Tag Archives: John Simons

Warmer Than Usual (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-15-44

Dear Daddy –

Sat. evening – have been busy all day – It was warmer than usual or I mean it is unusually warm and I got started washing windows on the outside and couldn’t stop – I washed the car and Mark watered the evergreens. It has been so dry this winter and now that the ground isn’t frozen I thought it would be a good idea to give the shrubbery some water, especially the new tree. We had David out in the yard this morning a while and again this afternoon. He does enjoy being out in the open spaces. Jimmy Ed is still recuperating from the flu and hasn’t been out in the spring-like weather. Lucile went with me to see Clarice in the Watseka Hospital and she said she wasn’t going to take him out for a few days. They got a sun lamp just for Jimmy and he had sun baths every day. I felt a little badly about not having one for us to use but David seems to get along just as well. However I still wish we had one. Do you think they are of any value? Ed just happened to find the one they have – they can’t be bought just anywhere now. Like so many other things – none for the duration – unless you are lucky enough to find one someone doesn’t want.

The hospital is full and they had a

[page 2] bed in the hall. Clarice was in a double room. She was feeling fine except for her breasts. She is one of rate persons capable of feeding an infant. The new boy is named John F. He weighed 8-9 – quite a sizeable baby. Clarice is coming home Mon. They still have the 8 day rule. After see [saw] C., we went to see Mrs. R. There is an artist at Joe’s station and he made a portrait of Joe and painted a snap shot and made a greeting folder with it for Christmas. Joe is still hoping to come home at the end of 18 mo. I hope that ruling holds for you too.

Do you remember Dick Simons? He is in the Merchant Marines and is home for a 30 day leave. He just returned from the Pacific. Said they were in N.Z., N.C., and Island north. Said they unloaded gas in the Russells and Florida. He was in Tulagi. He seemed to know quite a bit about Wellington, N.Z. I asked him if he knew you and he said he did. He is Johnny Simon’s brother (Elsaleah’s boyfriend).

Yours of Jan. 3 & 4 came today. So glad you rec’d the pictures. I had another roll I’ll start taking with now. You should receive two more groups of pictures I sent out in Dec. The one (3) is of David in a folder. I do want you to get it.

This warm spell has about ruined the skating at the pond. I told Mark he couldn’t go now because it’s too warm to be safe.

It’s about time to get supper started and I am hungry, after all the day’s activity.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/09/warmer-than-usual-gladys/

A Real Old Fashion Dose (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 3 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Aug. 18 – 20 & 21 came today – The one of the 18th was the best – you were complimenting me all thru it and of course I always feel better when I get such compliments, especially from you. In rereading – the one of Aug. 21 was pretty good too. Don’t worry about tiring me with such letters when you feel like writing that way.

I haven’t done much today due to my hands – Yes I have a real old fashion dose of it this time – I had been eating peaches and then made lemonade a few times and now I just have to sit and not so much – I am taking H.C.L. acid each meal. The food was partly to blame but usually this condition is the culmination of something else. I was more or less worried about Mother and taking care of her along with David’s care and having company – it’s all adds up. Well Mother is in the hospital now, the company is gone for a week, J. & M. are in school and

[page 2] David & I can take things easier. I have rested twice today – that is lying down. After lunch I took him out in the yard and we enjoyed the sunshine about an hour and a half. I think a few days like today will clear things up. Fortunately I didn’t have on the ring I have had cut off before. Dorothy came out a while to see David. They still close from 11 to 3 – so she doesn’t have to be there during that time. They haven’t any help so Nick cooks & she serves. Bob said yesterday the Shell is going to close – I suppose due to help shortage. The bakery put on a new front about are ready to open for business again. They closed during their remodeling.

Chet Hall is painting Link’s house and if I am any judge of paint jobs it’s not as good as some I have seen. Can’t be too critical I suppose with the man power shortage.

I’ll give you the financial figures in next letter – haven’t the bank statement yet.

David is out in the yard with Mark & Zell girls entertaining him. John went to play for the Newton Co. Home Ec. Club at Mrs. John Simons after school. He didn’t relish the idea but consented – Said he didn’t want to play for a bunch of women.

Love – Mother

YEG1943-07 Gladys, Mark & David

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/19/a-real-old-fashion-dose-gladys/

No Remarks About My Looks (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of June 8 – 11 – 14 – 15 – 17 & 19 – (the postmarks were these dates) came today – That about catches up the back mail – I was glad to get them because I learned you had rec’d pictures. And about the seed I sent them air mail but can’t understand why it took so long. No remarks about my looks. If that’s the way you feel I won’t send any more pictures of myself – if you

[page 2] don’t know what I am referring to – you said your commander’s wife looks like me – then added “poor woman” – The last picture I sent of myself was blurred, John shook the camera when he took it – so that’s for your remark.

