Tag Archives: Louise (Krull) Glenn

Ice Cream for Supper (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 27, 1944 envelope

April 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-27-44

Dear Daddy –

No letter this morning – I suppose the train was late or for some reason or other it didn’t make connections. It is very windy and I hung drapes out to air. I am not sure I will hang them again. I should have washed those other woolen blankets. The sun has been shining but the wind is very sharp. Lucile walked out with Jimmy but didn’t stay long. Then David & I walked down to the highway, then back to Mrs. Krull’s. Louise is here this week with her children. Mrs. Krull is sewing for Louise so can’t make a suit for me for some time. I looked at B & B for a suit for John

April 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] this morning, but they haven’t much selection. I took David to the Dr. this a.m. – he said to bring him back today. He said it looked good (that is as good as it could after what it had been thru – the lip of course). He said to bring him back in two days to have stitches out.

Dorothy is going to Laf. tomorrow and I plan to go. I am going to take David along. I don’t want to leave him with anyone with such a lip. He may get it bumped with me but I don’t want that to happen for anyone else.

Had a letter from your Mother. Eel river is out and the road north is under water. I suppose by now it is going down. Uncle Geo. had a stroke and Dad and the boys went up to see him. He is better now.

April 27, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] John is at a wiener roast at school. He came home to get cokes out of the refrigerator and said it was so windy they were going inside to have their party. They had intended having it out on the grounds. I told him they should come over and use our fireplace and he reminded me that it is full of clinkers.

Mark wants us to have something “extra special” for supper since John is having a picnic supper. He suggested ice cream and make sodas. We have some cokes but I told him he could have the soda. I have had one coke today and I believe that is enough. Arlene had Donnie & Bobby in the wagon – had been to the filling station for cokes – and David and I were walking along and she asked me in for a coke.

April 27, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] David wanted a taste but that was all. He kept saying words and they thought he was progressing very well in his talking. He closed the nursery door and Donnie said, “You’re bad.” They said he says that to everyone about everything. David made a puddle on the nursery floor (at home) and took me to see it. He has seen me mop up his puddles and thought that was what should be done.

Mark is wanting to go to town to get his ice cream so will let him go and mail this and get the paper.

Hope you have found us a place to live. Wish I could be up there to look around but you & Joe together should be able to find something –

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/04/ice-cream-for-supper-gladys/

Four Pages With What Have You (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 15, 1944 envelope

April 15, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-15-44

Dear Daddy –

Your letter written the 13^th and post marked 4 PM Apr. 14 came this a.m. I sent out a letter yesterday and hope you get it by today. When your letter came the boys gathered around to listen and got quite a “kick” out of the 23 little men. John decided we needed a cake, “now that Daddy is gone,” and is mixing one now. Mark is putting bon ami on all the windows. It is raining and he can’t play out so I thought this would be a god job for him. He (Mark) slept with me last night. This a.m. David was awake and very insistent about some attention. Mark brought him to me and he was wet and had had a B.M. which was very soft and extensive. I suppose he had too many green beans yesterday. Mark got up and went to the store and got a few things we needed – and a qt. of cottage cheese. I gave David some and will give him some each meal today. That has always acted as a “builder upper” for him. When I

April 15, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] started to dress him after breakfast he reached into the drawer and got out the pink knitted suit I made for him last year so he looks a little like a sissy in his pink and needing a hair cut.

The weather cleared up about noon yesterday and we had sunshine long enough to get two washes out to dry. It is raining this a.m. so no washing today. I ironed and ironed yesterday and finally got it all done. I even got what was washed yesterday ironed. I was so tired last night I was afraid maybe I had worked off some of my excess fat but this a.m. I still balanced the scales a shade under 100. I won’t work so hard today now that I am caught up on the washing & ironing. I promised Mark we would make a batch of cookies after John gets thru with the cake.

