Tag Archives: New Caledonia

Was That Mean? (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/13/43

Dear Mother,

About the middle of the P.M. wind blowing moderately and the sun hot. That covers the usual items of the news in short order. This A.M. I got your letter of Dec. 15, one from Ira Dixon written Nov. 28, a Christmas card from the Joe Mullen family and a letter from Hicky Reinhart. That was better than no mail at all but still not good. Your letter was a little short due to the J.A.M.A. add which I did nothing about. Guess they’ll have to get along without my 8⁰⁰. I wish you would however contact Dr. Mathews and pay my Co. Med due. It should be about 11⁰⁰. Maybe I should pay that – but I just asked Fred and Dr. P. what they were doing and they both said to hell with ‘em. So maybe it won’t be necessary. If you see

[page 2] him you might ask him what the other boys are doing. Only I just happened to think I guess I’m the only one – Since Dr. Oppenshaw didn’t belong to the Newton Co. Society. You might ask him what the Jasper Co. or the Iroquois Co. boys are going – that is if it’s handy don’t make a special effort.

In your last letter Mark was better and I presumed D. was also since you didn’t mention his case in that letter. As I told you before that (sickness) in the family is the biggest worry here and of course that is why mail means so much. Well there is no use to worry and as that won’t help. You have no reason to worry about our welfare here because we are all doing extra well in the good ole summer time.

I’m still working on this shell thing of yours and don’t expect it for some time as I just work in my spare time and when I’m in the mood and since I’ll be here for some time – (as far as I know-) there

[page 3] isn’t any real hurry.

Our show tonite is The Navy Blues. It sounds as if it could be bad or good but I’d hate to bet in either direction. Maybe I can add a line afterwards.

These necklaces that I’m making – you don’t have to wear them if you don’t want to. They are a curiosity but not a thing of beauty. So just because I made it is no reason that you have to wear it. Hope that is clear. In fact they probably won’t stand too much wear.

It is now after the show and it was a good navy show if true but the things they do just aren’t according to the way I heard it.

Fred got some pictures today of his boy and he was remarking how much he had grown. I couldn’t let him get ahead of me so I said that my boy had grown also. So I got your picture we had taken when we I was home and had them look at

[page 4] you and then at D. pictures. Was that mean? Anyway it was true.

The mail this P.M. was better. Your letters of Dec. 16 and 17 came today – along with a greeting card and letter from the folks and one letter from Floyd. I can’t kick about as to the amount but would like some a little later. I am just wondering if you went home Christmas.

I know you have lots to do because even with one child lots of my Mothers used to have trouble keeping up and you have everything so I know you have a job. I really feel guilty having what you might call bankers hours, and you with all the responsibility of the home and D. but under the circumstances I can’t do anything about it – This is not of my choosing as you know but we hope

[page 5] and pray thing will turn out for the best. And what a home coming when it does come. So much for that.

I’m all out of shells and the thing I’ve made won’t go over my head so I’ll have to make another trip to the sea – and maybe I can find some more coral. The kind I sent before is hard to find for it is just freshly broken loose, but I’ll keep trying when I do have a chance to go out again.

I can think of nothing I’d like that you might send so don’t worry. I think all the Christmas packages came. I wrote Funks and thanked them and wrote the Sisters so that answers again your questions.

So Solong good night and lot of love,
Daddy

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
Receiving Station
U.S. N.A.B.
C/0 F. P. O.
San Fran. Calif.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/26/was-that-mean-roscoe/

I am by myself this P.M. (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Jan 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m by myself this P.M. as Fred & Dr. P. are out for the an airing as well as some business. So I might have to work right in the middle of this in case something popps up.

This A.M. I got a call to go to the Commanding Officer’s office for a telephone call, and that was a thrill because that hasn’t happened in about 7 mo. (We don’t have telephones here like in the states). Well when I got there they said the number was the Red Cross so I immediately thought something was amiss. But what they wanted to tell me was – that my answer back to you had been delivered. That was the answer I sent after I got the telegram

[page 2] about the arrival of D. So you see things don’t travel very fast. Then I got a V-mail letter form you dated 9-21-42. In it you told me you had received 5 letters and that you had sent 12 stamps. Those have never arrived. The only stamps I ever received from you were in the Christmas box and those were stamped envelopes. That mail was a little old but appreciated just the same, better than any we are getting now.

I went over to the seashore this A.M. to pick up a few more shells – didn’t have enough – but I know where to go so didn’t spend much time – Just ran over and picked them up.

