Tag Archives: John F. Yegerlehner

A tree eleven feet high (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 10 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Received two letters today dated Nov 30 & Dec 1 – Always makes me feel better when you have rec’d mail. Maybe by now you have the last bunch of pictures I sent. I thought they were better of David and too he could pose a little better. I put another one in yesterday’s letter and tho it isn’t very clear you and compare and see his is growing. We took several but that was the only one on that roll that turned out. There was one a double exposure but you wouldn’t be able to tell much about it. I have those sardines & crackers & cream (mosquito) to send but haven’t packed them yet – will try to do that this afternoon. I haven’t been in a hurry about it because the Christmas mail is so heavy I don’t believe it will travel very fast.

We had some more weather this morning. At least it is warmer. There was another light snow and now it looks like a thaw is starting. If it doesn’t freeze now. It would be awfully slick if we would have a freeze before this snow leaves. This has been unusual weather for the early part of December.

I haven’t been in town since Monday so don’t know if there are any Christmas decorations. I doubt if there will be much done this year.

[page 2] I told Mark we would get a tree this afternoon after school. He is so anxious to get one and since it is just two weeks till Christmas eve it isn’t too early.

You mentioned the tax business again. You surely didn’t get the letter in which I explained about it. Agnes advises not to pay it but if you insist I will go ahead and take care of it.

It is getting lighter outside – I think the sun is about to shine thru – Maybe it will come out strong enough to melt the snow. After several cloudy days – the sunshine is very good to see. I thought I would get the car out but may walk. I haven’t been out due to a scratchy throat but I feel O.K. today and think I need some air.

The packages Ruth M. sent came today and Mark is to bring them home as he comes from school. He is getting the usual thrill from anticipating Christmas. He has set 10 P.M. Christmas eve as the time to open gifts. I am glad he is so cheerful about it. I am afraid things would be a little flat around here at times if it weren’t for Mark. Not that we droop around – I don’t believe in carrying my feelings on my sleeve, but he is always so gay it does help a lot. I was amused at the way he wrote you about his report card – if you got the letter – he said he was afraid you weren’t going to like it very well because he had lower grades than the first 6 weeks.

It is about time for J & M to come home from school and D. is waking from a nap so will probably need dry pants.

[page 3] 9:30 P.M. went to the drug store and did some Christmas shopping. I got Jim a box of writing paper and a box of soap. The soap has a military design on it. I also got a box of cologne & talc to send Thelma. I told Jack Byrnes I was sending you a box and he said, “Will you do me a favor?” and walked over to a box he was unpacking and took out a box of chewing gum – he said their week’s allowance. You know chewing gum is scarce here too. Maybe this will be enough to last you a while. The little container of dental floss is one I found in your old brown suit the last time I went over your suits. Sorry to say the moths had nested in two pr of pants but they aren’t beyond repair – and there are extra pants of the ones they worked on. I have your closet well fortified now so think I have the little beggers taken care of. I went thru your things earlier in the fall and all was well, but I didn’t re-spray them or put in any moth crystals and we had so much warm weather so long that I think of lots of things took second growth, hence the visit to your closet by the pests.

You will probably get tired of reading about the baby’s orange juice – but as I mentioned before I tried orange, then

[page 4] tomato and he would toss it every time. You recall I wrote I talked to Dr. M. about the juice question. He said put him on prune juice – I did – but he didn’t like it either and since I have his bowels regulated with the dextri-maltose I don’t favor prune juice – also not much Vit C – so I am staring him on Vit C tablets. He gets A & D from the Oleum Percom.

Mark brought home a tree eleven feet high (or tall) and I didn’t favor paying 2⁰⁰ for a tree then cutting it off – so sent it back and now we have one that is just the right size. We put the lights on but no decorations yet. We aren’t supposed to use lights this year so we won’t decorate the front door like we did last year.

About the money situation – as I have repeated several times and as you can tell by the bank bal I am not spending anything – only living expenses – so the bank acc’t is really getting the lion’s share. I feel like we should live as carefully as possible so when you come back we will have a substantial reserve fund. I really haven’t any desire to buy anything while you are away – and too we are urged every day on the radio not to do any un-necessary buying – to put everything possible in bonds. I feel the same as you do about not wanting to start out again with our “noses to the grindstone” – so much for that. It is time for David to get awake for his 10 P.M. feeding.

