Tag Archives: Roscoe S. Yegerlehner

24th or 25th (Gladys)

Today’s letter was a short one. I believe it was written on Saturday, October 24^th, not the 25^th as it has been dated. Gladys typically did not write letters on Sunday. I do not know the rationale for this practice. Perhaps she was usually too busy with church activities (although she probably had not attended services for awhile due to the baby). In addition, the envelope has a cancellation mark dated October 24^th at 5 PM.

1942 Sears Fall catalog – Boys coats (Image from Ancestry.com)

The letter mentions John’s new fingertip coat for a second time. Now we know who took the picture (Aunt Ruthie). The picture of John was dated October 24^th so this also gives weight to my theory that the letter was actually written on the 24^th, instead of the 25^th.

: October 24/25, 1942 Envelope

: October 24/25, 1942, p. 1

: October 24/25, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Oct 25 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

Another beautiful fall day – however it is cooler now. Had a heavy frost last night. The heat feels good today. I am keeping the temp. at 70. It seems to be warm enough for everyone except Mother. I wear a sweater and the boys do part of the time.

Ruthie is waiting for Floyd to come. She took some pictures this morning. One of John with his new fingertip coat so you can see how he looks in his new coat when we get the film developed. I have a roll of film to take and if it is nice tomorrow will try to get more of David. I hope you get all we have sent you so far. I put some in your Christmas box.

[page 2] I am supposed to go see Dr. Cole Mon. afternoon. I want him to see the baby besides getting my check-up. I feel pretty good. I think I’ll be “O.K.” so long as I don’t overdo.

Next Sun. is my birthday and I haven’t decided yet what to buy with my ‘gift’ – Maybe nothing- or bonds. I am not going anywhere for a while so don’t need clothes. After the baby is old enough to ‘leave’ so I can attend club once in a while maybe I’ll get something – but you know I would rather stay home and take care of him myself than leave him when he is so small.

Mark is waiting to take this to the P.O. so must get it finished.

Love

Mother

Spam and other meat products (Roscoe)

15 Replies

This letter contains some nice trivia about camp life including more about the daily menu and the living conditions. I was surprised to learn about the garden that was planted. Apparently, the fellow must have known they were going to be there for quite awhile. I wonder where he got the seeds.

Gladys must have received the instructions about including “white poppy” as part of the address fairly quickly. Within a week or so, she started addressing the letters that way.

: October 24, 1942 Envelope

: October 24, 1942, p. 1

: October 24, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Oct 24, 1942

Dear Mother,

I’m not going to clutter this up with the no mail story only to say that we have none and to again call your attention to the address. Just insert the words “white poppy” in between the SSA & the c/o and if anyone acts as if they want to write also call attention of that to them.

As I was writing last night it was raining and it rained most all night and hard so this morning everything was a sea of mud and no fooling period. It thundered and lightning just like a good old Indiana storm. It was the first thunder we had heard since leaving there. Our tent leaked some just finally seeped thru. It’s an old tent and doesn’t seem to be able to take it anymore but we’ll have to take it unless it gets too bad. This rainy weather will probably bring on droves and more droves of mosquitoes but the nets should take care of them, at least while we sleep.

I suppose I should take this time to wish you a happy birthday, maybe I should have done it several days ago but not knowing how long it takes to get there I’m a little confused as to time. You did tell me you received the money orders I sent long ago so I’m relieved to know it they got thru. Don’t try to send anything for my birthday unless it you stick to what I have already suggested for Christmas. Things to eat would be out and things to wear would be in the way other than as I suggested a few suits of underware, but do send me sometime a good flashlight and a couple of extra batteries.

[page 2] Just after we came one of the fellows planted a small garden and has it pretty well along now. The radishes are about the size of an ordinary marble and the lettuce and tomato plants are coming along. They have to be watered each day that is up until today. The effort seems more than the benefits derived. Now if there was a way to grow a good steak I think I’d be interested for about 2 wks ago we had our last fresh meat. Span, corned beef etc seem to be the main bill of fare. So let me give you warning now. If you want any of that stuff have your fill before I get home because I can see now that I’m going to be well past my fill by then. Some fried chicken wouldn’t be bad either – guess it won’t be too much to dream of those things. The hot dogs are canned and they aren’t even as good as those at home – but we won’t starve as long as we keep getting our meals as often and as plentiful as we have in the past. We aren’t so bad off but we like “self pitty.”

You probably are beginning to have some pretty frosty nights there and the coal pile probably is going down – when it gets down low enough for 2 or 3 tons (have one of the dealers come out and see if it will hold that much) and keep it filled because I imagine it will be hard to get.

Well, I’ll try to add a line on late developments later this eve or in the A.M. Later no new development won at bridge this Eve. Had pretty good cards. Will write this P.M. or after church

Loves of Love
Daddy

Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner MC
Navy SSA (White poppy)
c/0 postmaster
San Francisco Calif