Tag Archives: John Henry Yegerlehner

Christmas Cheer (Roscoe)

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Letter transcripion:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
Dec. 21, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just re read one of your letters and find finances one great difficulty you are having or rather were having at that particular time. The checks I sent will have gotten there by now or soon will and those will help.

I’m glad you weren’t thinking of spending Christmas with the folks. I think that is too far for you to drive at this time of the year and the change is apt to cause colds, etc., which it seems you folk are having lots of difficulty with at present.

Just finished reading the other letters and find there are no questions to answer. You

[page 2] wrote of Christmas greetings. One came from Harold & Coco – a very nice one –

You wrote of a plane coming over and the things it made you think of. That would be swell and some day it may be true. Hope it isn’t in the too far distant future, but I’m still not making plans because as we’ve written no plans and no disappointment but that doesn’t keep a person from dreaming.

Tonite was the regular might for the stage show. It was better than last week, but not too good. It helps pass the time but I wouldn’t

[page 3] pay much money after the first one if I knew what was coming. They seem to be very fond of singing “White Christmas” and I don’t see why the natives would know what they were singing about. Another song I’ve heard recently very much is “Star Dust” and that has an Indiana background also “Rocking Chair” and “My Gal Sal.” They all seem to strike a familiar something of back home.

It is now three days until Christmas and I haven’t the slightest idea of what I’ll do other than the usual work and perhaps have turkey for chow. We probably will have a few drinks if anything

[page 4] turns up drinkable which it usually does. In fact I think there is enough around now for some Christmas cheer.

I’ve been some little time writing this letter – writing a little and then just sitting trying to think of something more and you can see for yourself I didn’t think of much in between the writing periods.

Well, Dear I hope you and the boys are having a swell time around the New Year.
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/22/christmas-cheer-roscoe/

Danville (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished writing to the folks. Sometimes I almost forget to write them their regular Sunday letter until too late but somehow I got started at this letter writing early today. In fact it is only 1445 and their letter all completed. I have so many other letters to write that it seems a hopeless task so I just keep putting it off longer and longer. I don’t mind yours in the least – (anyway I’d better say that) because it’s a visit and if there isn’t much news or stuff you won’t be disappointed.

Yesterday I ran into a fellow from Danville, Ind., and his brother

[page 2] works for Jim Alley. He was telling me how cute their kids are – I didn’t ask him what he thought of Mrs. Alley. It had been a long time since I’d even thought of Jim but when he mentioned Danville it just occurred to me that Jim did go in business there. He said he would write his brother and have him tell Jim he had seen me. That is two boys from Indiana now that I’ve contacted lately.

There is some sort of a movie here tonite but I don’t remember the name – good or bad I suppose I’ll go in order to pass the time.

[page 3] There are always news reels on Sunday eve but they are generally weeks old. Even at that they are somewhat interesting.

A few hours later – The show is over and a round table discussion following the show is likewise complete. Just a few in the officer’s ward room – a bull session. The discussion was a general affair – medicine, war, diplomatic procedures and maybe a little smut mixed in here and there.

Tomorrow is Ruth M.’s birthday. I wrote her a birthday letter some time ago – hope she receives it by tomorrow.

It’s my bed time now so
Lots of Love
Daddy

[Editor’s note: Jim Alley was a high school classmate of Roscoe’s. They graduated from Clay City High School in 1922. Jim became a pharmacist, attending the Indianapolis College of Pharmacy.]

Alley, James - Indianapolis School of Pharmacy, 1924

Indianapolis College of Pharmacy yearbook, 1924 (Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Clay City HS - Class of 1922 (Photograph from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney)

Clay City HS – Class of 1922 (Photograph from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/18/danville-roscoe/

A Weekend on Tulagi (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
12-18-43

Dear Mother,

Just one week from Christmas and all my shopping done. You of course know that is a laugh.

Three letters today – one from you dated late in Oct., one from the folks about the same time and a greeting card letter from the Walkups with a family group picture.

In your letter you told of D. getting a kick out of playing in the kitchen with the pots & pans and in Mother’s letter she told of the same thing while you were down there – so he must be rather a pot & pan man.

Undated Christmas telegram from 1942 or 1943

Undated Christmas telegram, likely the one sent in 1943

I sent you and the folks a cable today – hope they get there around Christmas time but I may have waited a little

[page 2] too long because I suppose everyone will have the same idea.

