Tag Archives: Mary Josephine (Ramp) Krull

Going Too Smoothly (Gladys)

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October 19, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 19, 1945, p. 1

10-19-45

Dear Daddy –

It is cloudy with some rain. I ordered a load of stoker coal from Harlan. Just hope Monroe can get a new auger soon. Since the weather isn’t favorable for drying clothes I didn’t wash.

I went down to the office and worked a while last night. I didn’t try to save much from the drug room. I possibly threw away something of value but I doubt it. I had Mark go over to Kenny’s and get a large box and we just dumped things into that. Now when Vincent gets the carpentry done I can go and clean that room since I cleaned out most of the junk last nite. Vincent said he wouldn’t work anymore this week, but is going to get it finished next week. Monroe said he would move the heating plant when Vincent finishes so I think things will get along very well. Nick took a case while we were there and said he would soon have it all out of the way. I asked him about Mildred and he said he had a card from her and she will be gone 2 more weeks. She should have had someone fixing her side while she is away. I went out in the back to find a broom and it isn’t so bad back there. There is plenty of junk to be moved out but it not as bad as it has been at times. Mrs. Krull said she was going to have Lontz clean it out and even mentioned having it white washed. I found a good toilet seat in the drug room. I have no idea where it is from, but it may be used on the toilet in back. I also found a box of glasses & drinking tubes which I think Geo. Tilton left. He had things stored in there last year and the box had Kentland Frurn on it.

I called Emma about a perm but she said she was booked two weeks ahead, then she had a cancellation for tomorrow so it took it. I was going

October 19, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] back to Mildred but she won’t be back for two more weeks and my hair gets more uncurly every day. I read the boys part of your letter with the “pun” about the frames and you can guess their reaction. It wasn’t exactly complimentary to your humor, but you know our boys.

Ellsworth is back. I haven’t seen him yet but he has been back several days. I saw Doris and she said I had gotten Juanita’s gloves the day we were together (the day I met you at the Lakes). Juanita is working this week so Emma Plummer can take a vacation.

John worked on his school paper last night. They have to mimeograph their paper this year for a while. John says the Supt. Isn’t interested in the paper so he doesn’t try to help them. I do wish there was more co-operation between the Supt. & student body, but I doubt that there will be. Mr. S. seems to be disliked by every one over there.

I think we are going to have some fair weather – the sun is shining now, so I think I’ll go put in a washer of clothes. – – It’s now 1:30 – I have put all the washing on the line, had lunch & dishes washed. It’s very nice out but a little chilly.

Geo. Monroe came about one o’clock and said he wouldn’t be able to do the work at the office, so now I am going to try Arnold. If Jim would come up he could do it if he had tools to work with. I’ll see if I can get Arnold. Vincent won’t be thru before the middle or last of next week so I should be able to get it done after that. – I thought everything was going too smoothly. (pessimist)

Arlene brought Bobby home. Dr. Ade took out both tonsils & adenoids. He said the adenoids were so large he didn’t see how Bobby could breathe thru his nose. The letter you wrote the 16^th – mailed the 17^th came yesterday the 18^th.

Love,
Mother

: Medical Society Program (exterior)

: Medical Society Program (interior)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/11/going-too-smoothly-gladys/

Done for the Day (Roscoe)

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October 18, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 18, 1945, p. 1

Oct., 18, 1945

Dear Mother,

I’m practically all done for the day except just now waiting for evening chow.

I’m very certain now that there will be nothing done to have our papers started before Nov. 1 because the Capt. took a 15 day leave beginning as of the 17^th and didn’t sign our papers before leaving but the yeoman assured me that he would sign them as quickly soon as he came back and he also thought the Capt. would be back a few days early. Anyway since this 53 is not in affect until Nov. 1 we can hardly squawk too much but after that – anyway that subject need not be kicked around for a few days.

