Tag Archives: World War II

Mrs. J.W. Stevens (Gladys)

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1943-11-24 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-24-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Nov. 17 came today. Also had a letter from Mrs. J.W. Stevens (Dolores). I had sent her a congratulations card. She didn’t say where “Steve” is located. He just returned from Cuba when they were married. It is such a nice warm sunny day – had David out to get some sunshine – He is taking a nap now. John just came home from school. They were dismissed early today – being the day before Thanksgiving. Mark didn’t go to school any this week due to a slight head cold and also I wanted him to rest. He was beginning to show signs of nervousness. He feels pretty good today. I let him go out in the sunshine a while this afternoon. I think he will be ready to go back to school Monday. If you have rec’d the letter I wrote yesterday with pictures of David’s 14th month you will wonder. I got mixed up on the date and thought it was the 22nd instead of the  23d. Had a letter from Jim. He is still in Camp Peary. He didn’t say anything about being moved soon. I have been expecting to hear of him being changed for some time. Thelma is still down in Norfolk working. A Pin burned out in the stoker but Mr. Monroe came and replaced it and the furnace is working again.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/28/mrs-j-w-stevens-gladys/

Sun Bath (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 23 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but had 5 yesterday – the latest being of Nov. 13. It is nice and sunny today. I put David’s pen out on the front step and put him out for a sun bath, if you could call it that – with a snow suit and helmet covering all but face, hands and feet. However he got the benefit of the fresh air and is now asleep. Mark is home again today. Hasn’t any temp, but has a slight sinus condition. He was doing fine all fall, but I think he played too hard after school started and we noticed his old nervous habits returning, so a rest in indicated and that is one reason I am not sending him to school. He would only have 3 days this week, with Thanksgiving coming Thurs. I am going to insist on Mark going to bed earlier now because

[page 2] he needs more than it takes for John or I. I was slow in getting J. & M. started on vitamins but they are both taking Vi Delta now. David of course takes oleum percomorph, and has all along. I am taking unicaps.

I am enclosing some pictures taken out in the front yard. Hope you get these in time for Christmas. It seems I won’t get the photographer’s pictures of David for a few days or maybe weeks, and probably you won’t get them in time for Christmas, so hope these will  be enjoyed since they include all of us. We tried to get David to stand alone for a picture but he wouldn’t do a thing but hold on to someone, or else get down and crawl around. The snow suit has a bright red jacket, blue pants & cap – he is wearing in the Taylor Tot.

Today my sinus condition seems to be improved. My throat is better but I still sound raspy. I think getting the heat on in our room again helped because I wasn’t so full of mucos this morning when I woke up.

If you get this before Christmas you can still consider it one of our gifts to you. We sent some bones you may not get.

Love Mother

[page 3] P.S. These pictures were taken a few days before David’s 14th month. Tomorrow is the 23rd – and his 14th month.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/27/sun-bath-gladys/

Christmas Shopping Season (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
11-22-43

Dear Daddy –

Monday – and five letters from Nov. 6 to 13 – which brings things pretty well up to date. Mark is home today – not much wrong – just a little cold in his head but it is chilly out today and I thought he should stay in. I am giving him rhinitis – I think that will take care of things – he has no temp. We are all off our diet a little due to the stomach bug that has been going around. David so far hasn’t had same and his mother is hoping he won’t get it. So many have had it – that is the second time that little bug has been around this fall. One thing it doesn’t last long, but it is pretty nasty while present. There is a little sunshine today but not much. I hung some diapers out but wrapped up good when I went out and no ill effects so far. I took sulfa

[page 2] yesterday and believe I nipped the stomach bug – My head was clear & throat too, when I went to bed, but had a lot of drainage this morning for about two or three hours. Now it feels like there is nothing wrong, but I suppose in the morning it will be the same thing over. Just so it doesn’t get any worse I am going to be very cautious this winter about seeing the Dr. at the first sign of infection. However it seems the cold weather keeps the condition agitated. I have had more of this since you have been gone than I have had for several years.

It is Christmas shopping time again but the supply is so small this year compared to previous years, last minute shoppers will be too late. Rec’d a notice thru the mail this a.m. to mail cards, packages, etc., for Christmas now – not for overseas but right here at home. I re-ordered the Reader’s Digest for your Mother & Dad. I took some pictures Sat. of our boys and if they are good thought I might make up some cards. Hubertz should have them ready this afternoon and I can order for the cards if they are what I want.

I saw in the paper that Newell Lamb has moved to the Higgins building – I really don’t know which building that is unless it is where T.B. Cunningham used to be.

