Tag Archives: Nicholas P. Krull

Back Home (Gladys)

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September 18, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 18, 1945, p. 1

9-18-45

Dear Daddy –

We arrived back home just as the bell was ringing 6 o’clock. John said Mrs. Zell was expecting us for dinner. It was very nice to sit down to a hot roast beef dinner. After we finished dinner John brought David home and bathed him and put him to bed. I helped Norma with the dishes, against her wishes – she said she knew I must be tired. I was and went to bed early. I dropped off to sleep then had bad dreams. We all over slept this morning but the boys were up in time for school. They still have some cold but all are better, as least not worse. Dorothy called this a.m. and said Bobby has a very ‘runny” nose but no temp. She asked me to go to Laf. with her tomorrow. I have nothing in particular to go for, but return what is left of the Jiffy mop for a replacement. Of course I can always see something to buy. It is cloudy today and I don’t believe the sun is coming through. I washed one tub, but hung the things in the basement. The coal was delivered while I was away yesterday. Half a ton made an awful dust around the basement. Some of the Saturday’s clothes were still hanging but were dry so they didn’t seem dirty from the dust. The furnace has been running today. I have noticed the air turning on several times.

September 18, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] John had such a fire going when I got home and it lasted all night – the house was hot all night and it was warmer outside. I suppose with all that good coal he had to take advantage of it.

My thumb is gradually decreasing in size. There will be an awful lot of skin to come off around the joint. I am glad I didn’t get a reaction all over my hand.

Mrs. James returned some bread they had borrowed and I asked her about the baby. She said he was much better. She told Mrs. Zell yesterday they were so glad you were here Sun.

It’s past 3:30 and I am still waiting for a wire or phone call. I thought about you at nine o’clock and wondered if you were about to arrive in Oakland. While we were eating dinner at Zells (about 7 PM) we figured you should be having dinner in Olathe – or did we over rate the speed you made?

Mark helped me set the barberry bushes out. The ground at the north side of the garage was very easy to work in so for temporary I think that is a good place. Mark “dillied” around with Buddy until I got home and forgot to finish Staton’s lawn, but I put him to work. He still has some to do this evening. Our lawn needs some attention too.

Love Mother

It was a wonderful weekend.
P.S. 4:05 – Your wire just came.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/22/back-home-gladys/

Pictures from Missouri (Gladys)

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September 5, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 5, 1945, p. 1

9-5-45

Dear Daddy –

This being fair week the stores will be closed today, Thurs. & Fri. PM’s. School will be closed Fri. Mark wants to go out for the day with Buddy – but what they can find to do out there a while day is a mystery to me. Mark went yest Monday evening with Statons so he may have changed his mind by now. The mail hasn’t been delivered yet, it being just past 9 o’clock. I finished the dishes and put dough to raise in the sun by the piano – the only place I could find. I promised the boys hot rolls for lunch.

I went to Brook with Norma yesterday – their locker here is full and she had corn to put in, so took it to their Brook locker. I took your brown suit to the tailor at Brook. Lucile said Ed took an overcoat to have a hole repaired and that he did good work. I also stopped at the upholstery place. T seems hard to find the man but I talked to his wife. She said he had enough tapestry material to cover a davenport – someone ordered it and then didn’t take it. It is turquoise (a greenish blue) flecked with a rose flower. I thought if perhaps he would make me a good price on the job I might go ahead with hit. Since he doesn’t have much other material to work with he should be able to get this job done. She (his wife) says he restyles furniture, and from the looks of things I don’t think he is very high in his prices – but I have heard he does good work.

The roll of film I took in Mo. turned out about 50%. There was one miss – I forgot to turn the camera

September 5, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] and lost one picture. I’ll enclose what I think you will care to see. My picture was not good, so I am not sending it. I hope by now you have received the first pictures I sent – David’s & our group.

