Tag Archives: Newton County Enterprise

Allergic to Such Procedure (Roscoe)

February 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 19, 1944

Dear Mother,

I turned two Newton Co. E.’s and two Democrats to Mulligan this AM. He seems very glad to get them and I suppose he really gets a bigger kick out of them than I because he knows so many more of the boys than I. The Beagley boys’ pictures were in the paper this week and I didn’t know either of them.

I did know the Rowe boy. I remember I was called out to see him once upon a time and while there he told me he was trying to get into the Air Corps. Many of the letters however are from various boys that I don’t know.

I never did write Marg. and give her the necessary statement for her files in order that she keep sending it so I’ll just save some space at the bottom of this letter and write some sort of a line and you can send it down to her. I think I’ve thanked Boonie. If you see him thank him again. I’m afraid if I write any kind of a note it will be printed in the paper and I’m allergic to any such procedure – you understand I think.

February 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] This is before mail time but I don’t hold much hopes for any mail today for we have been treated very well lately dow even down to the papers and now we will probably have to wait for days again. I hate to think of that but that is the way it’s been going lately.

By way of repeat – several days ago I sent Mark a M.O. for his birthday. I just looked at the calendar and see that his birthday is just a week away and that made me think of the M.O. again.

The radio in the rumpus room is going full blast and it’s almost interfering with my thought processes – You will say it has altogether gotten the best of my thought processes from this letter. I’ll try to do better next time –

So Solong
Love Daddy

This is to certify that I wish to receive the Kentland Democrat.
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR

[Editor’s Note: From the Kentland Centennial book (which was published in 1960) regarding the Kentland Democrat, ” During World War II, Mrs. Margaret (Steinbaugh) Carlson operated the paper and lightened the hearts of many a serviceman with her column “To You In Service.” During this period, the paper was sent to every boy in this community that was in the Armed Forces. Local merchants, particularly Otto Boone and Geo. Tilton, underwrote the cost of this project. Mr. Boone still prizes the numerous letters of appreciation he received from the servicemen.”]

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/18/allergic-to-such-procedure-roscoe/

Something of Interest (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 18, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

February 18, 1944, p. 1

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 18, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this at about 10 PM. Had the duty today and went to see the show “Bambi” and now that I have settled down – got a coke before me and after having read the Kentland Democrat and Newton Co. E., the only mail today, maybe I can write something of interest I hope.

I now have two Newton Co. E.’s and two Democrats to pass along to Mulligan. I’ve been giving him a pretty good supply in the past week.

I just happened to think – In one of your letters not so long ago

February 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] you mentioned that the Lontz boy was still in N.C. I feel sorry for him – staying in that one awful place for so long. It isn’t so bad there but it sure would get under my skin to not move around more than that. Of course I could settle in one place in the U.S.A. but if I have to be out I’d I sure like to be moving. No moss for me and you know – the rolling stone. Maybe that doesn’t sound like me and it really wasn’t like me there but things are different here.

I think one time several months ago I wrote a letter using appreciation as the basis. That increases as time goes along. I believe I appreciate you, family, and home more now than ever. The two years away have certainly been long

February 18, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] and cruel but they certainly have served a purpose in so far as bringing out the appreciation for you, home & friends. Maybe I’m all wet but had I been home all this time I believe we would have appreciated each other less than at present.

Maybe the above all sounds silly but I sure don’t mean it that way. It’s really hard to put into a letter just how one really does feel at least it’s hard for me to do so.

I guess you really put me in the Dog House with our neighbor Zell. It seems you at some time or other mentioned to him how I felt about County Agents who didn’t take their trade too seriously and he doubted if he were in the “good grace” of our family especially me. Just

February 18, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] how strong did you make it? I still think I’m a little right about one of them who ran for the good old Earth when he felt it would keep him from Uncle Sam’s army. Too good to be a farmer at one time, but too fine when it isn’t serving too much of a purpose. That may sound silly also but I did have a point to make. And please explain to Mr. Zell that it’s not his profession in general but only the exceptions. I know he was just kidding and I got a kick out of the whole affair – Just as I hope you do out of the question I asked at the top of this page.

