Tag Archives: Mrs. Leila Roberts

Very Quiet After Sunday

Letter transcription:

Sept. 4 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie –

The suit coat arrived – I took it to the cleaner & Dad wore the suit last night. We went to Watseka to give a program for the Nurse Assn. Dr. & Mrs. Roberts also attended. The group thanked us and invited us to give another program next month since we just got as far as Bali with the program last night.

Mark and Shirley went home this a.m. They were going to stop and visit with Aunt Ruth. I talked to her over the phone before they started. She said Romaine and Tye had been with her until yesterday. I have promised to go get her sometime and bring her over here for a few days. I hope she gets to the place she can drive her car. I think all she needs is a little confidence in herself.

Mark and Shirley waxed my car yesterday. However, since we are having a long dry period I am afraid it won’t do much good.

John took a load of things to Champaign Tues. He is

[page 2] coming back today to spend weekend and take rest of his things back Sunday.

This place will seem very quiet after Sunday – after all the company we have had this summer.

Alma has stopped several times this summer. She has recently been to visit her sister in Missouri. We received a letter from her this week and she was getting ready to return to Crown Point.

I have a basket of work waiting for me on my desk so I think it would be a good idea for me to get to work.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/10/very-quiet-after-sunday/

Going Ahead (Gladys)

1 Reply

October 14, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 14, 1945, p. 1

Oct. 14-1945

Dear Daddy –

I didn’t write yesterday – I was waiting for your wire and it didn’t come until after mailing time. At any rate I am going ahead with the office as we planned. Vincent called me and said his estimate for labor and material would be $113.00. That he said would include everything he would do. Of course Mr. Monroe would (will) have another bill. Mr. Monroe came out to the house Sat. and asked me what we wanted – I told him and he said he would look it over and see what would have to be done. I am going ahead with our heating plant – because I am afraid it would cost more to pipe the heat across the alley than to use our own heating plant. Mr. Monroe asked me how we were getting along with the furnace. I said we were hand firing and since you were coming home we may just have the auger fixed. Mr. M. said he couldn’t get any burners yet. They didn’t have anything yet last week.

We are enjoying a lively fire in the fireplace. We bought some coal up and it lasts so much longer than logs. David is in bed – he was so tired this evening he was cross and cried at everything. John is up in the attic looking for Reader’s Digests – he wants

October 14, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] an old number for something. He took his first organ lesson yesterday ($1.50 hr.) and I went to the church with him for one hour practice this afternoon. He can only use the church when it’s warm and now that is only Sat. & Sun. He also took a piano lesson yesterday afternoon. Miss Smith is discouraged with Mark and told John he was wasting his money & her time – however I think when you get back and can help him he will improve. We got all the storm windows on yesterday – all but the doors, but they won’t be much of a job.

Jim called me from Great Lakes yesterday. He is getting his discharge in a day or two, then he is going to N.Y. to get his car – Washington to get Thelma – back to Terra Haute then up here to see us. Maybe you will get back about the same time.

I am wondering if you will be sent back to G.L. for discharge – but maybe your first letter will answer some of my inquiries. I wish now we had arranged for you to call – then I could have given you the estimate on the office, but I am assuming you want me to get it done.

Emmett Miller is home. I called Lila and she doesn’t know about Joe – but now that he has enough points he will surely be home soon.

It is cooler today. Rained a little and stays chilly. I looked out a few minutes ago and saw a bright moon, so it must be clear. Just hope is doesn’t get too chilly before we get this furnace fixed one way or another.

Love Mother

P.S. Kenneth is on his way home.

October 14, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Mon. morn – Arlene called me last night and asked me to see if I could get her an appointment with Dr. Ade (first she asked if you were home). It seems Bobby is losing his hearing. He has been having some ear trouble and Arlene is quite alarmed over his condition. I called Dr. Ade this morning & he said to bring him down this afternoon. I called Loughridge this morning but Bun didn’t know much. I am afraid we will have to get this furnace fixed or I will get a bad cold. I am bordering on a throat condition now and it’s so much cooler

October 14, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] and takes the house so long to heat up in the morning. I went down and burned a lot of trash to build the temp up and I finally have it up to 66. (10:45) I have to go to the store to get a few things. Maybe it will be up by the time I get back.

It is nice and sunny today so maybe the temp will get up before the day is over.