Love Mother

P.S. Rec’d the cable two weeks ago – so it must have been sent right out.

P.S. 2 – Your Mother sent me the clipping about Wyman.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/26/christmas-shopping-season-gladys/

Death of a Child (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 21 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Sun. evening – listening to the radio – The Chase & Sanborn program on. J. & M. & I just left the kitchen after a scanty supper. Mark had a stomach bug Fri. evening – I had to clean up the bathroom floor downstairs and the hall floor upstairs – It seemed the bug was working both ways and at the same time so had underwear to wash too – Then last night (Sat.) John went thru the same thing and at the same time my throat was tightening – I felt like I was getting it bad (had had a treatment Fri., but Sat. was warm and I went out of doors several times and think I got chilled some). However to go on with my tale – I started taking sulfadiazine to nip my sinus & throat bug and must have in doing so nipped the stomach bug the boys had – No doubt I would have gotten it because I had to clean up after both boys – Just hope David doesn’t have to go thru the same experience. So far he is as peppy as ever. Dorothy & Nick came out this afternoon to take some movies

[page 2] of David but he didn’t perform very well. He won’t walk along out in the yard. I suppose the space looks to wide for him. In the house he walks from one piece of furniture to another. Out in the yard he wants to get down and crawl around on the grass. He is trying to say word nos. He often repeats words after he hears us. So far has tried to say dog, button, pretty, and I have mentioned da-da & bye bye – also mom-mom. I took some pictures yesterday and left them to be developed and should get them tomorrow. Of course will send any that are good on to you.

I was talking to Arlene last night on the phone. She was having pains – and it’s still 3 weeks until time for her to go to the hospital- She had walked to town and back and I suppose that was what brought on the early pains – however she was feeling normal this morning so the pains must have been false. She said she didn’t want to go to the hospital before time. She figures she will be there over Christmas. Says she thinks Christmas would be a nice birthday for her baby. Louise is back with Funks for the time being. She is going to have a baby too, but intends to stay with Arlene a while. At least until she can get other help or get along without.

[page 3] Later I mentioned in a previous letter about a baby at Kent apt. The mother is a daughter of the manager & her husband is a Seebee. She has been living here for some time with the baby. She called me Thurs. & said her baby was sick – after talking to her I discovered she had had Dr. Mathews. I told her to follow his instructions. He told her to take the baby to the hospital and I told her to do as he advised. She said she couldn’t stay with him, but I told her she could because I had stayed with David when he had his leg accident. The next day I called the apts. to inquire about the baby and her father told me the baby died during the night following an operation at the Jasper Co. hospital. They had talked to Bob Schurtter about the baby and weren’t satisfied with Dr. M. Bob told them to call another Dr. If they weren’t satisfied, but get another Dr. quick. They called Rumkorph and I suppose he was the one to operate – however it was too late to do anything then because the baby had lockbowel & ganggreen (sp.) had set in. I felt terrible about the whole thing because I hadn’t gone up and tried to do something, but she didn’t call me until Thurs. afternoon and he died that night and had been sick several

[page 4] days. Also I was keeping the Zell children and had Martha & David to take care of that afternoon, and had promised Mark I would come to the school and show them how to knit – Lucile took David & I took Martha with me to school. After school we came home and Zells hadn’t returned from Indpls. So had my hands full with their girls & our boys. After learning the baby had been ill several days I knew I couldn’t have done anything when she called me. If I had known about it sooner probably would have insisted on her getting him to a hospital. I have learned too that the whole family are Christian Scientists of long standing, which helps explain the delay in getting a Dr. Schurtters live at the apts. too and Bob & Dot knew the baby was ill. Bob had gotten Matthews for them in the first place but from all I gather they were slow to follow instructions.

Arlene called me and wanted me to go to Hassetts with her this evening. She had the car and I wrapped up good and went – We then stopped at the drug store. I have no drainage from my sinus now so the dash out didn’t effect me any. If I could keep taking sulfa but know that won’t do because after 24 hrs. I usually begin to itch – My throat feels clear & my sinus too so maybe I have taken enough this time to clear me up. At any rate I took the last tablet about 6 o’clock.

