Tag Archives: Kentland

New Meat Locker (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 5 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Went to the hospital today. I stopped on the way in to see Dr. Cole at his house because I wanted to talk to him directly. He said they tried to give Mother an enema for X-ray & she couldn’t retain it long enough  to get a picture. He said they had ordered the barium given by mouth and when I got there she had had it and thrown it right up. I noticed her abdomen looked distended – Dr. Cole had Baylee & McC. See her. Baylee says she has a bowel obstruction – I believe she has from the looks of things. I called Cole when I left the hospital to come home and told him about the throwing up. He said he would order no breakfast & see if she could keep it down without food. The other [order] was given shortly after her dinner today. I intend to go back again Tues. Marie Steinbaugh has to go for her X-ray treatment at the clinic & she may go along with me. If you missed my letter about her – she had one breast removed (cancer) and has to take treatment regularily now.

I saw Mary McGee Arnott in the hospital this afternoon – She has a baby girl – her husband was shipped out

[page 2] and she didn’t know where – when the baby was born and doesn’t know yet for sure but is guessing on England. She was permitted to send a cable however – more than we could do. – so maybe he will know he has a daughter and not the son he wanted, before you knew about our David. I believe you got the word about D. Oct. 20 & he was a month old Oct. 23.

I was going to take the family along this afternoon but Dorothy asked to keep David then Mark said he would stay too so John & I went to Laf. and D. & M. stayed at Krulls. When we got back Nick & D. had their dinner ready & invited us to eat with them so we had dinner at the restaurant – They are closed all day Sun. They had just had their breakfast when we left for Laf. this afternoon. They had a pork roast, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, baked squash, gravy, bread & butter. They told me Tom Spencer has bought the Shell Station. He was running the Crown Dairy – but evidently not too good. Cochrans are closing down now & Spencers are reopening Sept. 14. This restaurant business around Kentland isn’t what it used to be. You can’t drop in any place, any time, any more and get a meal. It is almost to the point of getting to eat by appointment. Maybe not that bad but not what it used to be.

[page 3] It doesn’t bother us any because we eat at home. Which is a problem I will have to work on next week with Glens, Juanita & possibly Jim coming. I am going to turn in my meat coupons for the beef I am getting so will have to collect meat tickets from the guests. It puts me in a spot – I have to turn in the meat stamps before I can use any of the meat but I think we will get along. There is a locker to be put either in Kentland or Brook. I have signed up & pd. $10⁰⁰. If it isn’t built here we get our money back & continue with Sheldon. The Government is allowing just so many to be guilt & I think there can’t be one here & at Brook so the town that hurries the fastest will get the locker. There has to be 300 signers.

I slipped up on your Mother’s birthday gift but am sending her a towel, wash cloth & hankie. She will get it a day or two late but she will know we thought about her. I was getting the package ready at the store and the P.O. closed before I got it finished. Then too Mon. being Labor Day there won’t e any mail delivery so guess it will get to her just as soon mailed tonight.

I sent you some pictures in yesterday’s letter. Your latest was Aug. 21. Rec’d Fri last. It is getting late and I want Mark to take this to the P.O. tonight so it will go out early in the morning. My hands are much better. Guess the H.C.L. still works. I am beginning to peal off – still some places yet to dry up but it doesn’t bother me.

Love – Mother

Gladys (January 1943)

Gladys (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/23/new-meat-locker-gladys/

Moving the Furniture (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 4 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

This is a typical Sept. day. It is raining – not hard but has been raining most all day. The humidifier shows “high” (60). It isn’t cold, but just pleasant. I am feeling better than when I wrote yesterday. My hands are going down – due partly to H.C.L. and rest. I didn’t do much yesterday. This being Sat. J. & M. are home and we have been doing some furniture re-arranging – The grand piano caused that change – otherwise I wouldn’t be moving things. I think they look right one way and don’t care to keep shifting. The piano is in front of the French doors, davenport at other end of room. The two slip covered chairs where the davenport used to sit with the gateleg table between with magazines for reading. The blue barrel chair is on the north of the fireplace with footstool in front. The radio sits on other side of fireplace. John says he doesn’t like the new

[page 2] arrangement, but I felt crowded with davenport next to the piano. The desk is now in dining room where antique table was sitting – antique table now sits in n.w. corner of living room. John wanted to place the radio where it is so we had to move your smoking stand away – That bothered him so I placed it by the wing chair – which sits next to the piano now. A lot of “lady stuff,” John would say.