Mark said Geo. Dinwiddie called his drawing “corny” so our Mark comes back with, “well we are going to live with Daddy this summer and I am going to Chicago and take drawing lessons.” The little Sammons boy and one or two others took up the discussion and said it wasn’t essential and Mark couldn’t drive to Chicago to take lessons. From there on I don’t know what was said, except that in all probability our Mark had

April 15, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] the last work. I had a good notion to tell Mark to tell Jimmy S. that it wasn’t essential for his parents to take a trip to Ga. or wherever it was they went this winter. However I didn’t make any comment. Yesterday after school Mr. Zell asked John & Mark to help him roll his yard. Mr. Z. was a little on the touchy side and Virginia said to Mark, “I’ll bet your Daddy isn’t grouchy.” I asked Mark what he answered – he said, “I just kept my big mouth shut.”

Haven’t heard from Jim yet. All that came Thurs. & Fri. was the Kent papers. Your letter & a letter from Wayne Pharm. Supply Co. was all that came this a.m.

I was thinking about a radio last night and wondered why you didn’t take the kitchen radio with you. We could get along with the one in the living room. If you want it and I come up with Dr. Joe I’ll bring it up. However I hope you get to come home by that time. If not I think I’ll come up as planned.

April 15, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] My hands are peeling off but I can’t close my left hand yet. There are still some water pockets on my left hand but the old places are about gone. I believe the worse is over. I keep my left hand out of the water and am still very careful not to get my right hand in water more than I have to. I keep scaling off all the time. Now believe me I will not touch tomatoes in any form again (soon).

I haven’t been away from home since you left, but have been busy doing things. I would take David for a walk today but it is too wet and I have been taking him out in the yard the past two days and he doesn’t want to come in when I do. Arlene was looking for Bobby Thurs. afternoon and I told her I would keep Donnie out with David but she declined. She looked so tired and said she was having Carl & Rosemary come for dinner. They (C. & M.) are having their house painted (inside). I am afraid Arlene isn’t getting enough rest so soon after she had that repair work done. She has a girl from John’s class come after school and help I think. Louise is past helping her now.

John got into a little difficulty with his cake – he forgot to add the milk and it was so thick he couldn’t pour it into the pans.

For no news I have pretty well filled four pages with what have you. Maybe one of your 23 helped me.
Love – Mother

P.S. John got his report card Thurs PM A+ on hist., arith. & Eng. – A on all the rest except shop B+

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/14/four-pages-with-what-have-you-gladys/

Groundhog Day (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 2, 1944, p. 1

: February 2, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 2, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-2-44

Dear Daddy –

No letters today, but had yours of Jan. 21 yesterday. This being ground hog day we were anxious to see what the weather would be. Not a trace of sun all day. In fact we had quite a little rain. We planned to go to Laf. to shop. Lucile called and said she had such a cold she didn’t feel like going, so Mrs. Z., Martha and I went. Alma W. kept D. for me. Lucile was going to take Jimmy Ed and David to her sisters, but since she couldn’t go, I called Alma and asked her to go along but she was working at Mrs. Stevens during the noon hour and said she would rather keep D. at home so after she got

[page 2] thru at the Restaurant took him to her house. She brought him home about 5 – He took a nice long nap for her and when he woke up she said he acted very “cute.” When I came home he acted very “smart” just like J. & M. used to do after being away from home for an afternoon or evening.

I don’t remember whether I mentioned it or not, but David can climb upon the studio cough on his own power. I went to see about him and there he said, looking as pleased with himself as he could.

I got a new red dress this P.M. Mrs. Z. got a new hat and few other things. I tried to shop for David but didn’t find anything I wanted. I bought a gift for Louise Glen’s baby girl. I never saw prices so high on children’s things as they are now. I know if we had girls I would make

[page 3] their clothes. Mrs. Z. and I looked at little girl things with Joy Funk in mind and came home without anything. I am knitting her a little jacket, but ran out of yard, so thought I would get something else, but found some yarn I might use to finish the jacket I am working on.

I saw the Funks in Laf. today. I knew they were going. I think they took Joy back for her first visit to the Dr. Also I suppose Louise went to the Dr. She is expecting her baby in the spring. She is still staying with Funks. However I don’t believe she doesn’t the work she used to do. Theresa Ann Lubberty helps after school. You remember her, but you wouldn’t know her now. You couldn’t believe how she has grown-out – must weigh 175.

[page 4] Mr. Zell passed his physical but I don’t know whether he will have to go. Purdue says the county agents are to stay put. Merle Ford passed his physical, along with Jr. Morton and several others in this community. I understand Jr. is in the Navy, but don’t know about Ford.

