Tag Archives: Lafayette

Getting Ready to Move (Gladys)

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May [Sic June] 8, 1944 envelope

May 8, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
5-8-44 [sic June 8]

Dear Daddy –

Your letter about the house came today. Sounds Ok. Nothing much exciting to report. I still don’t know which way to come – via Chi. or Laf. – or even by bus from here. If you could meet us at Quincy we could go by bus to there from here but I think I’ll call you or have you call me to settle the issue before we start.

Have been working in the yard some. Have the present growth of weeds about eliminated – I suppose it’s a waste of time and the way I ache all over I am not sure it’s worth it.

May 8, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Your shirt came from Seligs – you are going to hate it – it’s very heavy material – even heavier than the first one you brought – at least we got a shirt back and that’s more than we got out of orders so far.

About the train from Laf. – it has to go thru St. L. and would take us from 1:30 a.m. – until 4:30 p.m. to make the trip – could almost do that well on the bus – It leaves here at 10:00 a.m. and gets in Quincy at 7 p.m. – If you could get off on Sun. or any day we might come by bus – but maybe it would be best to come by train. I’ll decide after I hear more from you. Must get this ready to mail.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/26/getting-ready-to-move-gladys/

Continued (Gladys)

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February 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Sat. Afternoon

Dear Daddy – to continue with the letter I wrote last nite after I came home from the class party. Susan Clark has measles. She went to school long enough to expose the first grade when she was about ready to break out. I thought last year’s epidemic took care of measles for a few years but maybe David won’t get them. The immune globulin we gave him last year was for six months so if he is exposed will probably have them. I haven’t had him out in crowds lately so hope he hasn’t had an exposure. John is a little worried about himself. He says he supposes he should have them before he is grown but doesn’t want them now.

Helen (Kline) and her husband Dan Heindel (Photograph courtesy of Judith Bowen)

Helen (Kline) and her husband Dan Heindel, 1942 (Photograph courtesy of Judith Bowen)

I saw Helen Heindle yesterday. She is taking her children to Calif., so evidently she is expecting Dan to reach the States next month. She says she is going to be there to greet him when he gets in – however she didn’t say anything specific about when she expects him. I would like to do that too but think we had better stay here until we find out where you will be sent when you get back.

We got more coal this a.m. – from Harlans this time and it is much better than what we got from the Lbr. Co. Monday. If

February 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Chet V. hadn’t said it was Ky. Coal and charged me for same I would have said what he sent was a poor grade of Ind. coal. This load is much cleaner. There wasn’t any dirt I could notice from the unloading. If you didn’t get my letter about the other the whole basement was black from what we got Monday. We have about 4 ½ tons now and won’t have to have any more put in for a while. However as hard as it is to get I think it’s a good idea to get a ton or so when we can.

It has continued cold. We had a little warm spell for a day or so and the snow started to melt then the temp dropped to a little above zero and the streets are very rough from the frozen slush. This snow has been on for more than a week.

A week from today is Mark’s birthday. He is telling me what he wants. In Laf. yesterday I got John a new corduroy cap and that is just what Mark wants. John lost a cap at school so had to have another.

Dorothy told me she went to Billings with Marie Steinbaugh. She goes regularly for X rays checks. She has a spot on her lung that is supposed to be from the cancer on her breast. Doroty said the Dr. said Marie’s case is 35% curable. Marie took X-Ray treatments at St. E. after her operation and the X-Ray supposedly scattered or rather drove the cancer in – that is Dorothy’s interpretation. She as a bad heart, too.

