Tag Archives: John Henry Yegerlehner

Two months old today (Gladys)

2 Replies

: November 23, 1942 Envelope

: November 23, 1942, p. 1

: November 23, 1942, p. 2

: November 23, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 23 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Things, as you say, took an upturn today – 5 letters came, however not the money – but that will no doubt will come in the next mail and that will be in time for Christmas by a month. The children as well as their mother got quite a thrill from the 10 yen. John of course was curious to know the value for sure (since you weren’t) and looked it up in the encyclopedia – and figured it to be $9.80. I know your Mother will enjoy seeing it too. I will get her & your Dad something nice for Christmas but thought to give her something directly from you that I would let her select some shells from the box you sent Sept 30. The other box you mentioned has not arrived yet. Your mother & Kenneth should be here Tues. and I hope they will stay for Thanksgiving. Mark got quite concerned about our Thanksgiving dinner. He wanted me to be sure and have chicken, if not a turkey. He also wanted pumpkin pie. I got a little ahead of schedule and baked a pie for him this morning. Since we are on sugar rationing I used a receipt using honey. I thought about you and your idea about pumpkin pie and tho.[though] the children couldn’t tell the substitution I wondered if you would have been able to. I doubt if even

Baby book entries for November 23rd & 27th

[page 2] you would have been keen enough. As you said about the porthole – that is a question that can’t be settled now. Before long we will be on meat rationing. That has been worrying John quite a lot. I figured it down to two hamburgers a day. Of course he doesn’t think that is enough but I think we will get along well enough. Today David is two months old and weighs 9 ½ lbs – so he is doing well enough since he had to start from 6 lbs – and was only 6 – 3 ¼ when we came home from the hospital at two weeks. I just gave him orange juice & Oleum. He sometimes throws up the juice but I keep giving it to him every day and maybe he gets too much. He is asleep on his tummy now. He was getting his head out of shape so I put him on his tummy a lot. Since he has gotten used to that position seems to like it but at first would cry. I didn’t take him for a walk today. It is foggy, damp, misty, etc. – so will wait for dry weather. John just came to the front door and started a commotion trying to get in. The front door swells in this kind of weather and is difficult at times. Mark hasn’t come yet. John & Mark have both written several letters but you evidently haven’t received them. Mark is still tooting the cornet and does as good on it I believe as he would on any. You know his perseverance isn’t

[page 3] too strong. I brag about his playing and try to get him to practice but he gets tired awfully soon. I got him some model airplanes to build when in Laf. Sat. There are 10 different designs. I can’t keep him in knives. He breaks or looses them. He used a razor blade a while yesterday but I won’t allow him to do that again. It is too dangerous. I was going to call Mrs. Ash when in Laf. but had so much to do didn’t get to a telephone. I will try to give her a ring the next time down. Also I intend to stop at Klines. I know Gertrude will want to see the baby. She was so good to come see me while I was in the hospital.

After the Christmas season I will find another box and send to you and you might mention a few odds and ends I could send – besides sardines & crackers. There are surely a number of small things you want that I can send. But as you say, now isn’t a very good time with so much mail to be handled.

Mark just blew in from school. He was late and said he had to stay in to finish some arithmetic. He had a horn lesson today and said the music teacher was pleased with his “blowing.” He really beams from a little praise.

This has been a rather choppy letter, try to do better next time –

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/23/two-months-old-today-gladys/

November 22, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

In this letter, Roscoe mentioned that he wrote a letter to Ruth M. (his sister) and sent a V-mail to each of the boys. Only one of the V-mails appears to have survived, the one to John. These were special V-mail Christmas greetings, and I believe they cost a pretty penny. I have included the card further down within in the letter.

: November 22, 1942 Envelope

: November 22, 1942, p. 1

: November 22, 1942, p. 2

Letter tanscription:

Nov. 22, 1942

Dear Mother,

I’ll have to say I received your most interesting and longest letter to date. This was written on Nov. so you see it wasn’t so old. And you had it full of things that seemed to hit the spot. Maybe it was because I haven’t received any mail for some time. I also got one from Ruth M. which was written on the same day so I really had a big day – as Eleanor – The President’s wife would say – My day. The pen and pencil set will certainly be fine because one would be lost without one and in case these should become lost or broken it would be bad. Many of the boys brought two sets along. Some even brought two watches – so far mine has been OK but one of the boys dropped his while we were on board ship and now he goes by the bugle.

