Tag Archives: Kentland

While You Wait (Gladys)

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October 11, 1945 envelope

October 11, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

10-11-45

Dear Daddy –

Thurs. morning. Just thought I would write and give you a letter “while you wait.” This should get to you by the time you get back to San. F. I gathered up the clothes and washed this morning. It’s clear but a little cool. A good day to get out of doors.

Last night when you called the boys kept saying tell him about the garage door – I drove a little too close before I stopped last night and I pushed the door in a little. After driving all the way home from Great Lakes without a bit of trouble I would do something like that. I never liked that door anyway and if we do to garage what we plan, it will have to be changed anyway. However, the door isn’t ruined.

I called Vincent Schuster and he is going to the office with me this evening to see what has to be done. I asked him how much work he had ahead and he said he would have to see what you wanted before he would say if he can do it. I’ll write tomorrow and tell you what he will do. I have been thinking about the heat business and I think if we could get an oil burner put in our heating plant it might

October 11, 1945 , p. 2

[page 2] be better to be independent than to be hooked on to Nick’s. However, that can wait until you get back.

I just “drifted” my hair and waiting for it to dry a little so I can roll it. It has warmed up out of doors and is going to be a grand day to be out. One of Indiana’s glorious fall days.

David is playing in the den at the present time but played out a lot this morning. He got an old pair of galoshes and put them on and tramped around a good part of this morning. He is still playing with that old car seat. I’ll be glad when he gets tired of it so I can put it away.

It took a long time to get the house warm last night, but there was a good fire this a.m. We finally lit a fire in the fire place and toasted our toes a while. I was so tired I took a bath and went to bed about 9 p.m. I got up a little past 7 this a.m. to get the fire started but I didn’t have to do much. The temp on the gauge was over 200° so it didn’t take so long to throw a little heat around.

I think I’ll try to get some knitting done and out of the way, so I will have time to see about other things.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/29/while-you-wait-gladys/

More Measurements (Gladys)

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October 4, 1945 envelope

October 4, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Thurs. Eve
10-4-45

Dear Daddy –

I went down to the office this afternoon and made some measurements. Nick was getting ready to serve Rotary so he was in the restaurant. He went over with me and helped me get the measurements. I have put down another plan on graph paper, showing the window & door locations in the back room. Your plan could hardly be used because of the window & door being where they are. Also you showed a drug & linen room up toward the center of the backroom and I kept it back where it is at present – at least there is where we used to keep the drugs and if you would have your consultation room where I have located it, that little room would be the natural place. You remember that room is nicely finished in board that looks like paneling. Nick talked favorably about piping the heat in for us. I looked up the coal bills and the nearest I can figure for the winter of (Oct. 4. To May 42) is around $70.00. I figure that

October 4, 1945, p. 2-3

[page 2] is averaged about $10.00 a month for 7 months. Nick said it would probably cost you more if he furnished it, but I think it would be worth it. Nick said again today he would like to get Mildred out of that back room.

I ran into the P.O. to mail you a letter and saw Irene with her baby, Lucile with her two & Gretchen Wilson. Lucile said they were going down to the Kentland Café for cokes and asked me to go along. I said no I was going down to measure the office. I said maybe I was being optimistic but they all agreed that I should be and seemed to think what I was going to do was right.

The street paving extended down to Foulkes’ corner so we are all fixed up out in front.

The stores still close on Thurs. afternoon so Main Street is nearly deserted on Thurs. p.m.

John was talking about your being back in private practice and said he bet you would make $2,000 the first month. He

[page 3] grinned a little so maybe he was exaggerating a little. John has gone to see “Wilson” tonight. He said he wanted to see it again and figured this was the best night to go. Tomorrow night is the ball game.

Fri. a.m. Yours of Oct. 2 came today. I won’t be too disappointed about the draft not getting here this weekend since you will probably be getting one soon – also it sounds pretty good about discharges not too far away.

I am washing this morning. Have two tub fulls out on the line and the last tub about ready. The furnace isn’t working right, but I shut it off at the fuse box. I want the fire to go out so I can clean out the furnace. There was too much fire when I started to do that yesterday. It is warm enough now we don’t need much heat in the house. I’ll have Loughridge come out and look at it today or tomorrow.