Dear it’s my bed time so good night
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/16/something-of-interest-roscoe/ ‎

Lots of Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 15, 1944 envelope

: February 15, 1944, p. 1

: February 15, 1944, p. 2

: February 15, 1944, p. 3

: February 15, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 15, 1944

Dear Mother,

To begin with the P.S. that I closed with in yesterday’s letter. There was lots of mail – First to add to my chagrin a Valentine came from you and it hit the day smack on the head – anyway I wrote you mentioning Valentine on the day. Your air mail of Jan. 31^st came and 4 others, all older than the ones received a few days ago. The picture of D. finally arrived. They were good. I thought – very – the one in the folder looks a lot like the baby picture of mine – Maybe I’m just imagining. Anyway they were good pictures. There was three Christmas packages. Tw One from Funks, one from Boonie – They were just alike – a round box of

[page 2] assorted candies. Meade Johnson also sent a big box of assorted vitamins and then there were several Christmas greetings. There was on from Pinky C., Mrs. Smart, Joe Mullens, Dorothy Salter, Bill Funk, Carl Funk and Harry Hufty. These of course we[re] from Mr. & Mrs. In each case where there was a Mr. & Mrs. Mrs. Smart sent hers for 1½ cents which was a surprise because I didn’t know that could be done. There was also a letter from Boonie. He wrote very fluently on Col. Wilkie but a few weeks ago when I asked him if he knew Otto. He studied a little and finally admitted he did remember him but not nearly as much as Otto lead we to believe in the letter.

[page 3] All in all it was a pretty good mail call even though there were more letters from other people than from you. However your letter was still the latest of the bunch. So that still made you tops even in the mail. There were a couple of old Newton Co. E. in the bunch also.

I’m going to try to get the films into town today that I wrote you about a few days ago and maybe in a few days I can send a picture to you. It was taken with a friend of mine – A Jewish boy from Brooklin. Doesn’t that sound funny coming from me. He is a very fine fellow and so far we have gotten along very well. So much for those until we see how they turn out.

Today we got an official statement

[page 4] from the pay office on the amount taxable collected in 1943. I’ve sent that to you before but don’t know what my figures were – This is official – $2,530.00 so if its necessary to file those are the figures plus anything you might have collected in the way of interest or old bills, both of which wouldn’t amount to much.

Our back yard is being leveled off and spaded getting ready for some grass. It will be nice when it gets all green but I hope I’m not here that long. I’ll be willing to imagine how it will look at some later date.

In all probability I’ll reread your letters and add more comment tomorrow. Thanks again for the pictures & Valentine

Love Daddy

P.S. also received a letter from Geo. Wingfield – he had received your letter.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/10/lots-of-mail-roscoe/ ‎

Prize Snow (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-11-44

Dear Daddy – Haven’t rec’d letters from you since Mon. and this is Fri. Your last was Jan. 29. We have had the prize snow of the season. Quite a lot of snow and wind which drifted the snow in some places until it is waist high. In the west side yard Mark walked out into a drift that was knee deep. I took some pictures of our home, Statons & Foulkes. John and Mark got into the pictures here. David was asleep so he missed, but it’s too much to try to get his picture in a snow drift. John and I shoveled the snow off the driveway and front walk yesterday and this a.m., it was drifted over again. John is out now working on it again. Mark has gone to the dentist – says he has a toothache. There isn’t any school today because the busses can’t get through. I don’t know how the town streets are but I suppose the Street Dept. is trying to keep the drifts cleaned off. Bart has been running pictures of service men in his paper – you guessed it – yours was in this week. But I don’t believe you will object – he didn’t say anything but how long you had been in service, etc. I see Jimmie Staton out playing in the snow. It is very invigorating out now, not too cold, but colder predicted for tonight. Just hope the cold wave doesn’t last too long – or that we can get more good coal. The way the wind blew when it was snowing, we had snow on the windows – the effect Arlene had with cotton at Christmas – you remember I helped her decorate one year. David is awake and ready for action.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/01/prize-snow-gladys/ ‎

Mystery Temperature (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 21, 1944 envelope

: January 21, 1944, p. 1

: January 21, 1944, p. 2-3

: January 21, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-21-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 6, 7, 8, & 11 came today. In fact I just finished reading them and thought I would answer while things are fresh in my mind. About that tax $6.60 – that was the first quarter last year gross – I quit paying after that. I talked to Agnes a few days ago and she told me not to file even Federal, so will just let it ride. Our present bank bal. is around $70.oo but all bills are paid. The first of Feb. the income will take care of ins. due (J., M. & D.) and current bills and we should have a good bal. Maybe enough for a bond. David got enough Christmas money to get a new bond. I think J. or M. will get it at school to give their school credit during the present Bond drive.

David flared up with a temp. yesterday but now it is gone. He has had a hang-on cough from the flue he had following our visit to Mutchlers and he coughs more now. He had a temp. all night.

