Tag Archives: Mrs. Washburn

The Most Cheerful Letter (Gladys)

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September 24, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 24, 1945, p. 1

Monday Evening

Dear Daddy –

I just went down and started a fire. It was so warm yesterday we let the fire go out. I cleaned out the ashes so it’s ready for another week, unless we have a cold snap and have to have more fire – in that case it will need cleaning oftener. Hope they get that burner soon. I won’t look for it for two or three weeks yet.

Coco told me that Nate Baer is on the Nevada – that is if it hasn’t arrived yet. Her sister is here now. I don’t know when she is expecting to see him, but soon. Maybe you will get to see him while he is in San F.

Dorothy came out this afternoon to see David’s birthday things. They had to go to Chicago yesterday afternoon so they couldn’t be here for the party. Dorothy says she is going up to visit her mother next week. She is going to take Bobby and stay a week. I told her if I could get someone to stay with J. & M. I would take David and go to San F.,

September 24, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] but I suppose you would get orders if I did. However if you should get orders to go out I think I would want to. Let’s just hope something is done soon so you will get to come home.

It has been cloudy and rainy all day – not exactly the kind of weather to boost one’s morale – if it happens not to be so high. I suppose it’s the letdown after last week-end and working a little too hard on David’s party.

Tomorrow is club opening at Mrs. Washburn’s. Just hope the weather is a little more on the sunny side. Nelly wanted to sell me a brown hat to wear but I didn’t get brown purse & gloves to go with my suit so I decided to wear my black hat & “things.” I washed my hair this evening and have it pinned down. I think I’ll have to get another perm. This one seems to have lost its pep.

David had a spill this evening and hurt the inside of his mouth. He keeps hitting his teeth. Just hope he doesn’t know them loose. He was up early this morning and wound up like a clock. He told John a wild tale. Today he was playing and talked

September 24, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] about an imaginary person. It made me think of the way John used to make up names of people he played with. David had to stay in today because of the rain. I tried to take a nap but every time I would drop off to sleep he would bounce up on the couch by me and awaken me. He said he would take a nap too but that didn’t last long.

John said Smith was back in school today but not feeling too chipper. John says he mispronounces so many words. He said some word in particular today and John said he had a notion to correct him (but he didn’t). John is working on Latin tonight. He is really having to dig to catch up with this class, but I think he will make it OK. Mark has been going to bed for the past 20 minutes, but I don’t believe he is in bed yet.

I don’t know what to tell you about the purse. Alligator is very good, but I hate to pay that for a purse. I would like to have a smart looking one, but that is a little high. However, those do run high. Bill brought Arlene a new bag from Chicago. I don’t know what he paid for it but he said

September 24, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] the one he wanted to get was $35.00. She said she would have had a “fit” if he had paid that much for a purse. I said Mrs. Swarts showed me one for $12.50 she claimed was genuine leather. I said I didn’t believe it at that price, but Arlene argued that we used to buy real leather purses for $2.95 – adding that it was usually the dollar ones we bought. So much for that.

I saw the Mullen bride & groom in town this evening when I went to buy groc. I haven’t seen anything about Joe Bill being discharged, so he must still be in.

Marg Carlson says Eddie is coming back to run the paper so she is retiring. She doesn’t seem to know when Pinkie will be home.

John mailed some letters for me today and Tony said he heard you were coming back. I said he should have asked where he got his information, but John said he told him you would more likely be sent out again.

I am afraid this hasn’t been exactly the most cheerful letter, but I’ll try to do better.
Love Mother

Tues. eve – Just back from club & yours of the 22^nd handed to me at the P.O.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/07/the-most-cheerful-letter-gladys/

David’s Birthday (Gladys)

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September 23, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 23, 1945, p. 1

9-23-45

Dear Daddy –

The party is over and we have had a little supper. We put David to bed before we ate because he ate ice cream & cake and drank punch and then after refreshments he kept eating candy so I didn’t even try to get him to eat supper. We just had some ice cream & cake that was left – I snitched a sandwich but J. & M. didn’t want anything else. Dorothy came out early – they had to go to Chicago this afternoon – and brought David’s gift. She had Lucile Jones bake him an angel food besides. I put the birthday trimmings on it. I baked one too but it didn’t look as smooth as the one Lucile made. I asked Dorothy about ice cream and since the drug stores are closed Sun. afternoons, she had Betty Lou bring the ice cream out from the restaurant before they left for Chicago. I was afraid it wouldn’t keep in the frost chest if I put it in last night. Arlene overslept so she didn’t get here with her youngsters until the party was nearly over, but since we had two cakes, I sent cake home with her and gave the children their favors. I fortunately found some candy that was wrapped individually and different shapes so it made nice favors. Altogether David received $5.00 and several nice toys and a pr. of corduroys. Lucile gave him a telephone with a dial that works – it looks like a real phone. It was quite popular with all the children. Arlene brought a little pull toy – a wagon with two hares that bob up and down like the push toy I got for him. She also gave him the corduroys. Statons brought a pull toy and