October 4, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] I think the Bendix has stopped so that is my cue to go back to work.

– – It was time to start lunch when I got thru with the clothes. I cooked beans with pork ribs – not trying to make you homesick. Lucile called me about going to Cosmopolitan Club so guess we will take the children and go.

Bobbie Funk has a day off from school for some reason and he is out playing. I have been keeping David up this way but Bobby & Martha know no restrictions so it’s hard to make David understand he can go just so far.

It has been so nice the past few days, but a little hazy today. It is warm enough to have the front door open.

I see in the paper that Vincent Clark is back with Sears. Floyd Remsberg is out. I saw Vincent the other day and he said he had been with Bob Ley in N. Africa.

The score of the third ball game is 3-0 Cubs – last half of 8^th I suppose you know the Cubs won first day & Tigers second.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/28/more-measurements-gladys/

David & Martha (Gladys)

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October 4, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 4, 1945, p. 1

Oct. 4, 1945

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Oct. 1 came with your latest office plans. I think that is a better model than with a hall thru the center. I think I’ll go down and get the exact measurements before Nick & Dorothy go away. There are to go Fri. or Sat. to Bill’s lodge for the weekend. Since you aren’t sure about the trip to G.L. I’ll keep on writing until I get word you are on your way. I have been thinking how convenient it would be it you would get a trip about the time the points are lowered to your figure.

It’s crisp and clear today. The furnace has a good fire so the house is comfortable. David is out on his trike. Martha goes over on Staton’s driveway to skate and he wants to be there with her, of course. Yesterday her mother came over to see about her and I had gone out to see about David and we were talking. David pushed Martha and made her fall – however he was playing and I am sure didn’t intend

October 4, 194,5 p. 2-3

[page 2] to hurt her (his momma’s point of view – but I was watching and saw the whole thing). She got up and with fire in her eyes knocked him down. Her mother saw it all too, and couldn’t overlook the fact that Martha struck him in anger. Anyway Mrs. Z. was a little embarrassed and made M. go home. I made D. come over to our yard. This morning he has been riding his trike down as far as Coke’s, but Martha came over to skate so he went right over to Staton’s but I called him back. I allow him to ride on the front walk as far as Coke’s but I am trying to keep him off the driveway next door. I know Staton’s don’t care, but I think it will be better if he stays off. When Martha is out skating he wants to go out and I think it is good for him to learn to play with other children. I have been watching them rather closely and when one picks up a stick I insist they throw it down. I think M. started the stick business but I correct her the same as David if she picks one up.

[page 3] I got my pages a little mixed up but maybe you can follow.

I wrote you yesterday about the Nu-Joy being located up by us at the hotel. It seems they have to have a place to be able to keep their liquor license so this up here is to be a cocktail lounge and dining room but not a bus stop. They are to rebuild down at 24 & 41, but it will be some time before that place is ready. So maybe the traffic won’t be so bad up this way. At least the repaired the street up that way – it was in a bad shape.

My coat just came from the Michigan cleaners. It smells slightly of moth balls, but looks good otherwise. John will never get thru teasing me about it. He still wants me to go back and raise a fuss – but what’s the use – I have had three good winter’s wear and it still looks good. Maybe you will help me select the next one – (one look at the inside of the lining).

October 4, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] Your mother sent a chicken by Ruth & Earl last Sun. and I have been saving it but I think if you don’t get that trip soon we had better eat it.

Paul Yost is back working at B & B. I went in there yesterday to get John a shirt & some sox. We tried in Laf. Sat. to get him some things but Loeb’s didn’t have his size.

– – – It’s 3 p.m. and in about half an hour J. & M. will be home from school. The school time has been changed – 8:30 a.m. instead of 9 and they get out earlier. I haven’t done much today except odds and ends. I think we will have to clean out the furnace this evening. It is warm enough today to let the fire go out. – – Just went out to check up on David – he was over on Staton’s porch with Martha, so I made him come in. Maybe I am being a little too severe on him but I want him to learn a few rules.

