Tag Archives: World War II

October 30, 1942 (Gladys)

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/

Military Monday – October 29, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Happy Memorial Day to all our veterans, past and present!

: October 29, 1942 Envelope

: October 29, 1942, p. 1

: October 29, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Oct. 29, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just finished chow and will try to get this written before it is necessary to draw out the candle. Imagine our surprise to wake up this morning and find the sun shining very bright and it sure was welcome after 4-5 days of almost continuous rain. Immediately after breakfast everyone who didn’t have work to do set out to do his laundry, and in a few hours clothes were flying on lines all over the place. About 10:30 it began to look like rain but it cleared up and hasn’t has remained clear all day.

During the damp weather the laundry in town wouldn’t take any clothes so that made an accumulation, so I just washed my shirts, pants & everything. I took the shirts and pants when they were slightly damp and tried to cold iron them with my hand and believe it or not they don’t look too bad. Lots of the fellows wash their own so not too many look spick & span. Many of the laundries don’t use any starch so those clothes that come from there don’t look too good. Anyway they don’t smell when we get thru with them. I had a shirt and a pair of pants come back from the laundry and the I don’t believe they ever saw any rinse water, so you can imagine the smell.

I think I told you last night you didn’t need to send those clothes. You might send the underware, the knit ones pants and shirts. Keep the others until I write for them.

It is now 5:30 P.M. and the sun is well up in the sky. There, at this time of year if I remember it is getting pretty well toward dark. However, it is cool

[page 2] here tonight almost need a sweater or windbreaker. I guess I told you I bought a windbreaker before leaving Calif.

We are just now waiting for the 6 P.M. news from San Francisco. It comes in pretty good. Dr. Beard from Indianapolis just stopped in. He was going for a walk said he hadn’t gotten any exercise during the rainy days. It was a little to cold to go swimming today. That is it was for me – Lentz and some of the boys went.

No mail so far today. We again have wild rumors of some but long ago we learn that the rumors are often untrue. So we just wait. I believe the 15^th of Oct. is the latest. That was yesterday. Mine yesterday was the 12^th. While a few days before that I got the 14^th so you see what the mail situation is. The V-mail is much behind the ordinary regular air mail now.

I’ll finish later – stopped to listen to the radio and then went to play bridge – got beat tonite. While we listened to the news I just looked around. There was a fellow from Mich, one from Ky, one from Maryland and one other fellow from Ind. What a bunch way out here in kingdom come.

We went to bed last night about 8:00 PM and I got tired before morning so I’m staying up until about 10:00 tonight. No use getting bed sores. This mattress is powerful thin and there are no springs. Just 2 in. of mattress or canvass.

Well, no mail in camp today. Just happened to think – Have Agnes Molter get the income tax fixed up but that doesn’t come until Mar. and one the state tax ~~get Davie~~ don’t count travel money and don’t forget David’s deduction on the federal. I suppose you have thought of all that-

Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/27/military-monda…29-1942-roscoe/

Halfway Point!

8 Replies

At the end of this last week, my blog hit a quiet milestone. With this post, I have been posting for 184 days, just over half a year. I can hardly believe that I have been at this for six months. Yesterday (May 25^th) was my grandparents’ 84^th wedding anniversary. I would like to thank everyone who has been following their correspondence for the last six months and to welcome those who have recently followed their story. Here’s to the next six months!

: October 29, 1942 Envelope

: October 29, 1942, p. 1

: October 29, 1942, p. 2

: October 29, 1942, p. 3

: October 29, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 29 – 1942

Dear Daddy-

Another day and no letters from you but maybe they will come tomorrow. There were two Mon and this Thurs so still Fri & Sat.

Our weather has changed a little. It was raining so hard this morning I took ours & Zell’s children to school. John had tow horn cases to carry and books so he could hardly manage walking. He brought the large saxophone home yesterday and had to take both horns back this a.m. He likes the regular sax much better than the straight one he had. David is sleeping now. He seems to like the 4 hr schedule as well as the 3 hr. He didn’t wake up until 3:30 this am for the 2 am bottle. I think maybe he will soon sleep right through although I don’t mind feeding him at 2 until he is some heavier. He weighed 7-9 on Dr. Coles’ scales Monday and will no doubt be

[page 2]past the 8 lb mark by Sat. He takes his cod liver oil & orange juice every day and so far both agree with him.

