Tag Archives: Kentland

Taj Mahal

Letter transcription:

Jaipur, India
Feb. 29 – 1964

Dear David: Your letter was here when we arrived at about 12:30 or a little later. This hotel used to be palace of a Maharajah. I haven’t heard the history of place, but it is fabulous. I have just washed and pin curled my hair and I am sitting in a breezeway however I don’t know what the proper name is for it. There is a courtyard to my left and our room opens from court yard. We came here by car – a tortuous journey lasting 5 hrs. In Agra yesterday when we started our tour to see Taj Mahal and after points of interest our guide wanted to know if we could understand him. In our conversation we discovered he belongs to Methodist Church. There is a Methodist school is Agra and although that wasn’t on our tour he took us to the school – it is Holman Institute. I had prayer calendar in my purse so knew there was an institution in Agra. I looked up the name – he had said Miss Schaffer was head of school. When we stopped – we were in a pretty good tour car – when you consider standard car here – and caused quite a flurry in the courtyard. There was an old man who evidently works for the school and he went in and told Miss Schaffer the Bishop had come. When Miss S. came to the door we told her who we are and then she explained what had happened. Dad assured her he wasn’t the Bishop. We didn’t stay very long but she seemed very pleased to have us stop. I asked her if she had may Methodists stop. She said she has a lot of tourists stop but not so many Methodists. There are 800 students enrolled in Holman. There is also a Baptist Church & school – an Episcopal – a Catholic & Seven Day Advent, so the missionaries have been here a long time and judging from observation there is much yet to be done. It is very dry here and much like Arizona. There is much marble in this palace, but it is gritty. The grounds here are kept watered so are very beautiful with green lawns and flower beds. We will be here yet tomorrow and then go back to N. Delhi Monday. Last night we went back to look at the Taj in the moonlight. It is lovely in either day light or moonlight. When we first looked up at the stars directly over the Taj saw one moving so we watched and it was a satellite – either U.S. or R. While we were looking at the Taj in the moonlight we saw a couple with two children who had come on same plane. The man was taking a time exposure. We were talking to them – something we have found is usually easy to do with other Americans. They are living in Pakistan and were on a little holiday and were going back to Delhi last night. The man is working on a huge dam project and they told us about their American city – walled that is – in Pakistan. It is completely modern with supermarket and frozen foods – something unheard of for people who live in this part of the world. Bonnie will know what I am writing about because her mother’s cook goes to market every day. The missionaries told us their cooks go to market twice a day. They think freezing good spoils the taste. It was hard for us to tell people how I buy groceries, that is make them understand it could be done by the week or two weeks. Incidentally I had read about that dam project in Pakistan in the book I read recently about the World Bank. I was very happy to learn about your good grades and hope you will make honor roll. I think that will be a good way for you to graduate. Mrs. McGraw said Bonnie had written that you tow were not going to graduation since she will be travelling half way around the world to see Bonnie graduate and since you are our last one too, I think it would be cheating us for you not to attend. Think it over. I hear a plane going over. There is an airport here and had I known what a drive we were in for, we would have come by plane.

[page 2] The roads are very narrow and not too smooth and there is everything besides cars on the road. We saw a truck that had lost a wheel and had turned over this morning. Our driver is a Sikh – pronounced Seek. He wears a turban and has long hair – however his hair is braided and wound around his head under the turban. He also has a beard all over his face except above and below his eyes. He is a very good driver and is very well informed. He has been working for tourist bureau since 1956. He speaks very good English. He calls me Madam and Dad Sir. He wants to take us for a drive around the city at 4:30. We are to have our tour tomorrow. I am still looking for a letter from you about why you aren’t driving the Chevrolet. Mark just wrote and said the Ins. Co. had run an investigation on us and that you weren’t driving the car. Mark has had trouble with the Cadillac. I wrote to him to take it to Tub in Kentland. I had a letter from Mary K. Anslett and she said she thought sure she had seen Chuck Tuberty driving our Cadillac down the street. We checked with Mark’s letter and when she wrote would be the date the Cadillac would be in Kentland for repairs. I hope Tub was able to get it in order. I wrote Mark we didn’t intend to leave a dud for them. We receive letters at every stop. We have written to the hospital all along and groups and individuals keep writing to us and tell us how much they enjoy getting our cards and letters. The Ansletts have adopted a little girl and her letter had the announcement. We knew they were trying to adopt a child but didn’t think it would take so long. M.K. said Marge Janssen is working temporarily at Sears since the girl to replace M.K. wasn’t satisfactory.

