Raining again, buckets full. The Music Dept had their annual May breakfast this morning and since Mother was here to oversee thing I went to the meeting. Cocoa & I were going to walk but it was pouring down when we were ready to start – so I drove. Harold’s Mother is here so she went with us. It was still raining when we came home and now at 12:15 there is a slow drizzle. Zells went to Laf. today so John Mark went over and fed their chickens. They are big enough now to fry, so we will probably have one soon.
[page 2] I thought the way the weather was yesterday e would be able to work outside today but not so. It is so wet in the flower beds I am afraid I would mire down. Well I have to get Mother’s things put away – (the back porch is full) so maybe it’s just as well to have rain today.
Mark wrote you about getting a bike – I haven’t mentioned it because I wasn’t sure about it and the ration board won’t let him get it because he doesn’t have a paper route. He was awfully disappointed because he didn’t get it but I think he is getting over it. The band teacher has a good cornet to sell and he brought it over this morning for Mark to try. He wants $75⁰⁰ for it. The old trumpet is so hard to do anything
[page 3] with. He really can play the pieces much better on the cornet. I told Mr. Webster to leave it here a few days and we would consider it. I was going to pay 31⁰⁰ for the bike but since he is reconciled over that I think it would be better to put that much toward a horn.
We need to go to town to mail this and get David some food for his next feeding. He is much better about his eating. Eats his vegetables & cereal now without a fuss. He got such a good tan yesterday but can’t go out today. I saw Pauline Dennis this a.m. and asked her about Jimmy Ed. She said he is getting better. Dr. M. gave them a salve to put on him and it soothes so he isn’t so cross.
I thought I would get to write this in a little quiet, but John is playing for Mark and he is blowing the cornet.
Love – Mother
Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943
Sunday afternoon – It is cloudy and a little cool so we are all in the house. John is listening to musical programs. We all listened to the Quintuplets – they were in Superior, Wis., at a ship launching ceremony – they spoke and sang in French & English. There were five Merchant ships launched and the quints christened them.
I wrote you yesterday and if you get my letter will think I am a little mixed up – well I read your letter in a hurry and wrote to you before I re-read it – It was about the box you got & the chicken bones – It sounded like the bones had been taken out of the tin can, until I read it again and it was the candy in wrappers you meant the ants got into – so much for the chicken bones. I had four letters from you to read – hence the hurry –
[page 2] David seemed to have quite a cold yesterday and didn’t sleep so good last night – I’ll have to put that down against him – the first night he was disturbed me in the wee hours of the morning, but I think his gums are bothering him – He feels fine today and very little evidence of a cold. I think he had what John had earlier in the week. John seems to be alright now except for headaches, so I am going to take him to Dr. Ade this week and have his eyes checked. Mark had a slight cold too but didn’t lose any of his pep. There are a lot of colds around, but these didn’t last long so can’t complain. It has been raining or cloudy since Thurs. so David hasn’t had a sunning since last Wed. He was getting so tan – and it was very becoming. I think he will tan like Mark does & you. I don’t know whether Donnie Funk gets in the sun as much but he is very fair and maybe doesn’t tan as readily as David.
The dandelions are in full bloom now. Our lawn looks very yellow as well as all the lawn around here.
[page 3]Tonight is the Baccalaurate service at the high school. If I had someone to go with and someone to stay with the boys I would go – so I think I’ll save the trouble and stay home.
I see in the paper that Ira Dixon is home from the hospital. He has been sick for about two months. Gretchen lives here now since her husband is in the Army. Her baby is about 3 mo. old now. He was a little fellow – smaller than D. when he was born, but is coming along nicely.
Bethel Wilson is in Florida – you know she is in the W.A.A.C. – Ethel went to see her and had to stay longer than she had planned – couldn’t get reservations on the train to come home when she planned. Travel has been curtailed a lot – Mrs. P. said they had to stand part of the way back from Fla. They came back and both got sick from the change in weather. Mrs. Dixon & Nettie said they had noticed the chilly weather a lot this time. They went down last fall & spent the winter. People shouldn’t come back so soon – when we have this kind of a spring. Every time it gets warm for a day or two we think cold weather is over, then we have a cold snap – so much for weather.
