Tag Archives: John F. Yegerlehner

Life Goes On (Gladys)

[Editor’s note: This is the last letter written by Gladys during the World War II era. Hundreds of letters also survive from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. In the near future, I will begin organizing and transcribing those letters and we will hear from Gladys again! Until then, keep reading as I post Roscoe’s few remaining letters and a series of letters written in late 1945 and early 1946 by friends and family.]

October 20, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 20, 1945, p. 1

Sat. Oct. 20 1945

Dear Daddy –

No letter this a.m. and since the P.O. closes at 1 p.m. I probably won’t get any until Mon. I contacted Arnold last night on the phone and he is going to look at the heating plant Mon. evening, so maybe by Tues. I can give you an idea whether he will take on the job. Vincent worked Wed. & Thurs. evenings and is going to work again starting Mon. He says he will soon have it done.

I saw Juanita Schneider yesterday and gave her her gloves and got mine back. She said she wishes you would take to the Dr. who has been taking care of her husband when you get back to G.L. They are planning to come to Kentland when he can leave the hospital and she thought you would like to know something of his case history. She gave me his name, etc.

I went to the beauty parlor this a.m. and got a new perm. Emma is booked ahead so far I couldn’t get an appointment for shampoo & set for 10 days. She won’t try to work in extra appointments.

Mark is practicing his music lesson. He was playing foot ball with Jimmy Sammons and came in and wanted to go to town with John to find someone. He hadn’t practiced any today and is to take a lesson at 4:30 so I told him he had better come in for a while. He got awfully angry and wasn’t being treated right, etc. He hasn’t done a thing around here today so I told him to go ahead and spend the day with his friends but forget about an allowance – that slowed him down a little. I hate to be so mercenary but I don’t think he needs to spend all his time playing. He went over to school this morning and helped decorate

October 20, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] for a dance they are to have Mon. I let him go to the Attica game last night. He went with Tooles. This morning he was telling me how Mrs. T. & Robert used so much swearing in their conversation. He seemed to think it wasn’t very good to listen to. He just asked me if he could go to the next out of town football game then he promised without any soliciting, to practice if I would let him go.

David just came in with his hair tangled with burrs. I asked him how they got there and he said Jimmy S. put them in his hair. Fortunately I had cut his hair this week and it was so short I could slip the burrs out without doing any cutting. Mark got into a “froth” and was going right over and do things to Jimmy, but I quieted him down and sent him back to practice his music. After I got the burrs out without any difficulty I told him no harm was done.

John is over at school this afternoon working on the school paper. He took a piano lesson this morning. He is to take an organ lesson tomorrow. He will want to go practice a while this afternoon – if he gets thru with his “editorial work” in time.

I haven’t been to see Bobby yet but thought I would go this afternoon when they get their naps over. The whole house (except the maid) takes afternoon naps. Arlene was having a little difficulty explaining to Bobby why his throat was sore. He thought they weren’t going to take his tonsils out.

David has gone to the basement – Mark is down there now working on an airplane – so I must go get David or he will be black.

Love Mother

Dr. Pippenger sent you your Indiana State Medical Association card, so in case you want to attend the Indiana State Medical Association you will have your card. I’ll keep it unless you want me to send it on to you.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/13/life-goes-on-gladys/

Going Too Smoothly (Gladys)

1 Reply

October 19, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 19, 1945, p. 1

10-19-45

Dear Daddy –

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

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

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

October 19, 1945, p. 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love,
Mother

: Medical Society Program (exterior)

: Medical Society Program (interior)

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

Coal and Oil Burners (Gladys)

2 Replies

October 18, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 18, 1945, p. 1

10-18-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of the 13 & 15 came today. That one of the 13^th got slowed up a little. I got the 14^th yesterday. Vincent started on the office last night. I went down for a while but didn’t stay because I can’t do much until he gets through. After he gets thru I’ll get Monroe to change the heating arrangement. Even if we can’t get an oil burner for a few weeks I think we had better continue with our own heating system – because Loughridge should show what he says about Nick’s system not being adequate as is. I just told Dorothy yesterday I was going to leave that job for you – getting the heat piped over. However, by the time you get home maybe we can get an oil burner for it and just skip the idea of getting the heat from across the alley.

I went to Cecil Dixon’s to the A.B.C. class party last night. Everyone (almost) was asking about when you would be home. I said you would be discharged Nov. 1. Someone asked me if I had your office ready, and I said the carpenter had just started.

Since Loughridge was so evasive about when the oil burner will be in I think I’ll have Monroe get this stoker fixed and get some stoker coal. I called Chet Harlan and he said he had some treated Eastern Kentucky stoker coal and I can get that. The Lumber Co. has only Indiana Stoker.