Love Mother.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/16/taj-mahal/

One Night in Bangkok

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Feb. 19, 1964

Dear David –

We had a letter from Mark waiting for us here in Bangkok. He told us about car and we don’t know quite what to think about the situation. Of course there isn’t much we can do about it from here, but I rather think our agent in Kentland will hear about this when we get home. I can’t understand why you couldn’t you our car if all the other students from our town such as Julie and others drive cars to school. I hope that won’t alter your plans to meet us when we get home. I am enclosing a photo copy of bill for you to use to get your suit. I didn’t quite know all I should have known about regulations before we mailed packages amounting to more than $10.00. I had to have a photo copy made of bill for pearls I purchased and sent home. Customs office in Chicago is holding Mark informed me in letter I received today. Since it was the middle of morning when we arrived we didn’t do much but loaf around. We had a very smooth fast flight from Djakarta and were we glad to shake the dust of that place off our feet. I am glad John is coming home. Everyone we talked to was pretty much of same opinion. We haven’t planned anything for this evening but will have a tour tomorrow and one Friday. Will go to see performance of Thai dancing tomorrow evening. This is the hotel where John stayed and we had a coke & ginger ale by the swimming pool we have pictures of. I am not sure where your suit will be sent but I think there is a customs office in Indianapolis. It shouldn’t take more than 6 weeks for it to reach you. There is a Rotary meeting at this hotel tomorrow noon. I don’t know whether Dad will be back in time from our tour. We have our flight to Cambodia confirmed so will go there Sat. as far as we know now.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/13/one-night-in-bangkok/

New Suits in Hong Kong

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Feb. 4, 1964

Dear David:

We talked to John today but didn’t get name of hotel where we will be staying so unless it is something urgent send our mail after we leave here to Bangkok. I suppose you could send it to Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, General delivery. We took a tour of Hong Kong Island today and saw quite a few sights. Our guide took us into a Chinese market. You wouldn’t believe it unless you see it. We snapped a few pictures. We ate lunch at Floating Restaurant and had so much we weren’t hungry enough to eat dinner tonight. Dad did have a sandwich at about 10:30. We are going to get a tour of Wesley Village tomorrow. I brought my Prayer Calendar along so looked up the Methodist people here. I called a Rev. Kenneth McIntosh. He was very accommodating and has arranged several things for us. He invited us to church Sunday. When I first talked to him I told him we were planning to attend, so he thought we would be interested in attending the original Methodist church in H.K. We have another agency tour Thursday. I ordered a suit made for you and I hope it fits and that you will like material I selected. I hope it is satisfactory on both counts because it wasn’t cheap. Dad is having a suit made and I am having a suit & coat. I sent Shirley a hand decorated sweater and skirt material. Since I measured her, I wasn’t too sure and thought best not to try to have anything made for her. We have been hearing from people at the hospital regularly. Had letters from Edna & Arvella yesterday. Arvella had to get glasses to wear when she reads. She said Edna is still having trouble with her teeth. I wrote to Bonnie’s mother today and told her when we would be in Malacca.

[page 2] Give the Kings my regards and remember what I said about not wearing your welcome out. The Chinese New Year is Feb. 13 and to celebrate we heard on news today water will be turned on several hours that day. We have to take a bath either between 6:30 & 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 & 8:00 a.m. That is when water is in pipes in hotels. In the homes here they get water once every 4 days. Our guide says they have to store water in cans to have enough to get along between the 4 day periods. The rainfall has been short here the past year and reservoir is low. They depend on rainfall for all their water supply. A new reservoir is being built but isn’t ready yet. There is a carrier “parked” in harbor which we have seen since we have been here. It makes a pretty sight when it is lighted at night. The lights on Hong Kong Island across harbor also affords us a beautiful view day and night. It is getting late, so will have to finish this.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/08/new-suits-in-hong-kong/