September 23, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] a set of graduated blocks. Dorothy gave him a Mickey Mouse toy that turns somersaults. He likes cards so much and seemed to enjoy his cards very much. Mark gave him a magic slate this morning and he was quite delighted with it. John gave him a card with a dollar. When he saw the bill I said, “What is that?” He answered “Money.” He put his pennies in the birthday offering and planted three flags in the sand. He is so much more grownup acting than the little Smith boy (McCloud) who is just a day or two younger, but David has been with J. & M. whereas the Smith children are younger. I had the boys bring up that old play table from the basement and with a good dusting off and a white table cloth it served perfectly for the little folk to eat their refreshments. Also brought up that old bench and with a covering it served for chairs. Martha, Myra & John Hufty, Jimmy Ed and David had a good time at a table by themselves. John, Mark, Jimmy, Betty & Virginia were seated in the den at a card table and the mothers were seated at the dining room table. I placed the play table by the south dining room wall so the mothers could keep track of the children. Everyone seemed to have a good time. The children played with the toys and the mothers visited. After the rain and cool weather yesterday it was so warm today we stayed out in the yard except when we came in to eat. It has been warmer today than it has been for some time.

Mrs. Washburn in Club President this year and is having the opening meeting at her home in the country. Lucile dropped club so said she would keep David for me. I told her I was planning to go. I kept Karen & Jimmy not long ago and she said she would keep David for me sometime.

September 23, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Dorothy didn’t get to go to Laf. last week so she said today she is planning to go sometime next [week]. They are serving Rotary Thurs. evening. Nick served them Thurs. noon last time, but they would rather have evening meetings. John & Gladys are opening Wed. this week. I wonder if Rotary will go there. It’s a cinch John will have all the business he can handle – so maybe he won’t want special dinners.

John is doing homework and keeps asking me for words. Mark said he had a headache and wanted an aspirin but I told him I didn’t think he needed one – so he went out of doors and came back in much improved, he says.

So far my thumb is still stiff – It seems to have affected the joint. The allergy is gone and it’s about all peeled off but I can’t bend it very far. I can use it but without bending it much. Jimmy had another attack of asthma and Lucile thinks it was caused by red beans. She said they had chili for supper and that night Jimmy began to stop up – the next day he was in the kitchen and ate two red beans she was preparing for lunch. She said while chewing the second one he began to cry and said it burned his mouth and wanted to spit it out – He had a severe attack after that. In checking back Lucile said they had had beans before another attack of asthma he had.

David was so tired I think he must have gone right to sleep. I haven’t heard a sound out of him since he went to bed. John decided this was a perfect day for the birthday. It has been warmer than any Sept. 23 in the past 3 years. I remember last year it poured down rain in Mo.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/03/davids-birthday-gladys/

Hospital Trip (Gladys)

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: July 26, 1943 envelope

: July 26, 1943, p. 1

: July 26, 1943, p. 2

: July 26, 1943, p. 3

: July 26, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 26 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Home with David from the hospital – He is doing fine. I asked Dr. Cole about the break this morning & then went up to X Ray & looked at the pictures. Dr. Cole said it wasn’t a bad break – I’ll draw a picture at the end to show how small a thing it was. However small it still has to be in a cast. I wrote you all the minute details yesterday and hope you get the letter. I supposed the first thing people would say that we were careless and you might know the first one to say anything was D.K. She called shortly after we came home today to inquire about David and right off started to tell me what she would do to me if she ever caught me letting children handle the baby again. I was tired from two restless nights and two days in the hospital standing over David trying to keep him quiet and in no mood to take any scolding from anyone and especially from her, so I told her right off it was an accident and we weren’t careless with D. and everyone sorry it

[page 2] had happened – the main thing now is to get the break mended which it will no doubt do in due time. Dr. Cole said to bring D. down in another week for him to see. I am enclosing a picture of Virginia with David. She feels so badly about it. She baked a cake & brought it over this afternoon. She is a nice little girl. She has two younger sister – one three years old. She is so used to handling children was the reason I would let her hold David – She is the same age as Mark and he is used to taking care of David. I wouldn’t allow Betty, who is seven, to handle David any. As I said yesterday none of the children handled him much because he played in his bed and pen a lot. The children would often push him in the buggy, but as much as they wanted to hold him I always reminded them we didn’t want him spoiled – (too much).