Mrs. Roberts called me yesterday – just to talk a few minutes and find out any news I might have. I told her I wasn’t too sure about the 18 mo. business and she said Joe had written the same. I told her we would just have to wait and see.

I just worked on the check book and our balance at present is $123.40, but I have to pay groc. bills out of that, and buy a bond for D. The bal. will be below $100 – before I get thru. Also Portteus is going to let us have half a beef and I may have to pay that yet this month, but there isn’t anything else I know of now. Ins. paid up at present.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/12/groundhog-day-gladys/

Cracked Skull (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-21-43

Dear Daddy – Two letters came today (Dec. 8 & 9). I had five yesterday up to Dec. 12. Also your cable greeting. Sorry we can’t return a cable but sent a regular greeting and some extra good pictures of David and hope you get them this week. Lucile is bringing Jimmy out and I am going to take care of the two boys while Lucile goes to club – she is on the committee and should attend. It is so nice out today I want to keep the boys out in the sunshine a while. Dr. M. gave Zells the report on the X-ray – Virginia has a crack in the back of her head and he says all they can do is keep her quiet. She has been very ill from the fall and is just beginning to eat, after a week since the accident. I stopped to see Arlene – she hasn’t gone to the hospital. Bill has the flu and Dr. C. told her if she got it to go right to the hospital. She hasn’t any help yet – Louise got the flu and being pregnant hasn’t recovered very rapidly. Dienharts have another baby (girl). I think it came a little too soon. Betty had to have a section done for the first baby – I see Jimmy & Bobby out playing together. The Zell girls are not out today. Betty won’t have to go to school this week – the first & second grades were dismissed until vacation is over due to so many being absent with cold, etc. So with Virginia home, all the Zell girls are home. It’s about time for Lucile to come.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/21/cracked-skull-gladys/ ‎

Below Zero (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-19-43

Dear Daddy – Sun. evening. There was to be a program at the church but Mrs. Rathburn was ill and couldn’t play the organ for the music part so the program wasn’t given. I helped Lucile a while this afternoon with decorating the club room for the Tues. meeting. I am intending to keep the two babies Tues. so Lucile can attend the meeting. She is on the program – that is a part of the committee. I kept David out a long while today. There was a cold wind and it made him sleepy. He could hardly wait to get to bed after supper. Mark skated a while – we walked over to the pond to see how he was getting along. Since our winter weather (below zero) last week it has warmed up enough to thaw the pond. All the town skaters have been enjoying themselves. You can bet John spent the afternoon by the radio. He knows what comes on from 1 p.m. till bedtime. He went to Sunday School this a.m. so think he can go to school tomorrow – He stayed home Thurs. & Fri. because of a slight cold. – Mrs. Cox has been ill for some time. I stopped to see her a few minutes this afternoon. She was in the hospital for a long time. I took David in but he soon got restless so I didn’t stay long. Mrs. Krull is staying with Louise. – The radiators froze during last week’s cold wave and Nick had to take care of the “mess” today on the sleeping porch.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/17/below-zero-gladys/

Christmas Cards (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 16, 1943 envelope

: December 16, 1943, p. 1

: December 16, 1943, p. 2

: December 16, 1943, p. 3

: December 16, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 16 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

We really caught up with the mail or rather it caught up with us today. The three money orders came along with three letters for me. You inquired about finances in one letter. I have given you some reports lately but our bank bal. at present is $25⁰⁰ and with Jan. 1 check I will have to pay Ins. (John Hancock $50.26 & $11.60). I couldn’t believe I had used so much money during the past year but I have all the cancelled checks and they tell the story. I’ll send you a detailed statement a little later. Of course the hospital expenses made a little of the total but it was just one of those things and I was glad I could keep it paid. Our house payments are down to $44.47 now. John didn’t go to school today and is getting quite bored at home. He said he didn’t feel just right this morning, so I took his temp to be sure and he had 2/5 of a degree. I told him not to go to school if he felt he should stay home. He has had no rise

[page 2] in temp. all day but I think he is just as well off to miss a day of school. He said he felt like you was taking a cold but it isn’t developing very fast if he has any. So many keep going to school with colds – one boy in his class has a very bad cold and keeps going every day. John was very much disgusted with him for not staying home. John has had the radio on all day to help pass the time. I think he will be glad to get back to school

Mark wanted to take his money order to school and get it cashed on the way home but I told him he could go back to town after school so he decided he could wait. David of course just said oooh! Or something equally intelligent when I showed him his money order. His pictures came so will send them out today. I think you will agree they are very good of him. I assure you he looks exactly like them.

