Tag Archives: John F. Yegerlehner

When it rains it pours (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan. 14 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I didn’t get the line added to yesterday’s letter so will just start another and put both in same envelope. I don’t make a habit of this but we were so late getting home from Laf. last night I didn’t get my letter on the night mail as I sometimes do. The old saying about raining and pouring seems true. John had a stiff neck this morning and had quite a time getting up but finally made it. He is much better but his neck still is a little sore and he moves around very carefully. He and Mark have both been home today and are getting pretty noisy. I think they can both go back to school tomorrow, but I thought another

[page 2] day at home would do Mark more good than going back to school. He is feeling about normal now. It is warmer and I think he can be turned out by tomorrow.

Had a letter from Mother today and she said she would come back up. I am going to call her and tell her to come on the bus to Laf. and since I have to go down tomorrow will meet her there. I think since Thelma has gone to Norfolk to live she feels a little left out in T. H. Not that she saw much of Thelma, but she knew as long as T. was in T.H. Jim would come back when possible and now that she is in Norfolk he won’t try to come so often – Mother thought Jim was coming back for Christmas and she stayed in T.H. for that reason but instead of Jim coming back Thelma went there – and stayed.

I had a letter from Jim, he had written on the back of their camp – “Bee Lines” – official publication of the “Seabees.”

[page 3] I talked to Agnes Molter again today about that tax business and when I get straightened out over this sinus infection will go down to the office and she is going to write you a letter about that 1941 tax payment. She still insists that we let that payment go – but I’ll let her do the explaining and also about 1942. She wrote in about that payment we didn’t make and received a reply – but when I talk to her will get it all straight.

My sinus is still draining and the drainage isn’t very good tasting. I am going back tomorrow and get another treatment. Also I am going to take the Baby down to Dr. Cole and let him check him over. He feels pretty good today – hasn’t any temperature but coughs some. It doesn’t bother him while he sleeps, but I will be glad when he gets rid of it. I think he is as good as John or Mark but I am afraid we are more apt to spoil him. However he still lies in his bed or on the bath table and watches his hands for long periods at a time.

[page 4] Dorothy is here and is getting ready to go to town so will let her mail this for me. She is going with me to Laf tomorrow. She was telling me the Johnson baby kept Ed up the first night they were home from the hospital. Ed was in the restaurant for breakfast and a little sleepy.

This is Thurs & she has to take food home to fix for supper – the proverbial Busman’s holiday.

Must close –
Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/27/when-it-rains-it-pours-gladys/

In case you missed some of my previous letters (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 13 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but probably some tomorrow. There wasn’t much mail except some adv. & my O.E. S. dues notice. In case you have missed some of my previous letters I will relate briefly about things. I had a strep throat – and the little bug wasn’t satisfied to stay in my throat. I suppose it was one of the same family, but traveled up to my sinus. I went to Dr. Ade and had treatments, thought I was about out of the “woods,” then Sun. the left side of my face began to ache and also drain – the drainage kept up and I thought would be cleared after so much discharge but that didn’t end it. It just kept draining and I called Dr. Ade today. He said I should come down and have it washed out. I went down and he punched a hole and washed the left side and what stuff came out. No wonder my face hurt. He said it would need another treatment, and I am to go back Fri. Also I am going to have Dr. Linp x-ray those teeth in the morning to double check on any possible tooth infection. Also if I can’t get this thing

[page 2] cleared up pretty soon I am going down to the hospital and stay a day or two but hope that won’t be necessary. I am not running any temperature and feel well enough to be up but can’t seem to shake this thing. Then too the baby has a little cold but no temperature. I talked to Dr. Cole while in Dr. Ade’s and he said if the baby should start running a temp. to bring him to the hospital, so don’t worry about us as I have written before will go to St. E. if necessary – but I don’t want to go unless it is necessary. Mark went with me today. He didn’t have any temp. today but I thought I would keep him home this week since it is so cold and he was pretty sick, Sat., Sun. & Mon. He still had a little temp. yesterday but very slight. As I told you before about him, he got his from wearing wet clothes all evening. When he came in wet I told him to go change & he changed his pants and left on his wet underwear. John has kept well thru all this and has been my right hand-man. He deserves a medal for distinguished service. He is very patient about what he does but he was not very tolerant with Mark over his illness. Said if Mark

[page 3] would have changed his clothes as he should have done he wouldn’t have been sick. However I told him not to scold. Now enough about our aches and pains. It is still cold but the highway is cleared off so driving isn’t dangerous. I’ll just about use up my ration tickets if I keep making these trips – which I hope to soon be thru with, for this purpose, I still have 16 gal to buy before Jan 21 and this is the 13th.