[page 4] Of course you remember Roscoe Kenoyer – they have a baby girl – they live near Otterbein now. Tommy Thompson’s have stored their furniture and rented their house – He is going to work on his Dad’s farm this summer. At present Mary is living with her mother. Fuells have moved out of town & Chas. Dienhart bought the Fuell house. Ellsworth bought Dienhart’s house for a rental. I haven’t heard anything about Eddie Ray in the past few days so he evidently is getting better.
I stopped to see Jimmy Ed Fri eve and it is almost too soon to tell whether the S.M.A. is going to help his skin condition. Dr. M. is using light treatments on him too. Besides the white flakes, there is a little seepage. – like my hands get when I eat something I shoudn’t.
David has had a nap and is making a noise so better go see what he needs – without looking I know – The same story – dry pants.
I have Mark reading a book – he brought 3 home from the library and I told him he had to read them.
Love, Mother
P.S. Your last letter was of Apr 21 – so that is pretty good time – I got it May 8 –
P.S. no. 2.
Had two “sets” of callers this afternoon – You remember the Luce man, who had the smashed arm – he stopped in – thought you might be home on week-end leave – but I told him you were on foreign duty – well he wanted to show you his arm – he has fairly good use of it now and is going to marry one of the nurses he met while in the hospital so long. The arm is not straight – and is bumpy in places but from the shape it was in when you got to him – I would say it’s a pretty good arm. He still gives you credit for saving it –
The other callers were Forrest & Gertrude, Chas (the sailor at Pern) and his wife, which I think must be recently acquired, Helen & her two children. Helen said Dan is still in Noumea but she thinks he wno’t be long. Mrs. R. called me this evening. She had a letter from Joe & he said he thought he might possibly see you before long.
Charles Kline & his wife Rita (Photograph courtesy of Karen Kline Brand
Helen (Kline) and her husband Dan Heindel (Photograph courtesy of Judith Bowen)
Forrest “Bud” Kline, Jr, Helen and Charles Kline (Photograph courtesy of Judith Bowen)
Forrest S. Kline, Sr. with his wife Gertrude and their children Helen (Kline) Heindel and Charles Kline, c. 1948 (Photograph courtesy of Karen Kline Brand)
Yours of Apr 3 & 4 came today – but had up to Apr 15th earlier this week – you mentioned the seed again – which I sent out some time ago – also the lawn – and I had an earlier letter about that and gave you a reply which you should have by now. So much for answers. It is wet today. Had a hard rain yesterday & last nite. I was thinking of going to T. H. to get Mother but since it was raining so hard and didn’t clear away I put off going till tomorrow. John is till home from school and feels “O.K.” but I was afraid he might break out with measles any day. In case you have missed earlier letters – He came home Tues. from school having a chill & with a temp of 102. He hasn’t had any temp. since Tues except Wed he had 2/5 degree.) and has felt pretty good – had headache yesterday. Miss Kitsmiller called
[page 2] this morning to find out why he wasn’t in school. I said I hadn’ let him study any in case he was taking measles – she assured me I didn’t need to worry about that. I think he will make all exemptions again because he has an a average.
I wrote a v-mail yesterday and told you about David’s new toy – the “Cradle Gym” – it is a cute trick – just like a trapeze – cross-bar – hand rings, etc. He tries to pull up on it but hasn’t made the grade yet. He sounded a new low note this morning – John and I were watching him and with an appreciable audience he can really perform. He says Da-da all the time. Maybe he will do like John did before he talked.
Jackie Lamb came out this morning and borrowed the shadow box to use in court to show some x-ray’s. She promised to return it as soon as they are thru with it. I think I told you Newell didn’t get into the Navy. They bought the place Shirly Baze had. Baze’s went to Calif. to live. Shirley was ready to have another baby when they left here.