Virginia Zell is improving. Dr. M. is going to X-ray her head tomorrow afternoon. I was over to see her this morning and she was awake and seemed normal. Dr. said she would have to remain in bed three weeks. I am anxious to get the X-ray report as to whether there is a fracture or not.

[page 3] It is warmer today – was above zero this a.m. instead of below. Those few degreed seem to make so much difference to me. There is a light snow on which will stay unless we have a sudden warm spell.

Ruth wants us to come over there for Christmas, but I am not going to plan on it because of the weather. If it warms up and the roads are not slick we may go. Your Mother wanted to know if we were planning to come down, but I hadn’t been. It would be too far to go in this kind of weather I think.

We have rec’d a few greetings. Got one from Jewell. She wrote a note – said Dot’s husband had been rejected. Dot’s baby is just a few weeks younger than David. Margaret’s husband is in the Army and Uncle G. is living with Marg. Hazel’s son Paul left Mon. for the Navy. He is married and they have a new baby.

You were wondering about E. Wilson going to the Army – The law about pre-Pearl Harbor fathers doesn’t seem to make much difference when the local draft board runs out of single men, and that seems to be the case here, or at least that is what I understand. Ed Johnson’s Co. got him a deferment, but Lucile thinks he may go when this deferment is up. She

[page 4] says he won’t ask for a deferment himself. I was in the 10₵ store and some woman asked Bill Zimmerman something about him being in the service and he said Uncle Sam had all the good men already – I suppose he didn’t pass the physical in Indpls. I knew he was to take his exam in Oct. and I didn’t ask him any questions, because I didn’t want to be nosey. I have an idea Floyd might pass the next time, if the demands gets hard enough.

Louise Krull Glenn has a new baby girl – 9 lbs. I was in the restaurant yesterday and the call came for Nick while I was there. Mrs. Krull closed her house and has been staying with Louise. Johnnie is such a big child – looks more like a 4 yr. old than 27 months.

Your acc’t of frying chicken was good. Wish I could have a picture of that – You should be able to pinch hit – you had good training at home.

I must get this finished so it will go out on the evening mail.

Here’s hoping you have a Merry Christmas – I know you won’t receive it until after the 25^thbut maybe by Jan. 1.

Love Mother
P.S. the enclosed came today – thought you would rather have the original than a reproduction.

David, 14 months, November 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/10/christmas-cards-gladys/

Neither Flu or Grippe (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 14, 1943 envelope front

: December 14, 1943 envelope back

: December 14, 1943, p. 1

: December 14, 1943, p. 2

: December 14, 1943, p. 3

: December 14, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 14 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but with the Christmas mail getting heavier all the time I can understand delays. The three last week made me feel much better after the 10 days without. J. & M. are anxious to get their Christmas money. They are just as anxious just to get a letter from you but I told them you were sending them money, and you know the human nature angle. David of course isn’t as concerned as they are, but probably would be if he were older. He is asleep now. I had to put him down and cover him about 6 times to get him finally to give up and go to sleep. I had given him his dinner and put him to bed before J. & M. came and it was after 1 P.M. before he went to sleep. He still has a cough but no temp – and feels fine otherwise. So many have the same cough so it will probably hang on for a while. He hasn’t been out of doors since Sun. but yesterday I felt like I was taking flu and didn’t want to go out, besides being the coldest weather yet this winter 5° – The weather prediction for tonite is 5 below. I should go to Sheldon and get our acct. there straightened out. They sent me a bill for $49⁰⁰

[page 2] and I know I don’t owe anything like that. I do owe the rent in advance & a few processing charges but not that much. I am glad I keep pd. bills & cancelled checks.