Love – Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/19/a-tree-eleven-feet-high-gladys/

Doctors vs. Dentists (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Wed. Dec 9, 1942

Dear Mother,

Got your letters of Nov. 18 & 20 today and one of those had the pictures in. Those were the pictures taken in the house. The one where you were holding David in the chair was the best of him. He looks old in that picture but I guess after all he is getting along. I missed the bottle in the one John was in for a while. The shadow falls across it and it took more careful looking to see it.

The Walkups of Earl park sent me a Christmas greeting and in in [it] she wrote a letter but when she wrote it they had not received my letter to them in answer to the letter she sent while in the hospital. Surely by now they have that. Her greeting and letter was mailed Nov. 16. There have been no packages as yet. Some few have packages but nothing like as many as should come if the letters are all true that the boys are getting because most every-

[page 2] one claims they have several coming.

Had my teeth cleaned last night and have one or two small cavities to be filled. Will try to get that done in the next few days. Haven’t had any shows for several nights now for certain reasons, but probably will again tonight. It has rained only 2 little showers today and when you mentioned fog that sounded funny because we haven’t had any since leaving the States – once in a while it looks a little hazy out over the ocean but no fog here. The last fog we were in was the day we left the States and that morning the fog horns were blowing and there is nothing so dismal as a fog horn as we have heard on the radio – Not here but there. We have a small radio and once in a while we can get Australia but not very clear. So we don’t have to listen to all the plug ugglies or would we rather listen to them. It isn’t my idea to come clear to New Caledonia to get away from the plug ugglies. Nor the fog either for that matter.

[page 3] So far I have never gotten the stamps you sent but we really don’t need them now as our supply seems to be good. We can only get 5 each day but that amount keep us pretty well supplied. In fact I haven’t bought any for several days because my supply was building up too much and I was afraid that in the warm damp the stamps might stick together.

It’s just a little over two weeks until Christmas and it surely doesn’t seem like that time of the year. Sometimes it get real cloudy and a little cool and one expects a front and a ground freeze but after pinching ones self one comes back to life again and takes the hot just the same as on previous days.

We have some heated arguments about who works harder – The dentists or the M.D. and there being two of each in our quarters we never get anyplace only good wholesome discussions. The dentists take patients only by appointment and they are about as

[page 4] independent as in civil life. Of course our work comes in spells and we often play dominoes etc in between times and the dentists think we are lazy bunch. Guess there are arguments both ways, anyway it’s all in fun.

Fred is writing to his preachin’ uncle. He says he is the Fire and Brimstone type. Fred isn’t very religious – calls him the sky pilot. I read a letter he got from the preachin’ uncle’s wife – Aunt Abigail. She was giving him good advice. It was a very fine letter but I don’t believe he appreciated it as much as he should have.

Since the mail came this morning I doubt very much if we get any this P.M. but we will go look anyway. Some of these days mail should come in addressed our new address – but I can’t remember just when I first used that address. I forgot to tell you the Calender came on Dec. 4 So Nov. was lost –

Well, so Long
Lots of Love Daddy

P.S. No evening mail

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/18/doctors-vs-dentists-roscoe/

Packages arrived (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 9 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

This was a red letter day. Ruth wrote that she was sending two boxes so I sent Mark to get them – that is he got them as he came home from school, but they weren’t the boxes she sent. One was from Jim and the other the one you sent Oct. 16 – and the necklace is beautiful. Mark said, “I didn’t know Daddy could do things like that.” I said you had never had time before – and of course didn’t have access to sea shells. The bath mat is very nice too and after it goes thru the Bendix will use it on the bath table. I will count the necklace as a special Christmas gift. (The money being a trifle?) The money will stay put in the bank acct for a while. I would get a coat if I had time to go shopping but that is something I don’t want to buy in a hurry. If we maintain a bal. in the bank around what it is now, don’t you think it would be wise to do something with it. There really isn’t any point to leaving that much lie around idle, is there? Let me have a suggestion. (770.00)

[page 2] Going back to the subject of boxes – Jim’s was well wrapped and marked, do not open until Christmas but I wanted to dispose of the large box and store the things away in less space. There were gifts for all – Two records, a book on opera, a book on building model airplanes, a wooden toy and a box of expensive soap. I want to send Jim something but that is a problem I haven’t solved yet. It seems like I am not doing much shopping this year. I ordered Readers Digest for your folks. Ordered a Navy pin for Mother. John ordered his gift at the Foster shop. I sent for Mark’s yesterday. I am going to give Arlene, Dorothy & Lucile some kind of plants, and that about takes care of everyone. I must get a tree while there are some for sale. I understand there is a shortage of Christmas trees this year. Mark wants one to reach the ceiling. John suggested getting a small one but Mark protested so loudly I will get a large one if possible. I haven’t bought any Greetings this year and haven’t decided whether to or not. With the mails so heavy this year I thought I would not send greetings, unless we get so many I get an urge – which I haven’t had yet. I don’t know what you think about that but it will [be] too late by the