[page 2] I put him in bed with me because I figured he would be restless. He had 101 2/5 rectally about 7 A.M. but now 9:45 he is normal. I have him established on the studio couch with a cover over him and toys around him which he keeps throwing on the floor. He doesn’t feel too bad because he laughs & plays. I put his house slippers on him. He pulled them and his sox off, but his feet & legs are covered with the spread. He ate a pretty good breakfast and had two B.M.’s on the toidey. I called the Dr. and talked to him about D. He told me to give him the same pills I gave him when he had the flu. I was going to ask him to come out but he seems so much better I don’t think it is necessary. However, I will watch his temp. closely and if it starts to rise will talk to the Dr. I can’t understand this. D. seemed perfectly well, I had been taking him out of doors, every day, then yesterday he shoots up a temp. and today it’s gone. I am glad it is but would like to know the cause.

Tell Bud Mulligan his aunt came to see me yesterday. She is staying at Zeva Simmons. Zeva works for Mrs. Knowlton.

[page 3] You remember her, don’t you? Jimmy’s mother. I don’t know where Jimmy is now, but Zeva had been to see his wife and daughter not long ago.

I heard that Link quite the stone quarry and is working at the factory. Irene is in the hospital yet – as I understand is taking a rest cure. I wonder when her mother will get to take a vacation – but guess that is none of my business.

It is warmer out today and the sun is shining. I have washing to do and should hang it out but when the trains over by 24 go past they throw out such a smoke screen the clothes have tattle tale grey when they are dry, so the basement is the safest place after all.

The Newton Co. E. is running pictures of service men and they have Art Kenny’s in this week – He is wearing the sailor uniform he had when he entered the service – you know he is now in the Marines – well to say the least the picture isn’t flattering – I wanted to laugh when I first saw it.

I told you in a v-mail about Tommy Britton’s mother calling me. She said Tommy told them you had called from

[page 4] San F. and was on your way home. I told her he was mistaken. He said Mark had told him. I know Mark doesn’t tell things like that. He was so mad when I told him what Tommy had said. He vowed very strongly he hadn’t told Tommy anything like that. Virginia admitted that Tommy told such tall tales they didn’t know when to believe him. I told her I only wished it were true.

J. & M. got their report cards so they should write you and give you their own reports – I gave them in previous letters but think they should write too.

There was a bulletin from the A.M.A. on socialized medicine. John read it over and is going to take it to school. I don’t know that I ever talked to him on the subject, but he was very strong in his opinion about such a thing. He thinks like the A.M.A. – it shouldn’t be.

I have put D. in his bed with toys to amuse him while I go start the washing and he is throwing things on the floor, and enjoying it.

“Love Mother”

P.S. Saw Irene after writing this so her rest cure must be over.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/20/mystery-temperature-gladys/

Local News (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 14, 1944 envelope

: January 14, 1944, p. 1

: January 14, 1944, p. 2

: January 14, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-14-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail today but two letters yesterday. Rec’d a letter from Jewell with a picture of Dot’s baby Janey – she is about a month younger than D. Jewell and Uncle Geo. had been to Roscoe Snedeker’s funeral. They had seen mom & dad. Jewell said she thought mom didn’t look so good but mom had the flu pretty hard so I imagine she doesn’t look so good as she did last fall. I wish we have gone there for Christmas but I was afraid to risk the trip at this time of the year.

No school today due to exams being over and teachers grading papers. J. & M. have been steel wooling the floors today. Buddy was here to spend the night and at breakfast Mark began to make plans for the day when I told him what I had planned. In “nothing flat” Buddy decided he must go see his mother and off he went to the restaurant. After he left Mark said, “Did you notice how quickly he decided to go when you mentioned working on the floors?” We have been doing the house today. After changing the beds, I cleaned the upstairs and John started the washing and after doing the lunch dishes I decided I needed a little rest so am writing to catch up so I can clean up the mess on the floors the steel wool makes. This job is pretty monotonous but seems to be necessary ever so often. – – Pause. I stopped writing to help with the floor work – we have stopped cleaning for the day. David woke up so I wrapped him up and put him out in his buggy – It has turned so much warmer. Mark is out in the yard entertaining David with his football. Bobby

[page 2] is out there now so David should be well entertained. It is so much warmer today I didn’t have to wrap David up so much. He have has a large blanket that was given to him last year that I kept nice and when I take him out on very cold days I wrap the blanket all around him up to his chin. – Mark just brought him in – Mark saw the others going to the pond to skate and couldn’t stand it. It’s much warmer but not warm enough yet to melt the ice yet. However if this keeps up it won’t take long.