Clarice kept the baby for me today. She was home doing ironing & mending and has said so many times she would like to keep him, and he is so good I don’t mind leaving him there when necessary. I wouldn’t make a habit, or leave him to go to parties, etc.

Last night we were listening to Fibber McGee program and they were visiting a hospital. They went up an elevator that sounded about like the automatic at St. E. – then Bill Mills the orchestra leader, was the patient they were visiting, pressed the button for the nurse. They asked him why and he said he rung for a nurse so they wouldn’t be disturbed for an hour. At the end of the program a nurse came in and Billy said, “You didn’t need to drop everything you were doing and rush in here.” I really got a laugh when I heard that elevator.

[page 4] John & Mark have gone to bed and David isn’t awake yet for his 10 P.M. bottle. I am now putting raw egg yolk in the formula & he also takes pablum, Vit C tablets & Oleum percomorph. He is too big now for the basket. I have the baby bed Mary Parttens sent me in the den but am going to move it upstairs for him to sleep in at night and fold the studio couch out and use that for him during the day.

Bart put your address in the paper. He didn’t put New Caledonia and Bob H. wrote you a letter just c/o Fleet P.O. San F. He thought you might not get it so wrote another after he got your last.

Haven’t had any recent word from Floyd & Ruth so don’t know what the situation is. It is hard to keep track of them they are traveling so much. I would like to see the movies he took of us – wish you could see them too – Well, I’ll get some good pictures taken and sent to you.

It is time for me to go to bed so I’ll add a line in the A.M.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/25/in-case-you-mi…letters-gladys/

Will try this again (Gladys)

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1943-01-12Letter transcription:

MRS R S YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-12-43

Dear Daddy –

Will try this again. The boys have been using V-mail and I used just air mail but since you asked for this, here ‘tis. We are all better today. Mark has to stay in bed but he has only a slight temperature 4 points in the red. I told him if he kept quiet this afternoon he could get up in the morning. John will be glad of that because he has been waiting on him and doing his work and Mark’s too. David is on his bath table but isn’t liking it too well. He usually likes to lie and kick, but I just put him back in his bed and now he is ‘singing.’ The way he moves when he is awake makes me think of perpetual motion. I don’t know how cold it is today but the storm windows on the south upstairs were frosted over. I noticed Zell’s south windows were frosted too. The J.A.M.A. came today. Do you want that renewed? I asked you once or twice before but no answer. Got a letter from Uncle Wes this A.M. He said he sent you some maps and was sending an atlas. Lucile Johnson came home from the hospital today – Jimmy Ed is a week old but they are so crowded over there (Watseka). I stayed just a week longer than she did. I sent Jimmy Ed a gift and wrote her a letter and she answered. Said she thought she had better write letters before she comes home. Catty Wilson is going to stay with them for a while. At one week J.E. has gained 5 oz. and at that rate he will soon be a heavy weight. My right sinus is OK but there is some infection in the left but it keeps draining all the time, so maybe it will soon get cleared up.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/23/will-try-this-again-gladys/

You aren’t the “flighty” type (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 11 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d your Jan 1, 2 & 3 letters this morning. You had my letters up to Dec 12 and I had told you about Mark being sick – well this seems to be a vicious circle – after Mark had his round, John got the bug and then I had it and still struggling with my sinus but my throat seems well now. It did keep bothering me but seems fine now. Well to get back to the circle, Mark got wet thru and came in and I told him to go upstairs and take a warm bath & put on dry clothes. Of course he protested on the both so I said well get dry clothes on which I thought he did – That was supper time – and I didn’t know he had just put on dry pants until after started to run a temperature. He wore his wet underwear all evening then went to school next day and played out in the snow – even got his face washed in snow twice I learned later so no wonder he got sick but he is much better now. As soon as I discovered he had fever I started him on sulfa and called Dr. Cole & he said give him a whole tablet of sulfadiozine every 3 hrs. I am giving one every 4 hrs today because his temp is down and he is getting lively

