Tag Archives: Mrs. Leila Roberts

November 16, 1942 (Gladys) Part V

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: November 16, 1942 Envelope (#2)

: November 16, 1942, p. 1 (#2)

: November 16, 1942, p. 2 (#2)

: November 16, 1942, p. 3 (#2)

: November 16, 1942, p. 4 (#2)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov – 16 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

I wrote one letter today but thought I would start another one this evening. Went to town this afternoon after I wrote to you. I kept watching the sky and decided it wasn’t going to rain. Had a nice walk – went to town and paid the telephone bill and saw several people on the streets. Everyone wanted to look at the baby. He slept thru it all. He was asleep when I took him up to put him in the buggy and slept until after we came home. He is asleep again now – He usually fusses between 6 and 10 – hope he doesn’t get his hours mixed up and want to stay awake after 10. He weighed about 8-14 this morning. He has been gaining more this last week. While he took his last bottle I re-read the two letters that came today. I suppose you do the same thing yourself. While in town I saw the Dyers & Prues – Mrs. D. said Rosemond’s husband was sent to Ireland and they are afraid he is being sent on somewhere – Mrs. Dyer said “into the thick of things.” I saw Marjory Wilson Ryan. I was rather surprised as her baby is hardly 3 weeks old and Dr. Cole tells his OB’s to stay in 3 weeks after leaving the hospital – but she is young and must have gotten along very well. That sounds like I am putting myself in the old lady class but I think you understand. I really feel good now, but I think it is because I did go slow at first.

[page 2] John was coming home from school when I started to town so he walked with me. He was rather amused at the comments – first one would say, “My, what a tiny baby,” then the next would say, “Why he isn’t small.” It is amusing to hear people and the difference of opinion. Arlene was in town too, but she has company and had gone to Club – her sister and a friend. She isn’t able to walk much so they had gone in their car. This was my first trip to town walking and I enjoyed it very much. I stopped at the dress shop and got me a new girdle – I am a little pouchy (I think) and I want to get ironed out again. I wonder if I will wear the garment – also got a new blouce. I didn’t have time to do much shopping because by the time I got to the dress shop it was getting close to bottle time.

John has gone to band practice tonight. He had to get a strap today (1⁰⁰). He said “there goes two week’s allowance.” They had to have this extra practice to get ready for their broadcast Sat. at Purdue.

The Kindig boys – Jack & Calvin are both in hospitals. Jack is in Watseka and Calvin in Michigan somewhere. I don’t know what ails either one but from comments both are very ill.

So many popular radio programs are being sent by short wave to service men overseas. I wonder when I hear the announcers tell that if you are getting the programs. Hope you can get some of your favorites. However

[page 3] you said you couldn’t get Red Skelton. I listen to news reports every day and wonder if you get the same. We get Gregor Z. from Cincinatti at 6:15 and sometimes I get him at 10:15 while giving the baby his bottle.

In one of those letters away back there before I went to the hospital I wrote you about the septic tanks. A man came around wanting to clean them. Link & I decided not to have the tanks cleaned. However Funks & Foulks did. I also wrote to Jim and he wrote back that it shouldn’t be necessary for several years yet. Jim said the only reason would be that if the plumber hooked the sink drain to the tanks which shouldn’t be done – the grease would cause trouble. I think Mr. Monroe knows enough not to have done that.

Now that you are receiving some of those back dated letters maybe they will all get to you, except some few I put regular 3¢ stamps on. I put air mail on most of them and on all after I received your letters telling me to.

In your Christmas box I put in a candy bar – let me know if it gets to you in good shape. We weren’t supposed to put in anything but hard candies. I put in everything you asked for and everything else we could think of which didn’t seem like much after it was all packed – but a shoe box doesn’t hold much and that was the size box we were permitted to use. I would like to get you a good wrist watch. Let me know if you want me to send you one.

In a previous letter I sent you Joe R. address. He would like to hear from you I know as much as you from him. The last time I saw her she was pretty worried about him.

[page 4] Again I will tell you we received the first box you sent and enjoyed it very much. I want to mount the coral & use it for a decoration for the mantle or coffee table.

