobby is gone and so are the Krull children so they didn’t get in on the refreshments. I was feeding David his 3 P.M. meal, Mark was working on a block of balsa wood and his knife slipped and cut his hand around the base of his thumb. It bled so much I couldn’t tell at first the cut was so extensive but after trying to wash

[page 2] the blood away I saw it wasn’t just a stab – so thought I had better get him to a Dr. and see if it would be necessary to have stitches taken – I called Matthews, he was out of town for the day, called Hungess at Sheldon, he was out of town, called Brook & Pip was gone on a trip, called Goodland, Rumkorf had left for his vacation, but finally and at last contacted Altier – I took Mark down. He cleaned the wound and found it wasn’t so deep but required one clamp. He gave me sulfathiazole power to dress it with and I am to go back Fri. to have the clamp taken out. I had filed it with sulfanilamide powder as soon as I discovered how long & deep the cut – however would have put sulfa on it anyway. I would have pulled it together myself with tape had it been on the arm but since it was at the base of the thumb thought a Dr. should see it. I washed Mark’s hands & face and put him to bed about 8 P.M. He insisted he wasn’t sleepy but I imagine he is asleep now. He got sick after his hand bled so much, but was very brave and didn’t cry – you know it hurt to have it cleaned and a clamp put in. He kept insisting he is like Daddy and can take punishment without making a fuss.

[page 2] David is getting a “little” spoiled – he has had so much attention he doesn’t want to stay put in his bed or pen. He is always reaching for something he shouldn’t have and climbing out of things. The play chair he is in in one of the pictures I sent – with the table around it is just an invitation for him to climb out on. John said if he were an ordinary baby he would be satisfied to sit & play in the chair. I just got the taylor tot out for him to ride in and today he was turned around in it trying to climb out on the handle. He got fussy so I put him on the floor and he walked around his bed & pen enclosures. He has another tooth today – making 6 altogether and 4 since he was 10 mo. old – He will be 11 mo. tomorrow. He hasn’t gained any the past month but I didn’t expect him to.

Mother wouldn’t eat any supper today – She ate a little broth at noon & drank a little milk. I bathed her yesterday – she doesn’t feel like being bathed every day – and I was feeling her abdomen – There is a definite mass in the middle of her bowels. I am no Dr. but I could feel it. I didn’t tell her, of course, what Dr. Cole told me, but I think she is very despondent about her recovery. I do wish I could

[page 3] do more for her – but I feel so helpless about the whole thing – Dr. Cole says she is definitely too weak for surgery. I asked him if her condition would become painful, but he said it shouldn’t. She has a lot of gas at times and so far her bowels have moved freely. He said she might get a bowel obstruction. The past week the weather has been cool and she hasn’t suffered from the heat.

Mary Parttens called today and said they were going to kill a beef in about 3 wks. And we can have a quarter or more. Clara M. is giving us lima beans to put some in our locker – we are to have half of what she puts in. She is moving to the south side of town – has bought her a house – Henry Molter & family are going to move over here where she lived.

Mary P. said Ruthie hasn’t stood on her feet yet but 2 wks. Ago Dr. M. took another x-ray and her break seems to be in fairly good shape – I saw the first x-ray and both sides of the pelvic bone were broken. I wish I could draw a picture & show you how it looked. Mary said every Dr. & nurse who looked at it said it was the only one like it they had ever seen.

Enough about such things – John is waiting for me to finish so we can go to bed and I am ready to turn in – Have to run the car in first.

