Tag Archives: World War II

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.

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

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

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

November 10, 1942 (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 10 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

I received my “birthday” letter this morning. I always look at the postmark date when your letters come and this one was two ahead so probably tomorrow or later will get the two intervening ones. Seems you are getting mine in somewhat same order. Just so we get them is the main thing. It is windy, cold & cloudy today. Just a regular fall day. The wind is so strong I can feel it while sitting by the west window in the den. You know even with storm windows we could get ventilation here. I turned the thermostat up two notches. Chet VanScoyek [Chester Vanscoyk] said we could get more coal anytime but to wait until a car load comes in and get it directly from the car. I have them paid so won’t hesitate to order more. I talked to Agnes M. yesterday and she said we wouldn’t have to pay Federal while you are on foreign duty and it wouldn’t have to be paid until 6 mos. after the war is over and no interest has to be paid. Also she says that I don’t have to pay gross on my allotment but she is going to look it up to be sure before next is due. As you notice – I don’t make paragraphs to save space. Frank Cunningham died last Fri. I still owed him $8.20 but was going to have him do some painting around the window sills then pay for the whole thing. I’ll see Mrs. C. and pay her. He forgot to include the work he did at the office when we settled after he finished the house. You mentioned paper. I sent you some in both Christmas & birthday boxes. I didn’t have the addition to put on those two boxes I mean (White Poppy) but had it when I sent your laundry. I am anxious for you to get it – and know if you receive all I sent besides your clothes. I am being very mysterious about what I put in but you will let me know I am sure if it gets to you. This morning when I weighed David he was 8-8 – he is making a faster gain this week than the past two – however he averages about 8 oz a week. He is taking more milk now than he did. I have a system for warming the 2 & 6 a.m. feeings. I heat the milk and put it in a thermos when I get ready to go to bed and have two clean bottles ready so when he wakes up at 2 & 6 I don’t have to get out of bed to fix the bottle – just turn on the light – reach for the thermos & bottle and presto! – in a flash the milk is ready. I have a bottle warmer but it is slow – takes 5 to 8 minutes for it to heat the milk then too when I use it have to set the milk between the window and storm window until he is ready for it. A time or two he slept thru but he must be getting hungrier because the past week he has been waking at 2 or 3 a.m.

Mother is getting ready to go back to T.H. [Terre Haute]. I am feeling OK now and just about finished cleaning house so we will be able to get along. Mother would like to have us take her home but I am not sure whether I will try the trip with David so small. We have a basket we could take along for him but it would be quite an ordeal I am afraid. Now don’t worry about it because by the time you get this we will have gone & come back home (if we go). The only reason I thought about going was to visit your folks – since gas rationing will go into effect Nov. 22 and at 4 gal a week we don’t be able to get very far from home. Your Mother would like to come up for a week I know but so far hasn’t been able to get anyone to bring her. Ruth & Floyd may be here sometime this week since they have to go to Chicago this week. I just cleaned a bedspread and hung it out to blow. The wind is so strong & cold today it should air it good. The wind we have had lately has just about taken all the leaves off. I think we will rake leaves this fall and have a big fire out by the street.

image[page 2] There is a radio program going now talking about V-mail. I heard about it on the radio. I think sometime in August – as you said there must have been a campaign because there was a lot said about it when I first heard about it – however it is still talked about lots. I use it about half the time and this kind of letter the rest of the time. I would rather just write regular because I can cram as much in. Arlene & Bill sent you a box for Christmas. They had a pen & pencil set. I told them you had one but Arlene said they would send it and you could trade for something else if you wanted too. They took some pictures of their family & John happened to be there so Arlene took one of him & said she sent it to you. I have a roll of film being developed now and of course if there are good pictures will sent them to you. David is kicking and yawning and trying to go to sleep. He has pretty definite times to be good and vice versa – he sleeps most of the day but is awake a while after the 2 P.M. bottle and good – but after the 6 P.M. bottle he usually makes a noise more or less all evening until the 10 P.M. bottle then he turns in for the night. I think he will gradually do like John & Mark – sleep from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M. Ellsworth is taking care of a policy for D. Did I mention before that they have a boy? He was born a few weeks after David was named Michael Ellsworth. He is a large baby. I think he was larger when born than David is now. Doris got a perm the same afternoon I did and Mildred was talking to her about bridge club. Seems Doris can’t find anyone to work for her and was talking about dropping out of the Club. I am glad the bridge clubs don’t bother me – because I don’t know what I would do if they did. Doris is in the same “boat” as everyone else – you have women working in the seed corn house. Alma Walker drives a truck for Funks. She said she felt better than when she stayed home – however she said last week she had two attacks. She brought the baby a gift – a bath robe. Mrs. Zell said they had a baby buggy I could use – so I am going to get it and see if I can fix it up. That is an item that is hard to get now. Lucile Johnson said she has a new one but that she looked around several stores in Laf. [Lafayette] before she found a good one. I think her baby is due in Jan. She was out one day last week and is getting rather large. She is going to Dr. M. and plans to go to Watseka to the hospital. She says she thinks if she can remain in the hospital two weeks that she & Ed can manage when she gets home.