I was looking over the Newton Co. E. for news items to include but see none I think would interest you. However I heard that Harold Portteus had an operation for hernia this week. I suppose he is in the hospital at Watseka. Clarice is there and I had thought about driving over to see her. Have to go to Sheldon for meat and it wouldn’t take much longer to run on over to Watseka.

I have never thought to mention about Bair’s niece Mary Eldeen, the girl they raised. She had a new baby last Oct. and is just now out of the hospital. Had to have a few blood transfusions. She has a baby about two years old and her trouble this time dates back to the first birth. I don’t know just what the trouble was but for a while she didn’t improve and Bair’s were awfully worried about her. Her husband is in Service and she is living with Bairs.

You wondered about Dr. Van. I mentioned him a time or two but you must have not rec’d those letters. I don’t know whether he knows me or not but I know him when I see him. One day I was downtown and saw Laura Milligan. She and John were in town visiting – John was enroute to the West Coast and I understand he is now in the Pacific someplace, but that is beside the story. I was chatting with Laura – I had been to the P.O. and she was going

[page 3] toward the highway and we happened to meet in front of Dr. V. office – While we were talking he came out and when he saw Laura he spoke to her – he gave her the once over and said something about her figure. – It rather amused me – I just thought he evidently is just like the stories depict him to be. Always an eye open for a good looking woman. I do think Laura is attractive. She seemed so glad to see me and asked about you. I asked what John’s work is and I understand he is boss of the ground crews – mechanics, or whatever they are called. I think that is the same work Harlan Parr does. The Parrs spent the summer in Fla. Were sent to Michigan in Dec. and now are in N.Y. – or were. I really couldn’t say where they are now.

Maybelle Towers wondered if you might be near Emery – however they aren’t sure of his location – except in the S.W. Pacific. She said they thought he was in Samoa.

Bill Schuh had pneumonia and now has rheumatic fever. Babe is taking care of him at her home in Brook. He & Tony were in the hospital at the same time. Tony had a gall bladder operation.

Here I sit and write when I should be out of doors – should do my writing at night. I have been having headaches again. I think it’s partly due to being inside so much. I still like warmer weather best. At least I can get out for a breath of fresh air without chilling in warmer weather. Well I think I would like the winter here if you were home, but I seem to tire of winter this year more than usual. So much for the weather, as you used to say, took a good beating.

“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/07/local-news-gladys-2/ ‎

Laundry Hanging Around (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 13, 1944 envelope

: January 13, 1944, p. 1

: January 13, 1944, p. 2

: January 13, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
1-13-44

Dear Mother,

After I finished writing yesterday I thought there would be a P.S. to add regarding more mail but there was none for me. It was all mail for persons who had been transferred from other islands and most of my mail in that class is now thru those areas.

I still have some of my laundry hanging around the room from yesterday. It would have been dry if I’d left the radiator on all night but that makes it a little too warm and there is no particular hurry. We should have a line outside but with reconstruction going on in the yard I’m afraid the dust would be pretty thick on the laundry before it could dry because

[page 2] this wind sure whips around the corners and over the knobs. This AM there was a slight sprinkle but not enough to make any impression on the dust.

I’ve read that double talk over that you wrote from the radio program but can’t seem to make much headway. If I had the tune and could hear the words it would probably make sense. Or would it?

Just stopped to read the Newton Co. E. – Sept. 9 issue that came day before yesterday. I must have been lost in the Christmas rush plus the change of address rush. It’s surprising how much real news there isn’t in the paper. I don’t mean to be an old meanie, but, for example, the personal & society – a visit here, a vacation

[page 3] there – well alright then it is news – I’m having a terrific argument with myself and I’m not sure who is winning, anyway there still isn’t much news in those papers. You always give me the cream of the news but maybe yours is the first edition and this paper is the full account.

Tue. night I heard parts of a Jack Benny program which was pretty good. It had been a long time since I’d heard him so maybe that was why I liked it.

This is before mail time so I’ll stop and maybe be able to add more – I hope.