Love Mother

P.S. I pd. Your Masonic dues

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/26/thirteenth-birthday-gladys/

August Finances (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 3, 1943 envelope

: August 3, 1943, p. 1

: August 3, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 3 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but had July 21 & 23 yesterday – Some more unusual weather we are having. It started to rain last night and it’s still raining today and much cooler – Before the rain it was hot. We have the doors & windows closed today so you know it’s cooler. I am glad for Mother it is cooler – She suffers so when it’s hot. Dr. Cole said yesterday to continue with the same medicine. She doesn’t seem to do anything much either way. Only on hot days she feels worse. With John gone this week it’s rather quiet around here and with the rain today the neighborhood all around is quiet. Mrs. James & Jimmy are back & so are Arlene & Bobby but so far Bobby hasn’t been around this week. He had a start of hay fever but as soon as Arlene got him to Green Bay it stopped. While Arlene was gone the Lubberty girls took care of Donnie – Sunday Theresa had him out and stopped here. He is the picture of Bill – He is still larger than David but D. has more hair. When they get together they take each others’ toys – not exactly exchange – if one takes a notion for the toy the other has he just reaches, grabs & pulls – the one that can pull the hardest wins. Of course since D. is in his cast he isn’t a match for Donnie. I believe Donnie will like to fight when he gets old enough. I think Bobby has taught him a few tricks.

[page 2] Sister J. said it wouldn’t hurt David’s leg for him to stand so I allowed him to pull up today and enjoy standing and did he love it. He sat some but that breaks the cast across his bottom so I try to keep him from doing that. I was surprised to see how well he handles himself with that cast on but it doesn’t bother him any. Margaret Kruman brought him a soldier doll from Culver – she said she didn’t know whether he could have a soldier’s doll or not. It’s about half as big as he is but he like to pound it.

I checked on our finances this a.m. Our present bal. is $455 – but I haven’t had a reply yet from the Ins. Co. so I am sure about 180⁰⁰ will come out of that bal. I went ahead & got the piano & hade a bal. of 188⁰⁰ to pay on it by Dec 1 but think I’ll clear it off before then – I pd. 100⁰⁰ on it and got 15⁰⁰ for the old piano but had to pay 6⁰⁰ on the hauling. I bought 7 – 18⁷⁵ bonds last month and will try now to keep buying one one a month. That makes a total of 21 – 18⁷⁵ bonds & 6 – 37⁵⁰ we have – and John has 2 – 18⁷⁵ – David 2 – 18⁷⁵ & Mark one 18⁷⁵ – The difference there is that Mark didn’t save his money & John did. I have car Ins. to pay this month and your Laf. Life pol. Comes due in Sept. and as soon as the Lbr. Co. gets coal in we should get a supply – I am no on the waiting list. Of course I won’t pay for coal until we get it – I haven’t been to town yet and our monthly groc. Bills will have to come out of the bal. above. If I see there will be a surplus I’ll buy bonds. I ate some sliced tomatoe at noon and feel a little itchy so I won’t eat any more if I can help it – and I think I can.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/16/august-finances-gladys/

Weiner Roast (Gladys)

5 Replies

: July 23, 1943 envelope

: July 23, 1943, p. 1

: July 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 23 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but will probably get one or more tomorrow. The latest I have is of July 11. It came the 20^th. I told you before I got Jim a leave thru the Red Cross. He called said he would be home Sunday. He & Thelma are going to T. H. then drive up in their car. I really feel it is necessary for him to come home. Mother doesn’t seem to improve much. As I said before, if your Mother were in the condition Mother is in I would go thru the Red Cross to get you a leave. Margaret asked me to go give Bud his 2:30 shot. Then I went to a meeting at Mrs. Ade’s home – I was put in as Vice-President of Cosmopolitan and we had to make out the years program. I just came home. John was to feed D. at 3 but when I came home he said D. wouldn’t eat. I had left pudding and asparagus for his dinner. He will probably he hungry at 7 – his bed time

[page 2] We had the weiner roast last nite and Zells all came over. Mrs. Z. brought ice cream, cookies & baked beans. I furnished wieners, buns, pickles, mustard, cheese and ice tea. They said next time they would furnish the meat. I had Bobby & Jimmy come too. After eating the children played croquet & worked down the food so no one was sick during the night. Bob & Clarice came out while we were still sitting around the furnace talking. Bob had taken care of the call to Jim for me. I gave David his bottle out there then when he began to act sleepy took him upstairs to bed. Bob & Clarice think he is “O.K.” 10 months old today. He hasn’t gained much the last month but I think that is due to his activeness.