Dr. Loop was in again today – just for a short time. He wanted to get some things we have in our store.

[page 3] One In one letter I believe it was Sun. I gave you the income since I joined the Navy. I don’t remember what it was I gave you before – but this amount is the official amount. This will be sent in as taxable. I’ll repeat it again. $1317.79 The other amount that I gave you – I figured myself so it may not have been correct.

What is Indiana like now with all the rationing? I can’t imagine how things would be with only 4 gal. of gas per week. Coffee cut down. Meat cut down. What are people doing? Or can you tell any difference? Possible people have written me of those things but I just haven’t heard about them yet. Meaning no mail. I wasn’t going to say anything about that but I just couldn’t seem to write without bringing it in some way. I’m just wondering

[page 4] if our mail is getting that way. Sure hope it is because I know what it is not to have letters now and then.

I’ll finish this after the show – That is I we have one – Later-

The show was “I can’t give you anything but Love Baby,” but the title was misleading. It was a mixture between gangs and lovers – funny but very light in the plot. There was also a Donald Duck feature and of course those are always funny.

Well, I’ve got to get the address below so solong love Daddy

Lt  (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea, New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/24/i-am-by-myself-this-p-m-roscoe/

Blue Monday (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Jan 11, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just another blue Monday – in fact a little more so because I’m stiff and sore from too much exercise at the beach. It’s like this a fellow goes out there and squats and bends picking up shells then walks a little ways further and the same thing over again and in the course of an hour it’s a pretty good class exercises. Then a swim afterwards and that’s just too much but the whole thing will wear off by tomorrow. Then in a few days will do the same thing again.

Dr. Loop of Lafayette is spending part of the day. He ate chow with us and is now out with someone else he became acquainted with. I think you probably have heard me talk of him.

So far today I’ve gotten a letter Christmas greeting combination from

[page 2] Uncle Wess written Dec. 10. Our other mail must be stacking up someplace around. I’ve said that so many times that I’m not going to mention mail anymore until it comes thru (Promise).

I’m still working on that shell thing for you. It’s another necklace [necklace]. I forgot to tell you those things may be rather fragile and won’t stand much wear and tear and in case the string breaks they have to be strung only from one end. You’ll understand if you ever try to string them. These I’m making now are the same way. As I told you before, it’s a harmless past time which I starta sorta get a kick out of s bear with me.

Fred is puttering around trying to fix the corners of our tent, so that it won’t leak. I guess that is the first you knew I lived in a tent again. We had complications in the hut so Dr. P., Fred and I moved into a modernized tent.  Everything modern but running water and toilet. Even the water runs for we have a big china

[page 3] picker [pitcher] the mess boy fills each morning. And it has a gauze cover to keep out the dust & flies. And we also have two stainless steel wash basins – nothing slow about that. And two steel lockers to keep our clothes in. My Blues are still in that pulman bag I bought in Norfolk. I put plenty of moth balls in with them and haven’t seen them for weeks. Hope they are still ok. Why we needed blues and whites is more than I can say but we have them just the same.

So far today it has been pleasant very little rain and considerable wind, but by evening it could be raining cat and dogs. It sometimes turns out like that. – – – Evening and not much rain – Just didn’t have one. The Chaplin was here for a short time and shot the bull but he didn’t stay long. He is a pretty good

[page 4] egg but not much on the sermons. I think he was used to preaching longer sermons than he is supposed to and to condense into 10 min or less is hard for him to do. We do sing lots and of course that adds to the service. The whole thing lasts about 45 min.

Dr. Loop gave me a pretty good idea where all the Drs. around Lafayette are located. He didn’t join the Navy until late in Oct. I believe he said. He knew about you being in the hospital. Well, I’ll have to stop writing so I’ll have room to put the address at the bottom – since I forgot to put it on the top.
So Solong
Love Daddy

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
Receiving Station
U.S. N.A.B.
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif

P.S. The amount of money taxable after I got in the Navy was $1317.79. Dr. P. was writing his home and I thought I’d send this again. This is the correct amount.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/22/blue-monday-roscoe/

1/2 dozen fresh eggs (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/10/43

Dear Mother,

I’ll start this now but I know it will have to be finished later because sick call is at 1300 and that is only a few minutes away. I’ve just written the folk their weekly (weakly) letter.

