Tag Archives: John F. Yegerlehner

New Year’s Day (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 1 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

This is my first letter this year. Thought I would write your Mother & Dad, but yours first.

Mark is getting ready to go skating with David Diedam. I just stopped to help him pull on 3 pr. of woolen stockings, and see that he had his coat buttoned and cap down over his ears. We haven’t had so much sub zero weather but it has stayed cold enough to keep the pond frozen.

John was listening to the Opera but got a headache and turned it off. We ate dinner

[page 2] with Mrs. Zell & Virginia (Mr. & two younger girls having gone to Grandpa Zell’s for New Year’s day). I didn’t want to take David over to Zells because the Dr. said it is important that she doesn’t get a cold and David still has some. I stayed here with D. while J. & M. went over to eat, then John came home to listen to the opera while I went over. Mark stayed a while then he came home. I stayed to help with dishes, then John came over and said he had a headache, so I gave him one of Zell’s aspirins. I came home so Mark could go skating and John stayed to play checkers with Virginia. Buddy Krull just stopped to see Mark and I told him Mark is at the Pond. He took his sled and went over. Buddy hasn’t learned to ride his bike and when he is here

[page 3] and Mark has to go to town, Mark rides and Buddy trots along beside him. I told Buddy he should learn to ride so they could ride together. Buddy got a chemistry set for Christmas and now Mark says he wants one for his birthday, John said “No, we don’t want the house blown up.” Mark decided the best birthday present he could have would be for his Daddy to come home. John said it would be better if you came home before Mark’s birthday. I agree. I can’t think of anything better. – – David is loose and it keeps me busy jumping up and getting him out of things, so I decided to put him in his bed until I finish this. He started to climb the stairs yesterday. We watched him and he went right up like an old hand at the business. That is the first time he had tried. I think one reason he hasn’t been attracted to the stairway is

[page 4] he likes to watch himself in the mirror door and play with the mail box. Now I suppose I will have to get one of those folding gates to put across the bottom to keep him from climbing up any time. He has always had a tendency to play in the front hall when I have to be busy elsewhere.

Alma Walker’s brother who has been in the Navy, has a medical discharge and is home. His wife has a baby and there has been trouble there – You remember them – you drew the blood for their marriage. Seems she wanted to run around after she got over having the baby and kept the family on needles & pins. Dale has the same trouble Mabel has and when that was found out he was honorably discharged. The young wife hasn’t taken very good care of the baby and Alma says he was broken out from lack of care and formula that didn’t agree with him. Now that Dale is home maybe he can keep her in line.

David is raising a fuss so I think I had better get him his orange juice & cod liver oil.

Another Happy New Year & Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/13/new-years-day-gladys/

Last Day of 1943 (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
12-31-43

Dear Daddy –

The last day of 1943. Received yours of Dec. 18 & 19 one day this week, but no letters today. I mailed you the financial statement I made out for 1943. Since you sent the $300.00 I think I’ll get 3 – $37.50 bonds today and that will make #243.75 put into bonds this year or one over our $18.75 a month. I just came up from the basement and do I feel dirty. That Ind. coal certainly did mess things. I need to mop the entire floor, but not until I have plenty of pep. I did sweep up the furnace room which isn’t any good for my sinus.

David hasn’t any temperature today but his nose is still running and his bowels are moving good. I think nature

[page 3] is helping him eliminate his cold. I have kept him in his bed all day except for meal times. He has a pretty good appetite. When we say something to him he often responds with “bah” – I hardly think he knows just what that means but it sounds cute. I dug out the little chairs John & Mark used to play with but couldn’t find all the table – I’ll look again because I think it was all in one place. They are in pieces but I think they can all be put together again. I am sure he will enjoy playing with them.

John has been helping me wash today. He is reading Tom Sawyer again. He is old enough to catch Mark Twain’s humor which he thinks is very good.

Mark has been building on a $1.00 model I gave him some time ago. He hasn’t done much else today, but I want him to rest as much as possible.

[page 3] He went to Buddy’s to play yesterday, stayed for supper and went to a movie last night with them.

I dismantled the Christmas tree last night. It had been up since the first of Dec. and was very dry. I like to put them up but always anxious to get them down & things put away again.

I see in the paper that Jack Dye lost a leg and has been discharged from the Army. He will soon be sent home. He was awarded the order of the Purple Heart.

Mrs. James Illingsworth died this week – You remember her I am sure. Old Mr. I.’s wife – they lived in town.