Now to get on with your problems. It seems to me it might be wise to get Monroe to put an auger

October 18, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] in the stoker, but I suppose it would take a few days to get that and the auger and the oil burner would probably come at the same time. Someone told me about som cutting those and welding them. Maybe I dreamed that, however, we didn’t put forth much effort to get coal so maybe there won’t be any coal even if you did get the furnace fixed. I think possibly if you had a good fire in the eve and then turn the thermostat down so that the house would have to cool a bit before it kicked on – Say so that the furnace ran only a small bit during the night it might work.

The office work seems to be progressing pretty well. This It will possibly be ready before I am.

Maybe Chet could put in the oil tank at the house and use that burner which he thought he

October 18, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] could use for the office temporarily. It might cost a little extra for instillation, etc., but it would keep the house a little warmer. It does los seem of as if there should be one oil burner someplace we could use.

The $113 doesn’t seem like such a terrible price but that does not include the back room. I hope if Mary K. does clean out the back room none of my X-ray sink developer or that sink back there gets on the trash heap. I wish also that she wouldn’t be in a hurry about the new toilet because I might have a different idea of where it belongs, but if that room it is in is cleaned up that wouldn’t be so bad. Seems as if I have lots of ideas but not very firm on

October 18, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] any of them.

We are to receive approximately 2,000 patients over the weekend so that means lots of extra work. I had said that I wouldn’t take another draft but maybe I could be persuaded especially with time not being used as I’d like for it to be used. The last one was such a rat race that I swore I’d take no more but with all that group coming in it might be different. What do you think?

Well, it is almost chow time so I’d better stop and take care of the inner man –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/10/done-for-the-day-roscoe/

Construction Plans (Gladys)

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October 12, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 12, 1945, p. 1

10-12-45

Dear Daddy –

I haven’t any figures to submit but Vincent looked the office over and said he would do the work next week. I called Geo. Monroe but he was out – however he is to call me. Now I think the thing for us to do is forget about piping the heat over from Nick’s, and go ahead with the heating plant we have. I called Loughridge and Bun said they have a burner he thinks will work in the boiler and if so we could get a set up that would be our own and with automatic oil we would be better off than if we hooked on to the other plant. I measured the space necessary to locate the boiler in the back room and it would take up such a small space it wouldn’t really be in the way. I am afraid it would cost more to get a pipeline put across the alley than to put in an oil burner. At any rate I am going to proceed with the above plans as soon as I can get the men started, unless you wire me to stop when you get this. Vincent said he could move the wall up 3’ so I am having that done too. There is a radiator 3’ from the wall so that is as far up as we can move it unless we would move the radiator and I don’t think it would be worth the work to move that large radiator. I’ll draw a little plan on the back to show you how much space the boiler will take.

October 12, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] It is another grand fall day. I intend to sit out in the yard and knit – I want to get my knitting out of the way as much as possible this week. I am so glad for this weather since we haven’t such a good furnace arrangement. Just hope it’s this warm next week for the carpenter. Vincent said he would work at night on the office. I stopped to see Mrs. Krull yesterday. She said she is going to have Mr. Lontz go down and clean out that backroom and white wash it. She said something about putting in a new stool if necessary. I told her it probably needed to be changed because when they aren’t kept clean they get beyond cleaning. I think she is glad to get the back end cleaned up.

I just went out to see about David. He was clomping around in a pr. of my good shoes. I put them on the back porch so I would remember to take them to the repair shop. I thought it would be warm out of doors but the wind is chilly.

Irene is out washing their front windows. She is using a cleaner like Bon Ami and says it is grand stuff. It comes in liquid form but works just like my favorite cleaner. ——- As you can see you would have a little more space in all three back rooms. How do you like the way I re-spaced the rooms – the ex[am] room can be 5 X 10 since you will have the extra length on the consultation room. As you can see the boiler wouldn’t be in the way. I you don’t want me to proceed with this just wire me or call Mon. eve.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/30/construction-plans-gladys/

Ice Cream for Supper (Gladys)

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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/

Walk to Town (Gladys)

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April 19 & 20, 1944 envelope

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

I wrote one letter this morning but thought I would start one this afternoon while I was thinking about what I wanted to write.