October 18, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] An announcement about the 10^th District Med. Soc. Fall meeting came but since you won’t be here Oct. 24 I won’t send in for reservations (ladies invited too).

I suppose by the time I get the stoker fixed (if I can) and coal in then an oil burner will come. If I only knew, but last week we had a taste of a little cool weather and trying to hand fire and get the house warmed up every morning is no joke.

The announcement of the Nu-Joy in the Kent Estate was in the paper. They are to be ready for business by Nov. 20 – so it is taking a little longer than I had thought.

It’s getting near 11:30 and that means time to get lunch started. I’ll have to sign the report cards too so they can be returned. Mark’s grades are Social Studies – B, English – C, Arithmetic – C, Physical Ed – B, Health & Science – B, Band – D (and he was mad – even John said that wasn’t fair), Art – C, Ag – B, Citizenship – A. John got B in Band and gave himself B in Citizenship because they grade themselves and he was too modest to give himself A – but says after this he will because everybody else does. He wasn’t very pleased about the B in Band but he got A in everything else – History, Latin, Speech & Geometry. The whole band was mad at Cole yesterday for the grades he dished out. From all I can gather no one in the band likes him.

Mark promises to do better next time.
Love Mother

P.S. I talked to Monroe & he said he would order a new auger & also do the office work as soon as Vincent gets through.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/09/coal-and-oil-burners-gladys/

Arvilla (Gladys)

1 Reply

October 17, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 17, 1945, p. 1

10-17-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sun. came today. It has been a grand day and I am glad we could let the fire go this afternoon. I talked to Chet Van S. and they have no coal – only Indiana stoker. Anyway the stoker coal isn’t so good to use for hand firing. I will try Harlan and see what he has. If he has any stoker coal I may have Monroe take this auger out and see if he can get it welded. He said they did that to the school furnace but it didn’t work. Loughridge is so indefinite about the oil burners now. When I talked to them in August they were sure they could have the furnace changed over by Nov. 1 and now they can’t give any date. Chet said they were to get a load of coke soon and I have a notion to try that, if we can’t get any coal.

Vincent is going to start on the office tonight. Nick still has his “stuff” stored there but I think Vincent can work around it for a while. I thought if we get something started Nick would get the place cleared.

I worked a little while in the attic getting the office things together. I want to gather up the sheets and towels and get them laundered.

Had a letter from your mother and she said Kenneth is home. He has a 45 day furlough, then goes back to N.C. and he thinks then he will be discharged. Dolores & Steve are home. Steve is out of the Army & Dolores has quit her job. I thought she would stay for a while but now that she is married I suppose they want to get

October 17, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] settled near the relatives. Mom said she didn’t know what they intend to do.

Irene was talking to me and said Link is losing weight. She says he is worried about his job. She is still talking about starting a Baby Shop out here in their home. I take it from the trend of her conversation their finances aren’t so good. She said she told Link if he wanted to sell their place she would be willing. However, I doubt if they will do that.

David just came in with a mask on. Virginia had given it to him and he was so tickled about it. I acted like he frightened me and that made him laugh.

I saw Dr. Mathews in the drug store and told him you were to be discharged Nov. 1 – He said for you to hurry home.

I also [saw] Arvilla Wright yesterday. She has been working in a hospital in Illinois but had to come home. She had an impacted wisdom tooth and was to go today to have it taken out. Alma told me Arvilla would rather work in a doctor’s office here than in a hospital. She figures she could take less and stay home. I have an idea you can get her if you want her.

Dorothy took Bobby over to Hungess for another cold shot this afternoon – the third one.

John is late this evening – he is quite busy getting the school paper ready to edit. The grade cards came – he got A on everything but Band & Cole gave him a B – he was very disgusted about that. He also got a B on citizenship – but they grade themselves on that and he was too modest to himself an A. Mark’s grades were B-C-& D – I told him to get busy & get an A or two next time.

Love Mother

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

Going Ahead (Gladys)

1 Reply

October 14, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 14, 1945, p. 1

Oct. 14-1945

Dear Daddy –

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

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

October 14, 1945, p. 2

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

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

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

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

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

Love Mother

P.S. Kenneth is on his way home.

October 14, 1945, p. 3

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

October 14, 1945, p. 4

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

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

Will try to have more info about everything this evening.

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

While You Wait (Gladys)

1 Reply

October 11, 1945 envelope

October 11, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

10-11-45

Dear Daddy –

Thurs. morning. Just thought I would write and give you a letter “while you wait.” This should get to you by the time you get back to San. F. I gathered up the clothes and washed this morning. It’s clear but a little cool. A good day to get out of doors.