Love Mother

: February 19, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 19, 1944 (envelope back)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/17/continued-gladys/

Purdue Music Hall (Gladys)

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: February 18, 1944, p. 1

: February 18, 1944, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-18-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Feb. 7 came today. This has been a full day. I took John and four other 8^th graders to Purdue Music Hall to hear the Indpls Symphony Orchestra. It was a special children’s concert and well attended by school around Lafayette. After the concert we went over to Laf. and shopped. Lucile kept David and I was to get Jimmy a pr. of shoes, since Lucile stayed home. I went to every store I could think of and finally got two pr. of white shoes – one pr. for D. One pr. was too large for D. and the other is the same size that he is wearing now and the new shoes are 5 and his present shoes are 4 ½. Both pr. I bought today were 5’s and one pr. is a size or more larger than the other. Lucile kept the larger pair and if she decides they are too large for Jimmy now will keep them for later. It is so hard to find white baby shoes now it’s best to hang on to a pr. once you have them. Some of the stores had brown shoes and some places had none at all. I also tried to get some material to make David some play suits and found nothing I cared to work on. Cotton is being used for the Army and Navy so extensively

[page 2] there is very little for civilian use. I tried to buy sheets today but none to be had. I did get some new dishes but couldn’t get at all what I wanted. However what I got is nice and will break as easily for me as the more expensive. After shopping we started back to Kent a little past 5 P.M. I distributed our passengers to their several stopping places then John & I stopped at Johnsons to get David & Mark. The Johnsons were having dinner and asked us to eat so John & I ate our supper there too. After trying baby shoes on both boys we gathered our several belongings and came home. I gave David his bath and he got happy and started to splash water and by the time he got thru I had to mop the kitchen. I was hurrying because I wanted to go to the Class meeting at Nesbitts – and in walked Floyd. He was on his way home from a meeting in Chicago. He said he is about ready to quit the Co. He talked a while then went down to Nick’s for a steak.

I used a little cold cream & powder then dashed off to the party. I came home about 11 o’clock and having eaten refreshments thought I could write a while to let my lunch settle. Now I don’t go this pace every day, but there are days like this. I noticed at the party that Evelyn Beekman is about ready to have another baby – her last one is younger than David. I’ll write another letter tomorrow & mail together.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/15/purdue-music-hall-gladys/ ‎

Army vs. Navy (Gladys)

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: November 27, 1943 envelope

: November 27, 1943, p. 1

: November 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Nov. 19 came today – making almost as good time as at your last station. Just hope mine gets thru as quickly to you. Sat. P.M. & the football game tuned in and John listening. It’s Army & Navy playing today. Mark is building a model plane for Bobby. Bobby stays in a while then says he must go out & play with his kidlets meaning Jimmy & Martha. David is asleep. Mark took him out for an airing and a little sunshine after lunch but it was so cold I brought him back in after about 15 minutes. I hung a few things on the line and they froze so brought the colored things back in and John hung them in the basement. With my throat & sinus being so sensitive this year I figured it wasn’t worth hanging clothes out and take the chance of making my throat sore. We went to Laf. yesterday and took Mark to see Dr. Cole. He gave me a prescription for Sulfamerazine and I brought it here to be filled. The drug stores here haven’t merazine so had to call Laf. to get it. Mark just has a slight head cold but those things can grow into something worse and I know Sulfas nip those cold bugs but I don’t like to give sulfa without Doctor’s instruction. I kept Mark home all week from school due to signs of nervousness. He, I think, has been playing too hard since school started and I hadn’t been making him go to bed early – however there is a new ruling for Mark – he goes to bed at 8:30. I think with plenty of rest and not so much strenuous play he will soon be himself again. He is taking Vi Delta now too. I didn’t give either J. or M. the oral cold shots this year. I can understand how he would get a cold bug – with my throat & sinus bothering me all fall.

I saw Dorothy this a.m. She was in Chicago with Marie Steinbaugh yesterday & Marie fainted. If you rec’d all my letters you know Marie had one breast removed some time ago and has been taking X-ray treatment all fall. However the clinic had dismissed her. Dorothy took her to Billings and she had an X-ray made but couldn’t stay in the

[page 2] hospital – no beds – They are going to write the clinic for her first X-rays and she is to go back to Billings later.

You remember the Couch family – you delivered the 8^th baby. Mr. Couch died this week. I was told his trouble was his blood turned to water. He was in St. E. Hospital then was brought home just before he died.