I am going to look up the heats bills for the office and do some work on that sketch.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/26/david-martha-gladys/

The Real Dope (Gladys)

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October 3, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 3, 1945, p. 1

Kentland, Ind.
10-3-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 29 & 30 came today. Just hope that talk about Oct. 15 is the real dope. You rec’d a letter from the Community Club of Mulberry asking you to consider coming there.

It looks like the Nu-Joy will be up here by us temporarily. The street from our corner up to the hotel is being repaired. Mrs. Z. was telling me today that it is to be up here until they can get the new one built. I suppose that means the buses will be coming up this way. If so David will have to be watched.

I have been figuring on our financial status. Counting our monthly $170 dep. – which hasn’t come yet – and all bills paid I know of the balance as of now is $384.87.

October 3, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Dorothy called and asked me about Hurgess at Sheldon. Says Bobby’s cold is worse. She is going to take him over there if he is in. Statons called him over here Sun. evening. Jimmy was sick but not seriously, because he is alright now.

John tuned in the ballgame at noon. So far the Cubs are winning. The last I heard it was 7-0. It is over now, but I didn’t get the final score.

The mail man left a letter for Mrs. N.E. Baer here today – I saw the return address first, then saw the address. I wondered what Comdr. B. was writing me about. I sent the letter down. David took it and when he came back he said the lady gave him a dime to put in his piggy bank – he very proudly carried the dime.

Bun Loughridge told me that they were to get some word today as to when they can expect to get new burners. I keep reminding them about how anxious we are to get ours installed.

Here’s hoping you get the trip to G.L. soon.
Love,
Mother

P.S. It isn’t raining.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/24/the-real-dope-gladys/

Literary Club (Gladys)

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October 2, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 2, 1945, p. 1

10-2-45

Dear Daddy –

I just wonder if you are on your way home, or if you will be and this letter is being sent without any reason. Well in case you don’t get to the Lakes I think you will want it. I took David and went to Literary Club at Mrs. Tilton’s. It was over by 4 o’clock, then we came home. Dorothy came out with Bobby and visited a while. She said Bobby has a sore throat and wanted to know what to do – I told her it was hard to do anything for a child that young – that had a sore throat.

At Club, I was asked by Mrs. Glick if we were buying out Mathews – they had heard that and Birdie Steele asked me the same thing. I said we were planning to remodel the old office – and knew nothing about the proposed change. Mrs. Glick said Max thought so much of you. Said he spoke very highly of you. He always was friendly, wasn’t he?

October 2, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] I talked to Mrs. Coaley and she thinks Ellsworth will soon be home. He was transferred at the last minute and didn’t have to go out on the ship he had been assigned to.

Dorothy & Nick are planning to go up to Funk’s lodge Friday until Tuesday. It seems Bill has invited quite a number for this weekend. Dorothy is planning to leave the baby with her mother.

I noted in yesterday’s letter about Clarence Simmons coming to see if you would be interested I going to Mulberry and if so he said they would get you out of the Service – There is no doctor in Mulberry. I told him I didn’t think you would be interested but if so I would let them know.

David still gets up according to the way he did before the time change and it’s too early to suit me. Maybe he will gradually get to sleeping later – (I hope).

Staton’s dog is sick and he acts like he won’t get well. Coco’s brother-in-law is due to arrive somewhere on the coast but he doesn’t know where. He has 57 points.

Love Mother

October 2, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Ed has moved across the street so our office is ready to be remodeled.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/22/literary-club-gladys/

A Nice Visit (Gladys)

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September 30, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 30, 1945, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 30, 1945

Dear Daddy –

It’s past 3 o’clock (peace time) and our company has gone home. Ruth & Earl came at noon. I didn’t know what time they would get here so we didn’t wait dinner for them and we were just about thru but we had a roast & gravy so there was plenty for them. They brought a watermelon and we cut it for dessert. They left for home about half an hour ago. I thought we were to set the clocks back tonight so we didn’t have ours back and got up and went to church at 8:15 – I wanted to go early to get the Sunday School things in order and maybe it was a good thing I did because some of the children came early and someone needed to be there to keep order. I am sleepy – I fought mosquitoes until past midnight and then David got me up early so I didn’t get the benefit of the extra hour. I went to bed two or three times before I got rid of the mosquitoes.