It’s a little amusing to see the influence of the North in the local Christmas decorations. The windows in some of the our buildings have been decorated with candles and snow. The candles are of course universal but the snow seems out of place. It’s just a carry over or a carry down under. Then of course there are some colored bells, stars, etc. I think the wards are probably competing with each other for honors or prizes. The prize probably to be are a snow ball or some such valuable object.

Our show here last night was “The Great Dictator” – remember when we saw that – seems like years ago. The shows here are

[page 3] much behind those we used to see. I didn’t go to see this one last night first because I was on duty – a good reason and of course I had seen it before so wouldn’t have gone secondly.

I’ve wondered lots about Foulkes’ brother-in-law. As to where he was etc. I think I’ve seen most of the places around these parts but could easily have missed him because some of my stops were only short. Just a visit one might say. I spend one weekend on Tulagi and it was a most enjoyable one because it was so different. Maybe it was because the officer I was visiting had beer and I hadn’t had any for a considerable length of time, and it was cold, too. I

[page 4] mean the beer was cold.

A pause of a few hours. In fact evening chow has come & gone. We had steak – good thick and French fried potatoes. The steaks were really good but not rate enough for me but don’t misunderstand I’m not complaining. There was ice cream also but I very seldom eat that anymore. There was a lettuce salad in the beginning and that is still good after being off of that kind of food for so long.

Well, I’ve really run down so solong until tomorrow
Love Daddy

 

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/16/a-weekend-on-tulagi-roscoe/

Virginia (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters yet this week – The boys are anxiously looking for theirs, but I told them the mail may be delayed at this time of the year.

It was 1 below in Chi. this a.m. and not much warmer here. It is still very cold. Harlans sent us some Ky. Coal this a.m. – The driver didn’t leave the ticket but it looks like about 2 ton and with what we had left of last year’s good coal – I think there was nearly 2 ton. We should get along pretty good now thru the coldest part of the winter. Dad shoveled what was left of the good coal back to one side and we used up the other that I had put in Nov. 1 first. Now maybe we can get the stoker re-regulated so it won’t require attention as often as it has been.

Virginia Zell fell last night and got a bump on the back of her head – she was in their basement and fell on

[page 2] the cement floor. Mrs. Zell called Dr. M. He was just leaving his office and came right out. He put her to bed and told them to keep ice packs on her head. She has been throwing up all the time. He wants to take her in for an X-ray but won’t move her until she stops throwing up. I haven’t talked to Mrs. Z. since the middle of the morning. I made hash & pumpkin pies for lunch and sent over enough for them at noon when J. & M. came home. I knew she wouldn’t have much time to cook, watching Virginia. Dr. M. told them last night that she was doing satisfactorily however I was out in the kitchen washing dishes and he came out to use the telephone and he told me it was a bad bump. I went over and helped out a little after I got David off to bed and we had our supper. Mrs. Z. was in the basement washing when it happened so I hung up the clothes for her. They have been such good neighbors, I like to help them when I can.

I got a notice from the P.O. that David’s pictures are in so I want to go to town after J. & M. come from school and get them. Will try to get two mailed out to you tomorrow.

I went to Sheldon yesterday – Had a bill from Brands for $49 – I knew there was a drastic error.

[page 3] The bookkeeper didn’t even know where she had gotten the figure. I pd. 6 mo. locker rent. The locker here should be ready by then – if we have one. If not I can pay the rest of the rent when it’s due. I ordered half a hog from Brands. There is a surplus of pork on the market and we are being urged over the radio to buy pork. The beef I got last was mostly steaks and as much as I like steak, like to supplement it with a little something else now & then. Also might not get another steak quarter next time and might want to save a few of these for someone who likes boiled steaks – eh what?

J. & M. are home – J. is practicing and I have a headache, so think I’ll go over and see about Virginia, then go to town and take care of the telephone bill, etc. Said headache is due to certain causes other than faulty glasses. I haven’t mailed but 2 greetings so far, and the P.O. is urging us to mail early.

I must get along –
Love Mother

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

Time and Censorship (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

Another Sunday almost gone and after it’s all said and done time does pass rather rapidly – not rapidly enough at times but when one looks back he sometimes just wonders where it has gone. Really it has been some time since I’ve left the last station but it doesn’t seem long but add that on to what I’ve had here and it puts things along toward spring – and who knows.

