Tag Archives: San Francisco

Next Draft Leaving Friday (Roscoe)

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October 3, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 3, 1945, p. 1

10-3-45

Dear Mother,

Just got off the O.D. duty and have the news about the draft. I’ll leave here on Fri., Oct. 5, at about 3 p.m. The date is certain but the time is not definite as yet. If everything is about the same as before I should be there as I have it figured Monday about noon. Now again the problem of what you are going to do and what I’m going to do – well since air travel is the way it is they are going to try to get me transportation back from here so that will set the time. I’ll either wire or call you later. If I can get it all on a wire I won’t call – you should get this letter either Fri. or Sat. and that will give you some time to think. If you do meet me you will know where – and if you don’t you can call the O.D. and leave a message.

If you think it would be easier for you just to come to Chi. Let me know, but on second thought how? I think I’ll know

October 3, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] a little ahead of time here how long I will be able to stay so possibly will let you know by wire or phone.

Two days in a row now without any mail. It possibly is the no Sunday take up of mail in Kentland that accounts for the delay.

It is now 10:30 and we are beginning to get the World Series on the radio on the ward. I don’t suppose you are interested enough to listen. In fact I’m writing this in preference to listening but I want it to be sure and get off on today’s mail.

You had better bring some money. I missed pay day when I was home last time and this time I had just drawn my money for the drafts and didn’t take any on the 1^st so I have it on the books but see to miss the regular pays.

Well, I hope before this time next week I will have been with you for several hours. I’ll write again tomorrow –

Lots of Love,
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/25/next-draft-leaving-friday-roscoe/

Officer of the Day (Roscoe)

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October 2, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 2, 1945, p. 1

2 Oct. 45

Dear Mother,

This is my day for the duty. So far it has been assigned to me six times and of the 6 I’ve only had to take it 2 times. Drafts came up or something so unless something comes up in the next 45 min. I’ll have to go on.

Yesterday a slip came out for us to fill out as to length of service, age, dependencies, overseas, etc., and number of points. So maybe something will come of it. Things like that are always encouraging. It is my firm belief that I will be out of this before Christmas. That seems a distance away but I do think it is true. Maybe I’m psychic.

There is no new news on a draft. In fact right now the patients are low so I doubt if there is enough for a draft. I’m afraid you may have had something wrong. You sorta expected the draft to come on a weekend. That was just a happen so the last time. It was really nice that it happened that way but I’m afraid that won’t work that way again. I still keep remembering the wonderful few days we had together and how I would enjoy another just like it. Memories like that are really something to live over and over again but new experiences are better

October 2, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] so maybe anticipating the next meeting will have some little corner which will make time pass a little faster and easier.

Cmd. Howell, Stanich and I were going out to have a dinner together tonight but due to the fact that I caught the duty we had to put it off. The last time it was put off because I caught the draft home and then Geo. W. was in on it. I suppose by the next time Stanich will be gone. It seems we have a hard time getting together. I see or talk with them on the phone but we can’t seem to get together.

There is an opera again Friday night and we are trying to get tickets. The last fellow who was going with me last time has been detached but there is another here who wants to go.

Seems from your letter that the old Wm. Jewell is closing. I’m glad in a way we got out because that would have changed the boys school program, etc.

Well Dearie it is about my O.D. time so lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/23/officer-of-the-day-roscoe/

Purses and Cokes (Roscoe)

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October 1, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 1, 1945, p. 1

1 Oct. 45

Dear Mother,

Monday a.m. and things going along the same as usual. Yesterday p.m. I intended to listen to the football game here but it wasn’t on the radio, so I read another E. Stanley Gardner book – very educational. I also finished another office plan and if I didn’t leave it at the room I’ll include it in this letter. I have it so I’ll send it along.

No news on the point system nor on the draft so far today. We haven’t gotten too many patients in so the draft to Chi. May not be as soon as I expected. I guess I shouldn’t write so much about that but after all it is one of the major things in life right now.

I looked the purses over and I’m afraid to make my own selection at that price. I also priced and looked them over at Klamath Falls and the price was the same there and the selection about the same.