Dorothy Krull c1960

Dorothy Krull c1960

[page 3] time I get an answer to this letter. I am enclosing a picture taken of the house, I took after the first snow Nov. 29 – and this is Dec 9 and the first snow still on, only covered with more. The picture of the baby was taken in the den with only the outside light. It isn’t as clear as I would like but you can see he is growing – comparing it with the previous pictures. He is getting a little large for the basket but will try to use it for a while yet. Mark was standing by the basket holding a rubber elephant trying to amuse David so he would hold still – but he is still too small to pay much attention to such things. I think I’ll get a flood light bulb and see what I can do with inside pictures. We can’t get a picture out of doors now of the baby – the weather being what it is. I haven’t been out since Monday so haven’t much in the way of outside news. Dorothy was here a few minutes this evening but was in a hurry – since they haven’t any kitchen help she has to be “on duty” at meal times. She got to see the necklace and thought it very nice. You must have spent a lot of time on it as well graduated as the shells are. I’ll have to get a new plain black dress to wear this on.

[page 4] Helen Washburn Knollin in home. I talked to her a little at Club Monday but intend to see her again. She said she wanted to talk to me and tell me more about your visit with her. I suppose she will stay over Christmas. I also talked to Mrs. Reinhart and she said as far as they knew Henry is still at Moffett Field – Hope you have written to him by now, since he was anxious for some word about you. Mark is upstairs practicing on his horn. He was given first cornet part in the band and it made him very proud. He does a good job playing “Silent Night.” John had to practice on the Sax but soon finished and then on the piano. He is working on another composition. Maybe he will write something if he keeps on. This piece he is on now is pretty.

The bridge club Lucile is in is having a surprise for her at Arlene’s. They got her the same gifts they gave Arlene – baby scales and baby bed spread. Lucile is very large even with her fur coat on she[is] definitely in “that class.” She is very conscientious about obeying Dr. orders to the letter. I think she east exactly what he tells her to and nothing more. I do hope she has a good baby, but as sensible as she is she is no doubt get along. She said she didn’t want anyone to watch her bath[e] the baby until she learns how.

It is past 9 A.M. – so must get this finished and get the family started to bed.

Love Mother

P.S. The other shells were very nice – none were broken.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/17/packages-arrived-gladys/

Waiting for packages (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 8, 1942

Dear Mother,

We have had only a very few small showers today so I took the opportunity to clean up shave took a bath and changed clothes – and right after that a fellow come along and wanted to the take our pictures so even the picture should smell fine. Got a letter today dated Nov. 6 and you were very evasive I two places – First you said there was a woman getting a permanent who owed $22 and how do you suppose I should know who that was, and Second why tell me all about the package and then not tell what’s there oh – that’s OK. I like surprises. So in that letter there was a surprise because you didn’t tell me and then when the box comes there will be another (Thanks). I’d forgotten about the uniform money until you mentioned it. I suppose the stuff will never come, at least it seems that way.

I keep breaking down and buying

[page 2] a little writing paper ever so often thinking that each batch will be enough until that which you sent arrives but no such luck. The packages just don’t come. I think they are holding them for surprises.

No the Commission hasn’t arrived as yet but that is OK. I can get along without it now so don’t worry. It’s a discharge I’m looking for if you get what I mean – don’t take that too serious, however it’s still true but I don’t want it until the thing is over.

I’m sending a box with some empty shells and a small match box full with some of those cat’s eyes I was telling you about yesterday. I think one of those set for a ring would be fine or ear bobs – You don’t have to now if you don’t want to but I’m just sending them to get them out of my pockets. I just carried them there as a habit and that sorta polished them also.

I believe I forgot to mention the

[page 3]Noumeanina money I sent. I think that was one frank and that is worth about 2 ½ cents now. It was much more before the war. Imagine buying something for 5¢ and giving a dollar bill and getting a basket full of stuff like that. They have larger bills or notes and I have had several but the 20’s and 50’s are large about 2 times the size of our dollar bills and I don’t like to carry them around. I have a few pieces of metal money but I forgot to include them in this box. So will in the next.