Yours of Aug. 30 just came – had been misspent to La Fontaine, Ind. I was glad you could get out for a while. We haven’t had much social life since coming back, but that isn’t exactly necessary see we see people we know every day and the boys are in school. I go to town every day or so in the afternoon and visit a little while with the crowd in at Krulls. Lucile called me this morning to give me a bit of news. Arlene had bridge club last night and announced that she is having a baby in 3 months. I don’t believe anyone knew it – however I thought Arlene was looking unusually good and “plump.” She must be different this time because she usually gets very large. She says she is going to have 6. Mark wondered if we could have a little baby girl – not adopted – but one of our own. I said “why” and he said he thought it would be nice. I said “is it because of Karen,” and he grinned and said “yes.” He thinks Karen is tops. I told him to take the matter up with you when you come home.

Uncle W. & J. stopped on their way to C.C. They are to be here for dinner the day they return home – sometime next week. They wanted to know if there was anything they could bring back and I said some evergreens.

Mrs. Capes called me about something and she said Doris is in San F. Her husband, a Dr. in the Navy has ship duty and is out now in the Pacific. Mrs. C. thought you might call Doris (Mrs. Wm. Douglas) W.9718.

David is trying (not too hard) to take a nap. He is on one of his tears today and I doubt if he goes to sleep. If he doesn’t take a nap he will go to bed earlier tonite. It has been very cool, but is getting warm today – the temp. is supposed to get up to 90°.

I’ll try to get a camera and take this other roll and send you some brand new ones – (Hope you get back by then.)

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/08/pictures-from-missouri-gladys/

Enough Playing (Gladys)

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August 27, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 27, 1945, p. 1

8-27-45

Dear Daddy –

Will write this evening while I have time to sit down and concentrate – if that is possible with the radio going. J. & M. listening to Dr. I.2. I sent your khaki pants & shirt and in another package David’s picture wrapped in last week’s hometown papers and a family picture. I was downtown and saw Ellsworth. He was quite confident you would soon be home. Said he didn’t have enough points. We heard more news over the radio about Navy men being discharged. You said you were going to be traveling today, so in case you missed it – we heard it twice – a very large number of enlisted men and officers are to be released and that the point system is to be revised, that is, overseas duty to receive extra points. I suppose you have heard the whole thing. You should get your gold braid by now since it went out Sat. afternoon.

I am planning to take John to Laf. tomorrow. Lucile wants to take Jimmy down and see Dr. Ade if possible. He is still having quite a lot of asthma & hay fever. Dr. M. increased the phenobarb to ½ tablet a dose instead of ¼.

Mark is to take a music lesson tomorrow. He really hasn’t practiced enough but I think maybe I’ll get him setted a little more after school starts. He was gone nearly all day with Buddy & Sammy. He cut the lawn early, then the three went to Washburns until noon then this afternoon they went down to Krulls to help Bud cut the lawn so he could play. I told Mark he had to stay home tomorrow. Two days in a row is enough playing (Sun. & Mon.).

Funks were to come home Sun. but so far I haven’t seen any of them. I imagine they will get home in time for school Wed.

I sent the Russells David’s picture and wrote them a letter. Also answered Mrs. Thrailkill.

August 27, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] We have been fighting mosquitoes. I sprayed with flytox last night and thought I had all, but I was nearly asleep and heard one. I thought I got it but evidently I missed – David got a bite on his left ear and it was swollen today but not quite as bad as the one he had when you left.

Gen. De Gualle spoke over the radio from Chicago this evening. We listened, but since he spoke in French we didn’t get much until the interpreter came on. John caught a few words.

Krulls came out last night to get Buddy. He came out to play with Mark after supper. Bobby had quite a time crawling around and the fuel pot by the fireplace was the first thing he started for. I put it back of the screen. Dorothy allowed him to play out of his pen while they were away, so I think she won’t be able to keep him in it now. He likes to get around too well to stay in a pen.