I am enclosing pictures taken for David’s 11th month and John’s 13th birthday. He had jarred the camera several times taking my picture so when we saw his this time he said, “Now who jarred the camera?” You can see Glenn’s baby along with David. As I told you David is taller. James L. will sit where he is put (8 mo. old Sept. 11) and can be put on the bath table and left – we couldn’t leave David on the bath table unguarded from the time he could turn over. Can’t leave him anyplace now except in bed or pen without watching him. He wants to reach or climb all the time. His hair curls up on rainy days – however the curls don’t show up in any pictures. I wish I could get a good picture of the back of his head so you could see how curley it is. It’s a gold brown color now. Doesn’t look like it will turn as

[page 3] bond as John & Mark’s did at this age. He just awakened from a nap and seems to be a little unhappy about something. He loves to get out of his pen and walk around things – note the picture of him by the lawn chair – does he love to be turned out in the yard to walk around the chairs.

I started writing cks. today – haven’t pd. The groc. bills yet but pd. my ins., auto ins. & a few other little items. Have a bal. of 213⁰⁰ but still have to pay your Laf. pol. (Oct. 7) and  the groc. Bills so that bal. will be taken down some. I just opened the bill from Loebs and it’s 50⁰⁰ but I had to get the boys some school clothes and got myself two pr. of shoes at once because I found two pr. that would fit. I am not going to try & pay Ruth & Earl anything yet – but will keep buying bonds and maybe we will have enough bonds to pay them off some day – so far we have 21 – 18⁷⁵ and 6 – 37⁵⁰ – John has 2 – 18⁷⁵ David has 2 – 18⁷⁵ & Mark almost has two. He has one and enough stamps for another. It looks like the sun is coming out but afraid it’s too late in the day to dry clothes.

Had a letter from Ruthie and they think Floyd will be up for examination again. So many men around here are feeling the breath of the draft bd. on their necks. Well this is war so we can expect to see them go.

Love Mother

YEG1943-08-22 John 13th birthday

John on his 13th birthday, August 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/21/moving-the-furniture-gladys/

A Real Old Fashion Dose (Gladys)

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/

Back From St. E. (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 2 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Just back from St. E. We took Mother down in the ambulance. She stood the trip very well. Bob has a rubber sponge mattress on the cot & put a feather bed on top of that. We left the feather bed at the hospital. I asked the sister at the desk if we could put it on Mother’s bed & she consented. Also took her pillows along. She seemed very comfortable when I left. Dr. Cole came & ordered her some glucose. She was getting it when I left. He is having Baylee & McClelland see her tomorrow. I will let you know the report when I get it Sunday.

Glenn & Pauline & James L. went on to Penna. Today. I didn’t want to take Mother to the hospital while they were here. She says she wants to be back home by the time they come back thru on their way home but I told Dr. Cole to discourage her in that

[page 2] if he thinks she should stay longer. Will see what X-ray shows & what the other Drs. think. Dr. Cole said she had fluid in her bowels this evening when he examined her and it might mean T.B. of the bowel but he wouldn’t say anything definite without X-ray.

Alma W. called me today & said they had tomatoes she couldn’t can so gave me almost a bu. With all the Victory Gardens there still seems to be not enough tomatoes. I canned 9 qt. before going to the hospital. Will get at least 6 qt. tomorrow. I think Alma appreciates you more every day – your absence and other Dr. fees make her appreciate how generous you were. I imagine she things about the many treatments you threw in extra when she give me grapes, tomatoes, etc. She has a cold now & is almost down with it.

I want to go to bed early – last night & the night before I didn’t get enough rest. The boys go to school for a full day tomorrow. It will seem quiet around here with only D. & I. He won’t know what to do with everyone one but me gone. I think we will get along – don’t you?

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/17/back-from-st-e-gladys/

First Day of School (Gladys)

1943-09-01 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-1-43

Dear Daddy –

First day of school. Mark sold his books and bought new books this year. Said he wanted new clean books – said those old books last year was the cause of his low grades – Is that a new one? John is using his from last year plus a new one or two. Al finally got new teachers he needed. No school tomorrow due to institute, but school Fri. Glen & family are going on to Penna. Tomorrow & coming back here next week. Mother doesn’t want to go back to the hospital but if I can get an air mattress for her think she will be willing to go. It is awfully hot again and makes her feel so bad. Have been so busy so far today haven’t been up to see how she feels – the rest of the family have done the running up and down today. I’ll go up now and see what she wants if anything. Glen has washed & polished his car & now going to give ours the works. He & Mark are working together. David is looking on from the taylor tot. James L. is asleep in the buggy. Yours of Aug. 19 came yesterday. Alma Walker brought me some grapes. Made juice to can for jelly later. Haven’t gotten any other canning done this week. Not much to can now but tomatoes.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/15/first-day-of-school-gladys/