Later. No mail so
Solong until tomorrow
Love Daddy

Chow (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: December 29, 1943 envelope

: December 29, 1943, p. 1

: December 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 29, 1943

Dear Mother,

The only mail today was a package from Mead Johnson & Co. A bunch of Vit. A, B, C & D. I’m not sure that I need them but will keep them just in case I feel as if I’m getting low in any one of the said vitamins. Right now I feel I should really take some of some kind because the food for me today was bad. At noon we had corned beef and I’ve eaten lots of that. This isn’t so bad because it wasn’t canned but I don’t like it as well as chicken. This eve. for chow we had spaghetti and lamb stew and I just simply would not eat. I did, however, eat a few raw cucumbers with vinegar and a small, very small piece of cake – Tomorrow is another day and the food will be better and I won’t fall off too much in weight for not having eaten much as of Dec. 29. I’ve drank a few cokes and those will help keep the system going.

Just stopped to kill two great big flies, and when I say big I mean just that. They remind one of bombers. We have no screens and they come in and buss and one really feels like he is being blitzed. I don’t pay much attention to them at night but early in the morning they are a real menace to

[page 2] one’s sleeping routine.

The box that came from Ruth & Floyd yesterday had parts of an Indianapolis Star in it and the fellow that I wrote about from Kentland got a Star from someone and he traded me that for the Newton Co. E. so I have some reading to do especially the funnies. There was three comic books and I have read those so am now ready to start on the funnies.

It’s late tonight as I didn’t start writing until after the show and the show was rotten. That last part had nothing to do with the late start at writing but I just added it for affect or something.

Well Dear I’ll take a vitamin pill, get the funnies and retire – so solong until tomorrow –
Love
Daddy

Trouble with the Furnace (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: December 27, 1943 envelope

: December 27, 1943, p. 1

: December 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 27, 1943

Dear Mother,

Received several letters from you today – Yours & the boys Christmas greetings – a letter and box from the folks and a greeting card letter and picture from Dolores. The picture was of she and he taken in Washington. I’ll have to re-read your letters before I write next time because I’m on-duty now and the letters aren’t where I am. And that is also the reason for the pencil.

You mentioned the check – That was the first one I sent. Hope the other one have arrived by now. Your mail service that way must be pretty good – almost as good as when I was back up the way.

A Newton Co. E. came today – The one telling of C.O. Riggs. That was the first I knew of the whole thing and in it was an account of the Simison girl having her appendicitis – Lots of news – Even Grace Cox was in the hospital. You haven’t mentioned lately whether Dr. Van Kirk is back at work or not – Maybe you aren’t interested in him. Not even enough for him you to write about him.

It seems you are having trouble with the

[page 2] furnace and Indiana Coal. Can’t Geo. Monroe get the thing regulated? Why don’t you have him make trips out there about every hour some day to check on it to see if he can really get things going?

I’m going to check the figures on the finances you gave and probably will have some comment about those but I read the letters so rapidly I couldn’t tell now a single figure you mentioned.

Do you remember a long time ago I mentioned sending an officer home with a bad eye? About June first. He is now back out at the first station when I was first located. He was back there U.S.A. for 5 months, so I guess he doesn’t have too much to complain about.

Well, next time I’ll answer more of your letters.
Love Daddy

P.S. also got a letter from Wayne W.

Pictures (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: December 11, 1943 envelope

: December 11, 1943, p. 1

: December 11, 1943, p. 2

: December 11, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 11, 1943

Dear Mother,

You will or rather have noted the pictures which were included in yesterday’s letter. The others will follow a few at a time so that they will not be too heavy for air mail. These were taken as you can see – one in a Botanical garden and the other just outside a little hotel where we stayed. That is about all I can say about the pictures for further description and “stuff” might be telling things so we will stop there.

Once before I mentioned about

[page 2] you putting the boys’ ages on the pictures and not putting your own. Of course, I know, so you can’t fool me although that picture would fool me if I didn’t know because you surely don’t look your age – and I don’t mean you look older.

You also wrote in one of those letter about D. & his mother both taking a nap in the P.M. You wrote it as if you were ashamed but I see no reason why you would feel badly about taking a nap in the day time. I sure don’t feel that way and I’m sure some of the other fellows around

[page 3] here feel the same as I on that score.

The Newton Co. E. came today – The first issue in a very long time. It was the issue dated Sept. 30. I’ve read the whole thing and will give it to the Mulligan boy. He told me the other day he had not received any issue and I think he doesn’t receive any letters from there.

If I’ve figured correctly it is just two weeks until Christmas and if I’m going to wish you a Merry Christmas and have it get there in time I should do it now – So Merry Christmas and lots of love

Daddy

[Editor’s Note: I do not believe I have the photographs Roscoe sent home in this letter.]