Next day – Back from Laf. Lucile talked to Dr. Ade and made an appointment to take Jimmy down Sept. 11 for allergy tests. She didn’t have an appointment to see him today but I took her in with us and she talked to Dr. while he was getting ready to work on John. He says John’s lenses need a slight change. He is to go back Fri. for a recheck. You will probably not get this letter when you should because it is too late for it to go on the regular mail, but will send it out on the late train. The piano tuner came today. Nothing had to be done but the regular job. He was thru by 11 o’clock. He was going to do Zells & Shirks too.

Irene is back from the hospital. She said they got rid of the blood clot, but the Dr. didn’t give her any hope as to when she would be rid of phlebitis. Irene says she is going to start a petition. If you are tired of me talking about that – let me know. Arlene came up today. She is looking fine – says she feels rested now. She has a girl staying with her from Wisconsin. Bobby starts to school tomorrow. Mark is a little worried about starting at the high school.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/21/enough-playing-gladys/

Football vs. Band (Gladys)

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August 26, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 26, 1945, p. 1

8-26-45

Dear Daddy –

Sun. evening and David just tucked in. He was ready to go to bed for a change. Had a nap this afternoon but didn’t sleep too long. Yesterday afternoon I went down to Dr. M office and asked him if he had any late data on Drs. being discharged. He said he knew nothing – but in the course of conversation he said he had inquiry from the “procurement” (whatever it is) about a Dr. being needed at Remington or Goodland and he told them to send a Dr. Now “methinks” he could tell the procurement office or whoever it is, that he needs you here. I saw Mrs. M outside and she said Dr. was so anxious for you to get back before winter – She also said Dr. V hadn’t been any help – says he doesn’t leave home until 10 a.m. – and by that hour her husband has been at work 2 hrs. Also she says he doesn’t have office hours at night, etc., etc., etc. This morning driving home from church I saw Mrs. Washburn and talked to her a while. She wanted to know about your coming home and I told her the people here would have to get a petition and get you back. This afternoon David wanted to take a walk so we walked past their house and stopped to chat a while. Dr. Dorsey came while we were there and they went on an inspection tour (The Washburns, Dr. Dorsey & his Sec’y). Mark was there playing with Sammy. He has been with him all afternoon – and is still down there. He came with Sammy a while ago eating a ham sandwich. I said something about real ham and in a little while here came Mark & Sammy with some ham for me. They said Mr. Washburn had sent it. Howards came

August 26, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] back from Wisconsin over the weekend. The Krulls came back, too. I went down and took the things I had washed – and their silverware. I told Nick about the oil burner and the difference in figures. He said I had better have Loughridge because Monroe doesn’t service oil burners. Without waiting for you reply I am going to tell Loughridge to proceed with ours. Of course he can’t get it until Oct., but can be getting the new wiring done. I hope this meets with your approval.

Going back to Washburns – I was glad Sammy was in town this afternoon. Mark was all excited over a piper cub pilot taking up passengers. I tried calmly to talk him out of it but he couldn’t see anything but getting to take a ride in a piper cub. I finally had to say flatly no, then he went to Washburns and played football with Sam & Buddy Krull and apparently forgot about the plane ride. I told him I knew you wouldn’t approve – so if you will write him a little letter it will help out in case anyone else comes around offering rides for 75₵. I told him to wait until he can go somewhere in a passenger plane.

I went out with John this afternoon and he did pretty good. I told him he would have to practice a little more often. School begins Wed., so he won’t have much time. John isn’t very happy about his high school program. One must is either Shop, Ag, or Geography and he chose Geography. He would rather take Latin but they just have Soph. & Jr. latin and since he has had first yr. Latin would have to take with Jrs., but it would conflict with one of the Soph. subjects. He takes History, English, Geometry & Geography. Maybe he can get a change somewhere so he can take Latin but I doubt it.

Mrs. Zell gave us a basket of tomatoes – the boys are going to prepare them for the cans and won’t have to touch them.