Just now on the radio there is a broadcast from a Navy Sub (Capt. Steve Basket) & Army Bomber (Col. Ed Garbarge) – two former Army & Navy football players carrying on a conversation about the game they played in several (20) years ago. This conversation was brought into the broadcast at West Point.

I talked to Dr. Cole yesterday about Mother’s illness. He said the cancer was in the head of the pancreas and had probably been there a year. I didn’t get a written report on it but didn’t think it was necessary, after he explained it to me. There was a partial obstruction, due to the growth.

The Zells are having their first fried chicken from the flock they started in Sept. and we are invited to dinner tomorrow. They are all “sold” on David. They want a boy so much and they have been very much interested in David since his arrival. Of course you have been informed from different sources about David’s personality and can understand his popularity. Mrs. Zell says their children didn’t have good appetites when they were babies, and David does a very good job of eating, and they enjoy watching him eat. I am giving him hemoganized (boiled) milk now. Have to get it from Bans.

My new lenses seem a little strange today, but the man at the optical co. adjusted the frames so they fit better.

I have to write a letter to Pauline. She asked me to buy some sleepers for James L. She couldn’t find any out there in “those wide open spaces.” I got two pr. and must send them out to her today so she will get them soon. IT sure takes a lot of time to keep up my correspondence, but I like to receive letters so must write if I receive.

I will again wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you get the boxes we sent. This is one time you will have to overlook the smallness of the gift and remember the spirit it was sent in.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/01/army-vs-navy-gladys/

Shopping After Thanksgiving (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-26-43

Dear Daddy – Just home from Laf. again. Had to get my new lenses. Also took Mark to Dr. Cole. He has a slight head cold which doesn’t seem to improve with nose drops. Dr. gave me 2 prescriptions. Dr. Cole is so buy with so many baby cases his office is crowded from the time he goes there until he leaves. He is doing his share in the war effort taking care of so many cases, more than he would ordinarily. I think there is only one other baby Dr. in Laf. besides Cole. Alma W. went with us. She saw Van Buskirk for her sinus and is to go back next week again. My throat & sinus have cleared up since I got heat in our room again. Mrs. Z. kept David this afternoon – It was her idea. I was going to take him along & leave him in the car with J. & M. I went over and got him and John took him up to bed. I hear him now making a sleepy noise. John wanted a monopoly game for Christmas so I gave him the money and he bought it today – He and Mark are having a game now. I told him he couldn’t play with it until Christmas but he & Mark wouldn’t listen to such an idea. I got Mark a few things today & David too. Was going to get records for John but couldn’t get what he wanted. I really did better on my Christmas shopping today than I thought I would – in spite of crowds & scarce goods. Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/30/shopping-after-thanksgiving-gladys/

Eye Exam (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-16-43

Dear Daddy – Have been to Laf. today to see Dr. Ade. Had my eyes examined and he treated my nose & throat – I am still spitting. My sinus seems to be a vulnerable spot and the drainage keeps my throat irritated. My tonsils are not so good either. I am to go back Fri. for another treatment & have my eyes checked. My eyes are still blurred from the exam today. I should have written this before I went to Dr. A. It was very cold in Laf. today. My suit & top coat felt very warm & comfortable. I tried to keep out of the cold after my treatment. Alma went with me. Arlene had talked about going but then didn’t – It’s a good thing she didn’t go to see Dr. Cole – he is away at present. I think he has gone to see Don. I had intended to go see him – I had never talked to him since Mother died and wanted to get the autopsy report, but learned downtown that he was away so didn’t make the trip out to his office. Mrs. Zell stayed here with David while I went to Laf. this afternoon. The Zell girls are going to stay here tomorrow night while Zells are gone. I must quit writing – It’s too hard on my eyes.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/15/eye-exam-gladys/

Mother Just Passed Away (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:
Fri – 11:45

I didn’t get this letter mailed last night. Mother just passed away. I am still at the hospital but getting ready to leave. Your Mother just came in on the bus. Alma met her at the bus. Alma has been “old faithful.”

I am having autopsy done – after I get the report will let you know.