Jack Byrne and Mr. Healy are now running Art’s drug store. Byrnes are living in the new addition in one of those houses close to Carl Funks.

I think I forgot to mention, I had a card from Jewell that Dot has a baby girl – Jane weighed 6-11 – same as David. Born in Oct. Her husband is in Class 1-A – Jewell said it looked bad so evidently he will have to go soon.

I am jumping around from subject to subject but just had a thought. John had been playing the “Star Spangled Banner” until I thought I would scream – that is he was working on it, then he told me he had written his version of it. Miss Smith told me she was so thrilled over it – and told him it was the best thing he had done yet. He is scoring some onion skin and is going to copy it and send to you and if you have a piano around and someone to play it – or possibly you could – maybe Lentz – you can hear what I have been listening to. You would probably appreciate it more than I did when he was working on it, because it does get a bit tiresome to hear the same thing over & over – that is when he is working out something. I will stop and leave a space for Tues A.M. Just finished the baby’s bath & bottle. He has the hiccoughs – seems to be a habit of his – but doesn’t seem to bother him much. Rec’d two letters this morn – were posted Nov. 8 and 9^th. Will answer those last two when I write tonight. Thought of something else to tell you when I have more time & space so will do that tonite –

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/19/november-16-1942-gladys-part-v/

November 15, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 15, 1942 Envelope

: November 15, 1942, p. 1

: November 15, 1942, p. 2

: November 15, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 15, 1942

Dear Mother,

Pre World War II (c1930) – 10 Yen

To begin with I sent you some Japanese money in yesterday’s letter, that according to the censors is OK. You probably won’t be able to spend it for anything or at least a very small amount of what it was worth at one time. I never did know what it was worth but some said it was the same as $5.00. Don’t ask how or where I got it, because I won’t tell. Not now. I have some other money but it isn’t passable just now then today was pay day so I have some other USA money and I’ll send you a check in tomorrow’s mail I think. It might be Tue. and I’m also sending each of the boys a little for Christmas. Yours and David’s will be together – but the other boys will get theirs in a letter. Now that’s the third time I’ve told that to you so hope you get the whole business and needless to say I’d like a report on it when it arrives.

Things have been quiet and not much to do. A few days ago another (jg) and I had a 107 patients to take care of. We of course were responsible to a higher up

[page 2]but it was our job to take care of them and that’s a pretty good sized job. For that’s as many as we often had in St. Elizabeth Hospital. And it about twice as many as could get into Iroquois Co. Hospital.

Had chicken for chow at noon – ½ chicken per person and seconds if necessary, mashed potatoes gravy – asparagus tips, pea soup and apple pie. So you see that isn’t half bad and today was the day for another carton of cigarettes. That comes in our monthly mess bill. Doesn’t sound like rationing here.

No mail yet today but we still have hopes. It’s just about time now for the usual delivery but have [not] seen or heard anything. There is always a disturbance when it comes in.

Took a bath this P.M. Sewed a pair of pants, washed my head and now have my dirty clothes soaking for tomorrow’s laundry. Pretty busy Sunday P.M. but we are always busy in the morning, up to noon, and those things have to be done when we have time.

Last night when I went into the Hall to

[page 3] write your letter it was clear – with the moon shining and all at once it began raining like the duce. We all ran because our tents were open all around – reminded one of closing windows back in civilization.

Did you ever give Dr. Joe’s wife my address for him? I have never heard from him, so can’t write him unless I’d write to her and have it forwarded, but I’d rather write direct.

Maybe mail will come and I’ll write to the folks now.

No mail. I’ve written to the folks but it is now Monday morning. We were busy up until light went out will write more this Eve.

Love Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/17/november-15-1942-roscoe/

November 15, 1942 (Gladys)

1 Reply

Click to enlarge

Things in Washington were not always too serious as President Roosevelt occasionally provided some light hearted humor. The president apparently became a bit flummoxed and mixed his metaphors during a press conference. As usual, the press corps were merciless.