Hakone Japan

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan. 30, 1964

Dear David,

I mailed you a letter from Atami, but received yours when we arrived at Fujiya Hotel. Now please be careful with your habits at the new address. I know you are good friends but a good way to spoil a good friendship is to become too friendly, so be careful not to presume on your reputation. You wouldn’t have cared for the drive we just had – we came thru 10 Province Pass. We came thru rain, snow, fog & maybe a little sleet. We were to see Mt. Fuji en route (weather permitting – it didn’t permit). There are some people traveling around but this isn’t their busy season. On the train we saw a lot of green things but in spring and summer it must be beautiful. We will be here two days, then go to Hong Kong. It isn’t exactly warm here but when we get to Indonesia I know we will be in warm zone again. By this time you should have received several cards and letters because I have been very faithful in my writing to you. I have used most of the labels for others I made before we started. I didn’t intend to write to everyone often. There are a lot of hotels in this area. I can hear a group of people in the hall, so we will have someone besides ourselves here this evening. When we went to Nikko I think there was one other couple besides two single men in hotel. We have discovered that a lot of Japanese people can read and write English but is hard at time to make them understand what we say. Even our guides have difficulty at times. I don’t even try to speak to them in their language because I think I would pronounce – according to the books we have – words so differently than should be, they couldn’t get what I would be trying to say. The little maid in the Miyato Hotel I mentioned in another letter got along with us in conversation very well. I promised to send her a pr. of knit house slippers. She was so pleased she told me to let her know when we checked out so she could take our bags down for us. We were not supposed to tip but Dad gave her one and she seemed very pleased. She was really a nice person. I told Dad I thought I would take her home with me. Dad has just about finished L. Nizer’s My Life in Court. We have a beautiful view from our bedroom window, shrubs, trees, a walk down the side of a mountain, a mist if falling and water is hanging in drops on trees. There is fog but I can see the outline of mt. top.

[page 2] We should get a good rest here before we move on – although we aren’t tired. I just hope weather permits us to travel to point where Mt. Fuji is visible. When we were in Kyoto it seemed like we walked miles and miles on those tours but after a little soreness in the back of my legs I was ready for more walking. We didn’t have any tours yesterday so went out on our won. I looked for missionaries in Prayer Calendar in Kyoto. A Mr. James Robert Camp was listed – also Doshisha University. We went to the University in a taxi and made inquiries but no one seemed to know anything about him. At least we tried. I know when we get to Malacca we will find someone. There are several listed in Prayer Calendar for Hong Kong, so will see who we can find there. Dr. & Mrs. Mathews also gave us some names of people they thought we should see while there. – Remember my admonition.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/06/hakone-japan/

Nikko

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Sat. Jan. 25, 1963 [sic 1964]

Dear David,

We took a trip – left here Thurs. afternoon and went by express train to Nikko. Spent the night at a Resort Hotel, then Friday took a tour of the area. We visited a Shinto Shrine and had to take our shoes of to enter a certain part of shine. Our guide had some sox to put on. I thought my feet would freeze because we were up in the mountains and it was cold. After our tour was over and we returned to hotel to wait to get train back to Tokyo I found a nice warm radiator and toasted my feet and legs and by the time we were on the train I felt thawed. The train was nice and warm so did some more toasting – there was a radiator under each seat. The trains here are very punctual and if they are supposed to start at 5 o’clock – they do that. We came back to Okura Hotel and after a little relaxation in our room went to the Emerald Room and had dinner – we are eating in the various restaurants here in the hotel and hadn’t visited Emerald Room yet. There was an orchestra – something none of the other restaurants here in the hotel have. We sat by window and could look out on swimming pool area and Japanese Garden. Very picturesque. We are going shopping this morning to buy me some pearls and a few other things. This p.m. we are taking a tour of city. Tomorrow a.m. we will fly to Kyoto. We will spend a week there, then fly to Hong Kong. When we get that far I will try to make contact with Bonnie’s parents. We talked to Chief Officers of U.S.I.S. here in Tokyo. He assured us it is safe to go into Cambodia – in fact, he said, your friends will love you if you take a lot of pictures. He said we should plan to stay longer than one day. I think I mentioned the American Embassy is just around a curve from this hotel. I hope you are not feeling too disappointed about not being accepted at Yale. You know there is still Northwestern. I think you would find, if you could investigate all Theological schools, one just as good for you as Yale. Also remember what I wrote before, it evidently wasn’t God’s will that you go there this year. Let us know what you are doing – if you have made application to Drew or some other. Where is Drew? When I looked out this morning I saw a fine snow. We are seeing a lot of interesting things here but it isn’t warm enough for my taste. I will be glad to get into a warmer climate. I hope it will be a little warmer in Kyoto. We have received several letters since we have been here. We left several mailing itineraries around Kentland, so people know where to send mail. I have just washed my hair and am under dryer while I write this. Our guide told us yesterday that this is a very unreligious nation. Many people are both Shinto & Buddah flowers. Many places have shrines to both side by side. We explained (or tried) the differences between our religion & Catholic. She seemed surprised when I told here we didn’t use sign of cross (that is cross ourselves) or confession. We saw a Catholic church yesterday. At the resort where we ate lunch I saw a contribution box with a Catholic name – I think it was St. Anthony’s church. Dad has been carrying the yen and I didn’t have anything to put in the box. I doubt that I would have made a contribution. Our church has a great challenge in this country. There is only about a 3 or 5% following here, that is Christian and Methodist isn’t the only denomination. Of course we have a challenge all over the world. I think my hair is dry and Dad is getting ready to go to breakfast, so I will have to finish this so I can go with him.

