Tag Archives: Ruth (Salter) Yegerlehner

November 16, 1942 (Gladys) Part I

1 Reply

: November 16, 1942 Envelope

: November 16, 1942, p. 1

: November 16, 1942, p. 2

: November 16, 1942, p. 3

: November 16, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov. 16, 1942

Dear Daddy –

Two letters today so that bring my mail up again (in 9 days). All letters in order according to dates. Today we are having another high wind. I was going to take the baby out today for the first in the Johnson buggy but it is getting cloudy. I will wait until about 3:30 or 4 to see how it is then. I just had to go out and take some clothes off the line. The wind had whipped them around so. It feels warm out and much like rain. In case you don’t get those other letters Lucile is getting ready for a new baby and has a buggy and loaned it to me until she needs it in the early spring. I sent you a Nov. & December calander off my desk and will send you a complete one for 1943 as soon as I can get one. I have one from Mennens on the back of an O.B. chart but thought I could find a better small one than that. Today is Buddy Krull’s birthday. I baked a cake & decorated it. Mark took it to the restaurant as soon as he finished his lunch. Thanks to the mixer I can now make a cake I can send to someone for a gift. Wish I could send you one but that is out of the question now. Maybe I’ll make one and we will celebrate for you here. We will think about you especially on the 25^th (as if we don’t all the time). I think you know you are in our thoughts and conversations

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform. Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

[page 2] all the time. Had a letter from Jim this morning. Said he was asking for a leave to begin Dec. 30 until Jan. 9. The boys often mention what Jim said last Christmas. Do you remember? Said you & he would be in uniform this Christmas. Ed Barce had a few days leave and came out to see us Sat. nite. He has finished at Norfolk and is waiting for orders. I think he is in Indpls [Indianapolis] at present. He drives a station wagon and takes other (comm.) officers around. He was wearing a blue uniform and it looked very good on him. Which reminds me to tell you to keep looking at yours from time to time (and air it once in a while). Maybe this is unnecessary advice but you might moth or mold. I took your clothes out of the closet and even with spray and moth bags the little “fellars” had gotten in and eaten two or three holes in those green pants (if you remember) and a black pr. but not too bad to be mended.

Mother went home last Fri and so far we have been getting along fine. I had been doing most everything before she left anyway. I am feeling fine and have been trying to take care of myself and rest enough. I am still taking shots but think I’ll start on something orally. I am going to see Dr. C. I think Sat and he will probably write a prescription for me. John is going to

Silvester and Jessie Schiele (Roscoe’s maternal uncle)

[page 3] play with the band to broadcast and intend to make an appointment for him with Dr. A. I told you all this before but just in case you don’t get my last letter repeat this. I also told you I had a letter from H. W. Reinhart, Ylc CUB Two Moffett Field – Calif. He wants to hear about you so you write to him. Had a letter from Ruthie and they were in Hannah. Floyd had to have his blood test but she didn’t say anything about whether the Co. would be able to keep him or not. They are coming over sometime because Floyd sold all his shop equip. to Mr. Zell and will bring it over. Also had a letter from Aunt Jessie. Just a hello note – said they are intending to come down to see us soon. I had forgotten all about the microscope but will keep it – as you say. Sometimes I wonder if I am forgetting something important but hope I am not. Keeping a baby clean & fed is a large order but it is better to keep busy under the circumstances. Don’t worry about the furnace. We are taking care of it. I am keeping the Ins. paid because you know those notices come and I won’t forget any of that and the bank takes care of the rent so that is that. David is kicking and trying to go to sleep to. He showed a definite demonstration of temper last night. He was in his basket and I was writing to you and he was crying. I reached

[page 4] over and patted him – but didn’t take him up – well you should have heard him – I took him up and he stopped as quickly as he had started. Maybe I shouldn’t have taken him up. I often wonder what you would say about one thing and another regarding his care. Maybe we spoil him just a little, but that is another natural thing under the circumstances (do you agree?) He isn’t too spoiled because he sleeps a lot. I am afraid the weather is against our going out, looks definitely like rain.

I do hope you get all those letters you listed even if the news is old you will enjoy them. I will put the radiogram in the scrapbook. I haven’t received a reply – only from you (that is enough for me).

John and Lovina (Schiele) Yegerlehner (Roscoe’s parents, c1946)

I thought your Mother would try to come up before the gas rationing but she will have to come this week – if she does. That is too much a trip with the baby now, or we would have gone down this week-end.