imageWe went to Sheldon yesterday & got some meat. I was able to get more beef. I don’t know what they will do about these lockers when meat rationing is put into effect. While in Brandts I heard a man talking to Mrs. B. about coffee rationing – for one week before rationing no one will be allowed to sell any coffee. However Mrs. B. said they didn’t have any to sell anyway. The stores just haven’t any on hand. I understand cocoa & tea will be rationed too. We can’t buy milk for 40¢ gal now. There is a new law or “something” in effect that milk can be sold only at retail prices and no Sunday delivery. Creamery butter is 50¢ a lb. – but as you know that doesn’t bother us – as you know – you mentioned chicken – I intended to put some fry’s in the locket but got sick & couldn’t.  Maybe I can yet. John wrote to you about their stunt – this Thurs. nite. He had me go over the “script.” Mark is still working on the cornet. I think if he will practice enough he can learn to play it. This letter is quite a hodge podge but maybe it will amuse you a few minutes.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/17/november-10-1942-gladys/ ‎

November 9, 1942 (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Nov. 9, 1942

Dear Mother,

This is the hottest November I’ve ever seen. This morning I believe a thermometer in the direct rays of the sun would have bursted – but this P.M. there is a breeze and that helps considerable. If it weren’t for that we sure would suffer, but the nights are still cool and that helps lots.

So for today no mail but there is a rumor that some came in and it’s still early (2:30) so maybe we still have hopes. The biggest gap is still from Sept. 19 to 26. Then there are a few missing all along the line. The commission hasn’t arrived yet and neither have any of the packages, but it isn’t hardly time for those yet.

Did you ever hear of the sweet young things who sat in the pool of Nova Cain and then became one of the Dead End Kids? Lots of stories float around some new and some old, and after a time the old as well as the new are repeated. Most of the stories have to do with mental intercourse as you might imagine among a group of men who are stranded in strange country with only the past to think about, but

[page 2] on the whole we get along very well with ourselves.

I’m getting about ready to take a shower. It seems about the most fun one can have in a days time is taking a shower and a B.M. Some fun! The water in the shower is pretty warm almost like as if it were heated. The pipes run very near the ground and the heat of the sun warms considerable.

All the above is done plus a little cat nap thrown in. Will have to start work before long and that may last a few hours. So far no mail.

Did my laundry just before noon today and took it down a few minutes ago. Underware, socks and one pair of pants and one shirt. I’ve found that after a few days a shirt looks about as good even if it wasn’t ironed but it does look a little seedy at first.

Right now again it is very warm and not much breeze so that makes it more warm and almost hot. I can see why the people here have their sleepy hours in the middle of the day, but we haven’t

[page 3] suffered too much yet.

Just been up and got a case of beer it seems that does as much good for thirst as anything. The water as I stated is warm and our ice isn’t too plentiful. We don’t consume so much but enough to keep thirst to a minimum and not too much so that I get a beer belly.

I’ll again stop – Now that rounds are over I’ll see what can be done – Got 7 letters one from Mom and the other 6 from you and the boys. I’ll not answer the boys tonight – Must write Wayne. Got the pictures of course those of David are a little questionable but those of the boys and you I didn’t think were good at all. You couldn’t have changed that much since I’ve been gone.

Well, thanks for the pictures and all the information. You told me about the policy coming and that you were receiving your checks and that the mail is coming thru. So all those things help,

So Solong

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/07/november-9-1942-roscoe/

Gas Rationing (Gladys)

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Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Gas rationing was big deal for the people on the home front. For Gladys and the boys, living in Kentland, they did not need to use the car much. In most situations, the family could walk to their destination. Rationing did limit visits to relatives in Terre Haute and Clay City or trips made to Lafayette for shopping or doctor’s appointments. Had Roscoe been at home, he would have received a different rationing allowance for his occupation. It is hard to imagine only using 4 gallons of gas a week. In 2013, the typical American uses many times that in a single day.