I called Harlans yesterday and he said I could have a small amount of Ky. Coal today and that he has a promise of more in 10 days. I will be so glad to get cleaner coal. However I have been told that no coal is treated with oil this year, so even the Ky. Coal may be dirtier than before. We have had 3 pins break since using the Ind. coal Nov. 1. It seems to form clinkers on the retort much faster than better coal. No. 2 speed doesn’t feed enough coal to keep the fire hot enough and No. 3 feed is too much, so the result is that quite often I have to shut off the coal feed and just allow the air to fan thru the accumulated coals to burn them down. I should know this furnace well this winter. It certainly didn’t get this much attention last year.

We rec’d a box from Ruth & Floyd today. I think it is nuts, etc. Also rec’d a picture of Keith Algood and a card with “Loraine & Keith Algood” printed on it. I told you before Loraine secured a divorce from Gerald – cause – another woman having a baby by the aforementioned Gerald. Loraine is working for Allison in Indpls. & her mother keeps Keith. I think things went on while they lived in Kent that Loraine didn’t know about – don’t you?

[page 3] I have been getting the children’s pictures out to put on display until Christmas – Just an idea of mine. I think it’s fun to look at their pictures. J. & M. have changed so much, yet I can still see they look like they did when younger. David seems to look more like Mark’s baby pictures now, however he is distinctly David and can hold his own. Do you remember how we used to think Mark was the prettiest baby ever? I think that feeling must have been especially for Mark. I didn’t feel that way about John, although I thought he was a good looking baby. And somehow I haven’t had that particular feeling about David – but will say he is the best looking baby around town – (proud mama stuff). David gets a lot of compliments about his good looks. J. & M. of course think he is the best looking baby they have ever seen, and the smartest, and all the other adjectives.

I am sitting by the south nursery window with the venetian blind up to get all the sun I can get. My throat is a little scratchy, tho I didn’t come down with the flu. I thought I was going to last night – had a slight temp. – but feel good today.

[page 4] This epidemic that is around is neither flu or grippe but something milder – It is bad enough, because so many people have had it or are having it. Some people were wishing for a cold spell, thought that might help things. Well, we will see – It is colder now and probably will be for a while. Personally I could do with warmer weather.

This is two days before time for Arlene to go to St. E. I talked to her today and she was feeling good. She has gotten along since Louise left with part time help. She isn’t so large this time. They sent you two boxes for Christmas this week. You probably won’t get them until Jan., but Arlene had so much to do she said she couldn’t get them out any sooner. I told her you would appreciate them any time.

David just awakened so that ends my letter writing – He still sucks his left thumb and his Mother has about decided it’s time to do something about that little habit. You can imagine the condition of his thumb – It wasn’t a bad habit when he was smaller (or was it) but I think it should be stopped now – He knows we don’t like to see him work on his thumb and if in a good humor will take it out of his mouth when told to do so. Must take D. up and put him on toidey before he dampens his pants.

Love Mother

Report Cards (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 1, 1943 envelope

: December 1, 1943, p. 1

: December 1, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 1 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

The first day of Dec. – no mail today but probably will get some tomorrow. It was a little sunny today and I took David out for fresh air. He hadn’t been out this week (Mon. or Tues.) due to a slight cold which was not present today, so I thought fresh air would do us both good. We walked over to Johnsons but they weren’t home so went on over to Krulls. I hadn’t seen their kitchen since they had remodeled. They now eat their noon meal at home every day & Thurs. & Sun. are home since those days the restaurant is closed. They closed up the door that went into the pantry and made another at the south end of the dining room. They now have a bathroom with a shower off their kitchen. It is very nice with built in cupboards, new sink, etc. If you were home I think I would want to finish the room over the garage for the boys, but under the present circumstances I think it is best that we get along as is, but it’s something to plan for. Even with a new house there is always something to do (like finish the basement).