[page 2] He was around the baby before I knew he was feeling bad and now the baby is coughing of course it is hard to say how the baby got his since I have been having so much throat & sinus trouble. However, I keep in close touch with Dr. C. and he told me to give David ¼ sulfadiozine every 4 hrs. He has just a slight temperature. He seems to feel fine and takes his regular feedings. Weighed 13-3 this A.M. – which shows a 10 oz gain since last Monday. Now please don’t worry about us because if anything serious should develop I would go directly to St. E. but Mark’s temp is receding and since I started to write this I stopped to feed David and had to change him and took his temp. which was 99 4/5 rectally – which you know isn’t much. Right now he is trying to get his whole fist in his mouth and is very mad because he can’t. He acts very much like he is trying to cut teeth but 3 ½ mo is a little early – – –

Just had callers – Mrs. Roberts & two boys were here.  She had come over with someone else and stopped in to say hello. She had some pictures of Joe. He has shaved off his mustache and was not wearing his glasses. He looked quite

[page 3] different. He had a little boy in the pictures with him that looks very much like their smallest boy, John. He was in bathing trunks so evidently had been in swimming, but if he has written you probably has told you what he does. In one of his letters he told Mrs. R. his picture might be in the papers. The Army & Navy Officers Club was having a dance and he was holding the mistletoe over a couple and a picture was taken of the scene. Mrs. R. said she would watch all the papers for said picture. The aforementioned club may not be current but he was attending a social function around Christmas time.

Clara M. is here today helping. I have been having her come once a week to do ironing, etc., and since this week-end was such a strenuous one I was glad I had told her to come today. She washed, ironed and is now cleaning the living room. I want to stay away from any dust with this sinus condition. It has been draining all day but I don’t want to aggravate it. Of all times to get a sinus condition – oh well, I’ll get rid of the bug – I “betcha.”

After the snow, wind, drifting, haze, and everything Sat & Sun, the sun is shining today and that always makes a person feel better. The snow wasn’t very deep this time and is melting

[page 4] around the edges. There isn’t any haze today so we can see out again. I believe this is the “wintryst” winter we have had – well in so many years I can’t remember how far back. You know I never cared for winter weather but this is 1/3 of Jan. gone and Feb is a short month, then Mar. – so in a few short weeks spring will be here again and we will forget all about this weather and cold “bugs.” I hope I can manage to work in the yard this spring. I want to have flowers in front of the shrubbery like last year. I think I can get some full grown Spirea. Clara says if it is on her place – (she isn’t sure – may be on Mrs. Perry’s – the property line doesn’t seem definite) I can have it – she wants it taken away. So we may have some full grown shrubs in our back yard this spring.

I gave you all the figures you asked for in three previous letters. I will talk to Agnes and we will take care of the ’41 Federal, also figure up the ’42 and give you the amt that will have to be paid after deductions, etc. I hope this letter hasn’t been too much on the drippy side but I think you want to know how things are and as I said before if anything serious should develop you know I would

[page 5] get to St. E. immediately, but since you aren’t the “flighty” type I think you would rather know our little up & downs. As Gildersleeve says – “this is one of my bad days” – seems this has been one of our bad times but we are all feeling better today and hope by tomorrow everyone will be so-so again. Even with a temp. it has been a job keeping Mark in bed. John was very much “put out” with Mark. He said it was unnecessary for him to get sick – knowing how it all came around. I said “Poor Mark is in the dog house even when he is sick.” However John’s comment didn’t disturb our Mark.

John got his report card today. He can write you a V-mail & give you the results. He is practicing on the sax now. He is getting better all the time but he likes it and you know when he likes to do a thing that means everything.

David is chewing on his hands again and looking at a toy I fixed on his basket. He is the squirmiest little fellow – just turns & twists around most of the time when he is awake. Gets plenty of exercise. Will try and get those pictures taken and sent out as soon as I can stick my nose out in the air again.

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/21/you-arent-the-…ty-type-gladys/

John is listening to the opera (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 9 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Your letters of Dec 30 & 31 received today – I think I have all the letters you have written and again I will tell you the first letter you wrote came Sept. 22. However I had rec’d six later ones before it came. There is one more box for you to get and that will be all I have sent and by the time you get this you will probably know there has been a restriction put on sending boxes to men abroad, so that settles that. Even if you hadn’t decided you didn’t want me to send anymore. I may send one more before the 15th if I can get some suitable things together.