V-mail dated November 9, 1942

V-mail dated November 9, 1942

Letter transcription:

Lt. (J.G.) R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy S.S.A. (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Indiana
11-9-42

Dear Daddy –

It was raining rather hard at noon so I took the boys & Zell girls back to school. Stopped in town and got some groceries – Also was able to get ¼ lb coffee. That is how scarce it is here. I haven’t been drinking coffee since I was in the hospital so didn’t need it for myself but got it for Mother. I understand gas rationing will start Nov 22 – and we will get 4 gal a week. Of course people having to drive to work will get more. I think we will have enough for the driving we do. I take the car out enough to keep the battery charged. Will have to make a trip to Laf. Soon to take the baby down to Dr. C and have John’s glasses checked. The baby weighed 8-6 this morning. He shows a gain of about 14 oz in two weeks. That according to your letter is enough. He is getting regulated pretty good now – sleeps lots & is good when awake. He won’t take orange from a bottle so I give it with a spoon. I think that will help when I start him on Pablum – he will have an ‘idea’ of what a spoon is for. I am going to teach him to drink out of a cup as soon as possible. He is so tiny yet compared to Funks baby. He weighs over 13 lbs and it just 3 ½ weeks older than David. Arlene said they sent you some pictures. I have too but don’t know whether you have rec’d all or not. I sent you stamps twice. I rec’d two letters today & two Sat. The boys each rec’d theirs and answered. Hope you get all the letters with stamps & pictures & your commission. I have rec’d all the letters you sent I am sure.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/05/gas-rationing-gladys/ ‎

November 8, 1942 (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Oct Nov. 8, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sun P.M. and things are as well as could be expected. Got your Oct. 17 letter today and another V-mail letter Oct 14 from Ed. Johnson. He told me of the anticipated increase in their family. You said something about Lucille but you didn’t say which one. It was a little surprising to me. Ed said I was a good one to run out on them when they really needed me, but I believe it looks to me as if they waited until I got out before starting things – Guess it wasn’t that way but I’m to write him that anyway.

We had chicken again for dinner – real honest to goodness chicken – one half chick per person. Seconds if we wanted them. I could have taken seconds but didn’t, because one was enough and maybe that would cut things short for some enlisted man. So why make a pig of myself. Of course, we have no rationing on anything – but fresh fruits and vegetables are never seen, only once in a while we have a raw apple to chew on.

This being Sun. we’ll have church tonite at 7:00 P.M. The Chaplin still has to be at another place or two earlier in the day.

[page 2] we generally have a pretty big crowd and things go along in good style. This is also the day for me to write the folks. I got a letter or two from them this week so it makes writing a little different.

Tell the boys we have coke now so they don’t need to send me any at present. It’s a little expensive though 10¢ per bottle. We can’t take the bottles back – I mean back to the States – so that makes the extra cost. It isn’t so good either when it’s tropically warmed with no ice around – Maybe the boys could send a chunk of ice. You probably have that around pretty handy or will have when the old cold north winds start blowing.

Wayne W. gave me a pretty good bird’s eye view of conditions in general back home. Our news around here and abroad seems pretty good, but our tent-mate that had the radio has gone so that cuts out the biggest part of the evening’s entertainment. We are seeing quite a bit of coming and going in the past few days and expect to see more as time goes along. Of our group that originally came fourteen have changed locations. So you see (we/they) do some moving around as was the

[page 3] custom at Norfolk.

So far I haven’t received any pictures that you keeping saying you took – And Lentz keeps asking me if you have sent his. He said he had one of a boat sinking with several at different intervals. I told him you wouldn’t send them until you go the $1.35 but I guess that need not hold you back. Hold on to your money and maybe I can send you enough for the coat. Probably right now coats would be high and quality poor or no? Anyway it’s yours so do as you wish. I don’t care what you buy as long as you use good judgment and don’t open too large a charge account.

I’ll finish later. Wrote a letter to the Folks and one to Ed. Johnson. I still have several letters to answer but couldn’t get to them yesterday had too much to do otherwise. I’m finishing this on Mon. A.M. Everything up and kicking, was a fine night to sleep – will write tonight.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/14/november-8-1942-roscoe/

November 8, 1942 (Gladys)

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Yegerlehner, Gladys - 1942-11-08

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.