August 26, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Pauline Hiestand said they had some chickens to sell so may put a few in the locker. So far we have 16 qts. peaches & 7 qts. corn in our locker. With our beans (20 qt.) and tomatoes to can tomorrow our food supply is counting up. Mrs. Z said we could have more corn this week. Mr. Z is going to Mich. and bring back peaches so I told her I would take a bu.

The Merrit Woods are going to Monticello to live. He sold out business & house to Simison. There was a farewell dinner at the church for them today. I didn’t get anything prepared to take before S. School so we came home to eat. Mr. Servies asked me to help in the Primary Dept., and I didn’t want to be late to Sunday School so had to forego the dinner. Mrs. Wood has been Supt. of the Primary Dept. for some time. They asked me to take over for her, but Mrs. McCarty has been assisting her and I said I would help Mrs. MC.

It’s past 9:30 so think I’ll get ready for bed. I thought I might read but my eyes are burning and I don’t believe I had better. – Just while I think of it. I air mailed your “gold” in the lighter box Sat. – so you should get it soon.

Mon. a.m. Yours of Aug. 24 (date on envelope) rec’d this morning. Just hope there is something in the air about discharges. David’s pictures came today. I’ll send yours so you can have a picture with you. I think we forgot to give you any at all.

Have 6 qts. tomatoes in the oven to cook.

August 26, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] Father Fallon’s mother died Sat. from a heart attack. She was on a train going to visit her daughter.

Sammy & Buddy are here, but Mark is mowing his lawn just the same. He will soon be thru and they can go play. Mrs. W & Angus are staying is Wis. until Sept. 8 – because of Angus’ hay fever.

It’s a lovely day if a little cool – not as cold as last night. I have been sleeping under a light woolen blanket.

John went over to the school this morning and talked to the band instructor. He is going to let John have the oboe. The band is short of cornets. Maybe Mark will go in the band, too. He says he wants to play football and that it conflicts with band, but we may be able to get him to forego football – since the band is thru the year & football is only seasonal.

Well I have to go to town and get groceries so will sign off.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/19/football-vs-band-gladys/

A Week Since (Gladys)

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April 29, 1944 envelope

April 29, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-29-44

Dear Daddy –

Doesn’t seem possible that it has been a week since we were anxiously waiting for you to come home. Just hope we can look for you next Sat. After I wrote to you yesterday, I took David out in the yard with me and he fell down smack on his lip and made it bleed. Then after we came back into the house he fell again and made it bleed again. I put sulfa powder on it and took him to the Dr. this morning. He took the stitches out and in spite of everything it looks pretty good. The swelling from the bumps yesterday is about gone. We have been trying to keep him from falling today. I put him in the Taylor Tot and Mark pushed him around this morning and has him out now. Buddy came out to play with Mark. He will get a taste of what it’s like

April 29, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] to push the baby around.

Al came out this morning with our mortgage exemption for me to sign. He wanted to know if we were going to rent the house to Smiths. I said we would but if we wanted to come back would want the house. I told him we couldn’t say anything definite about how long they could have it. He wanted to know how much rent and I said just enough to meet the payments – between $45 & $50. He said they didn’t have any other house in view. I asked him if he knew of any rental agencies in Evanston or Chicago. He said he didn’t, he is just new in this business.

I have been thinking I might get Dorothy or someone to go with me and go to Evanston or someplace around there one day and house hunt. What do you think?

April 29, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] John has the Opera on. It is being broadcast from Chicago. I wish I could have taken John up for this particular opera, but Miss Smith said the house was sold out weeks ago – that is tickets under $5.50. If we were all in the upper brackets a little $5.50 wouldn’t bother us.

No mail today. Not even a circular. I suppose two or three of yours (letters) will come Mon.

– – Just had a hair cutting job – Martha wanted her bangs cut – but that didn’t take very long. I forgot about the haircut I was supposed to do last weekend until after you left. You no doubt have visited a barber there.