I didn’t tell you all that happened last night – we were given ½ doz. eggs – fresh- (Our eggs are all powdered and that isn’t good if you know what I mean). So we decided about 2100 to fry those eggs – with a hot plate and an improvised frying pan we set to work after begging butter, bread and onions. Fred’s egg was first. Dr. P next and mine last in that order. The first round was 100% perfect. The second round was 66 2/3 % because when my egg the last was dropped in the frying pan of hot sizzling butter it was bad all black and runny. I grabbed

[page 2] up the frying pan and got it out before the odor was too bad. Somehow I believe the fresh part of the egg deal was misrepresented. Anyway we had lots of fun. Sorta simple fun but something different. Fred had most of his second sandwich down so Dr. P. divided his with me.

The rain has been off and on most of the day very hot at times and cool if the sun isn’t shining.

No mail so far today. Some of the fellows have gotten V-mail letters much later than air and I know you will write those again when you get the word that I passed a few letters ago that they would be more speedy. The above was before 1300 – Now it is 2100 – and the show over and no mail. Dr. P. got a registered letter from his daughter. His father is very ill and he thinks his wife is sick due to the fact his daughter wrote. Those are things we out here fear most of all – sickness in the family, but

[page 3] it’s something we can’t help because there is bound to be more than one heartache from home here and out here back home so we just have to make the best of the whole thing. Keep busy and hope for the best.

Dr. P and I went shelling and swimming again this P.M. I should say shelling and swimming. I’m making you something else out of shells. You said the other thing was a hit so my ego is further again aroused and I’ll try something else. It gives me something to do in my spare time and time passes more rapid so you’ll have to accept them whether you like them or not.

We went to church tonite and to the show afterwards. There was a short Popeye feature and then Blondie & Dagwood. They of course were both good and funny and fun is what is needed here more than anything else.

[page 4] It rained some during the show but we were prepared with rain coats and hat so didn’t mind very much and what if we did get wet it is only a hop skip & jump to dry clothes and bed. And there is something about a show in the rain try it sometime – very romantic or I should say rheumatic.

Wish you could send us a doz. fresh eggs. Maybe I’d better not make that suggestion. It might be like the coke. Along with that same fresh-lettuce, cabbage celery etc. When those things are absent continually one sorta misses them.

Well dear don’t think I’m blue today – really I’m not. Not nearly as much as I have been –

Anyway lots of love
Daddy

Warning: The following Popeye cartoons were made during World War II in the early 1940s. By our modern standards and sensibilities, they are considered offensive. However, as a historian sharing history, I submit that sometimes we need to be reminded of how things really were.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/20/12-dozen-fresh-eggs-roscoe/

Bucket Baths are in vogue (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

1/9/43

Dear Mother,

You should be able to smell me now for I’ve just had a bath from head to foot. The water has been off some 10-12 days and bucket baths were in vogue but somehow the water came on today so a good bath. The water supply has been temperamental and bathing has been irregular but luckily there aren’t many women around a good bucket of water on a hillside and a naked body is something.

So far today we scored a little mail – got a Christmas greeting from Tommy Thompson and family. That was dated Dec. 7. There is another delivery today so maybe things will be better. We hope.

Just had and am still having a glass of tomato juice. That is one thing

[page 2] we have very little of and I’m surprised because it is a good source of Vitamin C and most people like it. I think Fred & Dr. P. swiped this as they came from taking a bath. I took my bath first and then they went while I held forth.

I’ve been thinking about the number of bonds you are getting and other papers around there whether it wouldn’t be a good idea to rent a safety deposit box. First of all I don’t know how much the rental is but you might investigate or you might talk to Nick who has one I think and ask him about the cost. The boys each have a bond and with ours also it might be worthwhile. Along with all of our insurance policies, etc. The policies can be duplicated in case – but it would be better – Maybe this a just a wild

[page 3] thought of mine which I got from censoring a letter this morning. Do what you think best.

After writing you last night I wrote to Joe R. and to Clarence Y. but I still have several letters to answer. I’ve been stringing them out some. Ed Johnson hasn’t written for a long time. He wrote twice and I answered right the same day but maybe his letters this way are lost in the pile the same as yours. I’ll bet if those persons who have to handle the mail were out here for a while they would be a little more prompt but their job is a big one and around Christmas it’s much more than at other times.

And I just happened to think again. Have you received any the uniform money? I haven’t and if you have tell me in every letter until I reply back because I want to send a tracer thru again if

[page 4] it doesn’t show up. All the others that I knew at that time have gotten theirs long ago.

We have had pretty strong winds today but so far we are still on the hill. This is the time of year for storms. Just like July & Aug at home. Hope you haven’t been snow bound too much.