Glenn (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 31 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another typical hot Aug. day. Glen, Pauline & James L. arrived here yesterday afternoon. Glenn is so stopped up he can hardly breathe but says he thinks he can stand it until they get back to Nevada. Of course this is the worst time during the year for them to be here. James L. is a big fat boy – weighs more than David but David isn’t a weakling by any means – David is more streamlined than James L. Pauline feeds him by the “book” – he gets canned milk too. They are going on to Penn. Thurs. and come back next week. I wrote Jim so maybe he can get leave and be here while Glen is here. Mother wants them to be here together. Juanita is planning to come too. I certainly have had company this summer. Since I couldn’t go anyplace it has been nice having our relatives here. I am trying to write in competition with the rest of the family and seem not to be making much progress. Dora Diedam was here this afternoon and I was talking to her about getting an air mattress fixed up for Mother at the hospital. Dora is to go back to the hospital Monday in OB. She went to Indpls. Last week and took the Sister Kinney course for treatment of Polio. She is all enthused about it.

[page 2] We washed today – Pauline had so much to do. They were very enthusiastic about the Bendix. Pauline told Glen that was what she needed. They aren’t on the market now. Foulkes wanted to buy one & couldn’t.

Yours of Aug. 19 came today – also J. & M.’s came. They will do their own answering. I have all I can take care of myself.

Chet Hall is painting Staton’s house. The paint Sandy put on last year pealed off in spots. Link said he had paint left over from when they first painted the house that he had Sandy use last year & learned that was the wrong thing to do. I thought Chet was working in a defense plant but evidently not. Our house is in good shape but looks a little dirty. The yard & shrubbery & flowers are looking a little dry but it has been dry now for some time. I think I told you before – I had another load of limestone put on the driveway.

J. & M. are collecting their books getting ready for school tomorrow. They will have to have new ones. Mark sold Deanie Musselman $1.05 worth of books this afternoon. Glen has silver dollars & Mark traded him 50¢ & 2 – 25¢ for one – he is going to use it in buying books – not that it’s worth any more than the fifty cents & two quarters he had. Your letters to the boys came almost on the nose about school starting.

Love Mother

Foster, Glenn E. - date unknown

Glenn E. Foster, date unknown (Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/13/glenn-gladys/

Company From Nevada (Gladys)

1943-08-30 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-30-43

Dear Daddy – Our company arrived from Nevada today – Glenn is all stopped up from the Indiana air – says you couldn’t give him this country – Pauline’s home is in Pa. so they are going on over there then come back after a few days rest. Jim is going to try and come on a week-end leave. Dr. Cole came yesterday and wants me to take Mother back to the hospital. I think I’ll take her back tomorrow evening. I’ll have Bob take her in the ambulance. Dr. Cole says he doesn’t think x-ray treatment advisable because of the reaction so many people get form it. Glenn’s baby is heavier than David but D. is taller – Will take pictures of them together tomorrow. I can understand how Jimmy would be larger – he has an enormous appetite – and eating has always been a nuisance to David. The[y] drove thru in a Ford coupe – stopping at nights at tourist camps were on the way a week. We are going to get a quarter of beef from Parttens next week. Have to turn in 800 points which will be 2 ½ or 3 months ahead. Am going to have to put David on pasteurized milk after I turn in our meat stamps but I think he will be ready to change in another month. I will have to chase the boys to bed – They want to talk all nite to Glenn.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/11/company-from-nevada-gladys/

Scarcity of Film (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 29 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon – Dr. Cole was here to see other – He said he had to be back in the hospital by 5 – to do a section. I am going to take Mother back to the hospital for an x-ray – He said he would have McClelland & Baylee see her but he says he doesn’t think anything can be done. He thinks she would get an awful reaction from x-ray treatments. However we will get an x-ray to be sure about the mass in her bowels. He says he is sure it’s malignant. I told him I would bring her in some time this week. I am looking for Glenn to come any day now and hate to be gone when he comes. It’s been a week (will be tomorrow) since he started so he should be getting here any time.

Buddy Krull came out this afternoon to play with Mark and he has a terrible cold with a cough. I told Mark to keep him out in the yard away from David. Buddy probably got his cold on their trip in Wisconsin. They just got back yesterday.