Tony Schuh was operated on for gall stones before Christmas. While he was in the hospital, Bill was taken there with pneumonia. Tony is home and able to be around. I suppose Bill is too by now.

[page 4] The locker plant has been approved for Kentland. They are to start building as soon as possible. I don’t know who will run it but no one from here. A John Eilts of Crown Point will install the locker – There are 300 paid subscriptions. We have $10.00 in that. Our locker rent at Brands is just pd. for 6 mo. (to Feb.). Maybe the new locker will be ready by Mar. 1. I hope so then we can come out about even.

Mark got his electric train out but couldn’t get it to run, so Mr. Zell took it and is going to see if he can get it running. He went to Kokomo (his parent’s home) to see his (only) nephew, who is in the Navy and soon to go places. Took the train along – Said his nephew had all kinds of electric trains he used to play with. Thought both of them could work on it. Mark hasn’t had it out this winter – I hope they get it repaired so Mark can play with it again. I believe David would enjoy watching it too.

Happy New Year & Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/11/last-day-of-1943-gladys/ ‎

Finances 1943 (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

12-29-43

Dear Daddy –

Here is that long promised statement – I was just wondering where I could have spent $330.00 – the amt. I didn’t dep. (over 12 mo.) every month when the cks. come – but you know how little amounts count up. A lot of that went into gas & oil. There is an item under checks for car expenses but that included license, Federal sticker, etc. I know I spent a lot going back & forth to Laf. besides the few other trip we took to Clay City & Wilmington. I dep. the $170.00 & cash the $30.00 – by the end of the month the $30.00 is gone, for music lessons, gas, oil, papers, etc. – Doesn’t seem possible, but somehow every month something comes up to require something extra. However I think our statement shows enough gain, in loans pd. off, bonds & piano bought. You will notice I got the Ins. & groc. Items reversed. That bal. I carried over from last year included the $250.00 you sent me while I was in the hospital when D. was born and the $100.00 for Christmas. I didn’t have an adding machine so some of my figures may be off slightly but not much, and since I don’t keep books by ledger or budget I didn’t balance things to the penny. The money banked is according to the banks figures, and most of the ck. figures are to the penny but in some instances to make adding easier I used round numbers.

[page 2] David’s temp is normal again. I think he has a tooth causing some of his trouble. We kept him on the studio couch most of the day, but he got to feeling so good I finally put his shoes on him and turned him loose. He was very happy to have his freedom. I am enclosing some pictures taken just before Christmas. The one of the 3 boys isn’t very good but you can still see some resemblance. David was being particularly difficult that day about posing with J. & M. He did very well by himself as you can see. We have been trying to train him in his toidey habits – every time I take him to the bathroom I say, David is going toidey – Today he was walking around and I asked him if he wanted to toidy – and he went right to the stool – maybe he will soon tell me some way when he wants to go. Christmas & the day after at Ruth’s I could watch him closely and had only 3 pants for the 2 days.

I told you in a v-mail that Arleen & Bill have a girl named Joy – 8 lbs. Alma W. was in Laf. today – went to see Arlene and said she was fine. The visiting hours have been shortened to 1 hr. in the afternoon & 1 hr. in evening – Sometimes that is too long.

Love Mother

[Click on the image of page 3-4 of the letter to view Gladys’ accounting for 1943]

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/09/finances-1943-gladys/ ‎

Joy Funk (Gladys)

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1943-12-29 #01 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND.
12-29-43

Dear Daddy – Your letter of Dec. 18 & 19 came yesterday. I planned to go to Laf. today but David developed a cold and had a temp. I had Dr. M. come out. He said it was all in his head and left some pills (not sulfa) for him. His temp is down but he is cross. He is asleep now. I think he must have gotten a bug from Earl or Mark. There still seems to be a lot of flu around. David is getting a lot of attention now to keep him quiet – but it doesn’t always keep him so – but so far we have kept him on the couch with his toys around him. He still has plenty of pep and likes to play with his toys. Bill called last night and said the new baby had arrived, a girl, 8 lbs. – named Joy. Said Arlene was doing fine. I do hope she is, because with the help situation as it is now she will want to get up as soon as possible. J. & M. aren’t doing much during vacation. John has to take a music lesson tomorrow. Mark isn’t quite over his cold yet – I was going to take him to Laf. today – but since David isn’t feeling so good didn’t go. Maybe I can go Fri. or one day next week. It is still cold enough for the pond to be frozen. David Diedam came by for Mark to go skating, but I told him Mark couldn’t go toady. It isn’t too cold but just good winter weather – for people who like winter.