If you ever get the letters I wrote while in the hospital and letters others wrote, you will know we tried to send you a cable – well in your letters to me you said you hadn’t had any news for so long, so Bob Hufty contacted the Red Cross field man and he said he would get a radiogram to you if it was possible – I suppose by this time you will have received it and know why it was sent. I would have done that in the first place had I known we couldn’t send a cable – and that you wouldn’t get our letters – but we all thought you would surely get our letters in at least two weeks. After they told us we couldn’t cable you I thought the only thing left was a letter and when your letters kept coming and you weren’t getting your mail Bob decided it was high time something should be done.

Mrs. R called me this morning just to talk and wanting to know if I had any late news. She rec’d a cable three weeks ago

[page 3] but no news since then. Before the cable he had written three letters on board ship. He was detailed to the Southwest Pacific fleet, so she hasn’t the faintest idea where he is other than the S.W. Pacific.

There is a high wind today and we had a casualty. The west storm window in the boys room blew off and broke the bottom pane. I hadn’t gotten them all fastened and that particular one seems to be in a current that flips it off. Link is coming over this evening and help me get the rest fastened. I can’t even get some of the windows up. Joe should have fastened those the day he put them up but he was in a hurry to finish by noon and I haven’t felt strong enough to wrestle with the windows – but will get it done before any more blow out.

John has filled two stamp books so I am going to buy him a bond (as pledged) and he is going to get

[page 4] it at school so his grade will get credit. Mark still has a few stamp to buy before he fills his book but I will get him a bond before the year is over. I should buy David a $5⁰⁰ stamp with his gift from D. Mace.

I see in the paper that Bethel Wilson has been sent to Daytona Beach, Fla to a new camp. The Mullen boys are being sent to Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Harlan’s had Chuckie operated on for his eyes. They took him to Indpls but I don’t know who did the operating.

John Byrne is the man operating Art’s drug store. I knew his face but not his name. His family will occupy the Ross property on West Carroll St. (if you know which property that is – I don’t).

Mother had a head cold – started yesterday evening – so I made her take some Rhinitis – all I had was the child size so have her 4 last night – got a bottle at the drug store this morning and gave her a full size one – her cold is better now.

I must sign off-
Love Mother

This post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/26/halfway-point/

Another mix-up (Roscoe)

1 Reply

I just had one of those moments when I realized that page 1 DOES NOT go with page 2. I jumped ahead to Roscoe’s letter dated October 29^th but those pages fit together just fine. I went back to his October 27^th letter and realized that the transition between the two pages was off. I am surprised no one mentioned how choppy it sounded. So let’s redo the last letter with this letter. The pages are now in the correct sequence for both letters.

: October 27, 1942 Envelope

: October 27, 1942, p. 1

: October 27, 1942, p. 2

Oct. 27, 1942

Dear Mother,

This being Tue it rained all day and it being a raining day omits Tue – Don’t pay attention to that I just tried to tell you in a complicated way that it rained all day today up to now and it is now about 1615 and no sign of letting up. About the middle of the afternoon I was very ambitious went to the shower thru the rain Took a complete bath and came back thru the rain. I didn’t know whether to wear a rain coat or to take my clothes off and wrap a towel around me. I chose the latter so was ready for soap when I got there. The shower needless to say was cold but very invigorating. It was the first time I’d changed for some time and I think it helped to raise my moral by getting out clean clothes etc. It has been out of the question to have laundry done because it has been raining almost continuously since Fri night and in that time we haven’t seen the sun not even a peep.

I wrote both the boys this A.M. and put their letters in separate envelopes so if they don’t get there at the same time you will have to explain. Possibly I should have sent them in one so they would either have or had not together. It was a little hard to write to them because news are so scarce and I try to write all I can to you but I managed to fill a couple pages each.

I haven’t said anything to you about the fellow here who graduated from Indiana whose folks lived at Morrow [?]. He is still with us and

[page 2]came in to shoot the breeze. I mentioned him in a letter I wrote back at Moffett Field. His name is Coffel. We talked for some time about mutual friends & class mates at Indiana. U. He is now married and was practicing in La. His wife is from the South also.