I can’t send you any more of our local papers because it has been discontinued because the editor has been transferred – even that bit of news isn’t available any more. Well, I’ll finish later but in case I forget – Lots of Love Daddy

P.S. Later – no mail – we had ½ dozen fried eggs bought them in the country and we pilfered onions  from and bread from the galley and did we eat – only the last egg was spoiled and it was mine so Dr. P. divided his with me. So long until tomorrow

Love again
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/18/bucket-baths-a…n-vogue-roscoe/ ‎

Five months since we left Moffett Field (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan 8, 1943
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francicso Calif.

Dear Mother,

According to date it is now just five month since we left Moffitt Field. In some ways it fu seems a long time and in other ways it seems only a short time. Anyway we are here.

Mail was a little better today got your letter of Dec. 13 in which you told of the boys being sick. Of course by now it is too late but I still worry about them. Don’t be to fussy about them. Watch their temperatures and if they go to high then do something. As long as temperature is only around 100° don’t worry. Give them Sulfadiozine as per instruction of

[page 2] Dr. Cole but not too long at any one time give with plenty of fluids. If they get too sick take them to the hospital for a time, but don’t stew and get yourself down.

Glad people like the necklace [necklace]. I think I have an idea for another only I’ll have to get some more shells. Maybe we’ll be able to get there and get some other varities [varieties] and kinds. I have several kinds now but not enough to send home.

We had one of those real real rains last nights – everything is soaked and muddy but things are a little better now than before because there is some crushed limestone around and as long as one is able to stay on that it doesn’t bother but one miss step and you are in the yellow. After the rain today the sun came out and was it hot. It has been hot and steamy all day long.

Glad to hear the boys are still listening

[page 3] to the shadow. Keeping the old family tradition going. Our radio news are about nil and I haven’t heard of anyone getting the radio programs. We were told not to bring radios along and we can’t send for them – oh we could but when would they get here. Some few did smuggle radios – small ones and Australia is all that can be gotten and we are not in a position to listen when the programs are going on.

Don’t know if we will have a show tonite or not but I’m afraid the hillside will be too sick and wet, but if they show one we’ll probably go rain or moon shine. It’s not moon light now so that is one privilege we don’t enjoy even though we do have movies.

It is now about 1700 and almost chow time so will finish later. Later after the

[page 4] show. The title “Fugitive From Justice.” It was OK but very short.

There was no mail this P.M. that 2 Newton Co. Enterprizes and one CC News came. The Newton Co. Enterprise had been opened and censored, but nothing was blanked out but it was only a 2 page paper when before it was 4. Everyone’s mail is late so try V-mail again as I’ve repeated in my previous letters.

I’m still far behind in my letter writing but if I keep on writing and no mail coming in I’ll catch up.

Well, don’t worry too much about the boys and keep yourself in good health –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/16/five-months-si…t-field-roscoe/

What Difference Does It Make? (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan. 7, 1943
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner

Dear Mother,

So far it seems more like what a rainy season should be – rains for a period then clears and then the whole thing over again and still not much rain. And not clear either. Just makes one carry a rain coat where ever he goes.

I think our mailing address has been lost again or something because we are lost as far as mail is concerned. It’s been that way ever since we’ve arrived so we sorta get used to things and hope for the best. One fellow got a letter early that his wife would cable him Christmas but as yet the cable hasn’t arrived so

[page 2] that business isn’t good either. Guess the wires are chucked full of stuff & stuff so that messages more or less personal don’t have a chance.

I haven’t had much ambition for writing people lately – have several to answer but just keep putting it off from day to day. When I get in the mood I’ll sure bat out several in one night. Once in a while I write V-mail to some people but not very often. You write V-mail frequently I believe it will be faster – I’ve said that before but just repeating.

I wasn’t so brow beaten with chow today – Breakfast was fair – and noon day chow was overly good – good roast beef, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes and peaches for dessert – along with soup as a starter. This Eve – we’ll probably have spagitti and some other nonsense. If you get what I mean. As long as we have

[page 3] as good as we are getting now I shouldn’t complain. Just a good old American gripe.

I finally sent two shirts out to have them laundered – got them back in 8 day – pretty good job at 6 francs or 15 cents per shirt. Francs are figured in fractions and if they don’t come out even these natives just make it even to the nearest zero or five – generally going to the one above. I should say always to the one above.