Ruth & Earl had quite a nice visit on their trip home. They got to see a lot of the relatives. Ruth & Floyd were down home for the week-end so got to see them. Mom forgot David’s birthday last week, so she sent a card and book by Ruth.

It is cloudy and cold and raining a little. I am glad we have the coal – which I hope lasts until we get the oil installed. We heard over the radio today that the Standard Plant at Whiting was settling their strike. Just hope it all gets settled. I would hate to get an oil burner & no oil.

Arlene asked me to come to come down last night, since she was alone with the children.

September 30, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Her “maid” is still with her. She married Shorty Davis but he lives in a trailer and I imagine she would just as soon work some place as stay in a trailer all day. She hasn’t said anything about leaving Arlene and Arlene is planning to go up to the lodge for a week and leave the children with Francis. John Funk was at the lodge working for Bill and he got sick and Bill had to go up so he wants Arlene to go up there for a week. Arlene was down to see Dr. Cole Fri. and said she invited the Coles to the lodge for a vacation. She said after she extended the invitation she thought about Rosemary who is due to go to the hospital anytime. She didn’t want to withdraw the invitation and she didn’t want to take the Dr. away from Rosemary. Arlene also told me that Bernard’s baby had been in the hospital 10 days under Van Buskirk’s care and that they had brought him home and are going to take him to Cole now – they aren’t satisfied with his condition. He still has a rattle – he almost had pneumonia.

Mrs. Mathews asked me as we were leaving church when you were coming home. She said she was hoping you would get home before winter.

David is full of pep this afternoon. He wants to push chairs around and has his little chair going around in circles. He has a hard time when he has to stay in.

Love Mother

Mon. morn – Yours of Sept. 26 came today but yours of the 27 came Sat. so I don’t feel like I have the latest news. Maybe the next one will be in this evening. I’ll go see when I mail this. Still raining and raining. At least it is warmer and that is something. Clarence Simmons came to see me this morning. He wanted to know if you wanted to get “out” and if so they need a Dr. in Mulberry & they would get the Procurement Board to let you come there.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/19/a-nice-visit-gladys/

I’ll Be All Ears (Gladys)

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September 29, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 29, 1945, p. 1

Sat. 29 – 1945

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 27 came today and you mentioned the possibility of another trip to G. L. next week. Well I’ll be all ears waiting to hear. I wrote you a long letter yesterday and pretty well exhausted my news supply, but will do the best I can. Our rain seems to be over but it’s cold now – not just chilly but cold. We have a good fire going in the furnace. John needed a Latin book he couldn’t get here, so this being Sat., we went to Laf. He got his Latin book and I got a pr. hose and a replacement on the Jiffy mop that went to pieces and that was about all – except a box Fannie May caramels. The town was so full of Sat. shoppers we couldn’t get waited on in so many of the stores, we just gave up and came home. Lucile went along and stopped at her sister’s in West L. I tried to get material to put a new cover on the studio couch but couldn’t find but one piece I would consider and it was $1.50 yd. – it would cost at least $10.00 and I would rather wait and see what we can do on new furniture. If I can find material later that suits I may get it but there wasn’t any choice today. Mrs. Tobias called me and said Mrs. Byfield was there so I went over to see her. Geo. is in Europe and expects to be home by Christmas. He has a little boy 2 yrs. old and Mrs. B. has been visiting with George’s wife. She (Mrs. B.) still lives in that apt. on Penn Ave. in Indianapolis – her son who is a musician has a daughter studying music in Indianapolis and she lives with Mrs. B. Marvel is in Hawaii and is to come home soon.

September 29, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] David was tired this evening when we came home so he has retired. Everything made him cry. Last night he woke up when we were getting ready to go to bed. He went to the toidey then said “I want to sleep with you tonight,” so I let him. However I won’t let it get to be a habit. He said, “I won’t suck my thumb.” One time I told him he couldn’t sleep with me if he sucked his thumb. I put his clean clothes out on the cedar chest before I go to bed and when he gets up (which is always before anyone else) he gets dressed. He used to run around in his pjs but this way he gets his clothes on and is ready to go down when we are dressed.