One of our tent mates have moved out so we aren’t so crowded but probably someone else will move in. It really doesn’t make any difference because ¼ is all we need or use anyway and what wants more than ¼ of a 16 foot square place anyway? I really wish you could see the place. I think you would think it very lovely or something. This reminds me of someone who took a camping trip and it rained the entire week they were there. The only thing we aren’t fishing or hunting nor trying to get our own meals. Don’t even have to make our own bunks. And once in a while the boy even brings us a bucket of water, but the toilet is still just as far up the slope.

No mail yet today. That’s all I’m going to say. I had been wearing my heavy shoes around, but I got out my four buckle overshoes today just to see how they would work. They probably will slip better but maybe won’t feel so damp. When Wish we had a small oil burner to help get the damp feeling cleared away. Well, its almost chow time finish later.

Later- got 2 letters one from Ira Dixon dated Oct 12 and a V-mail letter from Sykes Oct. 4 but none from you. Played bridge my partner & I won 5140 to 1550 had a good run of cards. Played 3 rubbers

Lots of Love Daddy

: October 28, 1942 Envelope

: October 28, 1942, p. 1

: October 28, 1942, p. 2

: October 28, 1942, p. 3 (written on the back side of p. 2)

Wed Oct 28, 1942

Dear Mother,

It was cloudy all day today but not nearly so much rain – just a few sprinkles now and then. It has been dry enough so that the mud stiffened somewhat and doesn’t stick to the shoes quite so badly, but it looks like more and harder rain any minute now.

Just like all good housekeepers we decided to rearrange our furniture. My bunk formerly was East and West but now it rest North and South. I can’t explain the whole situation but it makes us have lots more room. Two of our former tent mates are gone and one new one has moved in and with only three it makes more room. The roommate I told you about the other day finally left. I think he was pretty badly frightened and all shook up but maybe he will get over that in time.

Ira said there probably would be meat rationing as well as other things in the near future back there. And the way he talked there were lots of boys leaving and business was very dull and I can’t imagine Nick’s being closed on Sunday, but if gas is rationed I suppose people don’t travel as much as before and everyone will have to stay home. We had roast lamb for dinner – Don’t know if that was a result of the meat rationing at home or not. I’ve been wondering about the locker and if you will be allowed to buy meat

[page 2] in that way.

The Sykes seemed OK. They had just bought the first load of coal they ever had to buy and it cost 15°°. They thought that was pretty high – guess they had always been furnished their coal before. Your mail between Aug 29 and Oct. 14 is still on the way. It doesn’t bother so bad now since we get a few letters now and then. So far I don’t believe I’ve missed on any mail delivery yet. Some of the boys are envious, of course I didn’t get one from you yesterday but did get the other two.

The reason we got such a big bridge score last night wasn’t our good playing so much as it was our opponents’ poor bidding. They were both better than we but we doubled them four times and one time they went down four doubled and they were vulnerable so you see that counts up. Then twice the doubled us on bids of 3 diamonds and clubs and we made both bids so that doubled us into game. I know that sounds funny for me to be talking about bridge but it’s either that or go to bed at dark and it’s all in fun. Some of these men are good. I’ve seen bids of little slam and even grand slam made. Me I’ve never been able to do that yet. Last night was the first time my partner has been able to hold any cards. We don’t have the same partner. Just four fellows get together and draw to see who plays who etc. It’s raining pretty hard. I’ll leave the space for further developments. Later, Just received your letter air mail of Oct 12. It was older than the letter by 2 days than the one Sun. This one did answer a few questions and it had David’s picture. If you haven’t sent the laundry just keep it until I write for it.

Our new tent mate has a radio and we got California

[page 3] at 1:00 AM. Sounded pretty good. I think that is the first real radio reception since leaving home. Red Skeleton was on but we couldn’t get him.

We had half roast chicken for supper and let me tell you those bones were picked clean. It was also our regular time to get cigarettes. We get two cartons per month on our usual ration pay and that about does one for cigarettes.