The children are out playing croquet now & noisy too so think I’ll have to go out & quiet them.

I have to get to town & buy some meat for our coming company.
Love Mother

David with one of the Zell girls, July 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/27/weiner-roast-gladys/

Have David For A Brother (Gladys)

3 Replies

: July 14, 1943 envelope

: July 14, 1943, p. 1

: July 14, 1943, p. 2-3

: July 14, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 14 1943

Dear Daddy,

No mail today but I didn’t expect any since I had rec’d up to July 3. Had a letter from Marie Mace – Said David has been having rheumatism again. Marie said if he didn’t write to you she would and his reply was that, when he finished a letter to you and read it over it seemed toobe to be so “ped-dling” in the face of things you must be seeing and going through with, he felt it shouldn’t take up the space it would in going to you. He lost 26 lbs. then gained back 6. Marie says his clothes are so loose they hang on him.

Sometimes I feel

[page 2] that way about my letters to you but I go ahead and mail them anyway. I wish every day I could write volumes of interesting thing but hardly do that.

It is cloudy today and has rained a tiny bit and looks like all the time will rain hard. It is cooler than yesterday and I am glad because of Mother feeling so weak. I brought her home yesterday. She is upstairs in bed. Dr. Cole has her taking acidolphilus broth in milk after each meal and a tonic before meals. He said the after meal medicine is to help heal her bowels. She says all the soreness is gone. Is eating a little but not much. If you can imagine her being thinner than she was. Her clothes are too large too.

David’s eyes got red looking – the whites were blood shot so I took him to Dr. Ade – he

[page 3] said it was an infection that was going around and gave us a prescription for drop to put in three times a day. He said it should clear up in a few days. David doesn’t like the drops but I manage to get them in. He has had them three times and I think his eyes are better.

Mark is working on airplanes today. John is practicing. There is a plane going over & Mark has run out to see it. This must be a regular route now because planes go over almost daily. I am writing with an old pen and I keep making mistakes.

The Thompsons are visiting the Foulkes. Tommy is still helping his father farm. I haven’t seen them only from a distance. Mark saw Mary and asked her how much Davey weighed. She said 22 ½ & he is 16 mo old – can’t walk alone yet. Mark

[page 4] thought their Davey is a little slow in every way. Of course I haven’t seen him and can’t say. Yesterday Dr. Ade said he had two girls who would be glad to have David for a brother. John was with me and he said there were 3 girls next door who would like to have him too. It seems almost everyone things he would be pretty nice to have.

When I paid Mother’s bill I had 41⁰⁰ bal. in the bank. Her bill for a week was 47⁰⁰ – that included medicine & lab fee. I had put 52⁰⁰ of her money in our acc’t and you can see there wasn’t much of hers left.

Irene is home this week keeping Jimmy. Said she didn’t know what she would do next week and thereafter – Her mother isn’t coming back yet and she has to find someone to take care of J. when she goes back to work.

I have to make a trip to town.
Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/08/have-david-for-a-brother-gladys/

Neighborhood News (Gladys)

1 Reply

: June 26, 1943 envelope front

: June 26, 1943 envelope back

: June 26, 1943, p. 1

: June 26, 1943, p. 2

: June 26, 1943, p. 3

: June 26, 1943, p. 4

: June 26, 1943, p. 5

: June 26, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 26 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another hot sultry day. It looks like rain and once in a while there is a breeze but days like this makes Mother awfully weak. I stopped in to see Dr. M. and asked him about her and he said Bepron was a fine tonic and for her to keep on taking it. While I was there he asked me if I wanted to see the X-Ray of Ruthie Parttens – He showed it to me and was he mad – Mary wanted a bone specialist to see her a few days after Dr. M. had taken care

[page 2] of her and that insulted him but he told them to get someone else – they had Berkhiser from Chicago and he said everything had been done that could be – Dr. M. said he got so sick and tired of people spending their money on specialists. At any rate he says Ruthie is getting along first rate and the rumor that she wouldn’t walk again was rumor there was nothing to it. She is so lively they can hardly keep her in bed. I want to go over and see her but the car is in the garage today. Couldn’t start it yesterday so we pushed it and got it started and stopped at Sondergrath.