The last Life mag. I’ve seen featured or gave Ind. U some few pages. The only thing I noted that was familiar was the plack [plaque] in the floor of the Union building. Way back there I paid 5⁰⁰ toward that building so I looked at one little speck and claimed it as the 5 bucks worth.

New things and different are hard to think of to write about for as I’ve said

[page 4] many times before things are alike from day to day. At breakfast this A.M.I said something about what day it was and almost got mobbed for even asking because everyone said (asked) “What difference does it make?” I kept still.

I’ll check off now and hope there is mail later this P.M. Later about 3 hours no show tonight due to bad weather so I’ll try to get some letters out to other people maybe the letters will go out even if we don’t receive them. In other words no mail again this P.M.

I just got thru taking a complete bath. Our showers have been turned off for several days and spit bathes have been in order. Sure don’t like to wash my head that way but did anyway.

Well, I must write to Sis and a few others so Solong
Lots of love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/14/what-differenc…it-make-roscoe/

Souvenir of New Caledonia (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan 6, 1942 [1943]
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

Received mail toady – what a thrill. It was dated Oct. 29, 30 & 31. In the 30th letter there were pictures Ruth had taken. It was old mail but I read it as carefully as if I were yesterdays. In one of those you had given me a detailed account of David’s arrival and only today did I learn what his middle name was. I think I know where this mail has been but that isn’t important. The letters were marked clipper and air mail special stamps but that didn’t seem to make any difference. Just plain air mail or V-mail is as good as anything. I was a little surprised at Earl R. coming over because I

[page 2] really didn’t know him very well. Not as well as Joe

I went to town this A.M. with Dr. Porterfield and we had one of our boys along who is a very good French talker. Dr. P. wanted to buy a picture of one of those flamboyant trees. He did but I didn’t. They were photos tinted about 12 in by 12 in. He paid 8⁰⁰ and they had some other for 12⁰⁰. I just figured that was a little and our money could be used to a better advantage. There are lots of things – Lace doileys (sp), arm bracelets, ear rings, coaster mats etc but most are made in America with 3-4 prices so I don’t get the idea. Perfumes are all American (Cotys) so why pay to send things like that back. There were some nice yards goods and dresses but one has to have a ration card to buy those things and after all we aren’t natives so we have

[page 3] no ration cards.

Say I just happened to remember or it just came to me – I send you a belt buckle and you say you have to buy a new dress to go with it. And I send you a necklace and you say you have to have a new dress. Suppose I sent you a pair of Step inns – Well I haven’t bought any yet so you won’t have that problem to consider – I really got a kick out of your new dresses to go with the things I sent. Hope you’ll get them. And that “my day,” don’t put that in parenthesis because it makes me think of where it came from.

The weather which has been so pleasant except for the brisk breeze has turned very hot without much breeze and just seems like rain. This has really been dry for rainy season but I think it’s too early to be saying anything yet. Our P.M. mail delivery isn’t up yet so don’t know what or if anything

[page 4] will come. During this season there are apt to be storms in this area and travel by air is uncertain so I imagine both our mails will be slow. So write V-mail rather frequent write both. I’ll finish later – have work to do yet just now.

Almost 10:00 P.M. The show is over and no mail on the P.M. delivery so it is now about one month again – sure is disheartening but there isn’t much to be done as far as I can see.

The show is over and it was too sad for out here – “How Green Was My Valley.” I don’t know if you saw it there or not but I do remember hearing that title back some years ago.

We had hot – very hot chilli for supper with rice and green beans and all I ate was a bowl of rice with milk. You are supposed to mix the chilli with the rice but I still don’t like it too hot. So I just ate the rice. Had to do something – My space and time is up so solong love Daddy

P.S. Sending a little souvenir

Souvenir Roscoe included in the letter

Souvenir Roscoe included in the letter

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/12/souvenir-of-ne…ledonia-roscoe/ ‎

Things to write about are few and far between (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan 5, 1942 [1943]
Lt (JG) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

This is one time I didn’t forget to put the whole address at the top. It’s almost a letter in itself to put that much on and really it’s supposed to be on every page. That’s one reason why V-mail is harder – Two addressees on one page – but write V-mail because it will be faster this way I think. No mail today as yet. It’s very discusting [disgusting] but will just have to get used to waiting. Dec. 12 was the last letter from home.

Our show last night was “The Fleet’s In.” Was a pretty funny show and was really what the boys like and need. It gives them a chance to “whoop and holler” and mothering to restrain them. That show has been out some time, as well as most of ours here have been, but

[page 2] that doesn’t matter as far as I’m concerned because they are all new to me and but some fellows have seen the same show 2-3 times but and they still go.