[page 3] The papers came today but I haven’t looked thru them. I didn’t get up very early and put a new top on David’s bath table so didn’t get much else done, except bathe & feed D, read your letters, and get lunch ready. I hope it clears away today so I can get some washing done this afternoon. You know these babies have to have clean clothes whether it rains or not.
Haven’t talked to Lucile since Wed. so haven’t any word about how Jimmy Ed is doing on D. M. A. – just hope it helps him.
Arlene told me they put Bobby in his play yard and saw him get ready to climb out. He found some boards and was fixing them so he could get over the fence. Her brother’s baby has glaucoma – (I think that is right) and they think they might be able to save one eye – They operated on the bad eye first and in 3 weeks will operate on the good eye. He is just 15 mo. old.
[page 4] John has been reading funnies this a-m. – He couldn’t read them while under suspicion of measles, so he is catching up. He has been listening to a lot of radio programs while he has been home.
Mark just started back to school and then came dashing back in for something – I don’t know what – never a dull moment around here.
The lilacs across the street on Kent are getting ready to bloom. They are very slow this year. The trees have just put out leaves the past week. If it stays warm everything will grow fast now.
I haven’t seen Helen Kline for some time but if I get to go to Laf. next week to attend Hospital Day will try to contact her. I tried the last time I was there to call her but couldn’t get the number. I suppose you haven’t seen Dan since you left the last place.
I must get dishes washed so will be ready to feed D. at 2 P.M.
Love Mother
Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943
No letters today but two yesterday of Apr 9 & 10 and I hardly expected any today. We are having a high wind today – not cold but sounds like it. John Barce & a Walkup boy are to take storm windows down today but if this wind continues they won’t be able to. – I went to club yesterday afternoon with Arlene – Louise kept the baby – I took him there as I went to club and when I came back to get him he was just waking up. Louise said he & Donnie had slept all afternoon. I got home just a little while after school was out and John was having a chill and running a temp, so I put him right to bed. I called Dr. M. and he said to give him a cathartic and let him know this morning – well I didn’t give him anything but orange juice because I didn’t think it was necessary. His temp. got up to 102 ½ last night but was normal this morning. I don’t know what was the matter.
[page 2] He says he feels pretty good but he may be having measles – one of those delayed cases. He is in bed with the blinds drawn in case it is the measles, listening to the radio. He said after he attended the band contest he didn’t care if he did get measles. I went to town to get some oranges and took the baby with me. Saw Massengill salesman, Berry – He was always showing his twins pictures so I got to show him our baby. He told me they had another baby boy but it died – it was a 7 ½ mo. – lived a day. – While I was talking to him Dorothy came along and took D. She told me Betty Lou was sick so maybe she and John are just having a touch of flue. At any rate John isn’t sick today but has to stay in bed just in case of measles. There were both kinds going around so he may be having the 3 day king. I heard more yesterday about Eddie Ray. He was injured rather severely. Doctors told Wilson’s he had a 50-50 chance. Ellsworth said he thought he would make it now – He was injured last Sat. and this is Wed. I think that may stop some of the children around town from climbing trees for a while. Mark says he isn’t going to climb up on anything.
[page 3] I wanted to work out in the yard but this wind is so strong I am afraid it would be difficult to do much. I worked after supper last night till it got too dark to see. It is time for the lawn to be mowed again but John can’t do it today and the mowing is his job this summer. Our garden needs hoeing and that is Mark’s job so he will have to do that after school today. I wish I could get a Technicolor picture of the shrubbery & tulips – The tulips are in bloom – all colors – and the evergreens are looking good. We are to get a replacement for the west tree – I don’t know when but soon. – – Had callers, Lucile & Jimmy Ed. She had taken him to Dr. M. His skin is in a terrible shape. She has to keep long stockings on him to keep him from scratching his legs and mitts on his hands. His skin peels off in large white flakes. Dr. M. put him on lactic acid a long time ago but it hasn’t helped so now they are to give him S.M.A and start him on vegetables. He is such a nice big boy and has gotten along so well but for this skin condition. It has Lucile so worried Dr. gave her a nerve tonic to quiet her down some. I do hope they get him straightened out. They have tried to take such good care of him. She thinks it
[page 4] strange that D. has such a nice soft skin and me with my allergies. I do hope he doesn’t develop any such trouble but that is hardly to be expected as old as he is. Lucile had talked to Ellsworth today and he said six Drs. had seen Eddie Ray & said he would get along. However they haven’t been able yet to do anything about his left arm – The Drs. say it will be a slow process – his recovery – and they can’t move him yet for x-ray etc.