Arlene just called me and asked me to come “and sit a while.” Bill is out of town and she is alone – I mean except for the children. I’ll take my knitting and go down for a while.

Mark brought a football at Woolworth’s or one of the 10₵ stores – you know he loves to spend money regardless of value rec’d. I think he paid $1.89.

John wanted a new shirt and some sox but couldn’t find either at Loeb’s so decided to wait and see what B & B has.

Mark is waiting to take this to mail so must get it finished.

Love Mother

P.S. will be anxious for your next letter

A Tussle with the Weather (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 28, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 28, 1945, p. 1

Fri. morn.
9-28-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of the 25^th came this morning. If you do get to bring another draft to G.L. I will meet you as before, but I think I can make it by myself or with the family – Since 45 takes us up that way I wouldn’t have to drive 41 – however since 41 is lane part of the way it isn’t bad, but I think I would rather just go on over to 45 from here. I think if you want me to meet you alone J. & M. can get along here with David, but if you think you would get as much time as before I could bring them along – let me know. I am having a tussle with the weather. I hung the drapes from our bedroom out yesterday with the idea of getting them just dry enough to iron, but it rained before they got dry so I just left them out all night. This a.m. the sun was shining so I changed the beds as usual and washed. I hung one tub full out then decided to bring the drapes back in because it was lightly sprinkling then. I hung them and the next washer of clothes in the basement. When I came up it looked like it was clearing but now it’s cloudy again so I am leaving everything hanging where it is.

Last night I went out to Taylors to the A.B.C. class meeting. I didn’t particularly want to go because it was raining but I wanted to see Freda McCarty about some Sunday School business. They usually play Bunco at those parties and that in my estimation is a waste of time. I figured we could transact our business while the rest played and we were doing that when John called

September 28, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] me and said Ruth & Earl were here. I hurried home of course. Ruth said Elder Oberholtzer had died from a heart attack and they were going down. They decided to come this far and spend the night with us. After visiting a while we decided to go down to the Kentland Café – it was opened for the first day – Earl said he didn’t want to eat anything so he stayed here – David being in bed. Ruth & I took J. & M. and went down. The place was pretty full but we got hamburgers & coke (Mark wanted 2 hambs. But I said at that hour one would do). We saw quite a few people we knew. Lucile, Katie and two other women were there. I think it’s going to be a good thing for the high school group. That is really a nice place for them to go. John was cooking – their night cook got sick (or something) and John had to take over. Gladys was cashier but said only after 9 o’clock. I heard her tell Mr. & Mrs. Kiifner that she had lost 40 lbs. I knew she had lost a lot of weight.

– – We have had lunch since I started this. It is still uncertain – that is the weather. One minute I think it will clear then it looks cloudy. Ruth & Earl slept in the den and got up early this a.m. and left without disturbing anyone. David was up early and downstairs before I was awake. After I got up he said why are the “netion blinds” pulled down. I didn’t know exactly what he meant at first, then I said, “Have you been down in the den?” He said he dad. The binds were closed but he had opened them.

I had a letter from the Moores & one from Van Soyc.

September 28, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Mrs. M. answered my letter the day she rec’d it. She says the school is going to be out Dec. 15, but Van & Dr. W. are leaving now on points. J.B. is going back to school when he gets out to get his Drs. He is now studying French. Barbara was gone last week to visit Mother Moore and J.B. had a boil on his neck. B. said J.B. spent most of the time in sick bay. Had to have the boil lanced. McClard will leave Liberty when the Navy leaves. He has a job with Stevens College in Columbia. I also had a letter from Jane V. – guess I mentioned that on the last page. She gave me their Kalamazoo address. She said, “Van has applied for discharge since he’d like to enroll the first semester at college.” So sounds like he intends to study more too. The officers are eating Sun. dinner at the galley again.

Ruth took 6 towels and wanted to pay me but I told her I didn’t know what they had cost and that I would find out from you (if you remember) and let her know. She was so glad to get them. We still have enough to last a long time. I don’t dare for white towels so I think some of the white ones are going to get a dye bath.