J. & M. brought home report cards today. John had Gen. Science A – English A+ – History & Arith. A – Ag. B+ – Physical Ed. S (Satisfactory) – Band A and Citizenship S. Mark’s grades went down, but

[page 2] I am not surprised. He isn’t quite up to par. I didn’t get him started on vitamins quite soon enough and I think he played too hard thru “their” football season. I set a new bed time for him which is 8:30 and am trying to get him rested some. He and Bobby are upstairs now working on a plane for Bobby. Mark is having trouble with arithmetic now – long division seems awfully hard for him. I have to help him every evening and he isn’t grasping it like he should. I think that is one cause for his present nervousness – he gets impatient about not getting his work rapidly. David is walking around the house playing with a muffin pan and a lid. He went to the stove and got them out of the drawer. We are slapping his hands now to teach him to leave things alone that sit around where he can reach. In the morning when I get up, I have sinus drainage and do some clearing, hacking and spitting. He imitates me. He is at the age where he tries to do a lot of things we do. Of course we think he is advanced for his age, but that’s our privilege.

Dorothy told me today that Ellsworth got a 3 month deferment – that Al is going to quit teaching next year ( he will be retired then) and run Ellsworth’s business while E. is in service. Now that is as told to me and things may change by then, but those are present plans.

I tried to do some Christmas shopping today but didn’t get much done. Got a box to send to Jim. Have a gift for Thelma – an English coin purse Bud K. made.

The weather is turning to the wet order. It is raining some now. Theresa Ann Tubberty just came to get Bobby – she helps Arlene after school. Louise is back but she isn’t able to work like she used to – I don’t know when she will have her baby – She probably won’t stay after Arlene gets back from the hospital and can get along. Bobby said his Mother was addressing Christmas greetings today – She has to get her things done early.

Love Mother

Death of a Child (Gladys)

1 Reply

: November 21, 1943, p. 1

: November 21, 1943, p. 2

: November 21, 1943, p. 3

: November 21, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 21 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Sun. evening – listening to the radio – The Chase & Sanborn program on. J. & M. & I just left the kitchen after a scanty supper. Mark had a stomach bug Fri. evening – I had to clean up the bathroom floor downstairs and the hall floor upstairs – It seemed the bug was working both ways and at the same time so had underwear to wash too – Then last night (Sat.) John went thru the same thing and at the same time my throat was tightening – I felt like I was getting it bad (had had a treatment Fri., but Sat. was warm and I went out of doors several times and think I got chilled some). However to go on with my tale – I started taking sulfadiazine to nip my sinus & throat bug and must have in doing so nipped the stomach bug the boys had – No doubt I would have gotten it because I had to clean up after both boys – Just hope David doesn’t have to go thru the same experience. So far he is as peppy as ever. Dorothy & Nick came out this afternoon to take some movies

[page 2] of David but he didn’t perform very well. He won’t walk along out in the yard. I suppose the space looks to wide for him. In the house he walks from one piece of furniture to another. Out in the yard he wants to get down and crawl around on the grass. He is trying to say word nos. He often repeats words after he hears us. So far has tried to say dog, button, pretty, and I have mentioned da-da & bye bye – also mom-mom. I took some pictures yesterday and left them to be developed and should get them tomorrow. Of course will send any that are good on to you.

I was talking to Arlene last night on the phone. She was having pains – and it’s still 3 weeks until time for her to go to the hospital- She had walked to town and back and I suppose that was what brought on the early pains – however she was feeling normal this morning so the pains must have been false. She said she didn’t want to go to the hospital before time. She figures she will be there over Christmas. Says she thinks Christmas would be a nice birthday for her baby. Louise is back with Funks for the time being. She is going to have a baby too, but intends to stay with Arlene a while. At least until she can get other help or get along without.

[page 3] Later I mentioned in a previous letter about a baby at Kent apt. The mother is a daughter of the manager & her husband is a Seebee. She has been living here for some time with the baby. She called me Thurs. & said her baby was sick – after talking to her I discovered she had had Dr. Mathews. I told her to follow his instructions. He told her to take the baby to the hospital and I told her to do as he advised. She said she couldn’t stay with him, but I told her she could because I had stayed with David when he had his leg accident. The next day I called the apts. to inquire about the baby and her father told me the baby died during the night following an operation at the Jasper Co. hospital. They had talked to Bob Schurtter about the baby and weren’t satisfied with Dr. M. Bob told them to call another Dr. If they weren’t satisfied, but get another Dr. quick. They called Rumkorph and I suppose he was the one to operate – however it was too late to do anything then because the baby had lockbowel & ganggreen (sp.) had set in. I felt terrible about the whole thing because I hadn’t gone up and tried to do something, but she didn’t call me until Thurs. afternoon and he died that night and had been sick several