Love, Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/07/joy-funk-gladys/

Re-read Your Letters (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 28, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’ve re read your letters. The latest from you was the v-mail Dec. 13 and the next was your greeting card and letter – Dec. 12. The other v-mail was Dec. 11 and the letters were back to Dec. 5 but not all were present back that far. Some are missing.

I was amused at what you said wrote that John said about the money situation. Does he take after his Mom or his Pop? He should have a vote of thanks for thinking of the family finances. And the finances – what with those large chunks coming out for the piano, the loans, the hospital, etc., I think you have really done well. Next year we won’t have those things, but there is always something to th take the place of those things. You mentioned your mother’s hospital expenses. What are you or have you done about the funeral expenses. I assume you had Bob H., etc. and you have some arrangement with him. You perhaps wrote all this but it hasn’t arrived. Did you have take her to Shelburne? Or What? Maybe you would rather not write those things but I’d like to know.

[page 2] I hope you and the boys don’t get the flu – you mentioned in your last letter that it was pretty thick around. I suppose Dr. M. is worked pretty hard during conditions like that. He probably does what he wants to and lets the rest go to someone else. How about the Drs. in Sheldon? There were three there when I left, and our friend at Earl Park? And do you ever hear from Jim Openshaw?

Miller must have been sent out quick because the last time I heard he was in Tenn. or Mich. and had just been transferred.

Seems as if I’ve asked lots of questions in this letter rather than answered those your letter but those are some of the things I’ve thought of while reading your letters.

The mail hasn’t arrived as yet today or I should say it isn’t time for the mail to arrive so I’ll finish later – Later –

Yours of Dec. 9th came – a greeting card letter from Ruth & Floyd and a box from them also. So all in all it wasn’t a bad mail call –

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/05/re-read-your-letters-roscoe/

Second Letter (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Dec. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I have been working on the financial statement – but having no adding machine I didn’t go into such details as groc. bills, lights, telephone, etc. but here is a list of Ins. – $443.55 – House $508.48 – Piano $300.oo – Loans paid $243.91 & $173.69 – Bike $35.00 – Hospital $128.80 – Bonds – $131.25 – coal $100.00 – The total of the above amounts to $2064.68 – The balance necessary to meet expenses is long & detailed and I’ll try to get the columns added so I can give you a complete report. As you will note I have not paid any Taxes (except $6.60 for the first of the year) but Agnes M. said for me not to. I think I have explained all about the taxes before. Even the gross isn’t paid by people in Service. The $330.00 you sent will take care of Ins. coming due the first of the year and I think I can buy some bonds, too. Our present bal. is $301.81 – and with the Jan. 1 cks. coming I’ll dep. $170.00 – There are bills amounting to $174.00 to be paid in Jan. – that doesn’t include groc. Bills which should amt. to about $30.00 – so I should be able to buy some bonds and still keep a comfortable bal. Does all the above sound complicated and as clear as a woman would make it? Thought I would give you food for thought – let you figure some of it out for yourself – I think you can add and deduct the right figures.

The other evening we were listening to Red Skeltons’ program and Ozzie & Harriet sang a song that sounded like double talk, but it is something like the tobacco auctioneers chant –

[page 2] It is Mares eat oats, Does eat oats, little kids lambs eat ivy, little kids lambs eat ivy – a kid’ll eat ivy too, wouldn’t you – Now just say it like this: Marze dotes and dozee doze, liddle lamz edivy, liddle lamz edivy, a kiddle dee divvy too, wouldn’t chew – I wish I could tell you the tune too – We all go around here singing Marze dotes. It’s just one of those silly catchy things. I know if you could have picked it up you would probably be humming it too.

It is getting late and I need some extra sleep to make up for getting a little tired over the holidays. We just listened to Dogwood and it was all about snoring – Imagine anything like that being funny. Sometimes David makes a noise in the night if he doesn’t sleep soundly – I don’t know what makes him do it, but Earl said he heard him all night Sat. when we stayed there. I really believe he heard him just a little while because I heard him, I think, about 4 a.m. but you know people think they hear things all night long, when they don’t – and especially if they aren’t feeling well.

Your Mother’s box came today and there was a picture of her & dad, done by a photographer. I hope she sent you one because it’s a very good picture. Pjs for J. & M. and a dollar for D. With the ten you sent & the 1.00 Mrs. P. gave him I am going to add enough for him a bond.

This is my second letter to you today, but the first one was written early this a.m. We’ll add a line in the morning.