I took David out for a walk and he kept going until we were on Main street so I got the paper & a few articles I needed at the drug store. I saw Coke and she wanted to know about when you would be home. Said they wanted to see you, etc. I asked her about Dr. Baer and he is a MacIntyre. They live in a town close to Great Lakes, but it isn’t Lake Forest. She told me the name but I don’t remember. Maybe it was Highland Park. I am not sure. At any rate coke wants you to see Dr. B. He is a Commander now. I saw Alma and she said the evening we tried to call them was the only evening they were away from home, and on Wed. evening

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] before you went to G.L. they didn’t go to the show, but were downtown. We just didn’t see them.

I stopped to see Mrs. Krull and she says the suits wouldn’t make over for John. Says she wouldn’t tackle the job and a tailor would charge $15.00 to do the job. I was wondering if Ralph or Clarence could use a suit or two. Mrs. K. just made one of Nick’s old suits over for Dorothy. I wish I had used one of yours for myself instead of buying the one I did. I still would like to have a black suit and could take the pin strip and have one made for myself.

I stopped at Johnsons and Jimmy had been sick. I saw someone sitting in the living room and opened the door and David ran in. Lucile came and said Jimmy had been sick but was feeling better and temp was normal. He was quite sick last night and had a temp of 104 4/10 (rectally). He had a convulsion last night

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] but seemed perfectly normal today. The Dr. thought he might be taking measles or something but evidently not or he would be breaking out. His throat was sore and the Dr. swabbed it. David was with him Sun. & Mon. afternoon and Lucile thinks he was starting a temp Mon. so if he has anything D. has a good chance of getting it from being with him Mon. Of course at the time Lucile didn’t know he had a temp, but we were in the restaurant together and before that she had Jimmy out here, and when she started home from the restaurant with Jimmy, said he got fussy and she had to carry him home. I hope he doesn’t develop anything. Are children who are subject to allergies more apt to have convulsions than others? The thought just occurred to me, because of Jimmy and the Wilson baby, Michael, was like Jimmy when he was small (covered with eczema) and he is subject to convulsions. Or is it due to the high temperatures?

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Bobby came up with 25₵ and asked Mark to buy him a plane to build so Mark is at Funks now making Bobby a plane. John asked me if he should go to a party Sat. nite, since you were planning to come home he wasn’t sure it would be the thing to do, but I told him he could see you Sun. and I thought he should attend the party since he stays home most of the time.

It is 6 PM by the living room clock, so that means chow time for David. He should have a good appetite after walking to town and back. I thought maybe he had walked too much and John said, “Do you realize if he had been home he would be walking around here all the time?”

Thurs. a.m. – the mail hasn’t been delivered yet – I am finishing this for Mark to take as he goes to school. It is cloudy this morning and looks very much like it will rain anytime. I did have ideas of washing some but now have a good excuse not to.

Love Mother

P.S. Highland Park is right.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/24/walk-to-town-gladys/

Strong Woman (Gladys)

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April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

The mail carrier was around earlier than usual – in fact before we had breakfast, so I had your letter mailed yesterday to read before breakfast. It is nice and sunny today. I will have to take David out for a walk. He does love to go out of doors. Martha came over to ask if I wanted anything from town (her mother was going) and David cried when Martha left. I gave him a cookie and that fixed things up pretty fine. I have been upstairs cleaning some this a.m. I didn’t go into spring cleaning, just dusted and straightened and cleaned the bathroom floor. I think I’ll have to get back on my vitamins. I feel a little out of pep after I work a while.

April 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I just have one unicap left. I think I’ll get another bottle. I believe they help me as much as anything I have taken. I think I forgot to tell you I got a heart reaction from the last liver & Vit. B shot I took, so am afraid to try that again for a pick-up.

Our neighbors arrived home from Fla. yesterday. It was nice in the morning but by mid afternoon it had clouded up, turned cool and rained, but the weather is ideal this morning so maybe they won’t feel a chill.