I have to go to the telegraph office and dispatch some messages.
Love Mother

Emma Foster, circa 1940s

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/12/mother-just-passed-away-gladys/

The Hospital Called (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 14, 1943, p. 1

: October 14, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

St. E. Hospital
10-14-43

Dear Daddy –

I was called down this morning. Mother doesn’t seem to know much, was seeming to be in pain when I came but is dozing now. She looks terrible, and breathes hard now. The hospital called me – our telephone was out of order and they called Foulkes & Coke called me to the phone. The storm yesterday put a lot of phones out of order. This is Thurs. I haven’t talked to Dr. Cole but suppose he is around town someplace. He does take week-ends off sometimes starting from Thurs. I hope he hasn’t this time.

Alma W. & Caroline Wright came down with me. Ruth stayed home with the boys. We had intended to come down Thru Brookston and leave her off there but when the call came I got ready & came on & she stayed to get lunch for the boys & take care of D.

Alma told me Nellie Riggs went home with Polly as soon as Clarence’s funeral was over. Polly’s husband has double pneumonia & was in an oxygen tent. Polly had a premature baby several weeks ago – It lived almost two months, but it was only 6 ½ months & not strong enough to make it.

After the storm & rain yesterday the sun is shining today but it’s cool. Alma & C. went on to town & I told them to get my coat out of storage. It may get cool enough to war it any time now.

[page 2] I think Bernard Funk’s have a new baby but I don’t know any of the details. I asked a 3^rd floor O.B. nurse about Mary Tues. when I was here and she thought Mary was on 4^th.

I had been bringing flowers down all along from our flower beds and had quite a nice bouquet to bring down Tues. but I think the frost last night nipped everything that was not under cover last nite. Ruth & I mailed some letters from the Hotel last night & it had cleared off, so I was expecting a good frost – it was so cool.

Ruth wrote to your Mother Mon. and had an answer today. I intend to call your Mother from here sometime today. She said she would come up. Ruth is planning to go home tomorrow, but she is waiting developments here. – – It is 12:30 midnight and we are getting ready to go home. The nurse thought I should stay all night but I have about decided to go home and come back early in the morning. I called your Mother and she is coming on the bus to Laf. in the morning. The blood vessels have bursted around Mother’s neck and some on her face. She doesn’t see now or recognize anyone. – I am in the chart room – there was a woman just brought in – supposed to be in a coma (with police escort) but the police thought she had too much to drink. They found her on the street.

Love – Mother

Cotton Shortage (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 7, 1943 envelope

: October 7, 1943, p. 1

: October 7, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Oct. 7 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of Sept. 28 & 29 came today. Also this letter from Mead Johnson & Co. Thought you might like to see it. I will write them & thank them and if you want any vitamins you can write too. I went to town this a.m. – the stores still close Thurs. P.M. and I needed a few things. I heard that Doris Wilson is going to have another baby – There last is just younger than David. Did I mention that the Bob Hufty’s are also looking for the bird again? I believe some time after the first of the year. It seems this wave of babies is still riding high. The Herb Richcreeks’ have a baby boy several weeks old. I told you before that Louise Krull is expecting again. I saw Mary Thompson Tues. and she looks like she is ready to go to the hospital anytime – and Oct. is her month.

I am planning to go to the hospital again tomorrow and intend to bring Dora Diedam home for the week-end. She is a grad. now & works in O.B. She was on 3^rd north just around the corner from Mother’s room but she was changed to 4^th. Alice is in training now and Dora told her if she intended to smoke and do things Dora hadn’t done while in training she couldn’t come down there. There are three Kentland girls there in the new class: Mary Tuberty, Alice D. and Joan Hall. The hospital is so short of help they are going to put the new class on the floors as soon as they can get their uniforms. The maids have to help with patients sometimes now. Mentioning the uniforms makes me think of the cotton goods shortage on the market now. I tried to buy shirts for John and Loeb’s only had rayon at $2.50 ea. I got two shirts, at B. & B. and they fit except for the arms (sleeves) & John’s arms are so long. I am

[page 2] going to try & get a size larger if they have any. Mark has plenty of shirts – he gets what John outgrows.