Just stopped to get a cold coke. There is a big machine right outside our door but it is empty most of the time. It is filled three

October 1, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] times each day but still it is practically always empty. It holds about 10 cases and I don’t think the coke ever gets cold only the extra supply in the top which is put in at the time of filling.

I’ve just finished writing a letter to the folks – It had been some time since I had written. Mom said if they had known when I was coming before they would have come up but it is too uncertain about how much time I’ll have off. It would be alright for them to come but if I didn’t get much time then you would be in Chi. Also. The priorities going off on air travel may make a difference in our time off. They may get them directly from here and if they do it may mean only a few hours off but that remains to be discussed later.

Look this last plan over and see what you think. After I had it finished I saw some things I didn’t like but that will be true of any.

Well, Dear I’ll sure like to see and be with you – We hope it won’t be too long.
Love Daddy

P.S. 3 letters just came.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/21/purses-and-cokes-roscoe/

Reduction of Five Points (Roscoe)

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September 30, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 30, 1945, p. 1

30 Sept. 45

Dear Mother,

I suppose maybe I feel in a little better mood today. No special reason only same subtle B. One of the Cmdrs. here said he had it on two pretty good sources that the points for M.D.’s was to be reduced by 5 points wither the 1^st or 15^th of Oct. Well, if that is the case my spirits are very high. It won’t be long now until we find out about the 1^st date.

I suppose you have heard or read about the fires out our way. I saw some of them yesterday coming back and the whole area around here seems to be filled with smoke but it isn’t much different than the usual fog. In fact this morning I thought it was fog but soon detected the smell wasn’t fog.

I worked some more on the office plans last night and maybe will send a drawing tomorrow. I have a hard time getting anything to measure with so can’t tell exactly whether the rooms will fit as I want them to fit. And I can’t remember how far that alley door is from the back wall but I’ll send them along in a day or two and another thing I wonder if a 3 foot hall would be wide enough – or possibly 3+ feet. It seems I’ve

September 30, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] darn near drained the “barrel” dry writing of those plans but after all it is one of the primary interests at present.

This Dr. that went on to Maryland as I came to Great L., stopped in Wash., and he said they told him there that if he had been out there would be nothing to worry about as far as further sea duty is concerned, but I’m afraid there is always a chance for a slip up.

This being near the end of the month I suppose you will send me a rough financial report. I like to keep it in mind because things might be different before the end of the year.

There is no further word on the Draft to Great L. but I’m still hoping it will be the end of this coming week or the beginning of the next. Do you want to come to Chicago and spend the time? Or should I come home? There is always the problem as to how much time I’ll get.

Well, I’ll have to run along to noon day chow and get this in the mail but I’m afraid it won’t be go out until tomorrow –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/20/reduction-of-five-points-roscoe/

Up and Then Down (Roscoe)

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September 29, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 29, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 29,

Dear Mother,

Just back from Klamath Falls, a bath taken and your letter read – The one which you seemed to be down. I got back just in time to hear the tail end of the N.C. & Ill. Ballgame. I’m now listening to the Navy-Marine game.

You wrote of being down. Well, I’m up and then down – There is one bright ray however and that is that I’ll be bringing a draft that way before long as I’ve told you before – It sorta depends on how many patients came in that are from the Mid West.

I just got a call from (jr.) Dr. Cummins his orders were changed to read to Pearl Harbor and he is flying – leaving in the morn. So he is coming out for a while this eve. There isn’t anything else I want to do so I’ll talk with Jr.

Before I forget – I didn’t write yesterday – only very early in the a.m. – I was busy most of the day getting rid of patients and getting transportation home – Had to come on the train this time. It took about 15 hours to get back. So since I wrote you last I’ve spent about

September 29, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] twenty-seven hours on the train. Coming back I had a lower berth but it wasn’t bad. It, however, is not as good as a drawing room. After I sent the letter and diagram the other night I did some more figuring and I believe I have a better plan although it is very similar. I’ll give it to you after I have a chance to do some better drawing.

About you coming out. I’d like for you and I want you to but I think you should be there until the oil burner is put in and working and maybe by that time I will know more. I’m going to write one of these days and see if I can get those orders to read permanent in order to get your transportation. I’m sure we could find a place for you to stay a while – a room or two but I’d like for that oil burner to be put in and working so that cold weather won’t catch us with our “dampers” down.