Mrs. Zell had their car yesterday and I went to town with her and got David’s milk. She was having dinner guests (Shanlaubs) so I helped her get ready for them. She didn’t have the house straightened up at 4 PM and I didn’t have anything in particular to do so helped her. She is having a birthday party

April 19, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] for Virginia after school today. It is for the girls in the 5^th grade. This is one party J. & M. will miss, no boys invited.

I think I’ll go see Mrs. Krull today about cutting a suit down for John. I wish I knew someone your size who would buy some of those things and just buy John a new suit. I am going to have to do something soon if he keeps growing because his legs & arms are getting too long for the suit he has now.

Bun Walkup delivered some peat moss to Statons yesterday. I told him to haul our clinkers the next time he hauls trash. He was asking about you. Thought you hadn’t been home long enough to be back on duty. He said Iva Jean wondered how I held up under your being away. I suppose she was greatly

April 19, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] relieved that Bun didn’t have to go. I told Bun to tell her I am a “strong woman” – however I don’t feel that way at all sometimes, but I don’t go around sounding off my weakness. She would find out like anyone else whose husband is in Service who we stand it. It isn’t easy.

So far today David hasn’t had any accidents in his panties, but that isn’t his fault. I have been trying to watch him. He woke up about 1 a.m. and I put him in bed with me. He was wide awake and kept bothering me so I put dry pants on him and put him back in his bed. About 7:45 he woke me and I put him on the toidey. He had a B.M. After breakfast I put him on and he went, then again while I was working upstairs. It is time to check again – He just ran by me and I missed it – pants wet. I made thumbs stalls but didn’t get them just right – he can slip them off – but he hasn’t been bothering his thumb at all so maybe our battle is about over.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/23/strong-woman-gladys/

Grandma Ramp (Gladys)

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: February 13, 1944, p. 1

: February 13, 1944, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
2-13-44

Dear Daddy –

Sun. evening and just back from a walk. Mark and I walked to town then over to Johnsons. Lucile said she would keep David tomorrow if I wanted to go to Music Club at Cokes but there isn’t any school tomorrow due to the snow on the roads, so I told Lucile the boys would be home to take care of D. – That is Mark will – John will probably go with me because Coke is going to play the opera La Boheme on their phonograph for the Music Club and he wants to hear it. This afternoon I took David and Mark and walked down the street – We called on Mrs. Krull then on the way back stopped at Funks. Mrs. Krull told me about her mother. Grandma Ramp was here with Mrs. Krull when she died. She wasn’t feeling very well and Mrs. K. asked her if she wanted a Dr. Grandma R. said “if you can call the Dr. you had when John was born,” who was Dr. Van Kirk – so Mrs. Krull called him. He gave her some medicine but told Mrs. K. there wasn’t much to do for her – she had pneumonia. She had been restless all day Wed. and the Dr. came in the evening and gave her a hypo and she went to sleep – and slept. Mrs. K. said she didn’t awaken after that. She was almost 88 year old. When Father Krull died about a month ago, Grandma Ramp wanted to go along to Ohio with Mrs. Krull and the family wouldn’t let her go. Mrs. K. said that made her mad and she

[page 2] didn’t get over it. She told them she was able to go on the trip – but they wouldn’t allow her to go.

While at Funks I said something about coal and Bill said if I couldn’t get any he would send us a load from the seed corn house. We have enough to last just a few days. I called Chet Harlan some time ago and he promised to send us some as soon as a car load comes in which should be now.

Funk’s had to change bedrooms with the children. Their nursery needed more room so the children now have the front bedroom. There is room for Donnie’s play pen (where he plays most of the time) – we folded David’s up long ago. When Joy gets too large for the basket there will be room enough for another baby bed in the nursery. They put the twin beds downstairs and with a bed table between and a chest of drawers the back bedroom looks roomier than the front bedroom used to look with the large bed. The only thing, Arlene loves to move furniture around and she can’t do that now in that bedroom.

The Music Club chorus is coming here to practice before Club tomorrow – so I’ll have to get some dusting done – with this coal dusting is necessary every day to keep the furniture from looking white. I’ll have help tomorrow since there isn’t any school.