[page 3] Will report later on the trouble.

Had a letter from Ruth M. and she wants me to send J. & M. over for a week or so and then the rest of us come for the 4^th but Mother doesn’t feel well enough to go any place now and as hot as it is I really would rather stay home with David. Zell’s are going away Wed. for a week and they want J. & M. to mow the lawn while they are gone. However if they want to go to Ruth’s I won’t keep them home. Ruth & Floyd are going to C.C. for the 4^th & wanted us to got too so they could take some more movies of David, but I don’t want to go on such a long trip when it’s so hot, and I can’t plan to go

[page 4] any place while Mother doesn’t feel so well. She said for us to go ahead & go but I wouldn’t want to leave her alone.

Glenn called us yesterday. He talked and his wife talked – he talked to all of us. Had the baby by the phone and we could hear him. I wrote and told him Mother didn’t feel so well and I think he was pretty worried about her. He wanted your address; you may hear from them. His wife’s name is Pauline. The picture enclosed is I think good of David but John says David is better looking than the picture. However I think you can get a good idea what he is like because he laughs so much. After his bath he

[page 5] has curls but after a while they fall down. There are two teeth in front but one show plainer than the other. He is in his bed now singing a song. It is time for him to take a nap so he is in the nursery alone.

Parr’s were in town yesterday. Harlan is having a vacation but has to be back in Tuscola July 4 for work. He is very tan and so is Carolyn, more so than Dorothy & Nancy. They thought David was a pretty fine boy. Harlan still wants a boy. Dorothy said she thinks she has all she can do to take care of two girls.

[page 6] Dorothy Krull said yesterday that Bill Funk wants them to go on a vacation trip together. Dorothy said they would have to close the restaurant and she doesn’t know whether they will or not. I told her if they go to be sure Bill knows where he is taking them.

Had to stop and take baby clothes off the line – a storm was brewing and what a storm – this one took a good portion of the tree by Statons driveway – They have gone to Indpls. And will have to get the tree off their driveway before they can get in when they come back.

[page 7] Mrs. James & Jimmy went along and Bobby was sent home from Zells for misdemeanor so before the storm the neighborhood was rather quiet. It vibrates at times when things get going good.

After the rain started Mark put on his bathing trunks but he didn’t stay out long. It is cooler now since the rain – something we all appreciate. If this summer continues like this we have a lot of hot weather to look forward to. I had to repot a cactus plant – It was on the window sill and the strong wind blew it over and knocked the cactus out of the pot.

[page 8] The storm has let up and the Zell girls & J. & M. are out playing hide & seek. There is still a lot of thunder so maybe it will rain more.

Your mention of the shells makes me think of the box you sent from Noumea that didn’t come. The one that had the necklace you thought prettier than the one I rec’d. I doubt if it ever comes now – it has been so long.

I must get this ready to mail, so John can do to the P.O.

Love Mother

Father’s Day Gift (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

: June 18, 1943 envelope

: June 18, 1943, p. 1

: June 18, 1943, p. 2

: June 18, 1943, p. 3

Kentland Ind.
6-18-43

Dear Daddy –

A real hot summer day & no sign of rain. We are going our usual Fri. washing – Mark weeded carrots this morning after baking class – he made a spice cake at 4-H this morning. We are going to sow some carrots & swiss chard this evening. I think we will soon have potatoes to dig. Ours did very good. I have about a tub full of spinach to clean – I cut it off so we could replace it with the chard. John helped with the wash work – his big job is to mow and he has that done for this week. He is good help in the garden if needed.