So much for that – I don’t just know why or how I got started on that time business and after all as we have written

[page 2] before – Don’t build too high on any time period and then if things don’t work out the disappointment will not be so great.

I did hear from one of our original group – not a Dr. He has been home and back again and I can’t see too much percentage in that – but here I go again – seems I can’t get off the subject.

I’d forgotten when I sat down to write that this was the day to write the folks so must do that before going to bed. There are other letters to write also – both the Ruths and some of my pals back up the line but it just seems I have a dickens of a time getting started. It’s not nearly so much fun writing to anyone but you as it used to be. Your letters are just natural to write, but

[page 3] I will say I’ve certainly fallen down in subject matter recently, and try as hard as I can I can think of nothing that would be of interest and still be passable. It seems there are more censorable things here than at any previous station. Maybe it just seems that way to me.

If I’m going to get a letter out to the folks I’d better get started. The reason I’m so late is – our orchestra played for a while – Then some old news for about ½ hour and a then long movie, so it’s a little late and good night –

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/02/time-and-censorship-roscoe/

A Better Christmas Present (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Dec. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

Two air mail letters today one dated Nov. 23 & one Nov. 26. The pictures were in one and believe it or not I think you couldn’t have sent a better Christmas present. Those are the first pictures I’ve seen in a long time because the ones you have sent are packed away and are supposed to be sent to me. You see most of my gear had to be shipped because I traveled by air and couldn’t take everything. I sure went round and round there to tell you I didn’t have your

[page 2] pictures with me.

A letter from the folks came yesterday today also. It seems as if they are getting along fine. Mother’s writing has improved lots and I’m sure she isn’t nearly as nervous now as a year or so ago.

When on our trip we had some pictures taken and when they come back I’ll send them to you if they are good. They might be good of the hills, etc., but the subjects in question were both poor so I know they can’t be too good. The pictures I mean – I’m run down –

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/29/a-better-christmas-present-roscoe/ ‎

Well of Information (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 5, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished a letter to the Folk and one to Sis so maybe if I hurry I can get one out to you before I run out of things to say. It’s funny but my well of information is very shallow and it seems to take some time for the thing to even get enough to cover the bottom not to say anything about filling up.

We had turkey for noon day meal today. At first I thought it might be what was left over from Thanksgiving but it wasn’t at least it didn’t taste like the leftovers we used to have. Due to my being away on Thanksgiving I missed that meal but

[page 2] we had our fried chicken instead and one can’t kick on a good meal of fried chicken. I wrote you about the chicken in yesterday’s letter.

I’ve been wondering what Dr. Van Kirk will do now that he is out of the Army. He probably will be in demand at his usual work – possibly more now than even before. The way he liked Army life I’m sure he must have been displeased with his discharge. Maybe that will help the other Drs. in the area. At least that will be one more to call and find out of town.

I thought there had been a law passed to keep the pre Pearl Harbor fathers at home and why is Socky Wilson so near to being drafted? There are others with fewer children than

[page 3] they have.

Some of the Drs. here do their own laundry and I’m think[ing] of doing mine also. The first bunch I got back from the laundry was a surprise. I told them I’d paid for those clothes before but the price sure is in keeping with new ones. I thought when I left The Russells I was thru with laundry but I may change my mind. At least we have good hot water here and at that place everything was cold but the drinking water.

Later – about 9 hours. Had a little work to do and just didn’t get back to this. It’s now about 11:30 PM and almost my bed time but I may read for a short time if I can find something to read – So
Good Night –
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/18/well-of-information-roscoe/

Cigarettes and Chewing Gum (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just by way of repeat – In yesterday’s letter I had a check for your Christmas and I’ll get some money orders for the boys tomorrow. Maybe I’m a little late with this Christmas business but with any kind of connections the letters should get there in good time.

Your V-mail letters of Nov. 16 – 19 & 20 came today – Those were the latest I’ve received here. It seems v-mail is faster than air mail but keep both coming. I don’t mind v-mail in the least but many of the fellows don’t like them – they do seem a little like canned mail but it keeps one up to date.

In case I didn’t mention it before – Ruth M. sent me some cigarettes and chewing gum. The latter was quite a treat since that stuff is really hard to get. I don’t like to mention things like that because I have a feeling gum is hard to get there and I wouldn’t like to deprive anyone from their supply. Mother sent some a few months ago and I had some of that until just lately.