Another pause to take care of David and get him ready to go back out. Yesterday in Laf. he didn’t want to go in the elevators – when I came home and told John, he thought

April 29, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] it was “cute” or something like that. He says he can remember the time I made him ride in the elevator and get over his phobia. He said you weren’t along. I remember the time myself. It was in T.H.

I attended class party last night at Simisons. I was talking to Clarice and Smith is the man Huftys were talking about the evening we were there. I told her we were considering renting our house to them and she said she was glad because they were anxious to find a place. This man Smith has a lot to live up to because I think Bob and a few others pulled hard to get him.

I should write your Mother and tell her about David’s fall or should I say falls. I think by tomorrow it should be healed enough for him to be turned loose.

I must get busy.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/08/a-week-since-gladys/

Mark’s Birthday (Gladys)

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: February 26, & 27, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 26 & 27, 1944 (envelope back)

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-26-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Feb. 15 came today. So glad you finally rec’d David’s Christmas pictures. He does, I think, resemble your baby picture. So many people around here comment on how much he looks like you. Mark has him out now getting some fresh air and some sunshine – however the sunshine is a little pale now. It was brighter this morning. It is very warm and windy. Last night I was awakened by thunder & hail. It was quite a storm while it lasted. The hail was very bad for a while. The north windows showed the effects of the storm – especially the kitchen windows are covered with dirt.

I am having a little party for Mark at 4 P.M. Buddy is here now walking around with Mark while he pushes David around. I tried to keep the party a surprise but John didn’t know it was to be such and began talking about the party. John wanted to play a trick on Mark, so he sent him a birthday card and signed a girl’s name. This girl is in Mark’s room and according to Mark is poison ivy, or something equally unpopular. He says she is very ugly and he dislikes her very much. He suspected John as the sender and was ready to tear him apart. John told Miss Smith about it and she in turn told him about something she did when in high school. There was a girl who wasn’t very popular

February 26, & 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] and didn’t have dates – a certain boy she admired from afar – Well Miss S. sent her an invitation to the prom and signed this boy’s name. She said the girl wrote him a note accepting his invitation – The boy was very angry – but I don’t know whether he took the girl to the prom or not. I think John felt a little badly about sending Mark the card until Miss S. told her story, then he didn’t think he had done as much as she had.

This rain and warm weather is making things look green. The tulips are up so high. I am afraid they will get nipped yet but can’t keep them from growing in weather like this.

I see in the paper the Barces held a reception for Betty & Paul. They spent a week in Missouri on honeymoon. I think Paul has to return to Panama at the end of his furlough.

Kenneth Wood has been in Calif. since he finished his training at Allison, but has been sent to New York. He was in Kent on his way to N.Y. one day this week. Harlan Parr was in Fla. until last fall then sent to Mich., was there a short time, then sent to N.Y. I see in the paper that Frank Morton is working in Nashville. Mildred & Frank Jr. were down to see him. Frank Jr. will soon be in the Navy.

– – The party was quite a success – Two Zell girls, Buddy, Bobby, Jimmy & David Diedam were here. I made a white cake and decorated it will pink candles. John went to the drug store and got strawberry ice cream which carried out the color scheme. I made a punch with grapefruit & orange juice.

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Everybody seemed to have a grand time.

This is Sun. P.M. – I didn’t get to finish this yesterday due to the party, etc. Buddy wanted Mark to eat supper with him after the party and John wanted to go to the show with David Diedam – Mark saw the show Fri. night with Zells – I wanted to take David to the Dr. because of this cough he has had several days. Dr. M. gave him a whooping cough shot and said to bring him back the middle of the week for another. There are so many cough cases and he says the shots are the only thing he has found to help. After seeing the Dr. I went to the restaurant and got my supper. The supper crowd was gone and there was only two or three men at the counter, so I stayed. I wouldn’t have taken David in if there had been a crowd, or several children. David didn’t seem to mind the shot so much. Just cried a few minutes and was able to smile at the Dr. when we left.