We had David’s picture taken this morning. The photographer who always takes Jimmy’s picture came here and took the picture. Dorothy Schurtter brought Stevie and had his taken too.

[page 2] I would have liked to gotten the picture to you for Father’s Day but it won’t make it by then – however you can consider it a Father’s Day gift – which is this coming Sunday. I have mentioned it before but you may not get the letter.

I sent in the ck to pay off the ins. loan. It was $243.91 – that inclues Interest $6.36. So we will be rid of any kind of payment of that policy after I pay the last prem. due this month. Now to get that loan off mine and cut down more interest.

I got a bottle of Bepron and Mother is taking it. I think it is helping her. She seems to have a little better appetite & not quite so weak. She stays up all day but goes to bed early. I think it is better for her to keep going as long as she feels like it. She doesn’t do anything but it’s better than for her to be in bed all the time. I am taking the tonic too. I feel good but think it will help to keep me feeling good.

[page 3]I see in the paper that Jerry Sondergrath’s have another girl – Judith Ann. That was one I didn’t know anything about until I saw the paper. One of Leo’s girls is working in the bank and the second girl works in the garage office. Mrs. S. told me the girls didn’t like to work in the office for their Dad, but those girls are taught to do what their parents want.

–Had to stop & feed D. – now I had to change his pants and stop working on the spinach – We have all been out on the terrace working on the spinach. Took David’s pen out so he would be better satisfied – He climbs around in his buggy so much we can’t work if he is in it. John doesn’t eat spinach so I let him quit helping – He is going to town to mail letters.

Love Mother

Brave Little Boy (Gladys)

1 Reply

: June 4, 1943 envelope

: June 4, 1943, p. 1

: June 4, 1943, p. 2

: June 4, 1943, p. 3

: June 4, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
June 4, 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today – in fact none since Tues. when I rec’d yours of May 17 & 18 – but probably will get a lot at once. The 100⁰⁰ ck hasn’t come yet but likely will come with the rest of the delayed mail.

I am going to get Mark this afternoon. He got along fine, so with proper rest when he gets home should be in good shape soon. As I told you before the adnoid wasn’t bad but tonsils were. He was a brave little boy thru it all and didn’t cry or act up like the little girl in the next bed did. Last night or rather evening at 5 – when

[page 2] I left he was trying to eat ice cream. I told him he would feel much better today and could eat.

I was very tired when I came home last night and still feel tired today but I think after another good night’s rest I’ll be rested up.

Mother has David out in the front yard in the sun. He is so full of pep – I wish I had some of it. He woke me at 6:30 this morning by pounding on the head of his bed. His two new teeth show up good now. I have to get him a new pr. of shoes – but his aren’t rationed. His ration tickets give us an extra in case someone should need it.

I promised Mark yesterday I would get him a new slack suit, so will have to go shopping before I go to the hospital.

[page 3] I wrote your Mother about his trip to the hospital, several days ago, so he rec’d a card from her today. She sent John a card when he was supposed to have measles & didn’t – but she didn’t send Mark a card when he had measles and didn’t like that very well, so she was careful to correct her error this time.

John is helping Zells out today. He is mowing their lawn. Mr. Zell has been [helping] farmers run tractors and with his own garden doesn’t have time to do his mowing. John will be kept pretty busy – our garden will have to be worked – our peas are blooming – spinach, lettuce & radish ready to eat – The potatoes are coming along fine – also the carrots & onions. We planted corn & beans Sat. & the beans are up.

[page 4] Mrs. James said she was trying to clean house and Bobby is there on his tricycle & he and Jimmy keep fighting so Mrs. J. isn’t getting much done but refereeing. I have to mix formula – Have the water boiled and bottles washed, so must go boil bottles & mix things. Lucile is going with me today and we are to leave at 1 P.M., so I will have to get busy. Oh yes – Dr. Holliday had a patient in Pediatrics yesterday – Had an emergency operation. I must quit writing & get busy with things around here.

Love Mother