It will soon be time for the boys to come home from school. “My day” is so full I just go from one thing to another. I didn’t have much lunch for them so that means a good full supper. John gets so hungry. Mark does too by spells.

I must quit and do a few odds & ends. I hope you can read this – believe my writing gets worse.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/30/november-16-1942-gladys-part-i/ ‎

November 10, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

This letter mentions something that I have no understanding of or have a frame of reference for. It is a mystery that may be lost to the ages. Roscoe writes,

“I noticed the 2000 the boys had on their letters and I smiled to myself when I saw it because I knew how they delighted in that.”

I have no idea to what this refers. A percentage of letters that John and Mark wrote do not survive. Roscoe did a good job saving Gladys’ letters, but he did not save many from the boys. Mainly because the letters are nonexistent, I honestly do not know how often the boys wrote to their father. I am thankful for the ones that do survive, albeit few and far between.

: November 10, 1942 Envelope

: November 10, 1942, p. 1

: November 10, 1942, p. 2

: November 10, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 10, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sunset over New Caledonia

Just finished Chow and will try to get this before dark, but when the sun goes down here it is dark. There is no twilight. It is just about 6:00 P.M. but still pretty light.

We’ve been working pretty hard the past few days. I should say Fred and I. He is another (jg) and it seems a large part of the work falls to us with the exception of the commanding officer, but we don’t mind – it makes things go better.

I noticed the 2000 the boys had on their letters and I smiled to myself when I saw it because I knew how they delighted in that. Guess I forgot to tell you I got a birthday greeting from Floyd & Ruth. That calls for a letter to them. I guess so far I haven’t written them – never knew where to mail a letter to because they are here there and everyplace else generally.

Had pretty good chow today

[page 2] This Eve had sauerkraut & wieners, mashed potatoes and some kind of a bread peach pudding which wasn’t so terribly bad.

Since our roommate with the radio moved out we don’t get the news, and we sure miss it because it was one of the bright spots of the day. We wanted him to leave the radio with us but you know how one would be in that respect. It was a battery set and of course in time will run down. It could be used on regular line if there was one available.

I don’t know if you could get one or not but one of those small atlases would be a good thing to have here. Several of the boys have them. They are 5-10 pages with maps of various parts of the world. Don’t bother too much. Wish I would have brought several of those maps we had

[page 3] there from the Chi [Chicago] Tribune. That’s a good idea, better than the atlas. If you aren’t using them send several of the most detailed of all parts of the world. A good big envelope will be sufficient to mail them. Didn’t think of that for Christmas.

Didn’t get any mail today. I’ve been spoiled. This is the first day for some time. Some packages came but it’s hardly time for mine yet as I have it figured.

Mom said she had sent chewing gum – candy – comic books and stationary and two Indianapolis Stars. C.J. Easley [Charles J. Easley] helped her fix up the box. I’ve thought several times of writing to C.J. but just didn’t get started.

Well it’s almost too dark to write and it is about 6:30. So it didn’t take long for the darkness to descend.

Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/18/november-10-1942-roscoe/

November 8, 1942 (Gladys)

2 Replies

This letter was a nice surprise because it was written on a Sunday. Typically Gladys did not write on Sundays. The family attempted to take some pictures of the baby that afternoon but he would not cooperate. Currently, this picture of Gladys is the only one that has survived from November 8th, or at the very least, been discovered so far. We also get a look at her new perm.

: November 8, 1942 Envelope

: November 8, 1942, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Indiana
Nov 8 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

We are having an unusually warm, sunny Sunday. It was so nice we took the baby out for some pictures but he wasn’t in a mood to have his picture taken and squirmed and squinted so I doubt if the pictures of him are good. I took one of John & Mark and they were going to take the last one of me and I turned it too fast and think I turned it too far. Mark is in a bad mood at present – he wants a sharp knife and can’t get one right now. John as usual is entertaining himself at the piano composing & David is grunting with satisfaction from his 2 P.M. bottle.

Floyd called me from Wick’s last night. He was on his way to Laf. [Lafayette] to meet Ruthie – she had been home this week while he was in Blue Island. Said he had received a notice from the draft board and doesn’t know whether he the Co. will get him deferred or not. Said he has to go to Chi [Chicago] this week so I suppose he will know by the end of next week what he will do.

Bob [Hufty] was out yesterday – wanted to know if I had any word regarding the radiogram. To date I haven’t but if you got it I suppose I will hear from you about it soon. In a previous letter I explained why we sent it. You kept writing that you weren’t getting any mail and after we had sent the message to the coast, I got a letter that you had rec’d my letter of Oct. 5.