This being Sat. afternoon John is listening to the Opera so there isn’t much work to be gotten from him till the opera is over, but he will make up for it after it is over and since he enjoys it so much I would feel like an old meanie not to let him listen without interruption. He sent you his arrangement of Star Spangled Banner this week. He went with me to Lafayette yesterday and got a book on Opera he saw while in Loebs. It’s a good thing we went yesterday – if you haven’t the letter I wrote yesterday you won’t understand. It was clear yesterday but we are having weather again today. It has been snowing and blowing and I can’t see very far north or south – there is just a white haze.

[page 2] Driving would be difficult today because the snow drifts so much. Of course the snow plows keep busy. You can look at the Lentz pictures and get a good idea what it has been like here most of the winter. It has been very scenic much of the time but I haven’t enjoyed it as much as I would had I been able to get out more but before Christmas it was too cold to take the baby out then I got the throat & sinus infection which hasn’t entirely cleared up yet – however it is, much better. Just having sinus drainage now – which may last some time.

Again – The uniform money hasn’t come yet. Your ins. policy hasn’t either. I received a notice that it would be sent but to date is hasn’t arrived. Our bank bal to date is around 500⁰⁰ but I have to pay your John H. ins, taxes and all those first of the year things – and I mentioned this before but will tell you again I got a new coat – at Loebs which I put on the acc’t and that will have to be paid next month ($108⁰⁰). It is plain black seal but I like that kind and to get one of different fur would run well into 200⁰⁰ and I didn’t see anything I would pay the difference for. I asked you in two previous what you think about getting a used piano for

[page 3] $100⁰⁰. It has been out 3 years and is like the one Ruth Mutchler has. I mean in size. I didn’t know until it was sold, but I missed getting a good piano last fall. Seems I missed two good buys but I can get this one now if I want to take it. In case you have the other letters don’t think I am “harping” on the subject but since you haven’t rec’d all letters in the past I just repeated for that reason.

I rec’d a long letter from Marie Mace this morning. They probably have written to you about their cows & calves. I can manage two sheets of paper to daily to you but when I try to write as much to anyone else I seem to run out before I get thru. I should write Marie a long letter in return for her’s but I doubt if I will. I owe several letters but with going to Laf. every other day the past week I manage only to get yours out. I did get one to my Mother this week. After I finish this I am going to write to your folks & maybe Ruth M. Haven’t had any word from Floyd & Ruth since they were here last week-end.

– – – Steve McKinley came this afternoon and paid their bill $5⁰⁰ – It was her OB checks. He said to tell you hello for them. They has a boy – born last July – I don’t know whether he had been born before you left or not – Somehow I don’t remember much about it.

[page 4] but in July last summer a lot of things could have slipped my attention.

I am sitting in the den (nursery) and saw Red Foulkes shoveling snow off their driveway – Wish he would come up this way and clean off our walks but after it quits blowing maybe we can get it done. There isn’t much use to try to clean the walks as long as the snow drifts the way it has today. The last snow we had we didn’t get our walks cleaned off good – I mean the first snow way back around Thanksgiving, then it is kept snowing more all the time & freezing and our front sidewalk wasn’t very easy to walk on.

John is getting ready to take this & other mail to the P.O. so must get it finished (Mark went yesterday). I was going to scan over the papers & give some local news but won’t have time now. Will try to do that tomorrow – Maybe I’ll have more time. If there is anything of interest (which I doubt) Will try & get some pictures in next week’s letters.