According to Dorothy, the reason Doris Wilson didn’t get to the hospital to have her baby (no. 4) she couldn’t find Ellsworth in time. Dorothy said they (several couples) were at Tiltons, after the Bond rally show,

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] having refreshments (about 2 a.m.) and Doris called inquiring if Ellsworth was there. She didn’t say why she wanted, so no one tried to find him. He didn’t get home in time to get her to the hospital and the Dr. didn’t get there until after the baby was born. He was expecting her at the hospital. I’ll bet Dr. M. was plenty “sore” about the whole thing. I remember how they started to the hospital when Eddie Ray was born and stopped to see a show on the way.

It was so nice out of doors yesterday – but it’s not quite so inviting out today. The Zell girls, Virginia (11) & Betty (8) are here playing Monopoly with Mark. Martha Jane is the youngest (3) and is home taking a nap. John has been listening to the radio and David in running around the house getting into everything – Just found some of Mark’s cards, so Mark came running to the rescue. David loves to close doors and will close any door in the house he can find that will close for him.

Harold Portteus came yesterday to tell me he might not be able to get a permit to sell us the beef – but I think he will get the permit. If there is any objection I think, I’ll do a little talking. They had had a lot of hospital & Dr. bills the past year and really need to sell. Ruthie was in the hospital several weeks and Harold is just recovering from a hernia operation. He said he was anxious for you to get back. One reason being Jim’s induction into service. He said he was thinking about shots he would have to take and would like for you

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 5

[page 5] to give them a statement regarding Jim’s reaction to shots. Dr. M. said he could give them a statement but he knew in some instances the examining Doctors disregarded any such statements. Knowing how Jim is, I would think it would be very risky for him to take shots Army or Navy style. Harold says he thinks they will let Jim remain home until late fall because Harold won’t be able to do much heavy work this summer. Jim will graduate this spring. He is getting thru high school and that is better than some. Romaine’s boy friend will have to enter service this fall and has one more year of school. I would think some provision could be made for those boys who want to finish high school, but since they are taking fathers with several children, maybe it’s better to take some of the younger ones. I still think there are some who should be in and are not – but that’s an old story. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd is called up for another physical. He is dissatisfied with his job at present and I don’t think it would take much for him to quit. He was rejected, but just between you and me, I think if he wasn’t working for this co. he would be called up for another examination. Do you get what I mean? He was told his rejection was due to his nervousness, but I really don’t think he is that nervous. Well that is my opinion and I may be wrong. This may all sound like I am wanting him to be in Service, but that isn’t the way I feel. If he can do more here raising tomatoes to feed the Army, he should be where he can do the most good. I am about out of space and feel fun down.

“Love Mother”

Mark’s Birthday Party (back row: Buddy Krull, John, David Diedam, Mark holding David; front row: Virginia Zell, Betty Zell, Bobby Funk & Jimmy Staton)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/29/marks-birthday-gladys/

Where’s Daddy? (Gladys)

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: February 5, 1944 envelope

: February 5, 1944 envelope

: February 5, 1944, p. 1

: February 5, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 5, 1944, p. 4

: February 5, 1944, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-5-44

Dear Daddy –

No letters since Wed. If I thought it meant one thing I wouldn’t care but am almost afraid to build upon that idea. I will hope just as I have been all along.

It is windy today but not very cold. However it may get cold. The weather has been unusually warm for this time of the year. Some days the grey overhanging sky seems very bleak and I long for sunny days and to putter around in the yard.

David just awakened from his nap and Mark took him to the bathroom. He doesn’t show much tendency toward helping us train him. If we take him to the bathroom at the right time we save a diaper, otherwise it has to be washed. Mark & I were in the nursery with him and Mark said, “Where’s Daddy?” David was on the couch and got down as quickly as possible and went to the living room I such a hurry we followed to see where he was going.