I went up a little while ago to take John temp and it was just 2/5 of a degree. He feel pretty good so maybe he will be up tomorrow, or broken out if he has measles.
Mark is home from school and is watching D. – He is in his buggy taking a nap. – Mark is pushing him on the walk in front of the house. Mark heard him say “Da-da” – He can hear more works that David says. So far it has just been so much jabber but both J. & M. hear words – if you get what I mean. – Mark just reported in that he got D. to go to sleep. – I must go out and see if he has him in the right position so the wind won’t blow directly on him.
Love – Mother
In case you missed my previous letters about Eddy R. – he fell out of a tree & fractured his skull & broke his arm.
Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943
Sat. afternoon and the last opera of the season and John as tuned in so I may get some mixed up in this. Mark is out in the yard. It is so warm today wraps are unnecessary. This is about our warmest day so far. Tomorrow is Easter so maybe we will have warm weather now.
The Onargo people set a tree out for Zell’s so I talked to the “boss” and he promised to bring a new tree for us. He isn’t the same one they used to have. Also he promised to trim the east tree that grew so profusely last summer. The tulips are blooming. Bobby F. picked one this morning and we caught him. He promised not to do that again. One day last week he & Jimmy went to Mrs. Perry’s yard and picked her daffodils. Both got whippings but evidently Bobby’s didn’t take.
[pag3 2] I was going to get so much house cleaning done today but Clara got sick and couldn’t come but the boys have been helping. John had D go take a lesson at 11 – so that ended his helping for a while. It is about as much work keeping Mark doing anything as doing it myself but I have been trying all day to get him to help. If I could utilize some of the energy he burns up doing nothing. It rained yesterday so the ground is too wet to get any spading done. I wanted to plant more potatoes but the ground is till too wet – Maybe by Mon – if it doesn’t rain by then we can do some more garden work. This warm weather following the rains this week should bring our garden up. – – – Have been out in the yard taking down clothes – Lucile came and visited a while with Jimmy Ed. He slept in his buggy – David was in his buggy but had had his map so he entertained us. He loves to be out in the yard – stays contented without any attention. I just brought him him and put him down in his bed and he is blowing bubbles.
[page 3] These pictures were taken a few days before he has 7 mo. old – They aren’t as close as I wanted – will try to get a little closer the next time. I wrote you several times that the tax figured down to $157.00 – but just in case those letters don’t reach you I am repeating. We went over all the deductions we could – equipment etc. – I think we took off on everything.
John started the lawn mowing today. I had the lawn mower oiled and sharpened last fall so it is in good shape now. John said it was so heavy & hard to push, so I gave it turn and told him if it was any lighter I would fly with it – Elaborated some, but it isn’t as bad as he tried to make it.
Jim it taking a course now to become a C.P.O. – He doesn’t know how long he will be in school, but several weeks. He said they were moving but didn’t say where, so must be close to where they are now because he didn’t say anything about Thelma coming back.
[page 4]Mentioning the pictures again – you can see Mark was “acting up” when I tried to take the three of them together and John was squinting. I was trying to get D. to hold up and look at the camera so its not so good of me either.
I haven’t had any letters this week except the four that came yesterday dated Mar 27,28, 29 & 30. Last week I had gotten April’s to the 6th. Maybe I’ll get a bunch Monday. Of course by the time you get this I probably will have had several more.