Love Mother

P.S. David weighed 12 lbs 15 oz today.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/19/john-is-listen…e-opera-gladys/

I feel better (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another day to Laf- and that means not much done at home. Dr. Ade said my nose & throat looked better and they feel better so maybe I will be thru with treatments now – might have to go back once. I feel better so maybe I can get over this thing. It seems to drag out but it would since I have to go so far for treatments. I am glad I have been going to Dr. A. because if I had been going to M. I probably would have gotten discouraged and changed anyway (psychology). I have been to Laf. every other day since last Sat. Dorothy was going with me today and when I called her this morning she said the roads weren’t safe, but I knew the other day when we went (Mrs. Zell & I) the

[page 2] snow plows were working both sides of the pavement and I didn’t see how they could get bad no more snow than we have had. I knew she didn’t want to go, so I called her back and told her I was going to leave before she could get away from the restaurant. I decided I would try it and if it wasn’t safe I would come back but Mr. Zell had to do to Laf. to get some things for the office so John & I went with him and Mrs. Zell kept David. When we got to 41 it was dry and all cleaned off – as clean as in the middle of summer. So I got a trip to the Dr. on the County Agent’s gasoline. I still have 24 gal to use by Jan 21 and this is the 8th. Dorothy called me about 6 P.M. to find out how I made the trip. I don’t know where she got her information but she was so sure the roads were slick. Now don’t worry about me driving when the roads aren’t safe. If I had

[page 3]taken our car and the pavement had been slick I wouldn’t have tried to drive. So much for that. I got the Johnson baby a gift today, but didn’t have time to get it wrapped and ready for Ed to take to the hospital this evening. I have been “dripping” along with this nose & throat condition so haven’t visited Lucile at the hospital. I probably won’t get to see her until she gets home.

While in Loebs today I saw Alice & Stilly Berry – they stopped and talked but didn’t mention the balance of their account. They showed me the picture of their baby. They wanted Algood’s address.

Mead’s sent us a 50 cc bottle of Oleum Percomorphum. I talked to Byrnes over the phone about writing to the Co. and I thought he understood I wanted Dextri-Maltose, Pablum & Oleum but he just asked for the Oleum. If I had known

[page 4] that I would have written the letter myself but this 50 cc bottle will last a long time.

Monday when I was in Dr. Cole’s office & his nurse made a blood count the Hemoglobin percent was 81 red count 4,160,000 – and I had a shot of Liver & Vit B so I should be in pretty good shape. Mrs. Cole came in with Dr. Cole’s lunch while I was there. I think she does that every day. He asks about you every time I go in. I think I mentioned all this in other letters but maybe you missed them.

The uniform money hasn’t come yet. The bank bal. without the Ins. & taxes, etc., paid is around 500⁰⁰. I told you in a previous letter I got a new coat – $108⁰⁰. Last week I bought 6 bonds (37⁵⁰) – In yesterday’s letter I asked you about getting a piano I have a chance to get for $100⁰⁰. It is a small one like Ruth Mutchler’s. Let me have an opinion.

Mrs. Roberts called me last night. She hadn’t had a letter for over a week and was wondering why. I haven’t had one since Wed but probably will get two or three or tomorrow.

Love Mother

Your first letter came Sept. 22

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/17/i-feel-better-gladys/

Five months since we left Moffett Field (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Jan 8, 1943
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francicso Calif.

Dear Mother,

According to date it is now just five month since we left Moffitt Field. In some ways it fu seems a long time and in other ways it seems only a short time. Anyway we are here.

Mail was a little better today got your letter of Dec. 13 in which you told of the boys being sick. Of course by now it is too late but I still worry about them. Don’t be to fussy about them. Watch their temperatures and if they go to high then do something. As long as temperature is only around 100° don’t worry. Give them Sulfadiozine as per instruction of

[page 2] Dr. Cole but not too long at any one time give with plenty of fluids. If they get too sick take them to the hospital for a time, but don’t stew and get yourself down.

Glad people like the necklace [necklace]. I think I have an idea for another only I’ll have to get some more shells. Maybe we’ll be able to get there and get some other varities [varieties] and kinds. I have several kinds now but not enough to send home.

We had one of those real real rains last nights – everything is soaked and muddy but things are a little better now than before because there is some crushed limestone around and as long as one is able to stay on that it doesn’t bother but one miss step and you are in the yellow. After the rain today the sun came out and was it hot. It has been hot and steamy all day long.

Glad to hear the boys are still listening

[page 3] to the shadow. Keeping the old family tradition going. Our radio news are about nil and I haven’t heard of anyone getting the radio programs. We were told not to bring radios along and we can’t send for them – oh we could but when would they get here. Some few did smuggle radios – small ones and Australia is all that can be gotten and we are not in a position to listen when the programs are going on.

