Tag Archives: Newton County Enterprise

Double-Crossed (Roscoe)

: August 26, 1943 envelope

: August 26, 1943, p. 1

: August 26, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Aug. 26, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yesterday the Clay City News of May 28 came – That just about adds insult to injury because there has been no good mail for some time and then that comes along – yes I read it OK, but I noticed the subscription ran out in July of ’43. I hope Mom didn’t renew it because it always comes so late and no more than half of them come. The Newton Co. E. comes a little more often and I like it a little better but it’s generally pretty old when it gets here. I probably have written all this before but it just happened to be foremost at the moment I started writing.

The show last night was Jack Benny in “The Meanest Man in Town.” I went to see Rochester and he was I thought very good.

Either I’ve missed some of your letters or I’ve been doubled-crossed – for I have given money for telephone calls and flowers to you to fellows going back to the States and so far you haven’t mentioned them and there has been plenty of time. I suppose when a fellow gets back he doesn’t usually think of other people’s wives or messages they were

[page 2] supposed to deliver. One fellow was from Marion Ind. and I gave him 5⁰⁰ to call you and if he couldn’t to send you the flowers that was around June 1^st so since you haven’t mentioned it I suppose he used the 5⁰⁰ to buy his girlfriend something for he wasn’t married. I’ve tried since but I haven’t had time to hear as yet.

We got word yesterday that Dr. Porterfield was sent to Virginia for duty – His wife was very ill with Tuberculosis. I just had a letter from him a few days ago and he knew nothing of going home then but he did tell me his wife was ill. I’d like to come home as well as anybody but I hope & pray it isn’t illness on the part of the family or myself that takes me back there.

Did I ever tell you about our rooster in Camp? He starts crowing early and keeps it up most of the day. I don’t know where he came from but he should have a mate in order to go ahead and be of value to us but the thing runs true to form having only the male species present just like the rest of us.

It seems that I’ve written about all that. I can think of and maybe some of the thing I didn’t think of anyway

Lots of Love
Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/04/double-crossed-roscoe/

Like Brothers (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 10, 1943 envelope

: July 10, 1943, p. 1

: July 10, 1943, p. 2

: July 10, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.
July 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

This is one of those days when writing seems a hard job to do but as time goes along maybe I’ll think of something.

Another one of our friends was transferred – left this A.M. That seems to be the way things go just like I’ve written before – make friends and then part. This friend I’m writing about this time is Commander Fredricks who was the boss man around here for some time. We spent many hours together and talked lots about the facts of live.

[page 2] There really are only a few of the pioneers left here – I mean of those that came to this place, and part of that bunch was from our original group so we almost feel like brothers.

When one fellow leaves we often wonder who the next will be and then we also wonder who will be the last. I don’t think any of us will have a chance to go back to the States together.

Up to now this letter has sounded like a last will or something so better get off of that line.

This is the regular day for inspection – in the Navy one

[page 3] can always be sure of Sat. because that means beans for breakfast and inspection. Don’t know if the combination is necessary or whether it’s a custom. I’d think either one or the other should be put off a day.

Another Newton Co. E. came yesterday but there didn’t seem to be much startling news. Just the regular fellows home on leave and others leaving. I noticed a few issues ago that Geo. Dye left. Is that the Geo. of the Lumber co. or same is there another Geo.?

Well, I’m all run down.
Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/01/like-brothers-roscoe/

11 Months Ago (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 8, 1943 envelope

: July 8, 1943, p. 1

: July 8, 1943, p. 2

: July 8, 1943, p. 3

: July 8, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
July 8, 1943

Dear Mother,

Again we have another month behind since this is the 8^th and we left Moffitt Field way back 11 months ago. Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn’t – we don’t know.

Your letter posted July [sic] 18 came yesterday and it answered questions which I asked about that loan and the Ins. policy payment so you can skip the answer I asked for a few days ago. You gained a few dollars in that deal because the entire

[page 2] amount of the loan was around 250 and the money I sent home was around 280. I hope that will help keep you going. I’ll, as I told you before, send some money as soon as it can be obtained here for the other loan and also for you to have a little surplus or for bonds.

The Newton Co. E. came yesterday again and I noticed the rules and regulations for the coming black out were printed. Maybe I’d better not express any

[page 3] my opinions on that as you have my reactions already.

I hope the picture you had taken of D. will be good. He is rather a good looking baby according to the pictures I have already. Must have received his looks from his good looking Mother. You know I think she is OK, not only in looks but numerous other ways.

The book I wrote you about yesterday is really worthwhile and if possible be sure to get

[page 4] a copy to read. I’ll repeat the title “The Consultation Room” by Fredric Loomis. I’m sure you would like it.