[page 2] Last week was cold & cloudy and David didn’t get his usual quota of sunshine. I took him out this afternoon about an hour. He is a little rascal now, doesn’t want to take his afternoon nap. I tool some pictures of him today. Have to save the rest of the roll for his birthday Sept. 23 – so can’t send these out until I get the rest of the roll taken. Film is a scarce item now. I should have bought film ahead so I would have one roll for each month.

John is listening to his symphony programs this afternoon. Wed. school begins and then the “bigger half” of the neighborhood children will be in school again. Al is having a time getting teachers – Seems odd that only a few years ago there was a surplus of teachers and it required almost a pedigree to get a position – now the situation is reversed. Too many teachers I am afraid are in the W.A.C., W.A.V.E.S., etc. I suppose after the war the situation will be turned the other way again.

I think David has finally decided to go to sleep – Mark & Buddy have gone to Buddy’s house – I told Mark to come home in time for supper.

Love Mother

1943 - David playing with lawn chair

David, summer 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/09/scarcity-of-film-gladys/

Excessive Use of Eyes (Gladys)

1943-08-28 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-28-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Aug. 13-14 & 16 came today – I laughed about the comment on the piano. The main reason for getting a grand is for tone and that was is what John is interested in. It rather fills the north end of the living room. I haven’t yet tried to rearrange the room – due to having so much else to do at present. I canned 13 qts. out of the bu. Of peaches, we have eaten some and still have some left to use or can. It is sunny today but cool. Mark is keeping David out in the sunshine. John was figuring a cake to bake but is just sitting now. I rec’d a letter from Dr. Van Buskirk today – He says he believes John’s headaches & dizziness is due to excessive use of his eyes. I don’t know how to remedy that with school so close at hand – Maybe it won’t get any worse. He doesn’t have headaches all the time but he had complained enough I thought he should have another examination. Mother is about the same. She seems to stay like she is now. She still manages to go the bathroom but that is all she gets up. She has a lot of gas. Hasn’t thrown up her food recently – did Monday once but not since then. I am expecting Glen to arrive any time but haven’t had any definite word from them yet. Mark just brought David in and changed his pants. David was trying to stand on his head in bed yesterday. He pulls his shoes off – discovered his tongue this morning.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/07/excessive-use-of-eyes-gladys/

Midnight Train (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

It has turned cloudy & very cool. I did get a washing dry during a brief clear spell and a good breeze. Have to keep the washing done – can’t let it accumulate. Took Mark to Dr. Altier today to have his hand dressed. It is healing in good shape. Should be good as ever in another week. We took Juanita to the train about midnight last night. It was late. He heard an engine coming and started to get out of the car and an engine & caboose whizzed by so fast it left us speechless for a second but when Danny saw the train going by without stopping for him he began to cry. – We had a good laugh over it & Juanita told him it would come back so he was satisfied then. I was so sleepy this morning I could hardly get up. This train goes thru Robinson and that is 7 miles from where Juanita lives. She is the only one of our relatives that can make such good connections in coming our way – and I didn’t know that until she came.

Was looking over the paper for news items – Betty Lohr & her soldier friend (now Sgt.) were married Sat. night. He is still stationed in La. She is going to remain at home with her Dad & brother.

[page 2] Dr. Altier’s office woman said Ed Barce was home last night and went to Laf. today. She thought he was being sent there but didn’t know for sure – and said Betty is working in Laf. at the Aluminum Plant. I didn’t ask her how long – Betty never stayed at any job around here very long at a time – as you know.

The Russell Schultz have another baby girl – Yes, they haven’t paid for the last delivery –

Mr. Webster the band teacher is leaving, going to Middletown (near Muncie) – I’ll bet Al is frothing trying to get a new band instructor by next Wed. – that’s when school starts – Sept. 1.

John Funk has been admitted to Dental School. Under the university’s accelerated program he will graduate in May 46.

The Tuell’s (Mamma & Boys) are back in Kent – rented Nesbitt’s apartment – They have been in Logansport – I think they had sold their house.

I seem to be overlooking something I saw in the paper I wanted to mention – Maybe I will think of it later.

I asked Link to send in a load of stone for the driveway – I asked him for a bill after Holley delivered it this afternoon – Link said it was a load left over from some street work they are doing around town & N.C. – so our driveway is ready for winter. – The way it feels this evening winter is giving us a preview.

Mother is about the same today – not much change.
Love Mother

FOS1940s - Emma & Juanita

Emma Foster and her granddaughter, Juanita

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/05/midnight-train-gladys/