Don’t know if we will have a show tonite or not but I’m afraid the hillside will be too sick and wet, but if they show one we’ll probably go rain or moon shine. It’s not moon light now so that is one privilege we don’t enjoy even though we do have movies.

It is now about 1700 and almost chow time so will finish later. Later after the

[page 4] show. The title “Fugitive From Justice.” It was OK but very short.

There was no mail this P.M. that 2 Newton Co. Enterprizes and one CC News came. The Newton Co. Enterprise had been opened and censored, but nothing was blanked out but it was only a 2 page paper when before it was 4. Everyone’s mail is late so try V-mail again as I’ve repeated in my previous letters.

I’m still far behind in my letter writing but if I keep on writing and no mail coming in I’ll catch up.

Well, don’t worry too much about the boys and keep yourself in good health –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/16/five-months-si…t-field-roscoe/

The 7th day of the New Year (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind
Jan 7 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

On the 7th day of the new year and I wonder what I have done with this first week – nothing much it seems. This afternoon is a little on the gloomy side. It has been snowing and it is foggy. Not so cold but not the kind of weather to get out in after a throat infection. I am going to welcome spring with open arms. I believe I am getting tired of winter and Jan & Feb yet to go. I feel pretty good toady. My throat feels better but I am going to be careful about going out for a while – Will see Dr. Ade again tomorrow. Maybe another treatment will clear things up.

John is working on the music I told you about some time ago. He forgot to copy it off and so did I but he is doing it now and will mail it – his version of Star Spangled Banner. I don’t know whether his vacation from exams is going him much good. He had to wash dishes and take care of two washes of clothes for David. He is going with us to Laf. tomorrow so maybe that will make up for his work today. He doesn’t seem to mind. Mark decided he wanted some oysters so he went to town & got a pint. I didn’t know how

[page 2] much they were and when he told me I almost swooned (.55¢). John doesn’t care for them so Mark & I will do the pint justice. I feel like I should make several meals out of them at that price. The last time I priced creamery butter it was about .60¢ lb so I just stick to G.L. I don’t know what meat costs in the stores but know it is very high. Oranges are 45¢ dz and sometimes more. So much for the high cost of eating.

Mark tried to skate yesterday but he didn’t have his shoes laced tight enough and he couldn’t do much. Some of the children made fun of him and he was in a bad mood but I explained to him that he would have to lace his shoes very tight so he thinks maybe he will do better this evening. It is cold enough that the pond is well frozen over. Now that exams are going the children who are exempted are skating – some of them. John wrote you that Angus Washburn, Ina May Walkup & he were the only ones entirely free from exams – Betty Lou & Carol Josserand were here on their way to the pond. Betty L. had to take all but Arith. I must change the subject or you will think I am being a proud mama.

I started adding egg yoke to David’s formula today. 1/8 tsp a day until he gets a whole yolk a day. I see he has his

[page 3] covers kicked off. He has found his hands and spends much of his time looking at them. –

As usual no local paper today (Thurs) so can’t scan over for local news, which probably wouldn’t be much anyway. I worked on the bank statement last night, I mean I checked with my balance and with no taxes or ins. (except mine) paid we have a bal. of around 500⁰⁰ – I bought 6 37⁵⁰ bonds last week – but after I decided to get a coat thought I had better go slow on further investments until after Ins & taxes, car license, etc are all paid. I have a chance to buy a piano for $100⁰⁰. It is a studio, about the size of Ruth M’s. What do you think about getting it? It is about 3 yrs old and is a Wirrletzer. It isn’t a first rate brand but about the same kind as we have, only it is practically new and would be much better for John to practice on. Let me have your opinion if you get this letter.

I think I told you about Amal Taylor giving me a check for $9⁰⁰ and that it “bounced” – I just took it back to the bank and left it in case he deposited any money, so on this month’s statement – I mean Dec. statement it came thru. That is $9⁰⁰ I didn’t have much hope of getting.

[page 4]The uniform money has not come. I think I told you your policy came but it hasn’t yet – there was a slip advising me it would come but as yet it hasn’t. This slip is to take the place of the policy until it is written or sent out. I would think it would be issued by this time. I am enclosing a calendar for Jan. I cut it off a blotter. If you get Geo Tilton’s letter you will get a full year’s calendar – also if you get one of the boxes I sent you will get one (Rexall).