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

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

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

Voices from the Past (Roscoe)

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010I want to jump ahead to the future for a little bit. In 1967, Roscoe retired from his medical practice in Kentland. He and Gladys moved to West Lafayette where he continued to practice his trade and teach new doctors. When they left Kentland, Roscoe was given a going away party at George Ade Memorial Hospital. Among my collection of family papers, I have a script of the evening’s events. The festivities were conducted in the style of “This Is Your Life.” Many old friends entertained my grandparents with stories of their life in Kentland. At that point, Roscoe and Gladys had been part of the community for almost 30 years (1939-1967).
Recently my father unearthed an old audio reel which had been buried away in a drawer. It was labeled “Farewell Party, March 12, 1967.” He was able to send the tape to a professional company that specializes in transferring old mediums to digital formats. Today, he received the CDs in the mail. I have been told that the sound quality is wonderful. The only disappointing detail is that my grandparents are not heard on the recording, only their friends telling their stories. I had hoped to hear their voices again. And now I just have to patiently wait for my copy to arrive in the mail.

Letter transcription:

Nov. 7, 1942

Dear Mother,

Received 4 letters today – 3 from you and one from Wayne W. It took Wayne’s letter 13 days to get there and it took eleven days for an answer to come back so all in all that is pretty good time. Our mail is sure coming thru in much better time now but I didn’t get the commission yet. You stated you had sent it but as yet it hasn’t arrived. So far there is no packages but I’ll expect them from now on until Christmas. And you also stated what the bank account amounted too so that was a help. After next pay day I’ll send some more. I’m going to send each of the boys – all three some Christmas money and you also. I’m telling you now so you can expect. It will be the 15th before pay day so don’t expect for some time yet.

Wayne told me it had been 19° above zero. That sure sounds cold

[page 2] in our tropical weather.

In your letter today you said the boys had received their V-mail letters. I don’t remember when I wrote those but they were a long time getting there. Your letter this time took only 11 days, both were postmarked Oct. 27. That really is going some. That means only 10 days for one is lost coming over the date line. Your letters are coming now just fine and I think all the questions I’ve been harping on and ranting about are gradually being answered.

I should have told you not to send me any clothes or food for Christmas because food will probably spoil and clothes are just an excess. Most of the boys are sending things home – In the clothes line. I believe I have only the bare necessities so will hang on to them for some time yet.

I think the babies schedule is about what it should be so keep it going. In

[page 3] fact I’ve forgotten all about baby feeding. One forgets very fast I’ve found even to names of people at home. So don’t use initials as I might not know who you are writing about. It’s not so bad but one sure does forget those names rapidly.

There is no boxing show tonite so will have to put on our own. In other words it will be – The news – a few beers and then to be [bed] – quite an enjoyable evening don’t you think.

Well, I’ll try to do better tomorrow. I’ll have to put forth more effort on the next

So Solong

Love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/12/november-7-1942-roscoe/‎

November 7, 1942 (Gladys)

1 Reply

There has been mention of late of letters sent to the boys, John & Mark, and vice versa. At this point, many of those letters appear to be gone. Thus far we have been fortunate to have a sampling of some of the correspondence between Roscoe and the boys. There are more in the collection, but not all of them apparently survived. More of the ones from Roscoe than to him seemed to be preserved. We can thank Gladys for that. We can assume that the letters the boys received on this day where the ones Roscoe wrote on October 28th. To refresh your memory of the letters Roscoe wrote to the boys, click on the names: John or Mark.

V-mail, dated November 7, 1942

V-mail, dated November 7, 1942

Letter transcription:

Lt. (JG) R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy SSA (White Poppy) MC
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Ind
11-7-42

Dear Daddy,

Sat. and 4 letters – two for me and one each for John & Mark. We have been getting your letters regularly and I think I have all you sent including the first. You said you rec’d my letter with David’s picture – but you didn’t comment on it. It may not be such a good picture but I did send several later that were we thought good. John and Mark have been writing to you but you evidently haven’t rec’d their letters. John is baking a cake and Mark is dusting this A.M. I don’t get much done mornings but take care of David – and mix his formulas. This A.M. he weighed 8-3 and he was 6 weeks old Wed (this is Sat) so he is almost averaging ½ lb a week. In case the letters don’t get to you I keep repeating his weight. He was just 6 – 3 ¼ at two weeks. I talked to Ira & he said he would write you again. So glad you are getting some mail now. Wish you could get all that was sent. I have sent both kinds. You should gets lots of letters & also Christmas boxes. This letter isn’t very newsy but I am writing in a hurry and tomorrow is Sun. and maybe I’ll have more time. I wrote a reg. letter yesterday and gave you a financial report.