Love Mother

Tues Morn – Yours of Dec. 18 & 19 came today. Also a letter from Glen & Pauline with $20.00 – $5.00 for each of us – They couldn’t find anything to send for gifts so just sent money. I sent them a box about two wks. before Christmas.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/04/second-letter-gladys/

That Old Biological Urge (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Dec. 14-15-16 & 17 came this morning. I was feeding David and when he quit eating I read your letters before I had my breakfast. The ck. was along in the letter of the 16th. I will get it banked today and work on the statement I want you to have. I am so tired today, should be able to get some written work done because I haven’t pep enough to do much else. I did too much hurrying around for Christmas, but I think a day or two of relaxing will fix me up. I am supposed to go to Laf. Wed. to get my lenses or rather left lense replaced so will take Mark to have the X-ray you suggested. Mark is a little run down now too. Had a little cold Christmas day but I think with a few days rest will be ready for school Monday. He is just like he was when you were home – runs himself ragged if I don’t hold him down. He was so good after he got over his tonsil operation. All signs of nervousness had gone, but after he was in school a while he began jerking his head again and going other little things nervously. I know from past experiences, rest is the best thing for him. I think he skipped his cod liver oil before Christmas several times and I think that is one reason he has a cold.

The new Digest came this morning and John is reading it while I write this, then he is going to the P.O. and bank. There is a package at the

[page 2] P.O. It could be from your mother or Glenn. Your mother didn’t get his gifts sent to Ruth’s or to us. She had the flu pretty hard. I hated that because she had been feeling so extra good.

David is in his bed playing with some of his new toys. – I just looked in and he has thrown toys on the floor and is playing with the box they were in. He woke me up about 6 this morning and I had to change his pants – he went back to sleep and I did too. It was past 8 when he got me awake again. I got up and brought him down for his breakfast. The shoes you mentioned have been returned. We will talk about someone else to wear them when you come home – but you know me – that old biological urge has always been strong. I have had a lot of time to think about “things” since David came. So many people have voiced the opinion that baby raising is harder on older mothers, but I don’t agree with that theory now, that after a ten year pause, I have had 15 months of baby care. I find I have more patience with D. than I had with J. or M. Maybe I have had more time to devote to D. – or have I? At any rate I have enjoyed taking care of him – and don’t think I could get tired of it. He is walking around now with his new Christmas bathrobe on. He is a nosey little fellow and keeps someone busy saying no! no! All the time he is out “on the loose.” We have him “almost” trained to leave the coffee table alone – not quite.

Mrs. Z. came over last night. She says Virginia is getting along fine now. I knitted a bag & mittens for her and cap & mittens for Betty for Christmas. I brought home a job from Ruth’s. I am to knit a sweater for Romaine – I told her maybe I would get it done for her graduation.

“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/02/that-old-biological-urge-gladys/

Tired Tonight (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
12-26-43

Dear Daddy –

Since I couldn’t mail the letter I wrote yesterday – the one the whole family signed, will just tuck another letter in. We left Ruth’s after dinner. It had turned rainy and I wanted to get home. Earl was in bed and I thought the sooner we got away the better for him. He didn’t have much temp. but Ruth said he was very tired and over worked and thought that was the reason he felt so all in. – We came home thru Watseka so I could see the Roberts. The two older children had colds and were established on the davenport, so I didn’t take our family in – She had a painting of Joe. Someone where he is happens to be an artist and I think it is a good portrait. However his Dad didn’t think it looked like him. I never did think a painted portrait looked like photography – Maybe Dr. R. is used to looking at Joe’s pictures by camera and that is the reason he didn’t think the portrait looked like him.

[page 2] Joe sent his family several travel books last year (or sometime) and Mrs. R. loaned them to us to look at. I just wish I had been able to take them along to Ruth’s. She said we should have something like them to look thru – however, she didn’t know anything about these. They came directly from there and should be authentic. She had in mind National Geographic. I have looked thru all but not read them yet. I must say the scenery is beautiful. Like Yellow Stone Park or similar places in this country.

I am tired tonight. Getting ready for Christmas, going to Ruth’s, driving, etc. I should be in bed now and am on my way. I sent Mark to bed early – he has a head cold. I think he has been skipping his cod liver oil when I don’t remind him to take it. It is warmer and I think the ice is melting so there won’t be much skating, if any. There won’t be any for him until he gets all over his cold. John is playing his records I gave him. David of course has been tucked in for some time. He has had a lot of fun with his new toys since we came home. He upset a box of candy under the tree twice – however it was wrapped caramels so no harm done. Ruth says he still looks like you across the eyes but I think his mouth is more like Mark’s. His teeth seem to be prominent – I wonder if the thumb sucking is going that or if his mouth would be that way naturally. It isn’t bad, but just a little prominent.