Will try to have more info about everything this evening.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/02/going-ahead-gladys/

Nu-Joy Restaurant (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 9, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

9-9-45

Dear Daddy –

We had quite an exciting afternoon. The Nu-Joy Restaurant burned to the ground. The fire started in the kitchen and the fire Dept. wasn’t called soon enough, so the story goes. All the fire trucks around here came but about all the good they did was to keep the garage from burning and the Kentland Café building. John & Gladys are back and getting their place ready to open. I suppose they will step up their work to get opened sooner now that the Nu-Joy is gone. The Harlan Parrs were in town and had come out this way so they took David and me down. J. & M. were already down watching the fire. We parked by Childress Station and watched a while, then I asked them to take be back home. There was such a mob gathering I thought I would rather be home. Traffic had to be re-routed out this way to 24. There were cars parked on 24 out past here. Ed J. took John out for another driving lesson this evening and he told John what the Electric Co. had to do when they knew how the fire was going. Ed was on the scene most of the time – until after the fire was really over. I could see smoke for a long time.

Jimmy Ed is much better. I took David and stayed there while John & Ed were driving. Jimmy seems normal. Lucile says he chokes up some at night, but while we were there I didn’t notice any signs of hay fever or asthma. Maybe what was bothering him a week ago is gone now.

Joe Bill Mullen was in church this

September 9, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] with Gloria Blanke and his mother. He has to go back to the hospital for more treatment. I have heard there is to be a wedding, but I don’t know when.

The Foulkes were entertaining dinner guests at the Nu-Joy when the fire started. I think they left before they had finished eating. No one was caught in the fire but Katie told me all they could get out was the money. I heard later that some other things were saved – some 5^ths. One fireman was supposed to have taken 3 cases of beer.

Olene Miller says Emmett wrote her not to send him any more packages, so she things he will soon be coming home.

Lila called me tonight. She said Joe is still in N. Africa. He got his promotion so is now Comdr. She doesn’t know anything about when he will get home and wondered if you knew anything.

Mrs. Glick was at church this a.m. She asked me how soon you were coming home. I told her I didn’t know. Dr. G. seemed to think it would be soon, or something to that effect.

I got the boys started back on their regular monthly allowance again. Mrs. Koon came out Sat. and paid the bal. of the rent $15.00 – so that helps out the petty cash fund.

The Statons were gone from home today and came in on 24 and turned to come up the short street so didn’t see what had happened. You can imagine their surprise when we told them what had happened.

We were up late last night so in order to get the boys settled down early will go to bed myself. Lucile came out late last night to show us Karen’s pictures. She stayed until 11:30. I made a pot of coffee and we ate some of John’s prize cake he baked yesterday morning.

Love Mother

Photograph of the Nu-Joy fire, from the Kentland-Newton County Centennial, 1860-1960. Note the incorrect date!

[Editor’s note: A newspaper clipping regarding the Nu-Joy fire can be found here. Note that both Gladys and the newspaper give the date of the fire as Sunday, September 9, 1945, not September 7th as printed in the centennial book.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/18/nu-joy-restaurant-gladys/

News About Releases (Gladys)

1 Reply

August 23, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 23, 1945, p. 1

8-23-45

Dear Daddy –

No mail so far from you or from Dolores. Had two letters from Jim today – one written Aug. 1 & 15. He said we could guess from his address in what area he is. Had a card from Arlene. They are coming back Sun. She sent me a card with a picture of the 500 Bushel Club, Lake Gogebic, Marinesco, Mich. That is the lodge they own. Quite an impressive looking place.

So far the Loughridges haven’t given me any figure on the oil burner, but I called Chet this a.m. and he promised it by this afternoon. I went to town this morning and got the lawn mower. It is in good “cuttin’” shape now. Mark moved the backyard again for the 3^rd time in a week without a protest. We finally got all the weeds out and everyone agrees the yard looks much better. Mark is nailing the holes shut in the garage to keep the mice out of the attic.

Mrs. Roberts was here for a few minutes yesterday. Joe doesn’t have any idea

August 23, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] as to when he will get home. Earl is still across, somewhere in France and wants his wife to join him if possible. We are still listening to the news to get any “info” about releases, but nothing we are vitally interested in has been said. Jim says he figures to be in for quite a while yet.

David is taking a nice long nap. It’s cool today so he sleeps well. John received, I think, about $9.00 for his birthday. We had the Zell girls & Jimmy come over for ice cream & cake. He said he was well pleased with money for gifts. In fact said that was the nicest gift he knew of. The Zells are away today so Jimmy is hanging around with Mark. David & Jimmy like to play together – and with the Zell girls too.

—Had a caller – Lucile Burgee with her little girl – Karen Sue – Gerhard is in France – doesn’t know when he will get to come home.

I’ll have to hurry if I get this in the mail before the P.O. closes. I didn’t get any word from the Loughridges – so if I don’t hear from them tomorrow I am not going to bother them anymore. Evidently they aren’t interest. I saw Harold Portteus this morning – he said he hadn’t sent that night letter yet but thought he might get it out tonight.