[page 4] days. Also I was keeping the Zell children and had Martha & David to take care of that afternoon, and had promised Mark I would come to the school and show them how to knit – Lucile took David & I took Martha with me to school. After school we came home and Zells hadn’t returned from Indpls. So had my hands full with their girls & our boys. After learning the baby had been ill several days I knew I couldn’t have done anything when she called me. If I had known about it sooner probably would have insisted on her getting him to a hospital. I have learned too that the whole family are Christian Scientists of long standing, which helps explain the delay in getting a Dr. Schurtters live at the apts. too and Bob & Dot knew the baby was ill. Bob had gotten Matthews for them in the first place but from all I gather they were slow to follow instructions.

Arlene called me and wanted me to go to Hassetts with her this evening. She had the car and I wrapped up good and went – We then stopped at the drug store. I have no drainage from my sinus now so the dash out didn’t effect me any. If I could keep taking sulfa but know that won’t do because after 24 hrs. I usually begin to itch – My throat feels clear & my sinus too so maybe I have taken enough this time to clear me up. At any rate I took the last tablet about 6 o’clock.

Have to call the plumber tomorrow. The radiators upstairs are heating – must have air. I thought the upstairs felt chilly and now I know why. The downstairs keeps warm enough.

Love Mother

Pumpkin Pie (Gladys)

1 Reply

: November 2, 1943 envelope

: November 2, 1943, p. 1

: November 2, 1943, p. 2-3

: November 2, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Nov. 2 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Oct. 26 came today – The 24 & 25 are still enroute – and will be glad to get them so I will have all up to date. Sometimes those back numbers contain things you don’t repeat, that I would hate to miss. Again I rec’d flowers via Lt. Palmer. He wrote Bergens & they gave me the letter. His address is Portland, Ore. I think I shall drop him a thank you note.

It is cloudy & chilly this afternoon. The sun was shining & I should have taken David out but had quite a few things I wanted to do in the house so I missed the

[page 2] sunshine. It really looks like it will snow. The leaves have all fall – about all I mean. The yard is covered but won’t rake because they will probably blow away & if not make good fertilizer.

Tonight is stunt nite and I should go but haven’t anyone to stay with David and unless I get someone soon (it’s 3:30 now) will definitely stay home. I would just as soon stay home and catch up on a few things but should go because John is in the 8^th grade act.

I made a batch of cookies and 4 pumpkin pies this a.m. I promised Bud yesterday when I gave him a shot that I would bring him a pie. John gave me a very large pyrex pan. I sued for one pie & I am going to take it to Bud. You probably wouldn’t care for any because I was out of cinnamon & used extract of cinnamon.

[page 3] The boys said it was good but tasted a little synthetic. I noticed it didn’t keep them from seconds. I got 21 qts. of pumpkin out of the 5 we cut up. I gave Arlene a qt. – having one t. more than could be cooked in 3 batches (8-8-4).

I heard yesterday that Louise is coming back to stay with Arlene until after the baby comes. Dean thinks he will be sent out and Louise is going to have a baby and will have to come home anyway.

David is taking a nap. He gets so tired since he roams all over the house so much. I was trying to clean & he wanted to follow right after me. I couldn’t get much done so put him in bed & he went to sleep. He jabbers so much & gets a word out now & then. He wants to feed himself but can’t quite make it. Also tries to hold his glass which is a little better done. Still says Da-da & Mom-mom a lot.

[page 4] Mrs. James told me yesterday that Irene went to the Presb. Hosp. in Chicago & stayed 10 days – They found a thyroid condition & are giving her iodine. I do not know the Dr. she went to but someone Mr. Davis knows.

Art Kenny is home & told Dorothy he was coming out to see me. Jack Byrnes said yesterday he hadn’t seen Art yet so he must be pretty busy seeing his relatives. If he comes & I find out anything – I mean if he knows what he is going to do, will let you know.

I must write to Jim & Glen & others. Seems like I spend a lot of time writing, but sure is nice to get letters, especially from you.

“Love Mother”