Tomorrow being Easter Mark wants to color eggs. We brought 6 dz home from C.C. but have used them rather freely so probably won’t feel like we can color many (38¢ dz now). Mark wanted to color enough for the whole neighborhood but we told him that was too much – He would like to have an Easter egg hunt on our lawn. I must get this ready to mail. – It is past 5 P.M. – I have been busy all day and plenty more to do if I want to don’t but I think I’ll leave something til Monday.
Love Mother
[Editor’s note: Based on the notations on the envelope, I am not sure if this letter ever made it to Roscoe.]
Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943
Dear Daddy – Monday morn and no letters – but got five Fri & Sat – and one I had been looking for – about the yard. (Mar 25 & 26 – Apr 4-5-6) We spaded up more flower beds, but the space between the garage & tree was a run way for the children and that kept the grass from growing so I decided to do something about it. I wanted to work out in the yard today but so far it is cloudy & cool. When it is warm I put D. in his buggy and I can go outside and work but don’t like to leave him inside alone. I’ll be glad when Mother gets back so I can dash out when I want to. We took a long walk yesterday – it was so nice out – We made several calls, stopped at Plummers but Mrs. P. was in bed with a touch of flu – coming home to this chilly weather gave them both colds – so we didn’t stay long there. We called on Jimmy Ed – I wish you could do something for him – his skin is like sand paper and the back of his head is a mass of dry scales – his red hair (and he had so much) is all gone in the back. Lucile said they were thinking about going to someone else with him but Dr. M. thinks when he gets old enough to take foods other than milk he will get better. Dr. M. changed him to lactic acid sometime ago but it doesn’t seem to do much good. Mrs. Zell, Lucile & I went to an Easter Cantata at the Methodist last nite. J. & M. stayed with D., but he sleeps so they weren’t bothered with him. I must send Wilma a graduation gift. She is going into nurses training at the union.
Love Mother
Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943
Dear Daddy – No letter today but had three Tues. It is such a grand spring day – just the kind for poets to write about. I think we will work in the yard this evening and if the ground isn’t too wet plant more peas, etc. I took David for a long walk yesterday. He was feeling good and showed off when people talked to him. He seemed to know he was being admired. He took cream of wheat this a.m. without the usual fuss. I gave him some prune juice but he threw it up. He can’t seem to handle fruits of any kind. Ed Johnson asked for your address. He was on his way home to take care of Jimmy Ed so Lucile could finish her ironing. It is about time for J. & M. to come for lunch. They come in with such a bang. I sometimes have to brace myself. The stores are closing now Thurs. afternoons. I thought maybe they wouldn’t do that now but they started last week. The coil factory is working nights to keep up production. If you got my letter mentioning the Stork to visit Bart’s – I think that was just a rumor. The local papers didn’t come today so haven’t any news to add. I saw Ruby Clark and she said Geo (being 38 now) was given his choice of discharge to work in defense work or stay in and he chose the defense work. Is with Allison Indpls. Saw Irene yesterday and she said she would write you. The Dr. at Mayo told her to quit work – but she said that wouldn’t pay the mortgage. It is time for Mark to go to school and take this. We are all fine – John hasn’t had measles and hope he doesn’t.