[page 2] He went to the table and tried to get your picture. I gave it to him and he pointed to it and said “Da.” His picture & yours sit side by side but he seems to know which one to get when we say, “Where’s Daddy?” He understands so many things we say, we have to go around spelling things that concern him. I suppose he will soon catch on to the spelling.

John is listening to the opera and doesn’t want to be bothered. Mark and I are keeping David in the nursery, because you can’t concentrate on much when he is bothering around. Mark is entertaining him while I write. Now it isn’t as bad as it sounds, but he is a live wire.

Mark was so afraid he had been exposed to Rabies he was ill. Fri. morning he said he didn’t feel like going to school so I let him remain home. I tried to tell him he couldn’t get rabies from just touching Sammon’s dog, but he was too scared to

[page 3] be convinced. Buddy & Betty are having to take shots because their dog died from Rabies. Fortunately Mark hadn’t been around Krull’s dog recently. Tommy Britton seems to [be] very glib in telling stories. He was telling that Buddy had rabies. Dorothy was so angry with Tommy she said he was a little so and so and she would like to slap his face, etc., etc., etc.

– My nurse maid ran out on me and D. is up on the couch climbing around me and how long I can write before I stop and put him down is a question.

I saw Nick’s car pull in down at his Mother’s. I suppose he was bringing her back from her mother’s funeral which was held this morning in Rensselaer. Mrs. Ramp was visiting here with Mrs. K. when she died Thurs.

Dorothy Cobb Stevens’ husband is in the Navy and at present is in Base Hosp. #5. She doesn’t know where he is except in the S.W. Pacific. He had an operation recently for hernia.

The sun is shining faintly so think I’ll put D. out in his buddy and let M. watch him. Mark is out skating with Virginia.

[page 4] We baked a cake and cookies this A.M. – John mixed the cake before he went to take his music lesson. It is chocolate. That isn’t good for John’s pimples – he still has a few but we go lightly on the choc. most of the time. The Gym Class took some new exercises this week and John was sore for a day or two. They took a hike around Kent Pond. I told him it was a good thing for the class to do something like that, otherwise he wouldn’t and I think he needs more exercise than he takes.

Zells are still working on the upstairs. They are going to put a dormer in the front where that little decoration on the roof is. They will have quite a nice room when they get it finished. Mr. Z. had to take a physical but doesn’t know whether he will have to go because Purdue says the Co. Agents are to be deferred for occupation. However it is known that he has taken the exam and the stories are circulating. One story Dorothy told Lucile for positive was he had enlisted in the Navy. Lucile said she didn’t think he had but D. said it was so. Well the truth is he hasn’t enlisted and didn’t have any intention of doing so. When

[page 5] he talked about enlisting he was told he should remain on his job as it is considered very essential. He isn’t taking all the “gossip” very well. He says he wishes he had gone to Brookville and gone with that group and no one here would have known anything about it. He is registered at Brookville.

I haven’t seen Art Kenny. He has been home several days. His mother is very ill and he probably is spending most of his time with her, because he is on his way “out.” He says he will be in the South Pacific.

I haven’t heard from Jim but once since Christmas. I wrote him not long ago and told him to let me know if he is sent out. In that event Thelma would return home and I am sure would let me know.

I must get this finished so it can be mailed.
“Love Mother”

Sniffling Sunday (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 23, 1944, p. 1

: January 23, 1944, p. 2-3

: January 23, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

1-23-44

Dear Daddy – Sun. P.M. Have been indoors all day – David didn’t have any temp. today and felt pretty good. Still coughs some but no sign of breaking out with measles. Must have been irritation from his diaper. It was so nice out today I wanted to go out with him. I stood him in the doorway and took some pictures, this being his 16^th month – Lucile came out with Jimmy, but didn’t bring him in – just stopped to see about D. She was taking J.E. for his airing. He is fully recovered from his attack of flu. David

[page 2] must have had bronchitis (sp?). That’s what Dr. M. said. John was sniffling this a.m. so he didn’t go out either. I gave him rhinitis all day & he went to bed early. Mark spent the afternoon with Buddy and they came out this evening. Buddy just went home. Dorothy was out early this afternoon to see David. She said Link told Nick the last Dr. in Chi. She consulted told them her ailment was all in her mind. Said she probably had someone in their family somewhere she takes after. Link said she has one such aunt. Mrs. James said one time Irene is like her aunt.