Lots of Love
Mother

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/03/november-7-1942-gladys/

Carbon Paper (Gladys)

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War Stamps & BondsBefore she was married, Gladys worked as a stenographer. After she married Roscoe, she continued to work as the family’s secretary. One tool of her trade was carbon paper. This is a term that has quickly gone by the wayside. Who uses carbon paper anymore? And based on some of the articles I came across while researching the origins of said paper, our youngest generations have no idea what carbon paper even is. For myself, I learned to type on a good, old-fashioned manual typewriter. When I went away to college, one of my going away gifts was an electric typewriter, not a computer. I didn’t get one of those until I was out of college, left graduate school and had been married several years. But I digress. By virtue of the fact that I know how to operate a typewriter, I know what carbon paper is and have used it on many occasions. Although not recently, and probably not in this century.

Gladys made duplicates of all her correspondence using carbon paper, except (as she mentions on November 6th) not the letters she wrote to Roscoe. We have it so easy these days with photocopiers, except of course when the machine is broken and then the world stops and everyone is screwed. Ever been in a teacher workroom, during recess and had to make a single copy for a class in a pinch before recess is over, only to discover that the copier is down? It’s not pretty. Over the years, Gladys used carbon paper to make duplicates, a practice that was passed down to her sons. This weekend as I was going through some of the OTHER folders of family correspondence, I chanced upon a particular letter of my father’s. In the 1970s, my father wrote a weekly letter to various family members and friends. At the end of that letter he wrote,

“I will continue to write my weekly letter. The original will go to my folks in West Lafayette, with copies, as usual to…”

And how did he manage this feat without a photocopier? With our trusty friend the carbon paper. For a little history on carbon paper, read here.

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 6 – 1942

Dear Daddy,

Rec’d one letter this AM – the one telling me you had one letter dated Oct 9. If I had kept carbon copies I could send you duplicates of all the intervening ones, but what about your commission. I sent it air-mail as you directed. If I could remember some of the things I had written before. I also sent pictures – do hope you get them – Also hope you get your Christmas box – there are some good snap shots in it. I’ll mention your laundry again. I put something in besides laundry. I want it to be a surprise so if you get your laundry and there is anything else in the box you can let me know. If not you won’t be disappointed. It wasn’t anything of value but I thought you would get a “kick” out of it. I was glad you specified 5 to 7 oz a week weight gain for David. He has been doing about that – he still seems so tiny but makes a steady gain – takes his formula, cod liver oil and orange juice. He hasn’t too hearty an appetite but probably will get hungrier when he grows a little – “according to the chart” he should take 4 to 4 ½ oz per feeding every 4 hrs. He usually takes 4 oz – sometimes 3 ½ but he is so good – sleeps all night except for the 2 AM feeding and sleeps most of the day too. He is good when awake so surely he isn’t hungry and his stools indicate his food digests. His birth weight was 6-11 but he lost the 11 oz while cursing the breast. At two weeks he was 6-3 ¼ and at 6 weeks 8-2 so that shows he is making progress. He seems slow because Funk’s baby weighed nearly 13 lbs at 2 months (He was 8 – ¾ at birth) Helen & Carl Koon’s baby is another “overweight.’ He looks so fat and so much larger than David. The present formula is 10 oz carnation 18 oz water – 2 tbsp Dextri-Maltrose. That makes 28 oz for 24 hrs but he never takes the 28 oz. If he takes more than 4 oz at a time he throws up so he probably takes all his stomach can digest. I suppose when he develops more he will take more. He was on a 3 hr schedule but that was too often and he didn’t take each feeding as well as he does now. He is getting Mead’s Oleum Percomorphum (In case you don’t get the letter I told you about it) The bank balance is 825 and if I pay Physicians (30⁰⁰) Massengill (8.99) – Aloe (21.70) & Fa David 15⁰⁰ – will reduce it to 748 – that bal. includes my birthday gift. I haven’t had a chance to do any shopping since receiving it, but I haven’t been in a hurry to shop – I have been so busy taking care of David and trying to get house cleaning done and things back in the “groove,” I feel about normal again. I am still taking Liver & Vit B shots but think I’ll need them yet for a while. I am cleaning house with the help of John & Mark. They each have a bond and also David has one. J & M now have 25¢ stamp books and are to put a stamp in a week. Mother went to Cosmopolitan Club with Mrs. Zell this afternoon. She gets ‘blue’ if she doesn’t hear from Jim every so often. I told her she shouldn’t feel badly – at least he is where she could get to him if necessary and he is still in U.S.A. I don’t think she should go back to T.H. and be there alone – what with traveling being curtailed and gas rationing. It will soon be so one can’t travel by train or bus without a priority rating – that is the talk now and some of the busses have been taken off. But I will let her decide for herself.