Your greeting also came and the little insert where you inserted the word “one” for “folk” was

[page 2] really something. I’d say rather cute and with much meaning and of course the thing applies both ways.

I’m still feeling badly about not writing for such a long stretch of time because just about now you are in that period when you are reaping the benefits of me not writing. I surely hope you won’t think to me too terrible but it was an opportunity I hated to miss. I’d like to write you all about the trip but that isn’t al the way the censorship is here so things like that will have to keep until later. It was such a delitful delightful experience after the past few months that it’s hard for me to even describe or realize just how much it really did mean. Here I am writing you all this when you really haven’t had a vacation or a change for some time and no prospects of one so I’m more than somewhat ashamed of myself.

Other letters to the folk, the Ruths, etc., have to be written and if I stop now maybe I can write one or two tonight so

Solong –
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/09/cigarettes-and-chewing-gum-roscoe/

Christmas Shopping Season (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
11-22-43

Dear Daddy –

Monday – and five letters from Nov. 6 to 13 – which brings things pretty well up to date. Mark is home today – not much wrong – just a little cold in his head but it is chilly out today and I thought he should stay in. I am giving him rhinitis – I think that will take care of things – he has no temp. We are all off our diet a little due to the stomach bug that has been going around. David so far hasn’t had same and his mother is hoping he won’t get it. So many have had it – that is the second time that little bug has been around this fall. One thing it doesn’t last long, but it is pretty nasty while present. There is a little sunshine today but not much. I hung some diapers out but wrapped up good when I went out and no ill effects so far. I took sulfa

[page 2] yesterday and believe I nipped the stomach bug – My head was clear & throat too, when I went to bed, but had a lot of drainage this morning for about two or three hours. Now it feels like there is nothing wrong, but I suppose in the morning it will be the same thing over. Just so it doesn’t get any worse I am going to be very cautious this winter about seeing the Dr. at the first sign of infection. However it seems the cold weather keeps the condition agitated. I have had more of this since you have been gone than I have had for several years.

It is Christmas shopping time again but the supply is so small this year compared to previous years, last minute shoppers will be too late. Rec’d a notice thru the mail this a.m. to mail cards, packages, etc., for Christmas now – not for overseas but right here at home. I re-ordered the Reader’s Digest for your Mother & Dad. I took some pictures Sat. of our boys and if they are good thought I might make up some cards. Hubertz should have them ready this afternoon and I can order for the cards if they are what I want.

I saw in the paper that Newell Lamb has moved to the Higgins building – I really don’t know which building that is unless it is where T.B. Cunningham used to be.

Love Mother

P.S. Rec’d the cable two weeks ago – so it must have been sent right out.

P.S. 2 – Your Mother sent me the clipping about Wyman.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/26/christmas-shopping-season-gladys/

Dear Brother (Clarence)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Clay City Ind.
Nov. 8, 1943

Dear Brother,

No excuse for not writing now since weather conditions won’t permit gathering corn. Have cribbed about 360 bu. and most of balance is to[o] moist. The fall season has been pretty good at that. Wheat looks good but some soy beans are still to combine.

Well how are you getting along by this time? O.K. we hope. The reports concerning the war on all fronts are sure sounding good and let’s hope they continue. Kenneth has started flying a few weeks ago and seems to like it fine. He only weighs 190 lbs now. He is located at Springfield Mo. Wilma likes her work in nursing. At present she gets to come home Saturday noon until Sunday 7 P.M. However, I don’t think it will last very long as they are rushed quite a bit.

You can see that you are getting a new writer so it rather deprives me of some news. No need telling it twice. I’ll try and not put off writing so long next time. I was so busy this summer that I just couldn’t find time to write even to Kenneth. The girls had to do that. (over)

Pa & Ma are feeling good. They were at Kentland, Wilmington & Chicago last week while Floyds were here. They visited Uncle Silvester. He had been very low but is pretty good I guess now.

It is 9:00 o’clock now so I guess I’ll have to go to bed. May try a little duck or goose hunting in the morning since the snow blizzard has set in. I killed 8 ducks a couple days ago, & sure would like a chance on a goose. Well here’s hoping that the strife will be over very shortly and all can return to civilian life. Write when you can.

Your Bro
Clarence

This letter was delayed until we got your new address until Nov. 10. Ground froze a little but I think it will warm up a little now. The sun is trying to get thru.
C.Y.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/22/dear-brother-clarence/