Yesterday Betty Lou [Krull] & Mark went out and gathered bittersweet and sold it to the neighbors – net income 30¢ ea. I had given Mark his 50¢ weekly and as usual he couldn’t think ahead of the present and bought 75¢ of stamps – results – broke for another week. John stayed home and helped me clean some. I did the bathroom upstairs. He cleaned the windows then the windows in his & our room. We gave Betty Lou & Buddy [Nick Krull, Jr.] some shells. The coral piece was broken some but I think I can glue it back together and mount it on something to use for an ornament on the coffee table or mantle. Wish I had another one to make a pair. Maybe there is one in the other box you have sent.

I think I’ll have to take John to Laf. during Thanksgiving vacation for an eye exam. Then it will be time for the baby to have a checkup. He weighed 8-4 this morning. He is making a steady gain, tho not fast – will in time fill out at this rate. If I had a buggy would take him out this afternoon.

Love,
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/13/november-8-1942-gladys/

Protected: Halloween in the South Pacific (Roscoe)

Enter your password to view comments.

October 30, 1942 (Gladys)

3 Replies

John on October 24th, 1942

This letter gives another reference to the photograph of John, taken by Ruthie, in his new coat, on October 24th. Apparently there were two pictures. Thankfully, at least one survived through time. Maybe the second one will surface someday.

: October 30, 1942 Envelope

: October 30, 1942, p. 1

: October 30, 1942, p. 2

: October 30, 1942, p. 3

: October 30, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind
Oct 30-1942

Dear Daddy,

I sent a letter marked “clipper” yesterday but Tony said he didn’t know whether it would be sent that way or not. If so you should have rec’d it in about a week. If you do get it that soon I’ll send all via clipper. I haven’t had any letters since Mon. but tomorrow is Sat and maybe there will be a “flock” then.

I took the drapes down and cleaned the ones in our bedroom but just put the rest out to air. I took Mark back to school at noon so went on down to Perkins and Thelma promised to come tomorrow and do some cleaning. If I can just get help a day or so, think we can get the housecleaning situation in hand.

Mon. when I took the baby to Dr. C. he weighed 7-9

[page 2] This morning when I bathed him he weighed 8 lbs – not bad for a 6-11 – losing 11 oz and starting at 6 lbs. He was 5 weeks old Wed. so I think he is doing well enough. He tried to gag when I gave him his Oleum Percomorphum today but I gave him orange juice as soon as I could and he kept it down. He made an awful face when he got a taste of the oil.

I am enclosing some pictures Ruthie took with her camera. The two pictures of John with the over coat shows how it can be worn. The light side for rain & the dark for cold. Maybe before long we will be able to get a good (or better) picture of David. I hope you have the pictures we sent last week. Several of the baby were very good we thought. He rec’d another present today – a knit suit from Louise Glenn – she said on the card “to small fry.” That makes eight suits given to him. He is wearing one today. They are really much nicer for boys than dresses and warmer too.

I feel like I have an apology to make about your birthday but hope you get the cards we sent. I should have sent

[page 3] your birthday box out long ago but going to the hospital when I did (Sept 23) I didn’t think about sending it before then and since I have been home it seems like I am so busy with the baby & getting back on my feet again. I am afraid you won’t get it until after Christmas what with so much Christmas mail to be handled now. I hope you get it or the cards because we have thought about it and of course think about you all the time.

Art K. is due in Great Lakes Mon. I stopped in the drug store at noon and saw him. I wanted to pay him. He said he would come out and settle up before he leaves, but I don’t think he will. There were twelve from Newton Co. left for Indpls. Among those Paul Bruck, Leo Yost & Eddie Britton.

Marjory Wilson Ryan has a baby boy. She went to see Dr. C. Monday and stopped at the hospital to see about a room. She wasn’t due

[page 4] until Nov. 7. I told her to make it Nov. 1 – but guess she couldn’t wait.

The Equitable sent you the name of an examinee and I returned their letter with a note to the effect you are in Service. I had a letter to inform me that your status as examiner would be retained when you return.

School is out and the boys are home. I have quite a bit of mail to go out so will have to get busy and get it to the P.O. “My day” is certainly full – I can do just so much before I stop & rest – and it seems I never get caught up – but I would rather be busy. That doesn’t keep me from thinking but it helps me. I have so many letters that should be answered – but yours comes first and if I have any time left will answer others.