There is just one question I’d like to ask about the baby’s milk. Isn’t it apt to sour after it is warmed? Maybe it won’t. I’m not saying that just so you’ll have to be up longer but I just wonder.

: V-mail in envelope

: V-mail Christmas greeting

I wrote Ruth M. and one V-mail Christmas greeting to each of the older boys and also my usual letter to the Folks today. I should write Ruth & Floyd in answer to the birthday greeting but haven’t gotten to it yet. If I have room and can find a copy of our Sunday paper I’ll send it. Which we are allowed to do now since our address is announced. That is one reason why I’m writing so small. If you have written all the letters like the one today I’m sure you must take lots of time but I sure do enjoy that kind. So far I haven’t received the Enterprise and have received only one copy of the Clay City News.

If a bill comes for my lodge dues you might pay if you have enough money and send me the receipt or have them send it direct. I don’t think I’ll pay my medical dues until I get back unless I get the bill here. I don’t believe they will throw me out of the organization. I haven’t heard from Dr. Mathews since I last wrote maybe he is peeved – have you heard anything to that affect? Guess he’ll just have to be

[page 2] is all I can say.

At church tonight the crowd was so big the foundation gave way under the tent floor and are all dropped. It was only a foot or two so no one was injured but it was a surprise. It is one of those long narrow tents about 16 feet wide and 40 feet long. Some probably was there who hadn’t been for some time and the floor fell instead of the roof.

We had roast duck, peas, mashed potatoes, asparagus tips, cake and soup for dinner today – Really was good. For the most part our meals have been very good lately even though there are more here than when we first came. For supper we had cold cuts and a few things like that.

I’m glad to hear the boys are still working on their music it will be good for them later on if they can just stick with it. As yet we haven’t had any shows.

I think Agnes Molter must be wrong about the State Tax but maybe you didn’t mean that – And I don’t believe there will be much federal to pay you might have her go over it and if it isn’t to much get it off now because I don’t want to come back with obligations because I’d like to take things easy – a vacation in a tent. I don’t even want to see a tent but I do want to not start right back to the grind – a few weeks at least and you can bank on that.

I’m going to see if I can find the paper now and I don’t think it will be too much for the regular air mail. We may get more mail now that it has started again and I’ll be looking for those packages.

And just in case – I’ve sent you and David a check for $110 and John & Mark a money order for $10 each. Just repeating so you can let me know if they don’t arrive.

Hope I get more letters like the one today but I realize you can’t do that every day, but even a line is appreciated – With lots of love

Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/07/15/november-22-1942-roscoe/

November 8, 1942 (Roscoe)

5 Replies

: November 8, 1942 Envelope

: November 8, 1942, p. 1

: November 8, 1942, p. 2

: November 8, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Oct Nov. 8, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sun P.M. and things are as well as could be expected. Got your Oct. 17 letter today and another V-mail letter Oct 14 from Ed. Johnson. He told me of the anticipated increase in their family. You said something about Lucille but you didn’t say which one. It was a little surprising to me. Ed said I was a good one to run out on them when they really needed me, but I believe it looks to me as if they waited until I got out before starting things – Guess it wasn’t that way but I’m to write him that anyway.

We had chicken again for dinner – real honest to goodness chicken – one half chick per person. Seconds if we wanted them. I could have taken seconds but didn’t, because one was enough and maybe that would cut things short for some enlisted man. So why make a pig of myself. Of course, we have no rationing on anything – but fresh fruits and vegetables are never seen, only once in a while we have a raw apple to chew on.

This being Sun. we’ll have church tonite at 7:00 P.M. The Chaplin still has to be at another place or two earlier in the day.

[page 2] we generally have a pretty big crowd and things go along in good style. This is also the day for me to write the folks. I got a letter or two from them this week so it makes writing a little different.

Tell the boys we have coke now so they don’t need to send me any at present. It’s a little expensive though 10¢ per bottle. We can’t take the bottles back – I mean back to the States – so that makes the extra cost. It isn’t so good either when it’s tropically warmed with no ice around – Maybe the boys could send a chunk of ice. You probably have that around pretty handy or will have when the old cold north winds start blowing.

Wayne W. gave me a pretty good bird’s eye view of conditions in general back home. Our news around here and abroad seems pretty good, but our tent-mate that had the radio has gone so that cuts out the biggest part of the evening’s entertainment. We are seeing quite a bit of coming and going in the past few days and expect to see more as time goes along. Of our group that originally came fourteen have changed locations. So you see (we/they) do some moving around as was the

[page 3] custom at Norfolk.