It is cool today and quite windy. After all the rains we have had since last Sat. our weather has changed from being so hot & humid. I am glad for Mother that it is cooler – She won’t be so uncomfortable in the hospital. I am to go down tomorrow to see her and get a report. I would go today but Dr. Cole may not be around this being Thurs.

[page 3] and I want to talk to him when I go. Also I am getting short of gas. By taking the boys to Wilmington & going after them I used a little more. I still have on ticket (4 gal) to run on till July 21 – and I may have to make several trips down.

You mentioned in one letter John Simons & A. D. Washburn – I never learned Mr. S. trouble, but they are back home – have been for some time. I think Mr. W. is about the same. I saw him sitting on their porch one day not long ago. Helen has moved from San F. & lives someplace – I think Nebraska, but not just sure. She was home once this summer but I didn’t see her.

[page 4] Had a letter from Watsons – Wayne’s mother has had a stroke and they have been busy helping take care of her.

Had a letter from Jim. He has finished his training he had to take when he was promoted to C.P.O. and is waiting placement. He thinks he will get a 10 day leave and come home but I don’t know when but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him any time – Thelma is going to go back to T.H. Jim is sure he will be sent out soon.

Had to go & get Mark started hoeing – The ground is just right for such today. I think we will soon have potatoes to eat – corn, beans, tomatoes, carrots are all coming along fine. I love to work out in the yard & garden but haven’t time today.

Don’t worry about the double bike riding – J. & M. ride separately.

Love – Mother

YEG1943-07 Gladys, Mark & David

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found:  https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/26/no-remarks-about-my-looks-gladys/

Maybe Inspiration Will Come (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif
June 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

This is one of those times when it seems there is nothing to write about but maybe inspiration will come.

To begin with our mail has definitely had the brakes slammed on and nothing came yesterday but the Apr. 29 issue of the Newton Co. E. As I’ve said before practically all of the news were old but some items weren’t issued before thru any other source. Again there was the usual home on leave boys, and J. Edward was one of those. I guess I shouldn’t be

[page 2] too jealous because it requires boys at home as well as out here, and maybe in due time we’ll all get our chance to get the much coveted leave.

I never did hear what happened to John Simons when he was in the hospital and I’ve often wondered how A.D. Washburn is getting along. Of course I wonder about others also but those two just happened to pop into mind. I often see Mrs. Dye’s name mentioned and wonder if her husband is still where he was when I was home. It seems the

[page 3] length of time out is generally greater when one has duty at a place like that before passing along. If that be the case it will work better in my case, but all those things remain to be seen. Guess maybe you begin to think that I think more of coming home than of the war but that isn’t true only one does like to think of home once in a while.

Well, I’m all out of anything to write so will try to do better next time

Lots of Love
Daddy

Russell Islands Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/08/18/maybe-inspiration-will-come-roscoe/

Scanning the news (Gladys)

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1943-02-19 #1Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-19-43

Dear Daddy – It was so nice and warm today we took the baby out for an airing – went over to Lucile’s and took some pictures of Jimmy Ed and David. The pictures L. had taken of Jimmy when he was a month old weren’t good. He is better – that is the rash is leaving. She didn’t give him lactic acid as Dr. M. prescribed and hope she won’t have to. She didn’t want to take him out in air today – was afraid it would make his rash worse. We have been listening to “Joey Brewster.” Mark went to the show, wanted to see “Arabian Nights.” I wanted him to wait until tomorrow evening but you know when he gets an idea about going anything or going any place and since this is Fri – I let him go. John is composing again. When Glen wired us about their baby we sent them a boxes – a sweater set and blanket – and today we rec’d a box from him with two suits for D. and a silver dollar for each boy. Also a baby pillow. Gretchen Dixon Wilson has a baby boy – Feb 17 – “Donald Scott” 5-15 not as big as D. was. Seems like the new babies are mostly boys. Tom Murphy has been in the hospital since Tues but Mrs. M. told me today he is coming home tomorrow. The operations noted in the paper this week are Marj Cast at Methodist, John Simons St. E. & F. Troup – the last was a kidney removal but don’t know what the first two were. The court news has the Dye divorce listed. No dates given. The grain elevator at Brook burned last Sunday – Most grain lost. Have been scanning the paper for news items as you can tell. Finally bought a baby buggy for D. It’s a used but was glad to get it – they are hard to find. Not many new ones to be had. I think Dolores is coming home in April and we will try to go down then for a visit. Will take Ruth M. along if she can go then.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/06/scanning-the-news-gladys/