Last night when you called the boys kept saying tell him about the garage door – I drove a little too close before I stopped last night and I pushed the door in a little. After driving all the way home from Great Lakes without a bit of trouble I would do something like that. I never liked that door anyway and if we do to garage what we plan, it will have to be changed anyway. However, the door isn’t ruined.

I called Vincent Schuster and he is going to the office with me this evening to see what has to be done. I asked him how much work he had ahead and he said he would have to see what you wanted before he would say if he can do it. I’ll write tomorrow and tell you what he will do. I have been thinking about the heat business and I think if we could get an oil burner put in our heating plant it might

October 11, 1945 , p. 2

[page 2] be better to be independent than to be hooked on to Nick’s. However, that can wait until you get back.

I just “drifted” my hair and waiting for it to dry a little so I can roll it. It has warmed up out of doors and is going to be a grand day to be out. One of Indiana’s glorious fall days.

David is playing in the den at the present time but played out a lot this morning. He got an old pair of galoshes and put them on and tramped around a good part of this morning. He is still playing with that old car seat. I’ll be glad when he gets tired of it so I can put it away.

It took a long time to get the house warm last night, but there was a good fire this a.m. We finally lit a fire in the fire place and toasted our toes a while. I was so tired I took a bath and went to bed about 9 p.m. I got up a little past 7 this a.m. to get the fire started but I didn’t have to do much. The temp on the gauge was over 200° so it didn’t take so long to throw a little heat around.

I think I’ll try to get some knitting done and out of the way, so I will have time to see about other things.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/29/while-you-wait-gladys/

More Measurements (Gladys)

3 Replies

October 4, 1945 envelope

October 4, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Thurs. Eve
10-4-45

Dear Daddy –

I went down to the office this afternoon and made some measurements. Nick was getting ready to serve Rotary so he was in the restaurant. He went over with me and helped me get the measurements. I have put down another plan on graph paper, showing the window & door locations in the back room. Your plan could hardly be used because of the window & door being where they are. Also you showed a drug & linen room up toward the center of the backroom and I kept it back where it is at present – at least there is where we used to keep the drugs and if you would have your consultation room where I have located it, that little room would be the natural place. You remember that room is nicely finished in board that looks like paneling. Nick talked favorably about piping the heat in for us. I looked up the coal bills and the nearest I can figure for the winter of (Oct. 4. To May 42) is around $70.00. I figure that

October 4, 1945, p. 2-3

[page 2] is averaged about $10.00 a month for 7 months. Nick said it would probably cost you more if he furnished it, but I think it would be worth it. Nick said again today he would like to get Mildred out of that back room.

I ran into the P.O. to mail you a letter and saw Irene with her baby, Lucile with her two & Gretchen Wilson. Lucile said they were going down to the Kentland Café for cokes and asked me to go along. I said no I was going down to measure the office. I said maybe I was being optimistic but they all agreed that I should be and seemed to think what I was going to do was right.

The street paving extended down to Foulkes’ corner so we are all fixed up out in front.

The stores still close on Thurs. afternoon so Main Street is nearly deserted on Thurs. p.m.

John was talking about your being back in private practice and said he bet you would make $2,000 the first month. He

[page 3] grinned a little so maybe he was exaggerating a little. John has gone to see “Wilson” tonight. He said he wanted to see it again and figured this was the best night to go. Tomorrow night is the ball game.

Fri. a.m. Yours of Oct. 2 came today. I won’t be too disappointed about the draft not getting here this weekend since you will probably be getting one soon – also it sounds pretty good about discharges not too far away.

I am washing this morning. Have two tub fulls out on the line and the last tub about ready. The furnace isn’t working right, but I shut it off at the fuse box. I want the fire to go out so I can clean out the furnace. There was too much fire when I started to do that yesterday. It is warm enough now we don’t need much heat in the house. I’ll have Loughridge come out and look at it today or tomorrow.

October 4, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] I think the Bendix has stopped so that is my cue to go back to work.

– – It was time to start lunch when I got thru with the clothes. I cooked beans with pork ribs – not trying to make you homesick. Lucile called me about going to Cosmopolitan Club so guess we will take the children and go.

Bobbie Funk has a day off from school for some reason and he is out playing. I have been keeping David up this way but Bobby & Martha know no restrictions so it’s hard to make David understand he can go just so far.

It has been so nice the past few days, but a little hazy today. It is warm enough to have the front door open.

I see in the paper that Vincent Clark is back with Sears. Floyd Remsberg is out. I saw Vincent the other day and he said he had been with Bob Ley in N. Africa.