So far I haven’t received any pictures that you keeping saying you took – And Lentz keeps asking me if you have sent his. He said he had one of a boat sinking with several at different intervals. I told him you wouldn’t send them until you go the $1.35 but I guess that need not hold you back. Hold on to your money and maybe I can send you enough for the coat. Probably right now coats would be high and quality poor or no? Anyway it’s yours so do as you wish. I don’t care what you buy as long as you use good judgment and don’t open too large a charge account.

I’ll finish later. Wrote a letter to the Folks and one to Ed. Johnson. I still have several letters to answer but couldn’t get to them yesterday had too much to do otherwise. I’m finishing this on Mon. A.M. Everything up and kicking, was a fine night to sleep – will write tonight.

Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/14/november-8-1942-roscoe/

October 30, 1942 (Gladys)

3 Replies

John on October 24th, 1942

This letter gives another reference to the photograph of John, taken by Ruthie, in his new coat, on October 24th. Apparently there were two pictures. Thankfully, at least one survived through time. Maybe the second one will surface someday.

: October 30, 1942 Envelope

: October 30, 1942, p. 1

: October 30, 1942, p. 2

: October 30, 1942, p. 3

: October 30, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind
Oct 30-1942

Dear Daddy,

I sent a letter marked “clipper” yesterday but Tony said he didn’t know whether it would be sent that way or not. If so you should have rec’d it in about a week. If you do get it that soon I’ll send all via clipper. I haven’t had any letters since Mon. but tomorrow is Sat and maybe there will be a “flock” then.

I took the drapes down and cleaned the ones in our bedroom but just put the rest out to air. I took Mark back to school at noon so went on down to Perkins and Thelma promised to come tomorrow and do some cleaning. If I can just get help a day or so, think we can get the housecleaning situation in hand.

Mon. when I took the baby to Dr. C. he weighed 7-9

[page 2] This morning when I bathed him he weighed 8 lbs – not bad for a 6-11 – losing 11 oz and starting at 6 lbs. He was 5 weeks old Wed. so I think he is doing well enough. He tried to gag when I gave him his Oleum Percomorphum today but I gave him orange juice as soon as I could and he kept it down. He made an awful face when he got a taste of the oil.

I am enclosing some pictures Ruthie took with her camera. The two pictures of John with the over coat shows how it can be worn. The light side for rain & the dark for cold. Maybe before long we will be able to get a good (or better) picture of David. I hope you have the pictures we sent last week. Several of the baby were very good we thought. He rec’d another present today – a knit suit from Louise Glenn – she said on the card “to small fry.” That makes eight suits given to him. He is wearing one today. They are really much nicer for boys than dresses and warmer too.

I feel like I have an apology to make about your birthday but hope you get the cards we sent. I should have sent

[page 3] your birthday box out long ago but going to the hospital when I did (Sept 23) I didn’t think about sending it before then and since I have been home it seems like I am so busy with the baby & getting back on my feet again. I am afraid you won’t get it until after Christmas what with so much Christmas mail to be handled now. I hope you get it or the cards because we have thought about it and of course think about you all the time.

Art K. is due in Great Lakes Mon. I stopped in the drug store at noon and saw him. I wanted to pay him. He said he would come out and settle up before he leaves, but I don’t think he will. There were twelve from Newton Co. left for Indpls. Among those Paul Bruck, Leo Yost & Eddie Britton.

Marjory Wilson Ryan has a baby boy. She went to see Dr. C. Monday and stopped at the hospital to see about a room. She wasn’t due

[page 4] until Nov. 7. I told her to make it Nov. 1 – but guess she couldn’t wait.

The Equitable sent you the name of an examinee and I returned their letter with a note to the effect you are in Service. I had a letter to inform me that your status as examiner would be retained when you return.

School is out and the boys are home. I have quite a bit of mail to go out so will have to get busy and get it to the P.O. “My day” is certainly full – I can do just so much before I stop & rest – and it seems I never get caught up – but I would rather be busy. That doesn’t keep me from thinking but it helps me. I have so many letters that should be answered – but yours comes first and if I have any time left will answer others.

Love
Mother

P.S. I missed your Dad’s birthday but sent a gift later

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/28/october-30-1942-gladys/