It’s about time for Mark to come in from his paper route so will get this finished.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/13/news-about-releases-gladys/

Leila Roberts

1 Reply

March 26, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Mar. 26, 1925 [sic 1945]

Dear Friends:

We speak of you folks often, but letter writing just seems to be one of those things we are forever putting off.

We are still in the same spot and from most reports are fortunate to have what we do for there are so many who just can’t find anything.

Our year is practically up and yours is up so I suppose we can both expect most anything but we’ll just sit tight and hope!

We drove down home last week-end and as usual spent most of our time cleaning, but we at least didn’t find any moths on this visit, but there is always plenty of dirt.

I am at our neighbors tonite staying with their baby while they are in

March 26, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Chicago shopping. We trade off once in a while for its next to impossible to hire anyone.

Joe is a “big surgeon” now – he did 40 circumcisions last month! No promotion in view until next summer according to a fairly reliable source for they no vacancies for Commanders at present.

Joe’s Mother asked me for that pair of blue knit pants I let you use for David so she could make some for Adda Mae’s baby. If you happen to have them with you and aren’t using them would you mind sending them, then I’ll return them if David can still wear them.

Commander Kennedy is still at the station.

We’d enjoy hearing from you sometime if you have a spare minute. Hope all are well.
As ever
The Roberts

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/27/leila-roberts/

Housing Situation (Gladys)

1 Reply

May 1, 1944 envelope

May 1, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
5-1-44

Dear Daddy –

A letter this a.m. You had looked at the cottages with a community pump and chem. Toilets. I told the boys about them and you can imagine John’s reaction. However if we couldn’t do any better I suppose we could struggle along in a cottage, but it would be something to pay $100.00 a month for such unhandy quarters. The water carrying wouldn’t bother me – with J. & M. to furnish transportation. But it would always be the other boy’s turn to carry water you know. David is still taking a nap. It’s 2:30 and I have had 40 winks myself. It is raining so can’t take D. out – unless it clears off. He was out so long yesterday he will miss it today if he has to stay in. He bumped his lip a little again this morning and made a little blood come – about a drop. I’ll be so glad when it’s completely healed. The inside looks like it is healed.

May 1, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] The Carrols are moving here from Brook and taking the house Gerricks live in (Mrs. Shuh’s property). Gerricks are looking for a house but haven’t anything yet. The Greathouses are moving to Fowler – he is manager of a store there – but the Donahue’s are taking the house Greathouses have, and someone already has the Donahue house – so the situation here is as always. Lucile J. asked me how much we could get for ours. I said the payments and she seemed to think that was more than anyone in this town could pay for rent. I imagine Smith’s would pay what we ask to get a place to live. I don’t know whether there are any empty apts. at Kent or not but do know Ira said they were trying to find a place for the Ag teacher too. Tackett didn’t pass his physical, but I don’t know whether he is being hired again this year. He wasn’t very popular with many people and Washburns want to get him off their place. I know if a lot of people around here have their way he won’t be back here to teach next fall.

Last night when I talked to Lila I asked her if she would go to Evanston with me one day, but

May 1, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] she said she didn’t know her way around in Evanston. If I could get someone to go with me and spend the day I should be able to find something but it would have to be someone who knows the town. Dorothy’s mother should be able to help a person out. She lives in her apt. alone – maybe she would let us use a room until we could find something – I am certain we will find something if we try hard enough.

For a few minutes I thought the sun would shine but it’s very cloudy again and looks like rain. We watered the evergreens Sat., but I believe there is enough rain now to keep them damp a day or two. I never did get the dirt loosened up around the shrubbery and spread the manure and now it’s took wet to do much for a few days. Ed was out yesterday, raking and cleaning their yard. They are going to fence in a play yard for Jimmy. They cut out the tree in that little front yard and with it out there will be quite enough space for Jimmy to play in. I do wish we could get a place for the summer with a play yard – but I’ll not complain about anything if we can be together – that’s a promise –

Love Mother

P.S. Smith was here this afternoon – He & Mrs. are coming back Sat. to look at the house.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/12/housing-situation-gladys/

A Place by the Lakes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 1-2, 1944 envelope front

: May 1-2, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

May 1-2, 1944, p. 1

5-2-44

Dear Mother,

At least there is something to report – Joe found a house – a small but livable and reasonable enough. All for $48 per month but not furnished. He called Mrs. Roberts and I suppose she will call you before this arrives. They were able to get it by a friend in Wilmette writing to a friend in Lake Bluff and these people had a friend whose brother in law had a house so you see how things go. Maybe something will turn up in that way for us. The lady in Wilmette is still looking for one for us.