I’ll mail this when I go to chow this eve, then I know is will go out tomorrow and in the meantime keep the spirits up as much as possible. I know what you mean when you say you are on the down.

Love Daddy
P.S. A letter I received today.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/17/up-and-then-down-roscoe/

Heading Toward Klamath Falls (Roscoe)

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September 28, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 28, 1945, p. 2

(Sept. 28 (almost))
It will be when it’s mailed.

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this with pencil since I think it works better than ink on these trains. If my letter earlier today got to you first before this you will know I’m on the way to Klamath Falls again. This time it was a hurry up assignment.

If the train doesn’t shake too much I’m going to draw you a rough sketch of how I want the old part of the office arranged. I mean the part I had before. And somehow I can’t find those measurements of the back part of the Beauty Shop. This train rides so darn rough it’s hard for me to write but maybe you can read it but I’m afraid my sketch won’t be very plain however this train stops very often so maybe I can draw while we are at a standstill.

While at the depot in Oakland, two trains pulled out for Chicago, almost made me homesick. I stopped to draw a little as the train stopped at Crockett.

Again on this trip I have a

September 28, 1945, p. 3

[page 2] drawing room – but I’ve found that that doesn’t mean one can draw in the place.

In the past three days there has been orders come thru for three (jgs), one each day. I don’t know how long they will stay on the (jgs).

Back to the office. If the drug room were put some place else it might work better, but I have to have a dark room for xray Duorosizn and I’d like for that to be at least 12 feet long in order to use it for eye work also, and also the dark room for sinus work so I’ve got problems. The back room I intend to use for emergency and lab and diathermy and with the sky light it can’t be darkened.

Well, see if that can be made into a workable plan and Dear, I wish I were on the way to Chicago –

Lots of Love,
Daddy

September 28, 1945, p. 3

The measurements will be screwy because I have nothing to measure with.

Waiting R.
Baby Room
Drug & Linen Room (should have a plan to wash hands)
Examining Room
X-ray & Ear, Nose & Throat – must be 11-12 feet north & south
Consultation Room

Now that I have the whole thing down it won’t work because of the window & door on the East side and there isn’t enough room.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/15/heading-toward-klamath-falls-roscoe/

Another Draft (Roscoe)

1 Reply

September 27, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 27, 1945, p. 1

27 Sept. 45

Dear Mother,

Your long letter written on Sunday and the note of Monday came today. I’ll have to re-read it before doing much answering but right now I must get this in because between now and mail time there is a medical meeting and Cmdr. Jack Howell is coming out to see me so I must do this right now.

I’m not going to Klamath as planned but to San Diego on Tue. At least that is the way it looks right now. Things could change I suppose but that is the way it stands now and that puts my name on the Great Lakes draft.

The papers were all full of the opera on Wed. They had pictures of all the upper 400 with all their eve gowns, etc. It would have been quite a treat to have been there just to see all the big Wigs.

There was a stage show here last night and everybody wanted to go. After some pushing and squibbling I was able to get a chair only about 4 feet from the corner of the stage. We soon found it was an amateur

September 27, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] show – (Right here the phone rang.) Short notice to Klamath Falls this p.m. and a good promise of Great Lakes possibly next week. The show was a leak out and I stayed only a short time. I started this letter in the room and I’m now in the O.D.’s office. I’ll probably write you another letter tonight on the way and mail it someplace along the way.

I’ll have to get going so
Love Daddy

Then Everything Broke Loose (Roscoe)

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September 26, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 26, 1945, p. 1

26 Sept. 45

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this in the AM this morning just because there isn’t anything else in particular to do and I’ve heard there is to be a show of some sort this PM. I got just this much written and then everything broke loose so I’ll see how much can be done now.

I think by tomorrow I’ll be able to send some plans home for you to approve or disapprove. I don’t plan on having everything done now. Just do part and then wait until we see how things develop.

Stanich called me this AM and wanted me to take a trip with him but I didn’t care about going so I told him I was too busy. He was going to San Bruno and I could think of no reason for going.