Since taking the walk I have had some good sinus drainage – It feels all cleaned out now – It is getting around my bedtime – I am sleepy after that invigorating walk.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: ‎https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/05/grandma-ramp-gladys/

A White Haze (Gladys)

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: February 10, 1944 envelope front

: February 10, 1944, envelope back

: February 10, 1944, p. 1

: February 10, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 10, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-10-44

Dear Daddy –

Another day without letters from you, but Mon. (7^th) had five. Maybe tomorrow will bring more. Winter is upon us again and at present it is snowing. I am glad the ground needs moisture. It is so gray and overhanging it looks like it could snow all afternoon. It is a very fine snow and will take a lot to cover the ground.

I started washing the kitchen walls this morning. I didn’t try to do the whole thing because I get too tired so I can see definitely where I quit. The dirtiest the walls have ever been. The unfinished walls are needing something but I think they should wait until spring – then some kind of water color. Ed Johnson painted the walls in that house with a watercolor and it looks very good. Lucile said it

[page 2] is washable, too. However, since it is so inexpensive it would be just as easy to repaint as to wash.

I was just looking out the dining room window and without wishing to make you feel badly, wish you could see the scene. It is a white haze across the prairie, a little wind – gently blowing white waves across Zell’s roof. It makes me think of one day while you were still at St. E. and we drove up to Kent thru snow just like this. As far as we could see, white haze. I can see a little squirrel running across the yard now, probably looking for food. I noticed an ear of corn in one of the tall evergreen trees that one of the squirrels no doubt put there. I looked for it again and it was gone.

Last night while preparing supper David had been fed and was on “the loose” – I had set a pan of lukewarm milk on the cabinet and he reached up and pulled it off – It was so

[page 3] funny – seeing him stand there with milk dripping all over him. He didn’t know quite what to do – I was so amused I just stood and laughed to myself – but Mark isn’t very subtle, so he laughed rather loudly and frightened David. Until Mark laughed David was not sure what to do, but then he started to cry. John was so provoked with Mark – he said it might give David some kind of phobia if frightened by the incident. He seemed not any worse for the wear when I got the milk wiped off. He is always reaching up for things. I am glad it wasn’t hot, and from now on I will be careful to push things back so he can’t reach them.

I stopped for lack of subject matter and thought I would rest a while but David soon woke up so I got up and put D. on the toidey, then dressed him and decided to re-arrange the nursery so he could climb up on the couch to look out the window. The couch had been sitting along

[page 4] the north wall. While in the process I saw John coming home. I asked him why and he said can’t you see – the snow I mentioned developed into a blizzard and school had to be dismissed so the busses could get thru. The snow is drifting, so there probably won’t be any more school this week. John said the second semester was dry anyway, and this little vacation is welcome right now.

Virginia Zell is braving the snowstorm to go to the P.O. and is going to take this along so must get it finished. I scanned over the Dem. This morning to glean any news that might interest you – just in passing Frances Moynihan, now Sgt. In W.A.C. is to be married Feb. 11 to a mess Seargent. You remember her – the girl there was so much about when we came to Kent. John Krull was home for Mrs. Ramp’s funeral. He has gone back to Camp but Gladys remained here. She has been staying in Waycross, Ga., ear the camp. I see that the Eilers who married Helen Woodruff is back. I missing seeing anything about his discharge but he has one I suppose or wouldn’t be back here.

Love – Mother

Where’s Daddy? (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 5, 1944 envelope

: February 5, 1944 envelope

: February 5, 1944, p. 1

: February 5, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 5, 1944, p. 4

: February 5, 1944, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-5-44

Dear Daddy –

No letters since Wed. If I thought it meant one thing I wouldn’t care but am almost afraid to build upon that idea. I will hope just as I have been all along.

It is windy today but not very cold. However it may get cold. The weather has been unusually warm for this time of the year. Some days the grey overhanging sky seems very bleak and I long for sunny days and to putter around in the yard.