The score of the third ball game is 3-0 Cubs – last half of 8^th I suppose you know the Cubs won first day & Tigers second.

Love Mother

The Real Dope (Gladys)

1 Reply

October 3, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 3, 1945, p. 1

Kentland, Ind.
10-3-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 29 & 30 came today. Just hope that talk about Oct. 15 is the real dope. You rec’d a letter from the Community Club of Mulberry asking you to consider coming there.

It looks like the Nu-Joy will be up here by us temporarily. The street from our corner up to the hotel is being repaired. Mrs. Z. was telling me today that it is to be up here until they can get the new one built. I suppose that means the buses will be coming up this way. If so David will have to be watched.

I have been figuring on our financial status. Counting our monthly $170 dep. – which hasn’t come yet – and all bills paid I know of the balance as of now is $384.87.

October 3, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Dorothy called and asked me about Hurgess at Sheldon. Says Bobby’s cold is worse. She is going to take him over there if he is in. Statons called him over here Sun. evening. Jimmy was sick but not seriously, because he is alright now.

John tuned in the ballgame at noon. So far the Cubs are winning. The last I heard it was 7-0. It is over now, but I didn’t get the final score.

The mail man left a letter for Mrs. N.E. Baer here today – I saw the return address first, then saw the address. I wondered what Comdr. B. was writing me about. I sent the letter down. David took it and when he came back he said the lady gave him a dime to put in his piggy bank – he very proudly carried the dime.

Bun Loughridge told me that they were to get some word today as to when they can expect to get new burners. I keep reminding them about how anxious we are to get ours installed.

Here’s hoping you get the trip to G.L. soon.
Love,
Mother

P.S. It isn’t raining.

I’ll Be All Ears (Gladys)

7 Replies

September 29, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 29, 1945, p. 1

Sat. 29 – 1945

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 27 came today and you mentioned the possibility of another trip to G. L. next week. Well I’ll be all ears waiting to hear. I wrote you a long letter yesterday and pretty well exhausted my news supply, but will do the best I can. Our rain seems to be over but it’s cold now – not just chilly but cold. We have a good fire going in the furnace. John needed a Latin book he couldn’t get here, so this being Sat., we went to Laf. He got his Latin book and I got a pr. hose and a replacement on the Jiffy mop that went to pieces and that was about all – except a box Fannie May caramels. The town was so full of Sat. shoppers we couldn’t get waited on in so many of the stores, we just gave up and came home. Lucile went along and stopped at her sister’s in West L. I tried to get material to put a new cover on the studio couch but couldn’t find but one piece I would consider and it was $1.50 yd. – it would cost at least $10.00 and I would rather wait and see what we can do on new furniture. If I can find material later that suits I may get it but there wasn’t any choice today. Mrs. Tobias called me and said Mrs. Byfield was there so I went over to see her. Geo. is in Europe and expects to be home by Christmas. He has a little boy 2 yrs. old and Mrs. B. has been visiting with George’s wife. She (Mrs. B.) still lives in that apt. on Penn Ave. in Indianapolis – her son who is a musician has a daughter studying music in Indianapolis and she lives with Mrs. B. Marvel is in Hawaii and is to come home soon.

September 29, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] David was tired this evening when we came home so he has retired. Everything made him cry. Last night he woke up when we were getting ready to go to bed. He went to the toidey then said “I want to sleep with you tonight,” so I let him. However I won’t let it get to be a habit. He said, “I won’t suck my thumb.” One time I told him he couldn’t sleep with me if he sucked his thumb. I put his clean clothes out on the cedar chest before I go to bed and when he gets up (which is always before anyone else) he gets dressed. He used to run around in his pjs but this way he gets his clothes on and is ready to go down when we are dressed.

Arlene just called me and asked me to come “and sit a while.” Bill is out of town and she is alone – I mean except for the children. I’ll take my knitting and go down for a while.

Mark brought a football at Woolworth’s or one of the 10₵ stores – you know he loves to spend money regardless of value rec’d. I think he paid $1.89.

John wanted a new shirt and some sox but couldn’t find either at Loeb’s so decided to wait and see what B & B has.

Mark is waiting to take this to mail so must get it finished.