You still haven’t said how often my letters are coming but I suppose you have already done so. Well it’s about time for bed. So solong

Love
Daddy

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

Dear Mark (Roscoe)

4 Replies

And for today’s post, we have Roscoe’s letter to his formerly youngest son Mark, the last of three letters written on October 27, 1942.

: October 27, 1942 Envelope; Letter to Mark

: October 27, 1942, p. 1; Letter to Mark

: October 27, 1942, p. 2; Letter to Mark

Letter transcription:

Oct. 27, 1942

Dear Mark,

Just finished writing John and while I have some time I’ll get this one off to you. We just had an argument about some geography in Africa, nothing very important but we got it settled.

You no doubt get a kick out of Little Davie and will like to help take care of him. At least I hope you kil like to help mother take care of him for since I’m gone it’s more or less up to you and John until I get home to carry on. I know there will be some things that you won’t like to do but when you and John were little I had to help mother and I wasn’t to pleased about that either, but we got along.

I think you would get a kick out of living the way we do. The mud is rather deep and slippery and when we get out on a place that isn’t level we slip and slide and once in a while someone falls. So far I’ve been lucky. It sure is messy when one falls because the old brownish red mud sticks and smears. And another thing we don’t have to sweep our shoes just kick & kick when we get to the door and that mud that don’t doesn’t come off that way just stays on.

Have you been constructing many model airplanes lately? You should be getting pretty good at that by now at least if you keep trying you’ll be able to build good ones some of these days. I’s like to send to one to you but the stores don’t keep

[page 2] them here. At least I haven’t seen them anyplace around here. I’ll be expecting a report from you on your activities both in and out of school. Probably you have written me but our mail man is slow and we just have to wait.

I hope you received the box of shells I sent. They were pretty when I sent them but after being packed and sent over that long distance I don’t have any idea what they looked like. I hope the coral was in good condition but it breaks pretty easy. No doubt you have or you will hear how that coral is formed and you can show that to the other kids in school.

We were given rain coats and rain hats and when we get them on we look like old fisherman, but we don’t care much just so we keep dry. Of course our shoes get muddy but they are heavy and it doesn’t make any difference.

I’ll be expecting a letter from you telling of all the things you are doing and what Davie says and does and if he is spoiled like you have been and still are in some respects. If you can help yourself and don’t bother mother too much you will be doing a great thing so I’m counting on you.

Love

Daddy

Dear John (Roscoe)

1 Reply

John and Mark, circa 1942

Four letters were written on October 27th between the Yegerlehner family members. Roscoe wrote three of them. Not only did he write to Gladys but he wrote letters to each of the older boys. Today’s letter is the one he wrote to his oldest son John. At this point in 1942, John was twelve years old. Roscoe considered John to be the man of the house since he was the oldest male at home. This was not the first letter in which Roscoe made that point. As a reader, it is interesting to note the subtle change of tone in this letter. Although we have heard many tales of Roscoe’s swimming and his collection of shells and coral along the beach, there is a different quality in his narrative when he describes it for John. Tomorrow, I will post the letter that was written to Mark. Amazingly, both the letters to the boys survived. To my mind, we have Gladys to thank for saving the letters from the trash bin or the carelessness of the boys.

: October 27, 1942 Envelope: Letter to John

: October 27, 1942, p. 1: Letter to John

: October 27, 1942, p. 2: Letter to John

Letter transcription:
Oct. 27, 1942
Dear John,
It has been some time since I’ve written to you but I was waiting until I had gotten an answer from the V-mail I sent you. You probably have answered that letter but things are in a mess as far as our mail is concerned but it will get straightened out before long.
You now no doubt have much extra work to do due to little Davie, that work which I would be doing – at least some of it if I were there so you see that places an extra burden due to your being the oldest male present. Does that sound pretty good or pretty bad. What I am interested in is that you conduct yourself in such a way that you will give mother less trouble.
Very often we have food that I don’t like well and I think of you and some of the food you don’t like but I eat it just like you do, so we are alike in some ways. That’s just kidding you.
You would get a big kick out of our swimming place. It is very fine and sandy and slopes very gradually out to sea, and that makes about any depth of water one wants. Only on some days when the tide is high the water gets very deep and maybe the next day it is hardly knee deep at