Geo. is moving back into our tent today. The other M.D. left so now there are only two – The dentist and myself. So Geo. is coming back to keep our spirits – either up or down. Depending whether we are talking of Nevada or Indiana – The other fellow here is from La. so he just isn’t in the picture at all –

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/27/11-months-ago-roscoe/

Independence Day 1943 (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: July 4, 1943 envelope

: July 4, 1943, p. 1

: July 4, 1943, p. 2

: July 4, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

July 4, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Cal.

Dear Mother,

This being Sunday and a holiday no doubt we will spend the day with firecrackers and later a picnic supper on the sea shore. Sound like a rather enjoyable day don’t you think? I have other ideas about the enjoyableness of such a situation.

The crowing event so far as the day is concerned has already past and that was two eggs sunny side up with bacon and toast. That is not the usual breakfast however. Just a pick up by one of the officers in his wandering

[page 2] around. Of course those eggs were either state side or New Z.

Have been giving the regular routine yearly shots and since I’ve been in over a year mine were due also, so my arm is a little stiff but other than that there are no bad affects.

I saw in the Newton C. E. issue the law about the car insurance and I think ours is OK, but you said you were going to check with Ira. Since it isn’t due until Aug. 11 (I believe). You will have had plenty of time to arrange to make it OK if it is not.

The bell just rang for 8:30 and

[page 3] I’m supposed to begin giving shots at 9:00 so before long will have to get things arranged for the bunch that come in. Just something like the days when the kids came from school to get their shots. Only none of these cry and carry on but some do get very white and act as if they would like to pass out.

Well, I’ll promise to do a better job of writing next time as I so often do –

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/20/independence-day-1943-roscoe/

Everything Excepting David (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 2, 1943 envelope

: July 2, 1943, p. 1

: June 2, 1943, p. 2-3

: June 2, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 2 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but had June 21 – 22 & 23 this week. Some are still enroute earlier than those but they will come – they always do. It is still chilly enough to have heat in the house. The fire went out last nite so had to clean the furnace & start a fire this morning to get wash water hot. I want to take Mother down to Dr. M. this afternoon. Would have this

[page 2] morning but didn’t get around in time. David didn’t wake up till 7 a.m. so that made his next meal come at 11 – by the time I got him taken care of it was getting on past 11:30 and I didn’t want to go in so late before the noon hour. Everything (excepting David) is so quiet around here with J. & M. gone – the Zell’s gone – and Jimmy kept inside. Mrs. James is getting ready to go stay with Margaret a while – She is expecting her baby any time. She told Mother she didn’t know how long she would stay – She has had such a time with Jimmy this summer

[page 3] I know she is glad to get away for a while. She has been taking liver shots and doesn’t seem to get much better but I think it’s the strain she is under. Irene is taking a 2 week vacation. They are going over to Monticello for a week and then stay home a week. This will be the first time Mrs. J. has been away from Jimmy for about 2 ½ years. I intended to give you a complete acc’t of our finances today but haven’t had time yet to figure things out – have been doing week-end work all morning. Will try to get it for next letter then if you get this one & not the next you will wish it had been in this one.

[page 4] My checks came this morning, so will have to go the bank today. You know they come in ants of 170 & 30. I have been moving around all morning & getting hungry so will stop & get something to eat. – after a few minutes pause I’ll try and add a line. I glances thru the Newton Co. E. and saw a letter from Vincent Clark – he is in North Africa. John Ade and Emory Richards are in the Navy Training Station at Purdue. I told you before Cliff Shandy is in Harvard Navy Training School. He got an Ensign. – Speaking of rain – we have had over 12 inches of rain since May – It hasn’t rained since last Sat. – It has been too cool –

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/15/everything-excepting-david-gladys/

A Little Flavor to the Water (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: June 28, 1943 envelope

: June 28, 1943, p. 1

: June 28, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

June 28, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother

All I got from that mail yesterday was a bunch of Medical supplies and the Newton Co. E. After reading the C.C. news over I found their air raid warning system and I sending it back to you with a few comments. I passed the thing around at chow yesterday evening and it was the best laugh of the day – maybe people back there can’t get the joke but we did. I can’t explain any further.

Last night while two of us were alone – the other fellow broke down and told me his family troubles – it is a pathetic case and I’m afraid I wasn’t much of a Dorthea Dix, however, he is also a doctor so he should know as well as I some of the answers – Not that I know the answers but he should know them as well as I. Really I don’t think he expected me to solve his problem but just wanted to tell somebody his troubles. Strange but he has no desire to go back said he has had peace and quiet since coming here – That must be a queer sensation. There is of course no point in my writing you this but just wanted something to fill up sape space and you might say what a space filler upper.