On a more serious note, November 15th was the day that Roosevelt made a speech concerning the Philippines. The speech commemorated the 7th anniversary of the Philippines becoming a commonwealth. Gladys might have heard this speech on the radio:
Roosevelt Speech regarding the Philippines 11-15-1942

: November 15, 1942 Envelope

: November 15, 1942, p. 1

: November 15, 1942, p. 2

: November 15, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 15 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Sunday evening and just finished giving David his oleum & orange juice. He got a little off schedule this morning and missed getting it at the regular time. He slept thru his 2 a.m. feeing but woke at 4 instead. This afternoon we drove over to Watseka to see Mrs. R [Leila Roberts] but she wasn’t home. On our way back John wanted to stop & see Miss Smith so we did. Her sister-in-law was there with her baby – 5 mo. old. She thought David looked so small but then she said she had almost forgotten her baby had been so small. We also stopped at Krull’s – Dorothy had a headache and is going down to see Dr. Ade Thursday. Since they are closed on Thurs that is the best time for her to go. Nick has a dishwasher and Dorothy operates it and he cooks. They haven’t any other kitchen help. I must get John to Dr. A this fall. He went to see him in Aug. but Dr. A said then his glasses would do him until about Christmas. The band is going to Purdue to broadcast Sat. and I may arrange to have him go then.

[page 2] Wish you could hear the broadcast – of course you wouldn’t be able to discern John’s blowing from the rest but maybe it would help to hear it. John is practicing now & Mark is washing the dishes. They went to the Youth fellowship meeting and we didn’t eat supper until they came home. On the advice of Mr. Zell and much to the boys delight we are going to leave the leaves on the grass except where they have bunched up and are causing the grass to die. There is quite a pile on the terrace so it will have to be raked but that is about all. We have had so much wind recently that it wouldn’t do much good to rake. Mrs. Zell says this wind is something they aren’t used to – they used to live close to Cincinatti and of course they wouldn’t have so much there. Seems to me it has been unusually windy this fall – but maybe that is like the Californians say about their weather. I didn’t get a letter Sat so will be looking for two or more Mon. They came every day last week until Sat. I sent your Mother an enlargement of the picture you sent. I told you that before but repeat just in case. The bank bal. is around 700 – that includes the birthday gift. I am afraid you are going to get tired of this but I decided after the last two letters I had better repeat certain things in every letter. Allotment comes every month. Notice of your insurance policy came too – policy to follow. That came some time ago.

[page 3] I sent Lentz pictures & films in your birthday box – hope you get it. It is getting late so must finish this & get it to the P.O. so it will go out early in the morning,

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/17/november-15-1942-gladys/ ‎

November 11, 1942 (Gladys)

3 Replies

: November 11, 1942 Envelope

: November 11, 1942, p. 1

: November 11, 1942, p. 2

: November 11, 1942, p. 3

: November 11, 1942, p. 4 (postscript)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 11-1942

Dear Daddy-

Three letters rec’d today. One missing so it will probably come tomorrow or later. Boonie also got a letter and when I called him to tell him you had the box he said Jean was reading the letter to Ray Cummings. Said he was sending another box to you. That gives me courage that you will get your birthday box by the 25^th. I couldn’t send much but you will know we thought about you and do think about you all the time. Of course we don’t get letters every day but that doesn’t keep us from waiting for the mail man every day. What I have been looking for is a letter saying you rec’d the radiogram and when you rec’d the two letters we send via clipper. In the letters sent clipper I explained about the Radiogram. We sent it just before we got word from you that you were getting news from us. If if was later maybe you enjoyed getting it. When & if the uniform money comes I’ll put same in bank. I haven’t the urge to spend money. I am like Mrs. Roberts – What do I want with new clothes now. I would rather wait until you come home, but of course I’ll get something so I can keep up “appearances.” I gave Mother the “coat.” She seemed to appreciate it very much. I would get a new coat if I could find just what I want. I would even buy a baby buggy could I find one. I looked at the one Zell’s have but it needs