I have given you Jim’s address several times but here it is again – Ship’s company Camp Bradford, Norfolk, Va – James L. Foster S.K.C. Thelma got a release from her job in T. H. and is working for the Army in Norfolk.

David has had a nap and is now awake and John seems to think he needs his mother’s attention, so will have to see if dry pants are needed. The boys have tried to do that for him but are a little awkward and I am afraid they might hurt him. When he gets a little older they will learn to handle him but they seem to think he will break if they try to pick him up.

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/15/the-7th-day-of…ew-year-gladys/

Answering questions (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 6 – 1942 [1943]

Dear Daddy –

Yours mailed Dec 31 (Dated 29) rec’d this morning. You will surely get lots of mail now. I called Funks to tell them about their letters and gifts rec’d but Arlene & Bill are in Missouri but will be back tomorrow or next day. They will probably write to you again. I just read your letter again to be sure and answer questions. The uniform money hasn’t come. I have had Mr. Monroe out twice to look at the furnace. I will have him go over the radiators again. He keeps it oiled. I have been keeping the car checked at Childress. I will have him take a look at the battery this week. In case you missed the letters I mentioned the baby’s feedings, I am giving him Vit C tablets. Now 3 tbsp pablum at 10 AM plus 5 oz milk. He acts like he is going to get fat

[page 2] but he has a good appetite and there isn’t much to do with a baby but satisfy their hunger. However he doesn’t take half the dextri-maltrose the Mead chart calls for. I am afraid he would look pudgy if I put in 6 tbsp instead of 2 ½ – 6 is what the Mead chart gives for 3 mo. old. I asked Jack Byrnes to write to Mead Johnson about baby food – since we use pablum dextri & oleum. I rec’d a letter from the Co. and said they were sending a bottle of Oleum but didn’t mention anything else. I haven’t talked to Byrnes about what he wrote asking them for. There seems to be a shortage of canned milk. I could only get 12 cans from Knowltons, 3 from Bairs, 2 from Fords, that is of Carnation. I went to Laf. again today so got a dz cand of Pet at a store there. If you get all my letters you will wonder about all the trips to Laf. I have been going to Dr. Ade for throat & sinus treatments. I asked him today why it was dragging along so and he said it was

[page 3] the nature of the “bug” that is around this year. I am not sick enough to go to bed but my throat & sinus keeps bothering me. I have been staying in very close – only go out to make the trips – I went Sat, Mon, today (Wed) and am to go Fri. I didn’t drive during Dec so still have enough gas tickets to make several trips is necessary. He told me today to take neopronticil. I told you in yesterday’s letter I am giving neo to the baby. Dr. Cole says he has a sore throat. He runs a little temp but seems to feel fine. His temp was running 100 every day and now since I have been giving him Neo it has dropped to 99 2/10. I suppose when I get my throat all well he will get over his. It doesn’t bother him. He sleeps good and after the 10 P.M. bottle sleeps till 7 A.M. (next morning). At present gains 1 oz a day, sometimes more. I sent you several picture just before Christmas. Maybe you have them by now. You didn’t mention the pictures Arlene sent, or did you get them?

[page 4] John doesn’t have to go to school tomorrow or Fri – due to exemptions from all exams. Now if you were the bragging type you would tell everyone that. Mark of course has to take all exams because that isn’t done in the grade school. John is going to do David’s washing in the morning – if you can call it that – putting the things in the Bendix & then taking them out – and by the way – the Borax does the trick for the ammonia diapers – we dissolve ½ cup borax and pour it in the last rinse and then we have no odor, otherwise the smell is bad the next time we remove a wet diaper. I am not bragging – just stating a fact. Mark tried out his skates today but didn’t do so well. We are having cold weather again. Just before Christmas it turned warm & the snow melted but it is cold again and there was snow today. Made slow driving but the snow plows were working both sides of the pavement. It seems like we are going to have plenty of cold weather this winter. The snow isn’t as heavy, unless it keep snowing, as it was before Christmas.

The Johnson’s named their heir

[page 5] James Edward or “Jimmy Ed.” I would like to go see Lucile while she is in the hospital but won’t go unless I get rid of this head condition. Now I’ll have to return the buggy and I only used it a few times. Unless the weather gets a lot warmer won’t need one till spring. I rec’d the comb & brush manicure set & flowers for Christmas. I told you that before in several letters – Also the money you sent. Do you think I should put all our money, we don’t use for expenses, in war bonds – Let me know. The bank only pays 1% – the Bldg L. – 4% or they did but that may be cut now. After I get the insurance & taxes taken care of – and all the other first of year expenses will send you a financial report.