Love Mother

P.S. will be anxious for your next letter

A Tussle with the Weather (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 28, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 28, 1945, p. 1

Fri. morn.
9-28-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of the 25^th came this morning. If you do get to bring another draft to G.L. I will meet you as before, but I think I can make it by myself or with the family – Since 45 takes us up that way I wouldn’t have to drive 41 – however since 41 is lane part of the way it isn’t bad, but I think I would rather just go on over to 45 from here. I think if you want me to meet you alone J. & M. can get along here with David, but if you think you would get as much time as before I could bring them along – let me know. I am having a tussle with the weather. I hung the drapes from our bedroom out yesterday with the idea of getting them just dry enough to iron, but it rained before they got dry so I just left them out all night. This a.m. the sun was shining so I changed the beds as usual and washed. I hung one tub full out then decided to bring the drapes back in because it was lightly sprinkling then. I hung them and the next washer of clothes in the basement. When I came up it looked like it was clearing but now it’s cloudy again so I am leaving everything hanging where it is.

Last night I went out to Taylors to the A.B.C. class meeting. I didn’t particularly want to go because it was raining but I wanted to see Freda McCarty about some Sunday School business. They usually play Bunco at those parties and that in my estimation is a waste of time. I figured we could transact our business while the rest played and we were doing that when John called

September 28, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] me and said Ruth & Earl were here. I hurried home of course. Ruth said Elder Oberholtzer had died from a heart attack and they were going down. They decided to come this far and spend the night with us. After visiting a while we decided to go down to the Kentland Café – it was opened for the first day – Earl said he didn’t want to eat anything so he stayed here – David being in bed. Ruth & I took J. & M. and went down. The place was pretty full but we got hamburgers & coke (Mark wanted 2 hambs. But I said at that hour one would do). We saw quite a few people we knew. Lucile, Katie and two other women were there. I think it’s going to be a good thing for the high school group. That is really a nice place for them to go. John was cooking – their night cook got sick (or something) and John had to take over. Gladys was cashier but said only after 9 o’clock. I heard her tell Mr. & Mrs. Kiifner that she had lost 40 lbs. I knew she had lost a lot of weight.

– – We have had lunch since I started this. It is still uncertain – that is the weather. One minute I think it will clear then it looks cloudy. Ruth & Earl slept in the den and got up early this a.m. and left without disturbing anyone. David was up early and downstairs before I was awake. After I got up he said why are the “netion blinds” pulled down. I didn’t know exactly what he meant at first, then I said, “Have you been down in the den?” He said he dad. The binds were closed but he had opened them.

I had a letter from the Moores & one from Van Soyc.

September 28, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Mrs. M. answered my letter the day she rec’d it. She says the school is going to be out Dec. 15, but Van & Dr. W. are leaving now on points. J.B. is going back to school when he gets out to get his Drs. He is now studying French. Barbara was gone last week to visit Mother Moore and J.B. had a boil on his neck. B. said J.B. spent most of the time in sick bay. Had to have the boil lanced. McClard will leave Liberty when the Navy leaves. He has a job with Stevens College in Columbia. I also had a letter from Jane V. – guess I mentioned that on the last page. She gave me their Kalamazoo address. She said, “Van has applied for discharge since he’d like to enroll the first semester at college.” So sounds like he intends to study more too. The officers are eating Sun. dinner at the galley again.

Ruth took 6 towels and wanted to pay me but I told her I didn’t know what they had cost and that I would find out from you (if you remember) and let her know. She was so glad to get them. We still have enough to last a long time. I don’t dare for white towels so I think some of the white ones are going to get a dye bath.

David has gone out to play with Martha. He is pretty good about staying home. He is getting so he will call Martha to come over and play with him and she runs back and forth between yards but he stays in our yard. Do you remember what Mr. Z. said to me that day

September 28, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] in their yard about David going to the ditch? He hasn’t gone yet – – – I went out to check up and decided to see if the clothes were dry – some were and while I was out the weather finally came to a head – we are having a rain shower with some thunder & lightening. Maybe after this rain is over we will get some clear weather. Martha was with us when the rain started so we brought her into the house with us. She is doing things on the magic slate for David. This has been the wettest week we have had in a long time. Just wish we would had had our new shrubbery in last week so it could have had the rain this week to give it a good start. – – I hope now to get this letter finished. I stopped to run the things thru the ironer I bought in and now they are ready to put away. It stopped raining so Martha went home. It is pouring again but not so dark. In fact it is getting very light.

Dick Bower came home yesterday – he has been discharged – He is to be married soon. He was in the P. O. yesterday when I went in the mail your letter. I wonder if he will get his job back.

Shorty Davis and the woman (Frances Smith) work for Arlene were married Sept. 5. Arlene said she heard they had been married but Frances hadn’t said anything the last time I talked to Arlene. Tues. when Arlene attended club she had Louise staying with the children so maybe she had quit then. Arlene has her ups & downs with help. This has been a long drawn out letter and I think I’ll stop now and do something else for a while.

Love,
Mother