Love
Mother

P.S. I missed your Dad’s birthday but sent a gift later

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/28/october-30-1942-gladys/

More on the Klines (Gladys)

6 Replies

In this letter, Gladys briefly mentioned Inez. The only Inez that I am aware of at this point in the extended family was Roscoe’s cousin, Inez Kline. She was the daughter of Nancy (McCoy) Walker Kline and the wife of John Ley. I don’t know if John’s nickname was “Bud”, but John and Inez did have a son John Ed[win] Ley. John Ed was the correct age to have served in World War II. In fact, according to his obituary, John Ed served in the Army Air Corp during World War II.

: October 28, 1942 Envelope

: October 28, 1942, p. 1

: October 28, 1942, p. 2

: October 28, 1942, p. 3

: October 28, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Oct 28 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

I am listening to a symphony – by David. He is a good baby most of the time but as Geneva Simons said about her baby he has his moments and when he decides to cry he just has to cry for it seems nothing we can do will get him to stop. Of course I always see if he is comfortable – that is, if his clothes are dry. For the moment he has stopped and seems to be going to sleep but – I spoke too soon – music started again. He seems to be doing “OK” on his new 4 hr schedule. Yesterday I mixed his formula in such a hurry I put in 10 oz water & 8 oz milk then gave him his bottle. When I went back to bottle the rest of it I discovered my mistake – but the increased milk content didn’t seem to bother him – in fact he seemed more satisfied after that first feeding than later on. However I mixed a new 24 hr feeding and

[page 2] didn’t give him but one feeding from the first mixture. You remember when you were home Geneva S. talked to you about her baby. Well she told me yesterday what the trouble had been. She said she had never told anyone and only she and Bob knew – but when she mixed the baby’s formula when she got home from the hospital she was a little nervous and made the mistake of putting in ½ cup Karo instead of ½ tbsp – Do you can understand why he was so upset. She didn’t catch her mistake until he had taken the entire 24 hr mixture. She said they had to put him on SMA to get him straightened out but have him back on milk now.

Mary Parttens was here a few minutes this morning. She was going to school to get Jim and couldn’t stay long. She has been busy and I think has been helping Harold do farm work, since both Jim & Ruth are in school.

Had a letter from Inez this A.M. She said Bud had finished a course at Chanute Field and is somewhere in Ten. now. John Ed enlisted

[page 3] in Army Air Corps but hasn’t been called yet.

Floyd went to Blue Island again this week but Ruthie didn’t come over, said she had a cold and didn’t think she should be around the baby or me. Floyd is trying to sell his shop equipment and Mr. Zell is talking about buying it. Mr. Zell has taken quite an interest in Mark. He told Shirks he felt so sorry for our boys – the fact that you have to be away – that he was going to do all he can for them. Mark is taking his horn rather seriously. He said Mr. Webster got so disgusted with all the junior band he told them their music “stunk.” Mark said they all admitted they didn’t practice enough so he timed himself last night and claimed he put in 30 minutes. John said today Mr. W. is going to give him a regular sax now. He is doing good enough with this one that he can have a better one. David has dozed off again but don’t suppose it will last. It seems like

[page 4] I can’t get anything done except take care of him. Haven’t got any fall cleaning done yet but I haven’t felt well enough yet to plunge into much work. I am afraid if I don’t take care of myself I might have to go back to bed like Arlene did – and I wouldn’t want that to happen. Mother fell and hurt her right wrist a week ago Sunday and is just getting now so she can use it again. Of course she doesn’t feel like doing much any time so we just do what has to be done and let the rest go.

I have several letters to answer. I didn’t write to your Mother last week- Ruthis was here and she wrote but I must get a letter out this week. I have a letter from Dolores and one from Esther I must answer. I am going to try this week and get some statements out. (I think I told you that before).

If you get this before Christmas – I want you to know we sent you a box – Just hope you get it and all the other boxes and letters being sent.

I haven’t had any mail now for two days but hope I will get some tomorrow – Also hope you get some too. Just wish you could get yours as regular as I get.

Love – Mother

Amanuensis Monday – October 27, 1942 (Gladys)

2 Replies

Image from http://www.meadjohnson.com

In many letters thus far, Gladys has mentioned Oleum Percomorphum and Dextri-Maltose. Because she was not able to breast feed David, other alternatives for feeding were necessary. Mead Johnson & Company was the producer and developer of these products. We know them today for such products as Enfamil and Enfalac. The company introduced Oleum Percomporphum in 1935. A vitamin A and D supplement, it helped to prevent Rickets. This is not a disease one hears much about these days. Rickets causes a weakening of the bones, especially in children. With our modern vitamin fortified milk, rickets is generally considered a disease of the past.