I sent 10 yens – Jap money – in a letter some time ago. You have hardly had time to report on that yet. I’m just repeating. And I certainly am glad you write every day because it increases my chances of mail. Some of the fellows write a little on a letter each day and then mail it about once each week but I think If I write each day the mail will be more regular for you. And if the boys write at different

[page 4] times it will increase my chances. I suppose though when one wants to write the other does also. David I guess doesn’t say much about writing yet. You keep telling me about his formula. It’s been so long I wouldn’t know if the formula was correct or not but that weight business 5-7 ounces is still correct and if he isn’t as big as others OK. Just so he gets his vitamins and orange juice etc. And he is about ready for pablum. If I were home I’d write to Mead Johnson for samples. You might have one of the druggist drop a hint to Mead Johnson and I’m almost certain they would send you a supply. Either Boonie or the fellow at Art’s would do so. Especially the pablum and cod liver oil.

Well, I’ll save the space in case mail comes – but in case I forget –

Love Daddy

P.S. No further mail and no new developments

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at:
https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/16/waiting-for-packages-roscoe/

Letter interrupted (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 8 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Will have a minute or two before I take D. upstairs for the night. The boys are in bed listening to Red Skelton. They enjoy that program so much I allow them to listen, tho it is too late for them to be awake. Mark has such a hard time getting up in the mornings. It takes him a few minutes to get awake. The baby doesn’t bother him when he cries for his 6 A.M. bottle, and sometimes, mostly, he gets loud before we get the milk warm enough.

Didn’t get much written last night so will finish now before starting lunch. David is asleep after his 10 A.M. bath & bottle – and I have his pants hung up to dry. I put the things in the Bendix before I bathed him then after he went to sleep I went down & hung them up. They dry so quickly on the lines in the basement I don’t bother trying to dry them on the radiators.

Today is just a plain wintry day with snow slightly dirty from soot.

[page 2] I should have gotten a picture of yesterday morning’s scenery. It was gone by mid-afternoon. The sun was so bright the snow soon melted off the trees & shrubs. I think it was the most beautiful yesterday I have ever seen.

Every time I see a Dagwood that I think you would appreciate I cut it out and if you have gotten the others I have sent you will know why. Now this one might give you an idea of how you could have dealt with the insulation salesman. Remember?

The V-mail I use I get at the P.O. They just hand us a bunch when we ask for it – however it can be bought at the stores – but why buy it when it is free. I haven’t written any V-mail lately. I have left that for the boys and just keep to the regular air mail myself.

Had a letter from Ruth M. today and she is sending us some gifts for Christmas. She said it wasn’t intended for a gift exchange but she wanted to help make our Christmas Merry since we can’t go and they can’t come. Also had

[page 3] a letter from Ruthie Y. They want to go home but don’t know whether they will or not. They may come over here. I hope they do because the boys think we need some company.

I rec’d a card from the Mohawk Brush Co. that had been sent at your request – and also that a gift is being sent – so far it hasn’t arrived. I am to advise them is it doesn’t come within 2 wks.

The boys got quite a thrill from their V-mail greetings. Mark took his to school and showed it around. He surely does a lot of talking about his Daddy and one of the Krug boys was evidently jealous of the things Mark shows & talks about because he said something Mark didn’t like and Mark was in quite a state. The Krug boy ended by saying, “I threw up all over your Dad.” So I told Mark to tell him he also ruined the top of that treatment cabinet. You surely remember that incident, don’t you?

– – – Will try again to finish this. Had to stop & answer the telephone and that took a few minutes then I had

[page 4]to get lunch ready. The boys are still eating but I am thru & I thought I would get this ready for Mark to mail.

Arlene called me and said she had a suit Don has outgrown and want to give it to David. I told her there was advantages to Donald being larger than David – – the advantage coming my way. David is now 23” long and as near as I could figure this A.M. weighs 10-10. He was kicking so that I couldn’t be sure. I tried orange juice, Tomatoe juice – to no avail – he would throw up – then I tried prune juice and he has had it two days and kept it down both times.

The bank bal is around 770 – but there are some Ins prems. To be paid within a month – (Jan 28).

No letters today but probably will get two or three tomorrow.