Yours of July 5-6-8-9-10 came today so that was a lift – I got a kick from yours telling me to spank D. He had has been getting some correcting – I don’t want him to be “rotten” when you come home – or any time. I’ll admit I was a little low and I needed a few letters from Navy 60. The boys got letters too but haven’t had time to read them

[page 3] You mentioned money in one of your letters rec’d today – I was trying to figure out how much you get a month now but haven’t quite figured it yet. Our bank acc’t is low now but the Ins. loan is paid and all bills. I am still trying to figure a way to get the piano I mentioned. I suppose I shouldn’t think about it but they are so hard to find and this one is in first class condition. I’ll let you know what I do. As I said I probably won’t get your reply until after I have decided what to do.

Mrs. Washburn came up this afternoon to see David – That family has the breaks too. She can’t get over how much fuss John & Mark make over David. John said they were so much in love with D. because he looks like you. Adding that David is the best looking baby & you the handsomest man – Beat your chest.

Jim & Thelma came about 9 P.M. yesterday. They came to the hospital to get me today. They have to be back Thurs. eve, so will have to leave here tomorrow. Jim’s new uniforms are very good looking. He first got his when the new color came out but he says he can use it another year yet. I’ll do my drawing on the back.

Love –
Mother

Virginia Zell holding David, July 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/01/hospital-trip-gladys/

Cleanest chickens we ever had (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
2-7-43

Dear Daddy –

Sunday evening and W.W. is on (8 P.M.) I want to go to bed early so am trying to write while he talks. I gave David Pablum in addition to his bottle and hope he will sleep all night. Last night I went to bed before time for his 10 P.M. bottle and he slept right thru. About 3:30 he was making a little noise – I got up and warmed a bottle but think he would have slept if I hadn’t taken him up. It was warmer today – the sun was very bright and melted much of the snow of yesterday. Fri. it was so warm and sunny – we went to Laf. – then Sat. there was a blizzard lasting all day – It was cold and snow drifting everywhere – then today warm again. I took the baby out for a while. Haven’t found a buggy yet so carried him – didn’t go far – called on Mrs. Washburn then back home – but David’s cheeks were so rosy when we came back. He really enjoyed the adventure.

[page 2] Today an announcement was made over the radio – shoes are to be rationed – one pr every 4 months – the ticket to be used – #17 – so far sugar, coffee – now shoes on book #1. I suppose meat will be next. Butter is so high I still buy Good Luck. The last I had on creamery it was 60¢ per, oranges are up too – but we use the vit c tablets for D. – so don’t have to buy oranges all the time – usually keep them but don’t use them every day. Canned goods are to be rationed too, but I can only buy 6 cans at a time now and only 2 of a kind. Baby food is to be rationed too we have a ration book for D. so will be able to get his canned food. I am glad we feed him Dextri-M. Sometimes Karo can’t be bought – That reminds me – The Meade Co. is sending us a supply of Pablum, Dextri-M & Vit C tablets. In case you miss the letters I mentioned Christmas gifts – I got the manicure set – comb & brush & flowers. I have enjoyed them very much. Thanks again [in margin]. The flowers were pink carnations. I sent you a registered letter with our pictures last week. Suppose you have it by now – let’s hope so. Alma W. came out this afternoon to get some sulfathiozol nose drops

[page 3] that came as samples – I can’t use “sulfa” – I have found I am allergic to it and Dr. Rumkorf gave her a prescription for this. She goes to Goodland all the time for treatments but says he is awfully rough. She wishes you were here to give her sinus treatments.

I was looking in the Indiana Medical Journal for news – sometimes there is an item about a Dr. we know – well I saw your name & address in this issue. Also saw that Dr. Carl Porter who was in England, now is in the Pacific.

Jack Yost & Bud Egan joined the Marines – also Paul Turnpaugh. They keep going from here. Art Voglund is in Calif – Vivian has gone there too. I saw Helen Heindel in Laf. Fri – She didn’t go to Calif as she had planned to do. The last time I saw her in Laf. she was planning to go to Calif because Dan was stationed there – but didn’t go. He is out somewhere in the South West Pacific. I didn’t have much time to talk to her, but I suppose she is staying with Gertrude & Forrest.

I didn’t get the piano I wrote you about but am going to try

[page 4] and get something better than what we have. John says the tone of this one is good but pitch is off and the tuners all say it can’t be brought up because the strings are rusty. Our living room looks a little full but we really needed the den for a nursery – with the rug up – floor finished – piano out is makes an ideal room for D, is so sunny all afternoon. He weighed 15 lbs this morning (4 ½ mo). Jimmy Ed Jr. weighed 8-11 at birth and 11-1 at one month – He is really a husky. Donnie Funk is 5 mo old and weights 19 lbs. David has done fine and has gained as fast as is necessary. You can figure for yourself from 6-11 to 15 in 4 ½ mo. and you can tell by his pictures he is thriving.

I took some pictures today and Mark took one of me in my new coat & hat. I have 3 more pictures on the roll I want to take of D. a little later on. Films are hard to get too. Will send you a roll or two if I can get them.