I hid Mark’s bike and he thinks it has been stolen. I am going to let him walk to school a few times then maybe he will be more careful – or will he?

Ina May Walkup is going to have an operation on her neck – do you remember her – in John’s class and her head is drawn to one side. The class is having a party for her this evening after school and J. has to take jello & 5¢. John was talking about football today and I discovered he has to play every day in physical ed. I asked him about his glasses & he says he just leaves them on. His hay fever is much better and he hasn’t complained of a headache lately. David’s cold or allergy (I couldn’t tell which it was) has cleared up too. His vaccination is getting along fine. There is a scab forming now.

My throat trouble seems to have cleared up. I told John I was allergic to our company because after they left I didn’t have sore throat – and I hope it doesn’t come back. If it does I’ll go see Dr. Ade again. I was glad to have Glen & Pauline here but I believe I was nervous with someone else around all the time & that contributed a lot to my throat condition. It seemed I was in the kitchen cooking or washing dishes most of the time. Pauline did a lot of work for me – the house cleaning, but there was more or less confusion all the time with two babies to feed & bathe, put out of doors, etc.

Lucile Ortner Jones has been in Manitowac with Ken but is back and is going to work for Nick – I think she is going to cook. – Doris Green is married & Van Scoycks’ daughter Margaret is going to marry a Dr. Klemsmith, a chemist – John Sullivan has the auto license office now & Dorothy Nugent is going to be clerk. – Bill Nugent won first at Hazeldon’s golf tournament. I scanned over the paper and collected these items – almost forgot Joe Fletcher is going to work for the Power Co.

Love – Mother

World War II Cadet Nursing Corps Card for Alice Diedam (Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Too many wieners (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 6, 1943 envelope

: October 6, 1943,p. 1

: October 6, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 6 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Writing from the hospital again. I came down today with Mrs. Vanscoyck & Dot. Thought I would save our car a trip. I have to meet them downtown to go back. Mother is about the same, except her abdomen is awfully distended today and she doesn’t eat & keeps losing more weight if that is possible. It is awful to see the condition she is in. Thru it all she seems [to] keep her faculties and talks more than you would think she could. She was very sensible about Glen leaving. Said she knew it would be better for his health to go back. She isn’t getting any medicine now except sleeping pills. She said she wish[ed] she could go back home but I told her I can’t take care of her myself & doubt if I could find any help. She throws up now when she eats more than a few bits of anything. If I could only do something for her. They have a rubber ring under her she is so thin.

I took Mark John & David with me to Sheldon yesterday to get meat then when we came back stopped at Krull’s – The usual 5 o’clock crowd was there – also Louise. She was sitting and I didn’t notice anything but she leaned back and I saw she had on a maternity dress. I looked at her and said “That again.” – She laughed & said “yes” – When I was leaving, I said, “I am glad to see you in such good health again.” She reached up & chocked me. Her boy John is past two now & as large as a 4 yr old. He will be tall like his parents. Lucile was there with Jimmy Ed. He has a cold and she had been to the Dr. & had some pills. Jimmy doesn’t smile as much as David but is cute when he does. He looks almost as old as David & is as heavy – David runs his weight off. He hasn’t had such a good appetite since his vaccination but he does good enough. This vaccination finishes David’s shots.

Mark went to a wiener roast at Taylor’s after school yesterday and couldn’t go to school today. He may have to have something in the way of a laxative if he doesn’t feel better by evening. After he felt too sick to go to school I had to find someone to stay with him so left David at home too. He didn’t want anything to eat –

[page 2] I fixed him some orange juice & that was all he wanted. I told him the next time he couldn’t go to a wiener roast if he couldn’t keep from making himself sick. He didn’t have any temperature. This is the first he has missed school. He has been so good since recovering from his tonsillectomy – but I think this is due to too many wieners.

It’s about time for me to start back to town. Yours of Sept. 27 came yesterday –
Can’t think of any interesting news items just now – maybe I will next time –
Love Mother