Love Mother

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/15/letter-interrupted-gladys/

First Anniversary of Pearl Harbor (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:
Kentland Ind
Dec 7 – 1942
Dear Daddy –
After receiving four letters this morning I should be able to write a little better – also I went to Music Club this afternoon. My first Club meeting since Sept 22 – then I only attended the luncheon. Mrs. Shirk told me while I was at club that they called Dr. M. and he refused to go. Also several have told me similar stories. I didn’t know this until Clara M. worked for me last week but Mrs. Cunningham said he wouldn’t come when she called him for Frank and she called Dr. G. In case you missed my letter telling you Frank died. Some people seem to think it is your patients Dr. M. is independent with, but he always talks about missing you and wishing you were back. There is something funny.
We are still “enveloped” in winter weather – and tonight that is literally the truth. When I came home about 5 P.M., I noticed a fog rising off the snow and it kept moving up and over from the meadow across the street, and it is all around now. This makes such dangerous driving. I heard that all the hotel rooms are full tonight. I suppose anyone reaching town after the fog started

[page 2] decided to stay over rather than try to drive – since the roads are so slick. I don’t know how 41 is beyond town but in town it is covered with filmy packed frozen snow and is slick as glass. I won’t try to drive until the roads are safe.
The Lbr. Co. sent more coal out today – but Bun didn’t deliver it. Denver Perkins was helping. I don’t know who the other was. So we will have enough coal to meet the demands of this cold weather.
You keep mentioning the Federal tax so you surely haven’t rec’d my letters explaining about it. Agnes advises not to pay it – says it may be cancelled after the duration, but if you still insist on paying it I will. I just turned the papers over to her and she sent them in. If you get this – and want me to pay – mention my letter of this date (Dec 7).
Mrs. Roberts called and she had a letter from Joe and he wants you to write to him. I suppose you have since I sent you his address.
Mrs. Tilton told me this afternoon that Bob has entered officer’s training. I was trying to talk to someone else when she told me so didn’t catch all the details.
Red gave Coke a new record player for Christmas and she is going to have John over to hear a complete opera. The opera is on in Chicago now and I wish I could take John but with travel as it is now he will have to get his over the radio & on record.

[page 3]Tues. A.M. Will write a few lines more while D. takes a nap before bath time. If you have been getting my letters in which I mentioned the weather you will think I am a little strong on the subject but every day it is a little different. Last night I mentioned the fog – now this morning all the trees and shrubs are so thick with snowy ice they look like they have cake frosting on the. It is very beautiful. I can’t remember when we have had so much snow and weather like this so early in Dec. Maybe reading this will make you feel a little cooler.
Dorothy and Mildred Morton were going to Indpls [Indianapolis] today but I doubt if they go. There is still a lot of haze in the air and I imagine the roads are still slick as glass.
I am ordering Mark’s Christmas gifts today – Now I know you won’t approve but he wants ice skates and I am not keen on getting them but he wants them so much. Maybe I should be firm and say No! but if you could hear him. He says if he can’t have anything else he still wants skates. I am also getting him a tool chest and hope I can get him interested in doing shop work.

[page 4] They are buy stamps at school today. You know I got them to agree to buy $5⁰⁰ each out of their tens. They get such a big “kick” out of buying stamps in large quantities at school.
You said you had your mother’s box and I was trying to count how many were sent to you. I sent three (one was your laundry). Ruthie one, Ruth M. one, the Clubs of Kentland one, Boonie another one, and the Statons said they were sending one but don’t know whether they did. The Funks sent the pen & pencil set and I can’t think of who else, but these are the ones can recall now. But, all those had you first address except one or two of mine had “White Poppy” but since they were sent in Oct you should get them.
It is time to bath & feed the baby, then get lunch and do a few other necessary things.
Dr. Bushnell from Chicago is the one Joe met. Bushnell is in the Army.
Love Mother
P.S. – The V-mail greetings to J. & M. came today
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/14/first-annivers…-harbor-gladys/

Over the past year a lot has happened (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 6 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon and while David takes a nap I will start a letter. John has gone to a special band practice and Mark is looking at funny papers. We had another snow yesterday and it covered up the soot and smoke on our week-old snow. It was just the right kind to cling to the trees and live wires. It was tied up country traffic a lot. Cocoa Foulkes said this morning they could get only about 1/3 of the farmer’s products into the plant. They boys came home after Sunday School and I went to Church. The first time since last August. They had a special service today. We have heard a lot on the radio today about “Dec 7” (41). Looking back over the past year a lot has happened in our family.