Mead Johnson & Company developed Dextri-Maltrose in 1911. This carbohydrate power supplement was mixed with milk to help weaker infants gain strength and weight. It was marketed directly to physicians and soon became one of their most important products. Prior to World War I, the compound was created from potato starch which was imported from Germany. In 1916, the company moved production to Evansville, Indiana and changed the basis of the formula from potato starch to corn. Indiana proved to be a prime location for acquiring corn.

For more information on Mead Johnson & Company and these products, check out these websites:

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3480000067.html
http://www.meadjohnson.com/Company/Pages/Our-History.aspx

: October 27, 1942 Envelope

: October 27, 1942, p. 1

: October 27, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 27-1942

Dear Daddy-

Tues eve. and almost 7 P.M. I am tired this evening so after I finish writing will take David and go upstairs. He went to sleep after his 6 P.M. bottle so I should get to bed and sleep while he sleeps so I can catch up some. He still requires a 2 AM bottle and that seems to come around so soon after 10 PM.

Sunday afternoon David & Marie came to see us. They said they wanted to see the name sake and make the trip before gas rationing. It is to start (gas rationing) Nov. 22. David had received your letter and I think they wrote to you also they are going to send you a Christmas box. If all the boxes get to you by Dec 25 you should have several. Betty Beaver told me today she helped wrap a box the different organizations are sending. I sent our box last Sat. Ruthie mailed her box this week. I know your Mother & Ruth M. sent boxes too.

Mark got a blister on both heels from his new scout shoes. He could hardly walk at noon so I took him to school and went to get him this evening. While in town had anti-freeze put in the car, and have winter oils in so the car is in shape now for cold weather.

[page 2] The finances are in good shape. The bills are all paid (except a few drug bills). The bal. now is a little above seven but when the check comes the first of next month it will bounce up. That bal. includes the birthday money. I haven’t spent much money lately due to the fact I haven’t been out much. I am not much in the spending mood at present and can’t think of anything in particular I want right now.

If and when your packages come I will let you know, if and when you get my letters. I hope all my letters get to you because they are like a diary. I tried every day to keep up with the news.

This evening in town I saw so many people – It was Club day and so many club women were in town. Mrs. T. J. [Louise] Britton told me she had some shrubbery she wants to give me.

A former salesman – and I can’t remember the co. he traveled for is in Art’s now, so he must be taking over for Art. Art is to leave Nov. 5. He got rating of mate second class in Navy.

Dr. Cole told me to get Oleum Percomorphum for the baby. He also gets orange juice now. Today was his first day on 4 hr schedule and seems to do just as good. Will see what he does tomorrow. The boys (John & Mark) (I should say the older boys) have started taking oral vaccine you left. John had a cold and took one of those and his cold left. Of course he is still taking them

Love

Mother

First month’s check-up (Gladys)

4 Replies

: October 26, 1942 Envelope

: October 26, 1942, p. 1

: October 26, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 26 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

I am a little tired this evening. Went to Lafayette today to take the baby to the Dr. He increased the milk in his formula and put him on a four hour schedule. He has been so slow in taking his feedings – he thought he would take his bottle better if he is on 4 hrs. After checking him over he said – “besides being bowlegs he is OK.” He weighed 6 – 3 ¼ when we came home 3 weeks ago and today he weighed 7 – 9 so he is making a steady gain. I am to start him on cod liver oil and orange juice tomorrow. His new or increased formula is milk 10 oz – water 18 oz – Dextri Maltose – 2 tbsp. Does that [sound] about right to you or is that too far in your past to remember. Dr. Cole always asks about you when he sees me. He is still very busy in the baby business. I went today with Mary Thompson & Marjory Wilson Ryan. She is due the first week in Nov. Her husband is in Great Lakes Training Station and is getting a furlough the first of next month and they hope it will coincide with the baby’s arrival.

[page 2] Ruthie was here last week and when Floyd came for her Sat. night he said he had to go back to Blue Island this week again and talked like she might come back for this week.

Took the family and went to Sheldon this evening for meat. Ordered another quarter of beef. Brought home several packages and stopped to see Dorothy and they had brought some over for me so we have enough meat to last two or three weeks. We are soon to have meat rationing and we are trying to be careful with our supply.

Rec’d two letters this morning. One letter was missing but it will probably come tomorrow or next day. When I get the packages you sent will let you know. Just hope you get our box we sent to you for Christmas.

The baby is wanting his bottle so must close & feed him.

Love
Mother

24th or 25th (Gladys)

2 Replies

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