[page 2] a lot of work done on it and I am not exactly in the mood to do that much. David has been on the “ornery” side this morning. He didn’t sleep his usual 10 till 2 period but keeps waking up. He is in a stretchy mood now but won’t be long until time to feed him. I am having a little difficulty getting John to wear his heavy coat to school but since he has such a short distance to go and isn’t out after he gets there I have let him wear his sweater, but I insist on Mark wearing his coat because of the distance to school & playing out at recess. It is very cool today. It was cloud yesterday but clear & cold now. I cleaned the bedspread yesterday but it wasn’t out long enough to get aired out so I put it out this a.m. to flip in the breeze. I am cleaning our room today. When I get that finished the “big” part of housecleaning will be done. I heard some shouting this morning so the hunters are at large again. Makes me think of the pheasant you got one year. Mark wanted to go out wandering around in the country after school but I told him he might get shot. Of course I won’t let him go. I called Servies [Rev. and Mrs. Voris Servies] this a.m. to find out if they were going to T.H. [Terre Haute] and they may be going soon if so Mother will go along. I decided it was too much of a trip for me to try with the baby. I am afraid it might upset him and too something might happen on the way. We won’t be able to go much longer tho, because gas rationing begins Nov. 22.

[page 3] A lot of people have asked me since you have been “out” where you are – some do not ask, others do – I told someone that was the $64⁰⁰ question – and I think Mark heard me because he was in Boonies and they asked him and he said that was the $75⁰⁰ question. They got quite a “kick” out of that. Just like anything else, there were rumors that you were one place or another but when people asked me I told them your destination was is a secret, so no rumors can start from me because my answers to such inquiries are negative. Bun Walkup called me this morning to get your address so you will get a Christmas greeting from them I suppose or maybe Iva J. will write to you. I do wish you could get all those letters missing. I have told you so much in them I can’t remember what you have rec’d just by the dates you mention. I want you to get the pictures too. I have quoted the bank bal. several times & what we owe. Maybe I’ll have a letter tomorrow saying you have the information you want. I am not very newsy today. Maybe after I go to town this evening I can write more.

Lot of Love
Mother
“and our boys”

(over)

You forgot to finish your last letter. The one in which you told about receiving the candy – you must have been excited.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/19/november-11-1942-gladys/

November 3, 1942 (Gladys)

2 Replies

V-mail dated November 3, 1942

Letter transcription:

LT (JG) Yegerlehner MC
Navy SSA (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Indiana
11-3-42

Dear Daddy –

Mark and I are cleaning house. Today being election Mark has a holiday – he washed windows and cleaned the overstuffed furniture and is going to clean floors. He is trying to earn enough to get me to buy his bond. I tried to check up on our financial matters. We still owe about 75⁰⁰ to various drug co’s. The bank bal. including the 150⁰⁰ and Nov 1 allotment is 903. I have a bill or two around town to pay but not much. I will get those drug co’s paid now that I have a little more time to do things. I am still busy but feel more like doing. I didn’t pay the last half of the Federal – should I go ahead & pay it? Mrs. R. was here yesterday. This is the present add [address] of Joe – J.M. Roberts Lt Comdr, Mobile Hosp #4 USNR Fulcrum – c/o Postmaster San Francisco. However she had a letter from him stamped New York, NY Navy Mobile Base Hosp. #4 BR. She was quite baffled about the NY stamp since his ad is San Francisco. Wondered if you would know what it meant. He wrote that he may be transferred to the Marines. I sent your laundry but you may be slow in getting it since the Christmas mail is being sent now. Let me know if you get it and if there was anything besides laundry in the box – I won’t tell you what it is because I want it to be a surprise and if it doesn’t get thru don’t want you to be disappointed.

Love

Mother

Halloween (October 31, 1942) – Gladys

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Today’s letter features some great re-capping on Gladys’ part. At this point in the letters, Gladys knew that a chunk of letters were missing in action. We learn a bit more about the night David was born and Gladys finally has the news that Roscoe was aware of David’s birth. She provided a lot of answers to questions that Roscoe had been asking over the last month or so. How much money was in the bank account? Who was helping around the house? Who had enlisted and who was still in town?