Love Mother

Tell Bonnie this is for her also.

Some of the surviving photographs from Nikko, Japan:

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/02/nikko/

Shirley’s Brother

5 Replies

Dear David –

We have had one tour in Hawaii. Attended church at the oldest church – Central Union Congregational – today. This afternoon Shirley’s brother came for us and we spent the afternoon and evening with them. They have 4 children. I showed them the slides of family, Becky & Kirk. They enjoying seeing their cousins. We start Outer Island tour Tuesday. Leave for Japan the 19th.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/24/shirleys-brother/

The Grand Tour

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Itinerary, p. 1

In January 1964, Dr. and Mrs. Yegerlehner left Kentland for a three-month tour of the world. While Roscoe served during WWII, he often wrote of his desire to enjoy the exotic places with Gladys; the beauty surrounding him was wasted on a bunch of stag men. It took a couple of decades, but Roscoe and Gladys did eventually see the world. Avid travelers in their later years, they ventured to every continent, I believe, except Antarctica. A few mementos of their travels still remain in my possession. Roscoe and Gladys took many photographs during their journey. As I continue to scan and organize their collection of slides, look for the occasional photograph to illustrate their letters.

According to their itinerary, Roscoe and Gladys began the tour by flying out of Chicago to Los Angeles, then headed first to Hawaii. What a warm treat for the Indiana couple, escaping the throes of winter!

As part of the trip, Roscoe and Gladys would travel to Indonesia where they would spend almost two weeks visiting John. The travel agency prepared a list of stops and addresses for Mark and David so they could write letters to their parents.

Gladys sent David a postcard after they arrived in Hawaii:

Dear David –
We had a smooth flight. Received traditional welcome of leis and kisses. At hotel a mistake had been made about our room, so manager put us in a Penthouse on top floor with view of Pacific – Diamond Head and about half of Honolulu. Could see a show around swimming pool from our balcony. Had to move to own room this a.m. – nice while it lasted. We are taking tour of Oahu today. Will visit Shirley’s brother & family tomorrow. Nothing planned for Mon. but take outer Island tour. Tues.-Wed.-Thurs.-Fri.-Sat. then start for Tokyo. We are really relaxing and enjoying this 76 temp.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/23/the-grand-tour/

Almost Christmas

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
December 18, 1963

Dear David:

Yours received this (yesterday) a.m. I put it in my handbag and forgot about it then got it out this morning and read it again. I am wondering if the test you have to take for Yale indicates they want you or don’t want you. Time will tell. That element is certainly getting away from me. I just finished wrapping a few gifts. I bought a cooking set for Becky for you. I had a little push toy for Kirk I hadn’t had time to wrap, so used it for you, so that is out of the way. We plan to go there Christmas day if weather permits. We have really had it the past 24 hours. We would have been snowbound this morning, but before six o’clock some kind soul was cleaning our driveway out. He came back this afternoon and gave it another cleaning. I think it was Paul Turnpaugh. He has a snow plow. There was a Christmas party for the ABC (old hens) class last night at May Rieger’s, but I didn’t go. When I came home from the office there was so much wind and continuous snowing, I decided to park the Chevrolet in the garage for the night. We watched the wind swirl the snow around the front door and in front of the garage door from your bedroom window. There was quite a drift early in the evening. There isn’t so much snow, but it keeps drifting. The Torah hasn’t come yet, but since you won’t be here until the 30^th you can deliver it yourself if it doesn’t come before Christmas. I have a slip gift wrapped that I am going to take to Mrs. M. before the 25^th. I stopped to see her a few minutes this a.m. I asked her if she wanted a tree and she said she didn’t have room for one. I got Dad a very nice (I think) gift for Christmas. It is a book written by a lawyer about his life in court. I took a few minutes to read a few paragraphs and he claims the real thing is much more exciting and fascinating than any TV or movie version of a court case. Am sure Dad will enjoy it. I think it is one we will take along for reading when we want to relax. Since we have paid for our trip we both said that would be our Christmas gift to each other, but you know we will both have gifts under the tree. I also bought him some more long socks and another telephone to put in the bathroom. I ordered both and neither item has arrived, but I still have a week. Dad was to give a program at Rotary last Monday evening and just when it was time for the program to begin he had to leave on a baby case. I had gone to the meeting just in case, so I had to tell about our trip – that was the program Dad had prepared. So many people are wishing us a happy trip and think it is wonderful that we are going to go. Dad is a little unhappy with the Cadillac people – they didn’t get one in for him, so we are seriously thinking about leasing for next year. Will let you know all about it when you come home. I don’t know why, but as long as we had our order in, the car we were supposed to get went to someone else. You can imagine how Dad felt about that. He keeps saying now is the time that he needs the new tires, but since we will be leaving in three weeks he will have to get along with the ones on the car.