David just awakened from his nap and Mark took him to the bathroom. He doesn’t show much tendency toward helping us train him. If we take him to the bathroom at the right time we save a diaper, otherwise it has to be washed. Mark & I were in the nursery with him and Mark said, “Where’s Daddy?” David was on the couch and got down as quickly as possible and went to the living room I such a hurry we followed to see where he was going.

[page 2] He went to the table and tried to get your picture. I gave it to him and he pointed to it and said “Da.” His picture & yours sit side by side but he seems to know which one to get when we say, “Where’s Daddy?” He understands so many things we say, we have to go around spelling things that concern him. I suppose he will soon catch on to the spelling.

John is listening to the opera and doesn’t want to be bothered. Mark and I are keeping David in the nursery, because you can’t concentrate on much when he is bothering around. Mark is entertaining him while I write. Now it isn’t as bad as it sounds, but he is a live wire.

Mark was so afraid he had been exposed to Rabies he was ill. Fri. morning he said he didn’t feel like going to school so I let him remain home. I tried to tell him he couldn’t get rabies from just touching Sammon’s dog, but he was too scared to

[page 3] be convinced. Buddy & Betty are having to take shots because their dog died from Rabies. Fortunately Mark hadn’t been around Krull’s dog recently. Tommy Britton seems to [be] very glib in telling stories. He was telling that Buddy had rabies. Dorothy was so angry with Tommy she said he was a little so and so and she would like to slap his face, etc., etc., etc.

– My nurse maid ran out on me and D. is up on the couch climbing around me and how long I can write before I stop and put him down is a question.

I saw Nick’s car pull in down at his Mother’s. I suppose he was bringing her back from her mother’s funeral which was held this morning in Rensselaer. Mrs. Ramp was visiting here with Mrs. K. when she died Thurs.

Dorothy Cobb Stevens’ husband is in the Navy and at present is in Base Hosp. #5. She doesn’t know where he is except in the S.W. Pacific. He had an operation recently for hernia.

The sun is shining faintly so think I’ll put D. out in his buddy and let M. watch him. Mark is out skating with Virginia.

[page 4] We baked a cake and cookies this A.M. – John mixed the cake before he went to take his music lesson. It is chocolate. That isn’t good for John’s pimples – he still has a few but we go lightly on the choc. most of the time. The Gym Class took some new exercises this week and John was sore for a day or two. They took a hike around Kent Pond. I told him it was a good thing for the class to do something like that, otherwise he wouldn’t and I think he needs more exercise than he takes.

Zells are still working on the upstairs. They are going to put a dormer in the front where that little decoration on the roof is. They will have quite a nice room when they get it finished. Mr. Z. had to take a physical but doesn’t know whether he will have to go because Purdue says the Co. Agents are to be deferred for occupation. However it is known that he has taken the exam and the stories are circulating. One story Dorothy told Lucile for positive was he had enlisted in the Navy. Lucile said she didn’t think he had but D. said it was so. Well the truth is he hasn’t enlisted and didn’t have any intention of doing so. When

[page 5] he talked about enlisting he was told he should remain on his job as it is considered very essential. He isn’t taking all the “gossip” very well. He says he wishes he had gone to Brookville and gone with that group and no one here would have known anything about it. He is registered at Brookville.

I haven’t seen Art Kenny. He has been home several days. His mother is very ill and he probably is spending most of his time with her, because he is on his way “out.” He says he will be in the South Pacific.

I haven’t heard from Jim but once since Christmas. I wrote him not long ago and told him to let me know if he is sent out. In that event Thelma would return home and I am sure would let me know.

I must get this finished so it can be mailed.
“Love Mother”

Aunt Minerva Died (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 27, 1944 envelope

: January 27, 1944, p. 1

: January 27, 1944, p. 2

: January 27, 1944, p. 3

: January 27, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
1-27-44

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d yours of Jan. 16, 17 & 19 today. David is taking a nap just now, I have lunch cooking and thought I would write the daily line while I have time to sit and think. That is quite a job when David is awake and going. It seems to me he is much more restless than either J. or M. Before this last cold I could pen him up in the nursery and get something done in the mornings, but last week when he had a temp I kept him on the couch and was with him constantly, consequently he doesn’t want to be alone now. This morning I finally put him in his bed and he went to sleep. I was getting along fine on the thumb business until last week and not wanting him to cry when it caused him to cough, let down on the breaking business and the past two days he has been keeping a thumb in his mouth almost constantly. I pin his sleeves shut at night so he can’t get to them at night but the first thing he does when I take his sleepers off if to stick either one or both thumbs in his mouth. I have one thumb guard on today so he is using the other thumb. I took him out for a long walk yesterday. It was so warm out I knew it wouldn’t hurt him. He still coughs but so many people do. There must be a cough bug around this year.