[page 2] Seems I was too long winded for one sheet so will finish on this half. I am so glad I have kept the “Daily” letter habit. Someone said they couldn’t see that is did any good but if I hadn’t maybe you wouldn’t have gotten that one. The boys just came home from school and are gathering the clothes. They didn’t want to just now but it is getting damp out – and they won’t dry any more. It has been alternately sunny & cloudy today but the clothes didn’t dry well. Soon have to hang them in the basement. I got a perm. yesterday and while in the beauty shop one of your patients came in who owes 22⁰⁰. She didn’t seem to know me. I had just sent her a statement reminding her I wanted some money but haven’t had a reply – probably won’t get one. I sent out several statements last week but so far “no go,” (as Mark says). John brought home the script for their stunt so I will have to read it. After I read it maybe I can write you what they are going to do. That boys has a sense of humor that is “precious” – like his Dad – where as Mark is more like Floyd – his is the more obvious type – if you get what I mean. He still imitates radio characters with quite a relish.

I haven’t given you any outside news today – been too busy talking about us. You should be getting the Enterprise. Bart sends it – I got your “white poppy” just a little too late to put on your Christmas & Birthday boxes –

Love
Mother

©2013, copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/10/carbon-paper-gladys/ ‎

Marines Face New Thrusts By Japanese (Roscoe)

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Since Roscoe was not allowed to say what was going on around him, Gladys was most likely following the war over the radio waves and by reading the local papers. The above article was published in The Vidette-Messsenger (Valparaiso, Indiana) on November 4, 1942. Written by a UP reporter, the article was picked up by papers around the country, perhaps even the Newton County Enterprise, one of the papers that Gladys read regularly.

Letter transcription:

Nov. 5, 1942

Dear Mother,

What with eleven letters yesterday and 10 today I’m getting pretty well caught up. Those yesterday were all from you but today’s letters were varied. One from Mom, one from Walkup’s and one from Allgoods, but all those letters you told me about that were sent to me when David came have not arrived. So Mark calls the baby Davie – seems as if I’ve referred to him as the same, hope I haven’t put too much in Mark’s mind.

I sent you the radiogram I received the other day. Thought you might want to put it in David’s scrap book. I had to cut out one word so that it would pass the censor. You should have received something on that end because the thing needed a reply, but I turned it over to the Chaplin. So I’m not sure what he may have said. Sometimes I don’t trust them too far. I told him to say the word received OK. So anything else will be extra.

[page 2] You will note I haven’t bawled you out for what you haven’t written. I’m not going to. So far I haven’t received letters on Sept. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 18 and from 19 to 26. See from 19 to 26 I missed all the excitement then I haven’t received any from Oct 14 to Oct 23 but did get the Oct. 24 letter. So that brings me up to date pretty well. Some of those days are were probably Sun. and since you don’t write on Sun. there are bound to be a few days missing. I write every day Sun included. I can’t tell which is Sunday after it is past because of lack of calendar as I have told you – You don’t know how much they are missed until there isn’t one around.

I should have told you about wrapping packages. They should be wrapped extra good, because I’ve seen some come in that are in very poor condition. In fact just holding together and that is all. I’ve sent you two packages and you

[page 3] haven’t mentioned them. So I wonder if they arrived. It will take those much longer than air mail letters however.

We may have a change of address in a few days so if you don’t hear for several days you will know. There is nothing to worry about but just keep it in mind. Of course, we don’t know for sure but as I’ve said before even at Norfolk one didn’t know when his address might be changed.

Many of the fellows have Christmas packages already. Seems early but they really got here in time. It’s really very uncertain how and when to mail anything to have it arrive when it’s supposed to.

One of our boys was given the distinguished flying cross in a little affair we had here today. It was a swell thing for the kid and of course the first that I had ever seen. May we have more like him. I could say more but I can’t. Now what kind of talk is that.

I’ll save the rest of the space, got 2 V-mail letters dated Sept. 14 & Sept. 12. They aren’t good – but you might keep writing one or two per mo-

Love Daddy

©2013, copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at:  https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/08/marines-face-n…thrusts-roscoe/ ‎