Mark is upstairs in bed (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 11 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Mark is upstairs in bed – He said he didn’t feel good when he came home – so I took his temperature and it was 100 – I gave him ½ a sulfadiazine tablet and will give him another before I go to bed. When Dr. Cole examined him while I was in the hospital he said he wouldn’t take his tonsils out but gave him sulfadiazine – so I had Jack Byrne look up the prescription and get the dosage. Mark said he ached so thought I would try to nip the “flu” in the bud. He said he felt like he was taking the flu. He went to town thru the snow without his overshoes and I think he got his feet damp. When he came back and I discovered he didn’t have his overshoes on I made him change his shoes but evidently his feet were cold the “bug” had started to work. They come in thru the garage and leave their rubbers there and I had no idea he had gone out without them. He said, “the sidewalks are cleaned off,” but we can’t get away from the house without getting in the snow because it snowed again today. You

[page 2] mentioned the weather taking a beating. It certainly has from here but this snow is something to write about. Just before noon there was a flurry started and lasted until after the children came home. Great flakes coming down in swirls.

We were going to decorate the tree this evening but since Mark has to stay in bed and I am too tired to bother with it – it will have to wait another day.

I rec’d a card from the Revlon Prod. Corp that you are sending me a Manicure Case. Your Christmas cards are all very nice – (the three rec’d).

I finally sent out your sardine, crackers, mosquito cream, chewing gum – and in case you miss yesterday’s letter – the box of chewing gum was put in by Jack Byrne. He said to tell you that was their weeks allowance since chewing gum is hard to get. I also sent Jim his gifts and a box to Thelma.

I saw in the paper that Wayne Walker is home for a 30 day furlough. He has been in Australia since soon after he enlisted. That give me hopes – Maybe it shouldn’t – that you will possibly get to come home for such a furlough sometime.

[page 3] David is asleep – as usual this time of day. After his 6 P.M. bottle he looks around a while and usually by 7 he is sound asleep. He weighed 10-13 this morning. Two weeks ago today we went to see Dr. C. and he weighed 9-13 so he has kept up his ½ per week average. He should – he takes 5 oz every 4 hrs and it takes 12 oz Carnation for the 24 hrs.  When we came home 9 weeks ago he was getting 7 oz carnation in 24 hrs and now it is almost double that.

The skaters have come into their own this winter. Betty Lou & Donna Dennis went together to skate this evening. Betty said they have a flood light for the night skaters and build a fire too. Nick got Buddy skates last year but he has never learned to skate – said he didn’t like the falls.

You should be getting a letter from Uncle Wes. I can’t understand why you never have heard from him. He was here the day your Mother & Kenneth left – the day your Noumea address came – and he took it down. He said he was going to send you a bunch of maps. In fact I had a note from him and he had sent them. His address is 2028 W. 110th St.

I mentioned this before but will again – I think you should write the Sisters at St. E. and thank them for my care at the hospital. I am going to send a Christmas greeting, and add a thank you.

[page 4] I take it for granted that you got my letter telling you I didn’t have a bill to pay when I left the hospital.

John went to town this evening and bought David’s gift – a plate cereal bowl and cup. Mark got him a Panda. Jim sent him a wooden toy and Ruth M. sent something for him in her box but I think it is some piece of clothing.

I looked thru the paper for some news item to include but don’t see much. Thad Pence is having a public sale – going to retire. C.D. Gilmore & James Oppy are victims of falls, suffering from cracked ribs. Joe Fletcher is moving the auto license branch office in with Prairie Realty Co. John Simons is in St. E. for observation. You will get all this when the Enterprize gets to you.

It has been so wintry this week I haven’t been out much and I have been trying to ward off a sore throat. It comes and goes. I got some powerful gargle at the drug store last night and it is much better.

I am about to run down so will sign off. Maybe there will be some letters tomorrow since there were none today.

Love Mother

Sat P.M. – Mark is better – In fact he is hard to keep in bed and I think by this evening I will allow him to come down and watch John decorate the tree, but will keep him away from David. A greeting came for you so will send it on to you (From St. E.)

[page 5] I am sending you this “Nation’s Business” notice – I hardly think you want it renewed but here it is.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/21/mark-is-upstai/