[page 2] Another Colliers and a Post came to one of my tent mates so we have some late reading matter some time in one of the May issues. Maybe those papers give us the pulse – so to speak of the country back home. I haven’t seem a Reader’s Digest for some time now. Some of these days some of the late issues will probably come rolling along.

Just stopped a moment because the water stinks in the shower house. Probably a lizard crawled into the tank and drowned and is giving a little flavor to the water – Something like that rat smell we had when we lived at Clay City in Grandma K. house, remember?

I see it’s nearing the end of the month and I hope you will remember about the financial statement I asked for. The last one you gave me was May 1^st. You If you have said anything about it since the letters just haven’t come thru. Repeating I have your letters stating you got the $150 & the 32⁶⁰ checks but the $100 hadn’t arrived and I gave you the check number etc.

Well the space is about all used up and I am hot and sticky – Hoping you are the same (or do I).

Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/06/a-little-flavor-to-the-water-roacoe/

Maybe Inspiration Will Come (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 18, 1943 envelope

: June 18, 1943, p. 1

: June 18, 1943, p. 2

: June 18, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif
June 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

This is one of those times when it seems there is nothing to write about but maybe inspiration will come.

To begin with our mail has definitely had the brakes slammed on and nothing came yesterday but the Apr. 29 issue of the Newton Co. E. As I’ve said before practically all of the news were old but some items weren’t issued before thru any other source. Again there was the usual home on leave boys, and J. Edward was one of those. I guess I shouldn’t be

[page 2] too jealous because it requires boys at home as well as out here, and maybe in due time we’ll all get our chance to get the much coveted leave.

I never did hear what happened to John Simons when he was in the hospital and I’ve often wondered how A.D. Washburn is getting along. Of course I wonder about others also but those two just happened to pop into mind. I often see Mrs. Dye’s name mentioned and wonder if her husband is still where he was when I was home. It seems the

[page 3] length of time out is generally greater when one has duty at a place like that before passing along. If that be the case it will work better in my case, but all those things remain to be seen. Guess maybe you begin to think that I think more of coming home than of the war but that isn’t true only one does like to think of home once in a while.

Well, I’m all out of anything to write so will try to do better next time

Lots of Love
Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/08/18/maybe-inspiration-will-come-roscoe/

New Tent Mate (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 15, 1943 envelope

: June 15, 1943, p. 1

: June 15, 1943, p. 2

: June 15, 1943, p. 3

: June 15, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
June 15, 1943

Dear Mother,

I did get a stamp for yesterday’s letter and was able to buy one dollars’ worth from a fellow so I’m pretty well set for a time.

The package of seeds came yesterday and the picture but the picture was pretty badly wrinkled. I thought you had sent the seeds in a regular air mail but coming as they did explains the delay. I’m going to make another try at gardening to see if something will grow in an

[page 2] eatable form.

My new tent mate – Dr. Thompson got several issues of Colliers, Sat. Eve Post and Esquire so our reading material has increased. All my old tent mates are scattered and now this Dr. and one of the dentists that used to be in Noumea are in the same tent. Funny how thinks keep changing from day to day. Geo is still in camp but his duties required that he live elsewhere and of course we have the medics off to themselves so that they can’t cause any harm.

[page 3] Several issues of the Newton Co. E. came also so I had to do some scanning to see if anything had been missed in the letters you and other people had written. I noticed in one issue that my address was now A.P.O. 43 and I also noted that this one and that one had been home on leave which sounds god and would be better if it would apply to other people I know. Patience will accomplish those things in time so why fret now.

I wonder if you listened

[page 4] to the radio news. We listened to KWID and heard ourselves mentioned. Sounds funny and also makes one feel he is going his duty by being a part of the thing. Wonder if the boys are still keeping newspaper headlines.

The moon is getting bright again and it sure does make things look pretty – shining on the ocean thru the palm trees but we like the dark nights better.

Well, hope we get some more mail today but I have a feeling 4 days in succession is the limit.