You mentioned Dr. M. in one of your letters – Well, I saw Mrs. M. on the street one day this week and she said the Dr. said anytime we needed him to call. The baby doesn’t take orange juice very well – as a matter of fact he has gotten so he can’t retain it so I went down to his office and talked

[page 2] to him about it and asked him about giving tomato juice or tablets. Mark was in the car with the baby and when I went in and found the office empty took the baby in. He asked me what I was feeding him and when I told him dextri-maltrose he proceeded to tell me in not too diplomatic terms that Karo is the only baby food. Well I would have put him on that but they had already started him on D.M. before I knew it and since it agrees with him what difference does it make whether I use K. of D.M. I hope you didn’t talk to people like that – I remember what Dr. R. said when he put John on D.M. – he said “Mead Johnson makes only baby food, and in his opinion they knew more about what is good for babies than a Co. than doesn’t specialize – – so much for that.

The older boys have been to the youth fellowship and are back again. Had to coax Mark to go, then he came back and said he was glad he went. After they came home John made the remark that Mark is good looking. Right away Mark was interested and asked for my confirmation. I told him if he would eat and fill out he would be, so now he says he is going to start in the morning at breakfast with a large bowl of cream of wheat, and eat a lot.

Jack Benny, Phil Harris and the cast of the Jack Benny Show (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

[page 3] Tonight Jack Benny announced that Phil Harris & his band have joined the Merchant Marines and this was their last night on the show. In case you didn’t hear the show, Phil was telling about his physical. They told him to go over to the Dr. and get a shot. He went to the Dr. & said, “OK Where’s the bourbon?” By the way, Dr. M said to tell you he wished you were back here. He isn’t the only one.

Ed Barce was here to get your address today. He thinks he is going to be sent out soon. He has been in Rennsalaer this week and was able to come home every evening. You will probably be hearing from him soon.

Now that we have weather cold enough to keep the pond frozen we have the usual traffic of skaters. Mark has been over a time or two but doesn’t stay long – says he gets cold. We saw a sleigh so past this afternoon. It was a large one with a dozen or more in it. This must seem very foreign to you at present with your hot sunshine and general summer weather. I am thinking about the big slush we will have when this snow melts. It will be very wet. Of course it will have to warm up quite a lot for such a thaw. I got the car out of the garage yesterday but was afraid I would get in a snow bank backing out.

The Hufty's ambulance in which the grand trip to Lafayette was made. (Photograph courtesy of the Hufty family)

The Hufty’s ambulance in which the grand trip to Lafayette was made. (Photograph courtesy of the Hufty family)

[page 4] I have gossiped along and not really said much. The bank bal. at present is 786.55 – that includes Dec allotment – Birthday gift & Christmas gift. I have been buying bonds regularily – but will have to buy two this month since I missed Sept & Oct – bought 2 in Nov. The boys each have one and thought I add to David’s 10⁰⁰ and get him another one. John & Mark are now saving 25¢ stamps and have 4 each in their books. They buy a stamp a week from allowance. Mark has practically spent his 5⁰⁰. I allowed him to spend out of his 10⁰⁰. I suggested they each put 5⁰⁰ out of their ten in stamps & they agreed. He was simply reeling with delight at the idea of spending 5⁰⁰ as he pleased. John bought a special needle for the phonograph and a reed for his sax and I think he has the rest of his money. By the time I do a little Christmas shopping I will lop the bank bal. down some, but will try to hold it down to a “loud roar.” I am going to send to Sears tomorrow for Mark’s tool chest and I think I’ll also him a new suit. – Mon morn – busy as usual – John said this morning – “Mother, what do you do all morning?” – Meaning it seems to me you would have time to bake a cake – I didn’t this A.M. 4 letters came and I have to read them. I did that while giving D. his 10 A.M. bottle. So glad you have at last learned about the grand trip to Laf Sept 22. Also glad you got your Mother’s box – Do hope you get the three I sent – the one Ruth M. & Ruth Y. sent. Have baby clothes in Bendix and must got take out –over-

[page 5] am going to a Christmas Tea at Nellie’s this P.M. Clara Molter is going to stay with Baby

Love Mother

Thanks for the space [?]

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/11/over-the-past-…appened-gladys/

Keeping the chin up (Roscoe)

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In today’s letter, we FINALLY learn Dr. Fred’s last name and we learn the name of the “boss”. In case you haven’t noticed, Jake has been censoring his own letters lately. Perhaps some of the news from this letter will explain why.

Letter transcription:

Dec 5, 1942

Dear Mother,

A day of rain and all that goes with it – mud wet etc – but it isn’t so bad living in a hut, only we have two leaks in our roof – but luckily they don’t come over my bunk. We still have to get in the mud to go to chow and to the P.O. but we can do them both at the same time.