Love Mother

I like the A you received on your paper.

Medical Auxiliary

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
Dec. 11, 1963

Dear David –

Thanks for the birthday gift. I took time out Saturday afternoon to listen to the Met and what was being broadcast? Aida. So, I listened to it again, once or twice. Really haven’t had much time – what with the things I have been doing this week. I made pie crusts yesterday, so listened while I worked.

We plan to go to Chicago tomorrow if road conditions are favorable. It has been snowing a lot this afternoon. The forecast is for 5 or 6”.

Last Saturday I called the State Resident of Medical Auxiliary about getting a Newton County Auxiliary organized – since the Jasper-Newton Co. Medical Association decided to dissolve we haven’t had an auxiliary. We will meet with the Joint Hospital Staff – and Newton Co. Medical Association at the Hospital Friday evening for an organization meeting. While I was talking to Mrs. Sullivan Saturday I asked her if she had any information about the World Medical Relief Projects – since we sent the 100 lb. box of drugs – and received a thank-you aerogramme from a hospital in Taiwan, Formosa for drugs received I decided we might possibly visit some of the places. She said she would refer my inquiry to Mrs. B. Mathews of Indianapolis.

[page 2] Mrs. Mathews and her husband Dr. Mathews were in Kentland last night – on their way to Elgin they were spending the night at Tri Way Inn. She called me and I asked them to come out and see us. They were quite interested in our trip – they have made two trips around the world, so could give us a few tips. Dr. Mathews sponsored a project to send medical equipment to a clinic in India. They also visited the clinic on their trip. They gave us some names – people to contact in India & Hong Kong. (I have been misspelling their name – it is Matthew) – and they belong to Broadway Methodist Church, Indianapolis.

The Kreslers gave us each a passport holder – mine is red & Daddy’s is brown. There are compartments for tickets, traveler’s checks, etc., etc. Very nice.

We may be snow bound tomorrow. I haven’t looked at the driveway since coming home this evening.

The new Cadillac hasn’t come yet. If they can’t get it before we leave they will have to cancel the order.

It is past 10 o’clock and since we plan to go to Chicago tomorrow, I should get to bed.

Love Mother

A Small Christmas Tree

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

December 9, 1963

Dear David:

I am sending the pants. I mended them with a small patch and stick on mending tape underneath. I hope you can still get some wear out of them, but the patch is very obvious. Maybe you can wear them to loaf around in. I also found a pair of black sox which I have included in the package. Did you by any change get a pair of Dad’s long sox? I can’t find one pair.

We had the girls from the office come to dinner last night – that is, we met them at the Nu-Joy and had dinner, then came home and talked about things that we needed to talk about before we leave. I left it up to them as to when they will take their vacations. Just so they take a vacation each before we return. I don’t know whether they like the idea of a winter vacation, but they will have to get used to the idea because after this I think we will take a month or two each winter and that is when they will have to take their vacations.

Saturday was like spring and today we have real winter. A little blizzard hit here yesterday but didn’t leave too much snow. I t seems awfully cold after all those warm breezes Saturday.

We plan to go to Chicago Thursday to pay for our trip. If we have time we will go on out to Mark’s and while there I will try to buy you another pair of pants at the R. Hall store where Mark works.

We made a small Christmas tree. We took branches and wired them onto the white candelabra (the one Kreslers gave us for Christmas two years ago) and made a tree for the coffee table. I think it is not bad for two amateurs (decorators, that is). I decorated it this morning with little things and have the gifts I have wrapped for Kirk and Becky stacked around it, so it looks a little like Christmas around here.

Love Mother