I did some laundry again today. It was the first for some time – sent some out and had an enlisted man do some but it takes so long when they it is sent out and I didn’t get all my things back when the enlisted man did it. So I guess the best thing to do is – do it yourself. I don’t mind the washing but I don’t like ironing – we don’t have a regular board and a flat table or desk top isn’t so good.

When I get home I’ll have to reform in lots of ways or you’ll find me out in the back washing and another thing I’ve gotten very bad at is not cleaning up my plate at meal times. Just today we had Lamb – potatoes, corn and bean & carrot

[page 3]salad. All I ate was the lamb and the potatoes. And I don’t suppose I’ve eaten more than one doz slices of bread since leaving the U.S.A. The bread on ship was kept in the ice box frozen and none no fresh on the whole trip so that about turned me against the stuff. Ours looks good here but our meals are so top heavy with carbohydrates that I just pass it by.

This P.M. breeze has almost turned into a gale again this P.M. My laundry is whipped a lot but it’s been out about 2 hours and still not dry. The atmosphere here must be damper than at home. We have no clothes pins so have to tie them on with string and that takes time. It seems that I’ve said many of the things before that I said in this letter so please excuse it’s just because things to write about are few and far between.

[page 4] Haven’t taken any pictures yet because cameras are supposed to be taboo in most instances so I’ve kept this one pretty well hidden.

Today is pay day but there won’t be any to send home. I’ll let it pile up some and send it later. You had better get yours out or it will seem so much a part of the bank account that it will be hard to pry it loose. If you don’t want to buy your coat put it in bonds. I believe that is a little better interest than saving. Or better still split it. Or maybe you’ll have to use it to keep the wolf from the door. Do as you think best.

All for now love
Daddy

P.S. – no mail so no more to add.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/10/things-to-writ…between-roscoe/

If this is boring skip it (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

1/4/43

Dear Mother,

So far today no mail, but we still have one delivery coming. We are supposed to put the address on each page of a letter but I keep forgetting it and anyway I don’t throw out letters if they aren’t written that way. I’ve really never written you much about the country only maybe in parts but last night as I was writing Ruth M. I just happened to get started on things that I had seen and things which are common place but much different than our flat level land of Newton Co. If this is boring skip it. And anyway you got most of it from the National Geographic. These things were not all seen in one trip nor am I going to describe a trip only just things.

To begin with the whole contour reminds one of the land over which a steam shovel has taken out coal. Just one know after another only these are

[page 2] higher and larger. That is this place is an enlarged gutted coal field. Vegetation is found on almost all the mountains but the trees are as a rule small. One On many of the mountain sides small gardens or fields can be seen very green this time of the year. In fact the only agriculture one sees is just that type. The people live in run down farm houses with apparently no pride at least not much for most of them are pretty much run down at the heel. Here and there are banana orchards, single orange trees and many papaya trees or bushes. Some pineapple fields and many coconut trees just about every place you look. As far as grain crops like corn, wheat, oats, there isn’t much. Just a small patch of corn here and there and I saw one field of corn that was sewed just like wheat.

In among those knobs there is a river of clear rapidly runny water in which

[page 3] animals wade and drink and people bath and wash. One On one one level field about the size of that in front of our house there was a flooded rice field – with the crop in the green stage and the pattern looking like a picture book.

From our vantage point at the show I often steal a glance at the moon coming up at the expense of missing a good part in the show. First all one can see is a haze of light which lights the mountain peaks between me and the moon. A little later the big disc starts coming up and the jagged peaks of the mountain are well outlined and then it’s fun to watch the whole ball ease slowly up behind those spires. After the moon is up the low handing [hanging?] clouds seem to be only feet over head, and the reflection of the moon is the water gives a pretty tropical picture. About sun set some evenings the

[page 4] clouds are lower than the tops of the mountains and it seems there is a force which keeps them from rolling on down in the vallies [valleys]. All the above is my poor description and but it’s a nice place I mean in peace time but with the hurry and bubbub of war the beauty is robbed from the whole surroundings.

This P.M. the wind is blowing at miles per hour almost keeps one from going down hill and has cool things off considerable. In fact it has been really cool for a few days.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Our show tonite is “The Fleet’s In.” At least that’s what I’ve heard. We had very poor seats last night because we went to church first and the whole thing was filled up when church was out.

I’ll add more later if letters arrive
Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. No mail

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/06/if-this-is-bor…skip-it-roscoe/