: October 31, 1942 Envelope

: October 31, 1942, p. 1

: October 31, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana
Oct 31-1942

Dear Daddy-

At last I received a letter from you saying you had the news about David – and the middle name is Anthony – I wrote all the details in a letter while I was in the hospital but just in case it was lost I will try and give you a brief resume .

My water broke at 11 P.M. – without any pain. I called Dr. Cole & he said to come to the hospital. I called Bob & then Dorothy – Clarice also went along. After we started I began having hard pains and Bob drove as fast as he could. We were on 4^th floor by midnight. David was born at 2:03 and I had ether as soon as they got me strapped down so didn’t know much about the pain at the last. I was just beginning to get very hard pains when they took me in to the delivery room (1:30) so you know I got thru in fine shape and of course no tears inside or out because the little fellow only weighed 6-11. I suffered more with my breasts than I did having him. I tried to nurse him and he kept losing weight – he went back to 6 lbs – and my breasts were well stimulated. They gave me stilbestrol and I had to take twice as much as I did the last time. Dr. C. made me stay in the hospital two weeks. When we came home David weighed 6-3 ¼ and now weighs almost 8 lbs and he will be 6 weeks old Wed (Nov. 4). When I left the hospital I sent for my bill and the nurse came in and said it had already been taken care of. We are feeding David Carnation, Dextri-Maltrose – orange juice & Oleum Per.

Everything here is going along pretty good now that I am able to be up and doing again. The furnace is O.K. So far the boys have been taking care of it with help from the neighbors now & then. Link has taken the clinkers out and Mr. Zell cleaned the soot & clinkers out once. I think the boys & I will be able to keep it in shape now. Joe got the storm windows put up and after the leaves all fall I will have the guttering cleaned. I think everything has been attended to. I had antifreeze put in the car & winter oil put in. I keep the tires checked. The bank acct. at present is around 700⁰⁰ that includes the birthday gift. I have paid the coal bill and of course ins. as it comes due. There are a few drug bills to pay but altogether they won’t amount to 100⁰⁰. I will pay those one day when I take a

[Written on side margin] Jim’s address is still Camp Bradford Norfolk but he is moving to another location so don’t know what it will be.

[page 2]notion. They don’t bother me much with statements maybe if they did I would pay them.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Mrs. P. sent me 5⁰⁰ and a gift to David (3⁰⁰). Dorothy Krull sent me a potted plant. Mother brought me a gift when she came in Sept and gave it to me then – a set of bowls. She is still here and I don’t know when she is going home. Nothing has been said about it lately. I tried to get help with housecleaning but “no go.” I will do it myself as I have time & feel like it. I am not going to make myself sick doing it however.

The boys (John & Mark) are taking Sherman oral vaccine. Maybe that will keep them from taking cold. John had a slight head cold when he started taking the pills & after two his cold was gone. He had a sneezing all thru hay fever tie. I was of the opinion he had some allergy.

If all my letters get to you, you will get all the local news because I tried to put all of interest in my letters. So many have gone into service – here is a list – Art Kenney – Paul Bruck, Kenny Jones, Emery J. Jr., Eddie Britton, Leo Yose, the two Mullen boys, the Myers twins (Al didn’t enlist). There are many others but I can’t think of them now. I think I told you Newell Lamb has the office. He was appointed Prosecuting Attorney due to the present one going to service. Clifford S. as you know is running for election on the Dem. Ticket. He didn’t do much with our collections. I saw A. Taylor yesterday & he gave me a check for 9⁰⁰. He said he thought that was all he owed. I told him I would send him an itemized statement. He said if I was right he would pay the rest.

I talk to Mrs. R. rather often. She calls me or I call her. I told her you hadn’t had news for a long time & didn’t know about the baby. Earl stopped there en route to an Army Camp in Pa. and she told him. He came to see me and was going to help me get word to you when I got your letter saying you at last had my V-mail letters. I sent several while I was in bed at home and in the hospital. I don’t believe you rec’d all. If you get my previous letters this will be a rehash.