David has gone out to play with Martha. He is pretty good about staying home. He is getting so he will call Martha to come over and play with him and she runs back and forth between yards but he stays in our yard. Do you remember what Mr. Z. said to me that day

September 28, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] in their yard about David going to the ditch? He hasn’t gone yet – – – I went out to check up and decided to see if the clothes were dry – some were and while I was out the weather finally came to a head – we are having a rain shower with some thunder & lightening. Maybe after this rain is over we will get some clear weather. Martha was with us when the rain started so we brought her into the house with us. She is doing things on the magic slate for David. This has been the wettest week we have had in a long time. Just wish we would had had our new shrubbery in last week so it could have had the rain this week to give it a good start. – – I hope now to get this letter finished. I stopped to run the things thru the ironer I bought in and now they are ready to put away. It stopped raining so Martha went home. It is pouring again but not so dark. In fact it is getting very light.

Dick Bower came home yesterday – he has been discharged – He is to be married soon. He was in the P. O. yesterday when I went in the mail your letter. I wonder if he will get his job back.

Shorty Davis and the woman (Frances Smith) work for Arlene were married Sept. 5. Arlene said she heard they had been married but Frances hadn’t said anything the last time I talked to Arlene. Tues. when Arlene attended club she had Louise staying with the children so maybe she had quit then. Arlene has her ups & downs with help. This has been a long drawn out letter and I think I’ll stop now and do something else for a while.

Love,
Mother

New Laundry (Gladys)

2 Replies

September 26, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 26, 1945, p. 1

Wed. Eve 9-26-45

Dear Daddy –

This has been our third rainy day – It was cloudy most of the day and finally rained just before 6 o’clock. I braved the weather and hung out clothes. Had to bring them in and hang them in the basement. I went to town to get groceries and the paper this evening. I stopped at the filling station and had oil changed so now that has been taken care of (for awhile). Tho’ it was cloudy most of the day David could play out of doors and he was much happier. He helps me hang out clothes. There is one line he can reach and he insists on hanging things on that line.

I saw Eloise Shuster this evening and asked her if Frank could fix our linoleum. She said he had so much work ahead she didn’t know when he could do it.

September 26, 1945, p. 2-3

[page 2] I wonder if that will be a job for you to do when you get back. I know you could do it – think I could even do it myself if I could find something sharp enough to cut the linoleum with – however I won’t try it. I have enough to keep the house clean – that is I have some house cleaning I want to get done. I was amused at John the other day – he said we should have gotten you to put the storm windows on. Some of these storm windows have been on two years. I would like to get them taken off so I can wash them and the windows. Dorothy said some of theirs hadn’t been off for two years. It’s early yet for storm windows. That is to put on the ones that are not already on. I was thinking about the roof guttering – but no use to clean them out until the leaves stop falling

[page 3] and the trees are still full.

I have been thinking about the space on our “back porch.” It can be used for a laundry. There is enough room there for the Bendix and ironer. If we had a partition thru the garage that half could be heated. I am gong to figure on what it would take to do that. The basement is the wrong place to have a Bendix – because of the way it operates. Even if clothes have to be carried to the basement from upstairs to be hung up there are not as many steps to the basement, and clothes are hung out of doors about 9 months out of the 12. I think the ideal place for us is that space I mentioned. That way we could take the ironer out of the kitchen and put the refrigerator where the ironer now stands. Now I think I have a good idea here – maybe you won’t agree. How’s the office plans coming along? I trust by now you have my suggestions.

John says they are ready to start in their second yr. Latin book

September 26, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] and no books. He says he has got enough to take second year. I don’t know when they will get their books, but he wants me to try in Lafayette as soon as possible.

Mark has gone to bed. Since the weather has been rainy he was until today getting to Staton’s lawn but he said he finished it. John started on ours but just got the front done. They have stretched it out so they will just about miss one mowing. I know they will be glad when frost nips things so the mowing season will be over.