Love
Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/31/tired-tonight-gladys/

Christmas Day 1943 (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Christmas Day
Written from
Wilmington – 1943

Dear Daddy –

As you will note from the heading we have spent the day with the Mutchlers and are all in bed except Ruth & Romaine. Ruth is in the bathroom & Romaine is out with Jerry. We came over this a.m. – Had dinner at 1 P.M. In the afternoon Earl began feeling worse from his cold and Ruth and I prevailed upon him to see a Dr. and he finally went to see Dr. Wilson. He came back with two kinds of medicine and got five does down before we started to retire. He chilled from time to time – sat over the radiator all evening with a blanket around him. I told him to go to bed but he wanted to get his five doses down before retiring. He is tucked in now with heating pad but says he feels better. I noticed Mark sounded nasal after we got here so I used some nose drops on him when I tucked him in. If he isn’t better in the morning will do something about his cold. So far the rest of us are all normal, except my sinus drainage which I have had all winter, so nothing to be alarmed about.

This evening we talked a lot about you and looked at your pictures. Ruth got out some of your letters and read excerpts from same. She got out the world books and read about places and things.

[page 2] Last night we had our usual gift exchange. Dorothy wanted to see David get his gifts so I kept him up until 8 P.M. and she & Buddy came out and we gave him his gifts. Before she got there he spied the dog behind the tree Jimmy Staton had given him – It wasn’t wrapped. He wanted it so much we gave it to him. He holds his toys and we say “love the dog” (cat, etc.) and he pats some wrinkles up his nose and makes a funny little noise that is his way of loving. He had quite a time with all his gifts, which included plastic block, wood blocks, dogs, a jeep, bathrobe, house slippers and several wooden toys. I held J. & M. off for a while after David was put to bed. We had boxes with gifts from Jim & Thelma, Ruth & Floyd, & Ruth M. – I gave John records and money. I gave Mark some work sets – and things he likes to play with. They both thoughts they had a nice Christmas. Jim sent me a navy pin – it has the Lt. bars – is very pretty.

It is 11:30 & I am sleepy – Ruth said they would all sign this in the morning & let David make a mark.

Love Mother
Romaine
David
Mark
John
How are you coming boys O.K. I hope Mutch
We have had a nice Christmas, hope you have to. Lots of love & best wishes for the New Year
Ruth

P.S. I tried to hold David’s hand and he didn’t like the idea. The pencil mark are his.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/29/christmas-day-1943-gladys/

Christmas Eve in the Pacific (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

This being Christmas Eve, I should write something different probably but I haven’t the slightest idea what it would be. I just got it. From my window I can see a farmer making hay and I really mean hay – you know the kind that cows eat. Now that was never heard of around there so it must be different. Another thing that I’ve noticed in town which is different is the fresh vegetables right in with the Christmas decorations. I don’t mean by that that we don’t have fresh

[page 2] vegetables at home on Christmas but this is the summer type vegetables with the winter or Christmas decorations. I guess I’ve run that far enough or probably too far.

I’ve started writing again before mail time so here’s hoping there can be a foot note saying that letters came.

In a letter a few days ago I wrote of this friend of mine wanting the blood test for marriage. Well the Chaplin informs me this A.M. that I’m to attend the wedding and possibly be the best man. If I am the best man I’m going to be certain about that kiss to the bride. I mean if it is a

[page 3] practice here, Gee I’m all worked up. Not about the best man’s job as such but about the kiss. It is not going to be a double ring affair because she doesn’t want it that way. She said she could trust him so he didn’t have to wear a ring. Was my face red when she looked at my ring? Of course, if he goes back where he was she will have nothing to worry about because all the “babes” up there are a little shy.

We have a show tonite and after that we will probably open our Christmas packages. Most of the packages won’t be opened in the usual manner

[page 4] because who ever heard of using a bottle opener or a cork screw to open packages.

Later: In fact it is almost Christmas day and things haven’t been too bad for Christmas Eve. I’d say there was very little difference between this and last year even though the setting is different than that of one year ago. As I said it is almost Christmas and I’m still able to write so I’m doing alright. Maybe I could write better if I were drunk but it’s too late to start now. I’ll just have to wait until a later date – anyway don’t worry because I won’t get too drunk. John’s v-mail came and that was all there was for me today. Hope I do better on Christmas day.

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/28/christmas-eve-in-the-pacific-roscoe/