I tried to call Mrs. Ash while in Laf. But didn’t get an answer. I haven’t talked to her since she saw me in the hospital. I didn’t write to Mrs. W. Sorry he had to go, because I know you enjoyed his company from your letters.

I rec’d two letters yesterday and six today which brings things pretty much up to date for me. Hope you get the Christmas boxes being sent. We sent one. I am sending another for your birthday but don’t know when you will get it.

Love
Mother & Boys

[written on side margin] I wrote yesterday explaining the radio-gram.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/30/halloween-octo…31-1942-gladys/

Halfway Point!

8 Replies

At the end of this last week, my blog hit a quiet milestone. With this post, I have been posting for 184 days, just over half a year. I can hardly believe that I have been at this for six months. Yesterday (May 25^th) was my grandparents’ 84^th wedding anniversary. I would like to thank everyone who has been following their correspondence for the last six months and to welcome those who have recently followed their story. Here’s to the next six months!

: October 29, 1942 Envelope

: October 29, 1942, p. 1

: October 29, 1942, p. 2

: October 29, 1942, p. 3

: October 29, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 29 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

Another day and no letters from you but maybe they will come tomorrow. There were two Mon and this Thurs so still Fri & Sat.

Our weather has changed a little. It was raining so hard this morning I took ours & Zell’s children to school. John had tow horn cases to carry and books so he could hardly manage walking. He brought the large saxophone home yesterday and had to take both horns back this a.m. He likes the regular sax much better than the straight one he had. David is sleeping now. He seems to like the 4 hr schedule as well as the 3 hr. He didn’t wake up until 3:30 this am for the 2 am bottle. I think maybe he will soon sleep right through although I don’t mind feeding him at 2 until he is some heavier. He weighed 7-9 on Dr. Coles’ scales Monday and will no doubt be

[page 2]past the 8 lb mark by Sat. He takes his cod liver oil & orange juice every day and so far both agree with him.

If you ever get the letters I wrote while in the hospital and letters others wrote, you will know we tried to send you a cable – well in your letters to me you said you hadn’t had any news for so long, so Bob Hufty contacted the Red Cross field man and he said he would get a radiogram to you if it was possible – I suppose by this time you will have received it and know why it was sent. I would have done that in the first place had I known we couldn’t send a cable – and that you wouldn’t get our letters – but we all thought you would surely get our letters in at least two weeks. After they told us we couldn’t cable you I thought the only thing left was a letter and when your letters kept coming and you weren’t getting your mail Bob decided it was high time something should be done.

Mrs. R called me this morning just to talk and wanting to know if I had any late news. She rec’d a cable three weeks ago

[page 3] but no news since then. Before the cable he had written three letters on board ship. He was detailed to the Southwest Pacific fleet, so she hasn’t the faintest idea where he is other than the S.W. Pacific.

There is a high wind today and we had a casualty. The west storm window in the boys room blew off and broke the bottom pane. I hadn’t gotten them all fastened and that particular one seems to be in a current that flips it off. Link is coming over this evening and help me get the rest fastened. I can’t even get some of the windows up. Joe should have fastened those the day he put them up but he was in a hurry to finish by noon and I haven’t felt strong enough to wrestle with the windows – but will get it done before any more blow out.

John has filled two stamp books so I am going to buy him a bond (as pledged) and he is going to get

[page 4] it at school so his grade will get credit. Mark still has a few stamp to buy before he fills his book but I will get him a bond before the year is over. I should buy David a $5⁰⁰ stamp with his gift from D. Mace.

I see in the paper that Bethel Wilson has been sent to Daytona Beach, Fla to a new camp. The Mullen boys are being sent to Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Harlan’s had Chuckie operated on for his eyes. They took him to Indpls but I don’t know who did the operating.

John Byrne is the man operating Art’s drug store. I knew his face but not his name. His family will occupy the Ross property on West Carroll St. (if you know which property that is – I don’t).

Mother had a head cold – started yesterday evening – so I made her take some Rhinitis – all I had was the child size so have her 4 last night – got a bottle at the drug store this morning and gave her a full size one – her cold is better now.

I must sign off-
Love Mother

This post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/26/halfway-point/