I can’t give any more dope on the Great Lakes draft. I think possibly I was a little premature in saying anything about the trip because there are several ahead of me, but it doesn’t hurt to be thinking, but I’ll always let you know either by call or telegraph. That reminds me

September 26, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] the telegraph I sent you from Ogden when I came out cost me $1.30 and the one I sent from here just this last time was only 80₵ – something was a little twisted up one time or another.

I see by the paper that all enlisted men with 3 children are to be granted discharge if they wish. That will let Socky out but of course it doesn’t affect me. That is one where he will have to admit the enlisted men got the best deal. You remember he was a little sore at all officers in general when he came to Nick’s that night. I wish sometimes they would get around to giving some credit to length of service. Sure ½ points per mo. but that isn’t enough and the ¼ is just a joke. Well, I still feel something will come along in the next mo. to six weeks.

Well, after several stops and starts I’ve about gotten the page full so I’ll say,

Lots of Love,
Daddy

Office Plans (Roscoe)

1 Reply

September 25, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 25, 1945, p. 1

25 Sept. 45

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 22 came this AM. It was the one with the plans. Yours seem OK and I again think the Hall should come along the west side but I want a few more rooms than either of your plans show. However, maybe you didn’t know that and too there is the other room to be divided. I don’t seem to be able to get anything on paper but have thought lots about the whole things. What I wish you would do is try to figure, if you can, what our heat bills amounted to and make a pass at Nick to get his reaction about furnishing heat. So much for that and I will try to get some plans on paper.

Now – I may have to go to Klamath Falls again this weekend in order to get my bid in to the Lakes. There is nothing certain as yet about the Lakes so no plans can be made at present, but I’ll try to let you know in plenty of time. If you do meet me I believe if you came up 45 you could do your own driving unless you particularly wanted someone. It is always nice to have someone in case of a flat tire, etc.

Our weather here has been very pleasant the past few days. Not even fog. Yesterday pm Mrs. Stanich brought Jeff over to have his eyes tested.

September 25, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] I met them and helped them thru the process. They seemed to be very pleased. Jeff’s eyes were OK. He is an only child and is a little spoiled and I think tried to pull a fast one a time or two on his parents. They want another child pretty bad but can’t seem to get going. At least they claim they have tried since Jeff came and he is past 7 now.

Another Dr. and I tried to get tickets to Carmen tonight but all seats are sold. In the future there are several now that aren’t sold out but we can’t take chances on buying ahead.

My friend (Jr.) got his orders this AM so he will be leaving in the next few days. From here he goes to San Bruno and then outside, but he is a (jg) just one month in the service. I’m holding my breath for another month or two and then maybe I’ll have too many points or something. There is always hope so long as the orders aren’t here.

All my 132 beds are filled now but they will start leaving in a day or two.
Well, so long for now –
Lots of Love,
Daddy

Incoming Patients (Roscoe)

1 Reply

September 24, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 24, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 24

Dear Mother,

You will note both Sun. & Mon. letters. It seems a number of events kept me from mailing the Sun. letter as I planned. In the first I found that the only mail out on Sun. is 0830 and then I thought I could mail it the first thing this AM but I was rudely called at 0645 to meet a ship bringing in patients. I really wasn’t on that duty but it seems there were several ships so I was called and hence the two letters in one.

I got patients from 2 ships. They always have a band at the pier to play and of course there is lots of yelling – cat calls, etc. The boys are all pretty glad to be back – strange but true.

Since we had several ships in this AM we are a little busy this PM in fact there are several coming in and out as I’m writing but Junior is taking care of them so I can get this finished.

Mrs. Stanich is bringing Jeff over to have his eyes examined. I’m supposed to meet them at the gate and show them where to go.

September 24, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Your letter of the 20^th came this AM and one from Mom. She said they would have driven up had they known but as it stands I guess we didn’t know. I’m wondering if you’d like me [to] come home again on one of those drafts. With our increase in patients we will have more drafts and there has been two since I came so maybe in a week or two I’ll be coming that way again. I’ll try to let you know ahead of time and plan on meeting you at the gate just like we did before – we can write of that later however.

Well, I think I’d better help a little and then get this to the P.O.
Love Daddy