I’ve thought of this for us – Maybe we could take a place at the lakes for a couple of

May 1-2, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] weeks – and that would allow us to be together and would also give you some time to look around and if nothing turned up at the end of that time you could go back home – what about that? We can talk of that when I come home this weekend. I haven’t asked as yet but will tomorrow.

Somehow I’ve contracted a cold and using a few hankies but it isn’t bad. It’s turned so warm today. I’ll wear khaki tomorrow for the first time and have my blue cleaned & pressed for the weekend.

Well, I hope I’ll be able to write of house news tomorrow eve –
Love Daddy

Tune in Tomorrow Night (Roscoe)

1 Reply

April 30, 1944 envelope

April 30, 1944, p. 1

Apr. 30 Sun.

Dear Mother

Just home from the hospital and writing now so I won’t do like last night. This being Sunday the day was rather dull but business was pretty good because there was extra work due to doubling for a Dr. or two who had the day off – now if I can get next weekend they can work for me, which is only fair if the big braid will see it my way.

No further news on a house, etc. I did talk to a fellow who got one but it was one of these where the Dr. was detached and the word got to this fellow first but he had to take over an unexpired year’s lease. I don’t know if that is good or not. I guess if he leaves he can probably get someone to take over his lease.

I received a letter from you today so probably will not get one tomorrow and you also know why you didn’t

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] get the letter one day. Joe said his wife missed a day also so he probably got blamed twice.

I’m reading a book again in the off hours. I’ve forgotten the name of it and it’s over on the dresser and right now Jack Benny is coming on so I’ll probably get this letter full of nothing.

Joe said something about going out house looking again tomorrow – I think again toward Evanston. He wants to go to see the manager of the apartments where he stayed 2 years ago. I’m going to see if I can see the welfare gal again tomorrow to see if she has anything to offer.

It seems that the main topics of these letters is finding a house and why not and this might end like a continue story – will they find a house? Tune in tomorrow night – by courtesy of bla bla

Love Daddy

Haircuts (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 9, 1944 envelope front

: February 9, 1944 envelope back

: February 9, 1944, p. 1

: February 9, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 9, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-9-44

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d five letters Mon. but none yesterday or today. It always helps to write the daily when mail had been rec’d. I am sitting on the couch and so is David – He likes to tease me by getting close to the edge. I’ll say, “David, you will fall” – and he just looks at me and grins. I talked to Lucile and she is going to bring Jimmy Ed out after his nap and I am going to cut his hair. She went with Ed to Monticello Monday to visit a few days but came back home. There are a few typhoid cases there and quite an epidemic in Peru and surrounding country. As close as Reynolds there is eight cases and has been one death. If it gets closer I am going to talk to Dr. M. about taking shots. I think Mrs. Roberts said they there were

[page 2] taking shots, so it must be around there too – I suppose if it gets worse or closer the school will take some action.

I didn’t know how cold it is out of doors until I started out with D. The wind was so sharp I came back in. He didn’t seem to mind. He usually is glad to ride but I think the wind took his breath a time or two. At present he is throwing things on the floor. Something just hit my poor leg. I don’t know how I am going to break that habit of his. His impulses seem so spontaneous and he enjoys throwing things. I know the last isn’t any excuse for allowing him to continue. When I started to write I had a few things in mind I thought would make an interesting letter but the interference on the couch with me has broken my train

[page 3] of thoughts. I brought a bunch of books up from the basement and have been trying to read to him. He likes the pictures but reading doesn’t interest him yet. He likes to play with roller skates. I tied a heavy cord to one and he pulls it around.

There is some kind of program children’s concert at Purdue the 18^th that John wants to hear, in fact a number of his class want to go so I promised to take our car and take four besides John & I. I think I’ll let them out at P. and go on into town and shop. David will soon need a new pr. of shoes & other things. He is growing so fast. The little suits he had last fall look like he is poured into them. I have a few I thought he could wear in the spring but I am afraid they won’t do. I believe I’ll try my hand at some sewing, if I can find the right materials.

[page 4] Paul Yost is back. He and Betty Barce are being married. I don’t know many of the details except he flew back to have more time with his bride. I knew she wrote to him but didn’t know it was this serious. She has been working in Laf. since the family moved back to Fowler. I haven’t heard anything about Ed recently. I don’t believe he gets much publicity from here – either paper.

Lucile has been here and gone. I cut Jimmy’s & David’s hair. They both squirmed a lot but D. was worse than J.

It seems to be getting colder today. We are wishing for a good snow but it doesn’t look very promising now. It has been so dry a good snow would be very welcome.

I must get this finished and go get a few groc. & paper. No paper delivery now so we get ours from the drug store.

Love – Mother

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