[page 2]the same place. Near the edge of the water there are lots of big rocks which are a little hard on bare feet that are tender but out some distance the sand is so fine it’s almost like salt. On days when the water is smooth I can lay there on the water and float like a bad of wind, but on days when the waves are high I get water in my nose when a wave comes along that coves one up. In between swims it’s fun to walk up and down along the water’s edge and pick up various kinds of shells & coral. Hope you have the box I sent you. They are really more beautiful when they are wet and the sun is shining on them. There have been some boys about your size out there swimming several times when we were there and they seem to get a big kick out of the water.
We have things pretty good here in some ways. Our post office is here, we have store, a barber shop, a taylors shop and about everything we need. Of course we can’t buy Christmas presents and lots of things like that but other things more needed are always available. Even to fine smelling hair tonic and good candy bars.
Well I’ve got to write Mark so drop me a line if you have time and let me know about all your activities.
Love
Daddy

This post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/22/dear-john-roscoe/

Rain, rain, go away (Roscoe)

12 Replies

I was featured this week on Geneabloggers’ recurring post titled “May I Introduce To You…” So if you want to take a break from World War II, you can learn a little more about me by following the link:
http://geneabloggers.com/introduce-deborah-sweeney/

: October 28, 1942 Envelope

: October 27, 1942, p. 1

: October 28, 1942, p. 2

: October 28, 1942, p. 3 (written on the back side of p. 2)

Letter transcription:

Oct. 27, 1942

Dear Mother,

I haven’t said anything to you about the fellow here who graduated from Indiana whose folks lived at Morrow [?]. He is still with us and

[page 2] in that way.

David – 2 weeks (October 6, 1942)

Our new tent mate has a radio and we got California

[page 3] at 1:00 AM. Sounded pretty good. I think that is the first real radio reception since leaving home. Red Skelton was on but we couldn’t get him.

You still haven’t said how often my letters are coming but I suppose you have already done so. Well it’s about time for bed. So solong

Love
Daddy

This post was originally posted at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/21/rain-rain-go-away-roscoe/

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

Mud, mud, and more mud (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 26, 1942 Envelope

: October 26, 1942, p. 1

: October 26, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Oct. 26, 1942

Dear Mother,

As I stated last night it would either be raining or clear and I was right it was raining. This is the 4^th straight day and the mud doesn’t get any more shallow and of course it’s just as slick. You can imagine how damp things are and how dirty ones clothes get because we don’t change very often. It’s just a matter of slopping around and making the best of it. No, we didn’t get any more mail but I can’t complain because I’ve gotten more than my share in comparison with some of the others.

Some more of my friends are being transferred and it wouldn’t surprise me much if I got changed although it wouldn’t be so bad. The worst part is leaving friends with whom one has been associated for some months now, but only a few months before we didn’t know these fellows so I suppose we can make new friends all over again. If one stays in the stame same place too long he gets in a rut and that’s easy here with so much mud.

I’m writing this just after chow and before the table is cleaned off so you see it’s by candle and there are several fellows in our tent talking so don’t know what all might be in here. Hope there is nothing of a military nature which might creep in. Had hot chocolate for supper and it is taking affect now and makes me very warm & sweaty. Had fresh meat today and it sure was good – roast beef. And they haven’t as put too much pepper in the food for the past few days. The outward conversation is about to get me down. I write more later.

[page 2] There are only three others here now so maybe I can overcome the outside interferences. I’ve been thinking much of writing John & Mark but seems as if things that could interest them are scarce and after all stamps are not so plentiful, but with it all I’ll write them in the near future. Davie probably wouldn’t appreciate a letter so I’ll not write to him when I do the others.

The weather has been so poor we can’t even go swimming gets to wet going back & forth. Then too the ocean may have raised too much during all this rain, but I rather doubt that that has too much affect on that size body of water.

How much gas are you allowed? And is it enough? Or maybe it is not in affect yet. Guess you have probably answered those questions long ago but the answers just haven’t gotten here yet. There probably will be more answers than questions when all that mail does get here.

Well happy birthday again – One fellow here got some Christmas greeting the other day at $1°° each so I’ll not try to send a greeting. I’ll save save a little space for late developments. No late developments got beat at bridge again.

Lots of Love
Daddy