Love Mother
Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943
Dear Daddy – No letters today but had 3 yesterday & John & Mark each rec’d one with the souvieners. They will thank you. It is still cool and windy. Had some rain last night. Mark and I started our garden yesterday – got peas, spinach & radishes planted. We sowed some grass seed last week and I want to put out more garden this week yet. Lucile came out with Jimmy Ed yesterday. He has allergy so bad his skin is rough and he has the hair worn off the back of his head and his skin is dry & scaly where he hasn’t any hair. He is growing but not any faster than David. I had a struggle again this morning to get his cereal down but when I finished with him he was able to laugh so it doesn’t upset him too much. He certainly has strong tendencies for a 6 mo. old. He has to have cereal or he is hungry so I suppose I’ll just have to keep on struggling to get it down. The gross return came today but I am going to inquire about whether it has to be paid this yr. We are to be refunded for last year’s payments. Let me know the amt taxable with your increase if it has to be filed. I haven’t received all the letters you have sent but maybe they will come in time. Bart told me Clem has been discharged from service. He had some kind of pleurisy. I would hesitate to say whether he is lucky or not. David is awake and is now sitting up in his buggy – can sit alone now. It is about time for J & M to come for lunch. Mark got quite a thrill out of making garden. He is in 4 – H and this garden is his project. I hear Bobby & Jimmy fighting. They certainly can make lots of noise together when they get mad about something.
Love – Mother
Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943
Dear Daddy – No letter today but so far this week I have 16. I sent a regular air mail yesterday (3-26) so let me know when you get it. I put in several pictures of us and hope it doesn’t get lost. I was going to reg. it but they told me it wouldn’t do any good so just sent it regular. Sat. and John has gone to take a lesson. Mark is dusting. David is going to sleep. Has been playing since his bath & 10 a.m. meal . It is cooler today but could hang out clothes. The boys had that job today. Mark is going to help Mr. Zell this afternoon. He is giving the ground plowed and we are going to have a little space for garden. Instead of rank growth between Zells & the corn patch that will all be in garden. (I mean corn field) Lucile came out with Jimmy Ed yesterday and we walked with our young sons. Jimmy is very fat – will soon be three mo. old. He has a very sensitive skin and has a rash much of the time. Ed is very fond of the baby. Lucile says he plays with him on the bed every evening – in fact I think Ed has spoiled him much more than Lucile would. She would have him better regulated. I had a letter from Helen. She had heard from Dan and he told her you had departed for parts unknown. I want to see her the next time I go to Laf. – you know why. I can’t tell her in a letter. We heard Anthony Eden last night. He is in this country on a mission – I suppose you get some news. Wish I could send you the papers regularly. I have been watching the papers for pictures and listening to news broadcasts. Bobby Funk is out in garage begging admittance but his Mother doesn’t want him to come in. He hasn’t anyone to play with this morning and has been wandering around our yard. His Mother just called so he has to go home.
Love – Mother
Helen with her brothers, Forrest (aka Bud) and Charles, 1942 (Photograph courtesy of Judith Bowen)
Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon Image from Wikipedia ( Wikipedia Commons)
Dear Daddy – The weather has turned cold again and got down below freezing last night with a high wind. Mark went back to school today – Mr. Zell took him with his girls. I am going after him at noon so he won’t have to be in this wind. He is feeling good but I don’t want an aftermath of measles. I am watching John closely for any early signs. So far nothing has developed in either John or David. I got the duplicate of our tax sheet from Agnes yesterday and it figured $757.33 for ’42. The rate is much higher this time and exemptions lower. I have enough bonds to cover that & the bal. of ’41 when and if you know it may be cancelled. Mr. Zell raises chickens – (in a house of course) and he has quite a lot of fertilizer – cleans the house 3 times a week. He put a load around our shrubbery in the back yard this morning. He has been spreading it over his lawn. I believe you would have a different opinion of him as county agent than you did of the last one. He should be on a farm but Mrs. Z. said the farmers here aren’t in favor of their agent farming. It has been so cold none of our neighbors have shown any spring signs. Bill cleaned off his garden not long ago but that is all. I don’t know what the Irishers will do today about planting potatoes. Our bank bal is $150⁰⁰ – few odds bills to pay but nothing big. No uniform money as yet. David is raising a howl – just woke up and it is about bath time. He is quite an active little fellow and a little spoiled but not too much as he goes to bed a little after 6 P.M. and sleeps till 6 A.M. – weighs 16 ½ I am knitting him a new spring outfit (Pink & white). Haven’t seen Jimmy Ed lately. Afraid to go there till measles scare is all over.
Genealogy Lady 