[page 3] I have knitted today and now have a headache from too much. Also my glasses need to be straightened. I want to go to Laf. Tues. with Zells and go have my glasses fixed. David broke one lense – I mended it with airplane glue but it is not straight.

Zells are getting more chickens. They sold off the last batch, cleaned out the brooder house and now ready for more.

Virginia spent the afternoon here helping me entertain David. I think he was tired watching J. & M. build block towers – He seemed to enjoy

[page 4] Virginia’s for a change.

Mark is begging to sleep with me tonight. He got that habit way back when, I really can’t put my finger on the exact date but sometime last summer. I think it all started when he had his tonsils out. Last night I put D. in our bed because he was so restless and coughed a lot, I knew I would have to be up all night trying to keep him covered, so to save the getting up & down, didn’t put him in his own bed. I didn’t sleep much so am going to turn in now & try to catch up.

Love Mother

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”

House Paint (Gladys)

2 Replies

: January 13, 1944 envelope

: January 13, 1944, p. 1

: January 13, 1944, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 13 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Two letters today, of Dec. 31 & Jan. 1, and Jan. 2. I can’t understand why you got some of the boxes for Christmas but not ours. Of course there wasn’t much in either box but just the idea of sending gifts.

It is clear and cold again today. The temp. was 4° above in Chicago this a.m. However it isn’t that cold here now because the sunshine has warmed things up somewhat. I will be glad for spring so we can get out more. I have been taking David out every day since he recovered from his cold. He gets so restless after his nap if he doesn’t get to go out. We went over to see Jimmy Ed yesterday. He is about over the flu but can’t go out yet. He is over it enough that I wasn’t afraid to take David in. They have such a good time together. It was so much fun for David to play with Jimmy’s things for a change. He seems to tire of his own so quickly and is usually nosing around trying to find something he shouldn’t have.

We had fried chicken for lunch and I gave him a bone to chew on. He seemed to think that was the best thing he had had lately. I got two frys from Zells. They had an order to dress 30 for the NuJoy. However, I dressed the ones I bought.

The Foulkes are away on a trip thru the East. Coke said Harold had to go on business

[page 2] and she was going too. I saw Herman Diedam at their house so I presume he is redecorating while they are away. Our walls could stand a coat or two of paint but I am not planning to do anything to them yet. The paint Sandy used on the outside must not have been the best because it is peeling off in places. I noticed some spots on Funks house that is doing the same. I think Sandy painted for them too. Link had Chet Hall paint his house last summer. There were large spots that the paint had chipped off down to the boards. I watched Chet paint and decided there might be things he could do better because I didn’t think he did a very smooth job. However, with the man power shortage getting more acute all the time, we can’t be too “choosy” about help.

Had a long letter from Marie. Isla has been ill. At first they thought she had T.B. but later decided it was thyroid. She had flu strep and took sulfa and that was wrong for her. Dr. Maurer is treating her now trying to get her over her thyroid trouble without surgery. David still isn’t so good. He and his mother are in Ark. Now and Isla’s husband is running the shop. Marie said they hadn’t heard from you for a long time, but hadn’t written so didn’t expect to hear. When we were there in Oct., I thought David looked bad. He says he feels better now but Marie says she is worried about him.

I am enclosing a clipping from the Democrat of David’s picture. You should have the original picture by now.

Nick & Dorothy went to Chi. Today and Buddy is coming here to stay and spend the night.
Love – Mother