[page 2] John is coughing now. He told David he got a cough from him. I think John’s cough may be an allergy. He had one such last fall. When I took him to Dr. V. he said it was hay fever. John went back to school this a.m. after taking yesterday p.m. off. He had a terrible headache but it was due to reading a book & writing a review – working too constantly on it. He reads all the time but not quite as steadily on this book. The way he like to read it, is too bad his eyes bother him. However, I wish sometimes he would get out a little more. I think he would be happy just to study all the time without any activity and that isn’t normal. I am glad he has to take physical ed. in school. Mark on the other hand studies just as little as possible and is always ready to play something out of doors. He gets out in the yard and kicks his football around if he doesn’t have anyone to play with.

It has been so warm the past week, yesterday was just like a spring day. It is too dry for the good of crops in the spring. The government is already predicting crop shortages next summer, or if not shortages, the crops won’t come up to last years. We haven’t had much snow or rain either this winter. Of course this is easy on the present coal supply but that isn’t all to think about. I do hope they get in more of the better coal but am afraid they won’t. I think we have enough yet to run us thru the coldest part of the winter, providing we don’t have an unusually cold March, which we may have since it is so warm now.

[page 3] The Democrat had the acc’t of Mrs. Kindall’s death. I didn’t know she was ill but the paper says she had been down two weeks. She used to stop and visit with me once in a while, and had been here not so long ago. I suppose it was her diabetes.

Bun Walkup hauled the clinkers yesterday. I had been trying to get him to get them for weeks. We had quite a pile, due to that Ind. coal we used in Nov. He says he will have to go in Feb. for his physical. He thinks he won’t pass. I told him he probably would. He seems to think he has enough wrong with him to keep him out but apparently he is enjoying good health.

Had a letter from Juanita. Ralph is in the Navy now. He was due to go in the Army but joined the Navy instead. She also told me Aunt Minerva had passed away – I don’t know when – the family didn’t let me know. I sent Aunt M. a birthday card (Nov. 14) and I had a letter from her after that but that was the last I heard from her.

– – It is afternoon now. David is awake, has been fed and in and out of everything he can find. I finally penned him up in the nursery and he is now dragging his bath towel around to amuse himself. His favorite place to play is the downstairs bathroom. He had his nap this morning so is full of pep for the afternoon.

[page 4] It is raining now. I hope we have more and tho I don’t care for cold weather, would rather have it now than later in the spring.

While walking yesterday met Mrs. Krull. She had been with Louise, but Father Krull died and after attending the funeral in Ohio, Mrs. Krull decided to remain home. I told her D. had a cough – She said “Are you greasing him?” I said “What good would that do?” She said “You young mothers.” – She related some experiences at Louise’s about using some home remedies on the new baby – of course on her own – Louise doesn’t share her mother’s belief in the curative powers of goose grease, etc. She said I should use goose grease on David.

Margaret Kruman is taking her yearly vacation in Fla. I see in the paper that Mrs. Shandy & son have gone to Miami to join Cliff. I imagine Marg. went with Mrs. S. – They both left Monday. Also Mrs. Dixon & Nettie have gone and I saw in last week’s paper that Mrs. Dye, son Ross & Gladys Webber had gone to Fla. together.

Lucile just called and while we talked D. went from one thing to another, the last thing he did to get me to stop talking was get some bread out and scatter it over the floor. Lucile was having similar trouble with J.E. David is being unusually – whatever you want to call it today.

“Love Mother”