Had fried chicken today. Zell’s chickens are ready to eat now so got 2-3 lbs ones. They are probably the cleanest chickens we ever had – their feet never touched the ground and the chicken house was cleaned 3 times every week. I think I’ll get some to put in our locker. Hope this doesn’t make you too hungry. As of now – no uniform money has come.

Love Mother

Forgot the pictures (Gladys)

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: December 19, 1942 Envelope

: December 19, 1942, p. 1

: December 19, 1942, p. 2

: December 19, 1942, p. 3

: December 19, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.

Dec 19 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

To begin with if you received the letter I sent yesterday you probably wonder what happened to the pictures I promised or rather said I enclosed – well I was in a hurry to get the letter ready to mail and forgot the pictures – so here they are. The weather today hasn’t done anything unusual but it looks like more snow will fall. This present snow is very dirty. After the slight thaw and freeze the snow has a crust that can be walked on.

I went to the class party at Hufty’s last night. My mystery Pal was Pauline Hiestand. Dorothy stayed with the children. The party didn’t hold so late so I didn’t have to keep Dorothy as long as I thought I might. Nick and Buddy came out after Nick closed the restaurant. I tried to go in the car but couldn’t get out of the drive way due to ice – I couldn’t get the car either way so I walked to the party. When Nick came he got the car out of the rut and put it in the garage. I haven’t had time to get it out today but have an idea it is still to slick to get out of the drive. We have had more continuous cold weather this Dec. than sometimes have all winter.

[page 2] Mrs. Washburn & Helen came up this morning to see me. I was getting ready to bathe the baby so they had a chance to see him awake. He was in a very good mood. Helen said how good he was. Since they have to travel when they can get train accommodations they can’t stay over Christmas, but leave Sun. I showed them the shells, necklace and moneys. Helen thought the necklace very pretty. I wore it to the party last night and everyone I showed it to thought it unique. I wore a while blouce so the necklace had a good background.

I had three letters from you this morning dated Dec 9-10-11. So glad you rec’d the pictures. After Christmas I am going to have Hubertz make some and maybe you can get a better idea of how David looks. He looks more like your baby picture every day – I think. I just gave him his bottle and he is feeling pretty good. He still doesn’t sleep thru at night without a bottle but he wakes up so hungry I don’t know what to do but feed him, so guess I’ll keep on until he can sleep through.

John is listening to the opera this afternoon. I was trying to write so sent him up to his room so I could concentrate better. He is to play for Sunday School – in the adult Dept. tomorrow. He was asked to play something so made a medley

[page 3] of Christmas carols. He didn’t go take a music lesson this morning due to having been in Thurs & Fri. He was glad of an excuse not to go because Miss Smith is using Bair’s piano and John says it is so badly out of turn he can’t endure the sound. Mr. Simons is in St. E. for observation so Miss Smith can’t go there now – I suppose Mrs. Simons has closed the house and is staying with her married daughter in Lafayette. I haven’t heard anything about what Mr. Simons trouble is.

Mark has gone to town to do some of his Christmas shopping and buy a few more greetings for me. I didn’t do much about greetings this year. I bought a few at the variety store and sent to friends & relatives we always send to. I sent 16 with pictures of David. I was going to send you one of those pictures but ran out before I was thru so thought I would have a better one made for you.

Had a letter from Ruth M. today. She said she would like for us to come over if possible. If it weren’t for this unusual weather we are having I would try to go over some time during Christmas vacation but with the baby so small I am in favor of staying home till warmer weather.

David received a Christmas greeting from Dr. & Mrs. Cole. Their greeting this

[page 4] year is a picture taken of their cocker spaniel out in front of their house by the sign post. You remember they have the sign post by the driveway. It has the outline of the horse & buggy with their name underneath. You mentioned taking the serum along when I take David for his shots – I had thought of that – because it is still good and will be then and it is the combined shots. I won’t take him for shots until March (6 mo old).

I told you in a previous letter the boys bought 5⁰⁰ each worth of stamps out of their 10⁰⁰ – I wrote to F & R about what a kick Mark got from the 10⁰⁰ – Floyd said he bet that 10⁰⁰ looked bigger to Mark than next year’s budget to Congress. I think John appreciated his just as much but he isn’t so much to demonstrate. You can appreciate that. After Christmas I am either going to buy a coat or put “my” money in a saving acc’t and also take out most of the bank acc’t and put on interest somewhere. We really don’t need enough in the checking acc’t only to meet the monthly needs and any allotment will take care of that I think.

I have the humidity up a little this afternoon due to towels, diapers, etc., on the radiators. The towels sour in the basement before they dry so bring them up here. You won’t get this until after Christmas so hope you rec’d some of the boxes –

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/04/forgot-the-pictures-gladys/