Thurs. a.m. No letter but I have rec’d up to Sept. 24 and this is just the 27^th so will probably get one or two tomorrow. The sun is trying to get thru the fog but it isn’t very strong yet. In spite of the damp weather I got clothes dry and ironed this a.m. David is playing out of doors and very happy about it.

Love Mother

Women’s Club 50th Anniversary Year (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 25, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 25, 1945, p. 1

Tues. Eve Sept. 25

Dear Daddy –

As I noted on the last letter I mailed, I went to the P.O. to mail that letter and was handed the one you wrote the 22^nd while you were listening to the football game – We listened too – or rather Mark listened and I heard it only as background, because I was busy otherwise. I attended club opening with Arlene, Norma, Pauline Dennis and Mrs. Egan. There was quite a crowd, this being opening. There was a guest speaker from Chicago who reviewed the book “Anything Can Happen.” This is the club’s 50^th year. The usual opening luncheon wasn’t held because of the lack of eating places, but that is planned for sometime in the spring – a luncheon to observe the 50^th anniversary. I left David with Lucile. She let Jimmy skip his nap so he could play all afternoon with David. They were having a good time when I stopped to get David. When Lucile wrapped the telephone to bring to the party, Jimmy said he didn’t have a telephone like that, so I had David take it along so Jimmy could play with it. I stopped at Loughridge and paid the radio bill while I was uptown this evening. I think the gas & oil business will be settled before we get our burner. So far the strike, which was in the process of being settled, has not bothered Kentland – at least I was able to get the tank filled yesterday.

I saw Bertha Smith at club today. I asked about her husband and she said he was fine. I knew he was back in school.

September 25, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] She said he walked out of the bathroom and must have fainted because he passed out and fell down the stairway. Their bathroom is at the head of the stairway.

My thumb is gradually getting back to normal. The skin on the underside has to peel and it is a little slow in coming off – I think that is what is keeping it stiff. (I hope.)

So far this has been a cloudy week. It looked for a little while this afternoon like it was clearing but that didn’t last long. I hope it is clear tomorrow so David can go out and pay. He gets so tired staying in the house. I wasn’t in a very happy mood this morning – due to the gloomy weather and no letter in the morning delivery and with him getting unhappy quite often because he couldn’t go out – well let’s hope for sunshine tomorrow (I want to wash some clothes, too.)

I wish I could tell people when you are coming back – you know every time I go to town or attend a meeting, like today, that seems to be the stock question, “When is your husband coming back?” Of course, I know you would like to answer that one too. I heard over the radio that the 3^rd Fleet is leaving Pearl Harbor today (I think.) I understand it is to be here, I mean in, for Navy Day – that is, it will be in before that but will be in for the occasion. This pen doesn’t do so well on this paper. I feel like I have been pushing a heavy load to get this written. Mark has gone up for his bath. John is at a school party and David has been in bed for some time.

Love Mother

September 25, 1945, p. 3

(over) a Courier Journal was left on our step and I looked at the wishing well – for my name it read “Your aim nears.” Of course, I took that to mean your home coming.

September 25, 1945, p. 4

Wed. a.m. I turned David out this morning, tho’ it is still cloudy & foggy – it isn’t raining. He just came in and handed me the mail. Yours of 23 & 24 and a letter from your mother. Also a digest – I’ll mail it on to you. It gives a little “light” to think of the points being lowered. If you can get a draft to bring to the Lakes, I’ll meet you at the gate as before, gladly. I think you are right in your opinion about the “power throwing” & “backfiring on you later.” I felt rather low Mon. & Tues. about our situation but I still didn’t feel like we should seek aid from the aforementioned party. I really think he is a little “punch drunk” from associating with political big wigs. I don’t say I wouldn’t ask others but I haven’t done that yet. After all it’s best to wait a little while and not have any strings attached. Let’s hope you get another trip home soon, if just for the weekend.

I am hoping it will clear today so I can wash the clothes accumulated.

My thumb is almost normal this morning. I can bend it almost as far as the other one.

It’s 9:30 and I was on the hunt of a roach when the mail came. I saw one yesterday but had my hands in dough at the time. I am afraid they will get started so I am going looking for it now.

Love Mother