Seems like I have covered a lot of paper & not said much either but it is hard to write when the boys (two eldest) are asking questions & talking all the time but I keep hoping I’ll do better next time.

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/13/answering-questions-gladys/

So you got your laundry (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 5 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Dec 26, 27 & 28 rec’d. Also John and Mark each received theirs today. Thanks a lot for the picture. Altho I recognized only one face I was glad to get the group picture. That will be something to keep and for you to look at after you are home – You can tell us then all about everything and everybody. So you got your laundry and cokes. I had written that I had a surprise in the box & that was it. I was afraid those cokes would stop off before sailing. The pictures for Lentz was in a box I mailed for your birthday but is was sent before the laundry box so it may be last. In that box I put a camera & two roll of films also various other things. I do hope you get it and all the letters I have written the last two months.

I am trying to rest a little and write at the same time. Clara M. came today to help and I couldn’t relax very well while she was here, but she just left. She is good help and I am having her come once a week now. After having

[page 2] taken so much sulfa I was afraid my blood count would be down but while in Cole’s office yesterday his nurse made a count and it wasn’t bad, but I had my liver & B along so he gave me a shot. He examined David and found he had a sore throat. He had been running a temp again since I had my last “round,” so I am giving the baby neopronticil. What a mess, but his temp is going down – was just 99 2/10 at 2 P.M. The strange thing about it you (I) would never know he had anything wrong if I hadn’t taken his temp. Well he did sound a little nasal and that was why I took his temp. He eats regularily – and takes all his bottle every time besides pablum every morning. I was afraid he would be hard to get along this week because the boys talked to him so much last week but he has been fine. Has found his hands and plays with them so much. He chews his fingers sometimes like he might be getting ready to cut teeth, but there isn’t any sign of teeth. Sucks left thumb. Weighed 12 – 9 oz.

I called Dorothy this morning and she said the Johnson’s have a 8-11 boy.

[page 3] I wanted to tell Dorothy you got the cokes. She knew when I sent them. We were afraid they wouldn’t get to you. John and I decided then we should have sent you some dry ice so you could have them cold – might do that sometime.

I saw Dr. Ade again yesterday and he treated my throat and I am to go again Fri. It feels good but he says he want to see me again. In case you haven’t some of my previous letters I had a throat infection. It would come & go – I thought I was all over it after I tool sulfathiaziole but it came back and I had a sinus infection too – so I went to see Dr. A. and he treated me and now I feel much better. After looking at my throat and treating it he said the baby had good resistance to get by as he did – with only a slight temp & sore throat. Now please don’t worry about us, we are all better and hope to stay well. After this at the first sign of a sore throat I am going to Dr. A. and have a treatment. He and his wife are in the same office now and he has rooms & rooms. The waiting room is very large so they can have several waiting and it doesn’t seem like they are so rushed. However I think he is as busy as ever. I think he said a Dr. Holliday or maybe Halloway is back. He has been

[page 4]abroad and is I suppose home on leave. I mentioned in last night’s letter that I got a new coat. It is just plain black seal but what I liked and it was on sale for $108.95. I looked at several different kinds but this suited me so bought it. Also got a silly hat that will do for spring. You would like it – it is “red.”

Mrs. Zell went with me and did some shopping for their 3 girls. She bought snow suits for each and her total bill was over $40⁰⁰ – but wraps are being made with poorer material all the time and she was afraid to wait until next fall to buy. I should get Mark a new coat now too. He needs one – is wearing John’s old coat now.

I bought a new innersprings mattress for David’s bed (the one Mary Parttens loaned me) and Mark has wanted a new mattress for a long time. He didn’t say much because it was for David but I think he would like one too. I told him I wouldn’t get one for him until he quit jumping on his bed. John doesn’t say much.

David has been good all afternoon and seems to want some attention now. John is practicing on the sax – Mark did practice on the cornet but is now eating candy – about all the Christmas candy is gone —

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:  https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/11/so-you-got-your-laundry-gladys/