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Piano Recital (Gladys)

1 Reply

: June 11, 1943 envelope

: June 10th Piano Recital Program

: June 11, 1943, p. 1

: June 11, 1943, p. 2

: June 11, 1943, p. 3

: June 11, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 11 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Rec’d yours of May 26 – the $32.⁶⁰ ck. came yesterday, but as yet the $100⁰⁰ is still en route. I am enclosing a program of the Piano Recital given last night. You will note John’s three numbers. If you want to show it to anyone you might casually mention that John is playing the same grade music the three high-school girls play – (Helen Hoover, Barbara McCartney & Mary E. Arnold). John has decided to discontinue in the swing band. I am glad he decided that for himself because I was afraid I would have to. They want to practice too late at night – and they will probably go some places to play I wouldn’t approve of. Buddy just arrived – he has been here every day except Sunday for a week. John and Mark are

[page 2] washing dishes and Mark is giving a demonstration of what the different kinds of machine guns, etc., sound like. Mark went to baking class today. He said they are having a farewell party for Mrs. Rupp – she is getting married – so that means another teacher for next year – there will be several changes.

The mosquitoes have been bad already and we are warned in the paper this week they are to be worse – There has been so much rain and it keeps raining. According to today’s Newton Co. E. the farmers around here haven’t all their corn planted. This field directly north of us has had so much water standing on it they haven’t got it ready yet for planting. They had two tractors going on it yesterday but the rain started before noon so they had to stop, but were at work again this morning. John and I are of the opinion they are ruining

[page 3] the ground by repeating corn crops there (as if it’s any our business) and were hoping they would either change crops or put nothing in. We have to turn in the front license plates for scrap. We now have last year’s rear with the small plate issued this year fastened on. Mother had a letter from Jim – He is in Primary Training now, which will end July 1 – then advanced training, then a 10 day leave – when he intends coming home – Then I suppose Thelma will go back to T. H. to live because he thinks he will be shipped out. He has all new uniforms now – C.P.O.

I am trying to concentrate on writing and all the family are here in the living room plus Buddy – so it’s a little hard to think and keep my mind off what is going on.

David is in his buggy. Took a nap out in buggy but we had to bring him in when we had lunch. He woke up just a few minutes ago. Mark is playing with him now and D. is pulling his hair –

[page 4] He thinks it’s funny now but I tell him it won’t be when David gets older. It is getting near D.’s 2 P.M. feeding – which will be of potatoes, peas, carrots & apple sauce & milk. He doesn’t care for potatoes alone so I mix them with anything else I have. I still give him Vit. C. Tablets – the last time I gave him orange juice it bounced right back up. As old as he is (8 ½ mo.), I should think he could keep orange juice down. I give him apple sauce or peaches or apricot & apple sauce combined and he keeps any of them down. He likes either peas or carrots or asparagus but gags at beets. I can’t feed him spinach or prunes. His bowels are inclined to be loose so have to be careful what I feed him. Cream of Wheat also has a tendency to make his bowels too loose, so he gets Gerbers wheat cereal, Pablum or Pabena (Mead’s oatmeal cereal).

Mark and Buddy have taken D. out for a ride – until time for him to eat. Raymond Bower is home but I haven’t seen him – Dorothy was telling me he has been around a lot – his ship was in a battle.

Love – Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, Indiana, June 1943

Rat Trap (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 13, 1943, envelope

: May 13, 1943, p. 1

: May 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 13, 1943
Lietu R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

It seems as if my mail is what the little boy shot at. I have a feeling it’s the v-mail and regardless of what the radio campaigns say write air mail – all the other fellows are getting air mail and all I get is the Newton Co. E. Issues back in Feb. Maybe I’ll get some later today but it seems most of the mail has been delivered – Yesterday it was the same way but none got v-mail and I feel certain that is where mine is – being printed some place along the line. So much for that.

Geo. decided to make a rat trap a few days ago to catch the critters in our tent and he had the thing secretly built and was going to put it under my bunk and when the rat entered a big noise would be made and I of course was to be excited – well when the carpenter brought it Geo was out and I was in on the whole thing. So we put the trap in our mess hall and this A.M. we had a big rat – Sill still alive – so the question was how to kill Mr. rat – when I left for sick Bay they were in the process of Drowning him but

[page 2] as yet the results haven’t been released.

Had a bad taste in my mouth and just started a cake of Gum. Some of that you sent for Christmas. That was one thing brought along from Noumea.

One of the fellows got a clipping thru the mail that to the affect that the naval uniform was to be changed from khakis to slate blue. I think by the time I get back I’ll need new ones especially pants. My coats are in Noumea I hope, most of them as good as new.

As I said in several leters – The 150⁰⁰ check is one the way and I’ll enclose the 100⁰⁰ in this letter so hope you repeat several times in your letters whether or not they arrive.

My last letter from home is now one month old and it’s about time since more arrived – I’m not writing as many letters now as before – hope the people understand but it just isn’t possible to do so now. I’ll try to get one out now and then to others –

Well, here’s hopin’ – I get some mail some of these days –

Love Daddy