I counted the letters both V-mail and others and to date I have received 77 from you. All others I destroy so don’t know how many I’ve gotten all together. I’ve just about decided to write to Dr. Joe and Reinhart. I put those letters away and had to search for them so I found them today. To get the address.

Your attitude on the keeping the chin up is admirable because that after all is the best way. You don’t see many families around home in

[page 2] circumstances as similar to ours but I see and am around many men in exactly the same state of affairs as myself, and we are no better than they and all have a part to play and a duty to do. For example one of my roommates has two children – the oldest just a little older than John and the youngest about Mark’s age. Then Fred has one son 19 months old and Dr. Porterfield our boss has three children – Two boys and a girl – His two boys are both in the service – And he doesn’t know where one is – the other is in Calif. at present or was at the last writing. Dr. (Fred) Williams and Dr. Porterfield both were asking me about my family last night and they both talked as if they were asking their wives to write you. I thought I would not suggest you write them first. I did for Dr. Walsh but you haven’t said if you heard from her or not. They suggested their wives write to you so maybe you’ll be hearing from

[page 3] them, but that is getting away from my original story. I know a first class hospital corpsman who has a child about 3 years old and plenty of others in the same boat and then we also run into men who haven’t been home for 20-26 months – So our lot isn’t any worse than others and I’m glad you are taking it as you say and as I know you can. I’m not cheerful and happy about the whole things but I’m trying to do the same thing you are.

I’m almost afraid to say this but it now looks as if there will be only 3 of us remain here – Williams, Porterfield and myself. Porterfield is boss being a Lt. Comdr – while Fred is a (jg) like myself. We aren’t entirely sure but the latest gossip is to that affect and we should know in a few days. Of course we don’t know for how long but for the present at least and possibly indefinitely. That is, as

[page 4] far as the Navy is able to be definite. That last isn’t very clear, but it looks as if it will be sometime. There are other places much worse that this so we won’t complain.

No mail today but we have hopes for tomorrow. That is what keeps us going and after all that is what keeps the whole world going.

The dentist is scraping a fellow’s tooth and it isn’t a pleasant sound. He has sinus trouble so I get him down in his chair and work on him then he works on me – That way we are both careful not to be too rough.

The show was very good last night – funny as well as a fair plot. The ground is too wet tonite so won’t see another until Mon. as there is none on Sun. night. The shows are fine but it sure breaks in on the letter writing period.

Well, I think you and I have looked at this whole business in a sensible manner and and I hope we can continue to do the same –

With Lots of Love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/10/keeping-the-chin-up-roscoe/

More about babies and meat rationing (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 4 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Yours posted Nov. 26 rec’d this morning – along with the Christmas greeting & picture card. I think your artist and poet are to be congratulated. Mark said, “Isn’t it beautiful?’ He was very indignant with Tommy Britton because Tommy told Mark his father is in New Caledonia. Mark said, “Tommy no longer than your father has been in the Army he couldn’t be in N.C. yet.” I saw in the paper that Eddie is stationed at Camp Grant in Illinois, so I told Mark and that calmed him down some. Personally, the positions could be reversed and I wouldn’t mind but they aren’t so we must make the best of things as they are. We are still “snowbound” and it has been on long enough it is losing some of its beauty due to the smoke & soot settling over it. It is bright and not quite so cold but still not warm enough to take the baby out and my throat is a little scratchy so must keep myself in too. I have been gargling and think I can hold it down.

I haven’t been anyplace except to see Dr. C. and did a little shopping on one trip down since. I went to that Club luncheon Sept. 22 so am planning to go to a Tea at Nellie’s next Monday. It is the Christmas meeting of the Music Club. I was on the Christmas meeting committee in the Literary Dept. and forgot all about the meeting until it was over but didn’t feel bad

[page 2] about that because I talked to the chairman sometime ago and told her not to count on me. In the first place they shouldn’t have put me on the program till later in the club year.

I saw Arlene yesterday and she had just mail[ed] a V-mail to you. You never mentioned getting their other letter with the pictures, so I suppose it was in the Oct 27 to Nov 11 gap. While I was there Louise took Donnie up. He is 3 mo old and can almost sit alone – weighs 15 lbs. David can do a lot of things we think good for a 2 mo old baby but he isn’t developing as rapidly as Donald but Donald is an unusually large baby for his age. John was watching David this morning and said he hear him coo. He smiles at us when we talk to him. Right now he is not in a very good humor but I think he will soon go to sleep – – he did.

Since you have started to receiving the Enterprize they should get to you regularly and you can get every detail that I can’t put in the letters I write. I imagine you read it pretty thoroughly.

I got a quarter of beef from Parttens – they didn’t want to sell any more and half a hog to be put in as soon as it is ready – to be butchered next Tues. Zells are taking the other half and I am going to let them use the locker while it lasts. However they won’t have much to put in because they are going to take

[page 3] their sausage home and Mrs. Z is going to can it and they will take their cured meat. Nick had been using the locker but hasn’t had anything in for a long time and I think he has his own now. I don’t know how they will manage rationing locker meat. Maybe we are on our honor to do our own rationing. I bought a chicken and on Sunday we had it baked – Monday sliced cold – Tues – chipped with noodles – and had an extra for Tues dinner – Clara Moulter helped me that day so I think we did well enough with that. I cut a sirloin steak in half at noon and we each had a piece – tho John & I could have eaten more – we get along. Meat rationing won’t bother Mark.

David’s bottle is warm and it is 10 P.M. – and I must get to bed – or I will be so sleepy in the morning I won’t want to get up. This 2 A.M. business gets to be a habit – but it makes me awfully sleepy when I should get up.

Sat morn – No letters this morning but hardly expected any today since I got one yesterday and that brought them up to date. John has gone to take his piano lesson. David had had his bath & 10 A.M. bottle and Mark is waiting to go to town so must sign off and get lunch started. I am enclosing the end off a blotter in case you haven’t a better calendar. Geo. Fulton is going to send one.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/09/more-about-bab…tioning-gladys/

Who showed them how? (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 4, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just a little time now so this is the first try – maybe will be able to finish maybe not. Last night I answered the greetings I received yesterday and also wrote a short note to Dr. Matthews. As I said before don’t know if he is peeved or not but I wrote just the same. I’ll try to write a short note to each person who sends me a greeting. Just happened to think the other day that I hadn’t written to Reinhart or Dr. Roberts yet so will before long when I’m more in the mood [for] that right now. Last night after the show I felt like writing. Today not so much that way.

No mail yet today – weather hot good breeze and some few clouds. That takes care of the usual things we say about those common topics of conversation. We still have hopes of mail because it isn’t 5 P.M. yet.

You mentioned that you and the

[page 2] boys were taking care of the furnace. Who showed them how? And you should stir around the retort frequently to remove any clinker because it might burn out the retort and I don’t believe you would be able to buy a new one now. Maybe one of the neighbors would look after it once in a while.

There was one question I asked you several times and haven’t received an answer yet – and that was the date my first letter arrived. It is of no importance only just interesting so if you can remember let me know. You might have sent it in one of those missing letters, which I hope catch up with us some day. I’ve tried to save all of your letters but the burden may get too great as time goes along. All the other letters I destroy in a few days after I’m sure I don’t want to refer to them again.

The bridge games I used to talk about are no more – too many of the players are gone and we don’t seem to have the

[page 3] interest we once had. Fred, Our boss and I pay [play] a game of domino now and then – very exciting. These are a little different. They run up to double nines and the addition sometimes goes beyond or [our] limited counting range. Maybe we haven’t gone into that bad a mental slump but I sometimes wonder – Don’t worry about that last sentence it’s the weather or something.

Just had a little argument. Some fellows say the war will be over by Feb. or Mar. Sure wish I had that much good outlook about things. Maybe they are right – hope so. It could be wishful thinking.

Just back from the P.O. Three or 4 letters air mail and one V-mail. The reason I said 3 or 4. You had two letters in one so that the reason. The latest letter was Nov. 24. The V-mail Nov. 7 so you see which is best.

About those pictures – David wasn’t hardly in the picture and I thought the rest of you folk took [look] terrible all except Mark standing back of you in the front door.

[page 4] John looked like a native of here in that one taken in the back yard. The last bunch were much better but John still couldn’t be natural, possibly his glasses. Have him look off to the side at some disinterested object next time.

Hope by this time you have the money orders and check I sent. I had forgotten about those. And I don’t believe I would burden the bank acc with any expensive piano – no baby grand now. I still think a coat would be a good idea anyway you had better get it out of the bank acc. Either in bonds or on interest because if it stays in the bank acc it won’t draw any interest and before long it will just sorta be attached and you’ll not have  it as I had planned. If you don’t want to get a coat see what interest you will be able to get at the Building and loan or in Bonds. No use to let the Bank get the interest. That is if you don’t need it otherwise. Hope that uniform money get thru – That will help some. This is about all the space I’m allotted now so solong until tomorrow

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/07/who-showed-them-how-roscoe/