Have to call the plumber tomorrow. The radiators upstairs are heating – must have air. I thought the upstairs felt chilly and now I know why. The downstairs keeps warm enough.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/25/death-of-a-child-gladys/

Notre Dame (Gladys)

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1943-11-20 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-20-43

Dear Daddy – Sat. P.M. and J. & M. listening to Notre Dame & Iowa Pre Flight – There is 1 ½ mi. to go and N.D. is ahead. – I wrote you last night about Mark – He had a little stomach bug – He lost his dinner and then had a B.M. Feels pretty good today. Nature seems to have taken care of things pretty well. It is a very nice sunny day – not quite as warm as yesterday. I am getting ready to go to town and buy groceries. Deliveries aren’t made only on certain days – I always go to the store and do my own delivering. The radio is so loud I can hardly think. David is getting restless – wants to go to town with me. He certainly likes to go places. – The game is over N.D. 14 – Iowa Pre Flight 13 – Of course the boys wanted Notre Dame to win. Purdue played Ind. at Bloomington. Dr. Ade said he was going to the game. He was so busy yesterday, people were waiting out in the hall – I told him he could retire after the war but he said he thought so too until he paid his taxes – which seem to take more than a lot. Purdue won 7-0 over Ind. Time to go to town now.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/24/notre-dame-gladys/

Doctor’s Orders (Gladys)

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1943-11-19 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-19-43

Dear Daddy – Just returned from Laf. Had my eyes re-checked and had a nose & throat treatment. Dr. Ade said my throat looked better. Hope this warm weather helps me to get it cleared up again. John went with us and got a new pair of shoes. I think he has larger feet now than you have. He has trouble getting shoes that feel right. I hope these do better than the last pair ($4.50). I have mentioned a woman living at the Kent apts. – whose husband is in the Navy – She had a baby (9 mo. old). He had been sick and last night they took him to the hospital and operated but he didn’t survive. I don’t know many details but understand the baby had been ill several days. I think Dr. Rumkorf was called yesterday and he evidently took him to the hospital. The mother called me yesterday and wanted to know what to do – I told her to follow the Doctor’s orders – she had had Dr. M. a time or two. I suppose she thought I would tell her something to do but I told her to do as the Dr. told her – take the baby to the hospital. I have been trying to write this in competition with the radio – from one play to another. I called Lucile this a.m. and Ed was home with a stomach ache – There seems to be several cases around. I think Mark got a little bug – He threw up after I got home – but feels better now. Didn’t have a temp. He is asleep now. David tried to say button & pretty today.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/23/doctors-orders-gladys/

Dear Brother (Clarence)

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Letter transcription:

Clay City Ind.
Nov. 8, 1943

Dear Brother,

No excuse for not writing now since weather conditions won’t permit gathering corn. Have cribbed about 360 bu. and most of balance is to[o] moist. The fall season has been pretty good at that. Wheat looks good but some soy beans are still to combine.

Well how are you getting along by this time? O.K. we hope. The reports concerning the war on all fronts are sure sounding good and let’s hope they continue. Kenneth has started flying a few weeks ago and seems to like it fine. He only weighs 190 lbs now. He is located at Springfield Mo. Wilma likes her work in nursing. At present she gets to come home Saturday noon until Sunday 7 P.M. However, I don’t think it will last very long as they are rushed quite a bit.

You can see that you are getting a new writer so it rather deprives me of some news. No need telling it twice. I’ll try and not put off writing so long next time. I was so busy this summer that I just couldn’t find time to write even to Kenneth. The girls had to do that. (over)

Pa & Ma are feeling good. They were at Kentland, Wilmington & Chicago last week while Floyds were here. They visited Uncle Silvester. He had been very low but is pretty good I guess now.

It is 9:00 o’clock now so I guess I’ll have to go to bed. May try a little duck or goose hunting in the morning since the snow blizzard has set in. I killed 8 ducks a couple days ago, & sure would like a chance on a goose. Well here’s hoping that the strife will be over very shortly and all can return to civilian life. Write when you can.

Your Bro
Clarence

This letter was delayed until we got your new address until Nov. 10. Ground froze a little but I think it will warm up a little now. The sun is trying to get thru.
C.Y.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/22/dear-brother-clarence/

Uncle Roscoe (Duane)

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[Editor’s note: Duane was Roscoe’s nephew, son of his brother Clarence. In 1943, Duane was 12 years old. He makes a statement which made me cringe as it is clearly racist to the modern, 21st century ear. However, in 1943, remarks such as these were commonplace. We cannot rewrite history but accept it for what it was. This letter was included with one that Clarence wrote on November 18th.]

Letter transcription:

Clay City, Indiana
November 7, 1943

Dear Uncle Roscoe,

Mark never had such a time in his life when he was here about 2 weeks ago. We went shucking corn. He started to shuck an ear. It was emp There wann’t any there & he said “Aw shucks an empty one.” He was at Uncle Ralph’s the day before & they gathered pumpkins. Mark said he wanted this one, theyed come to another & Mark said he wanted that one until had had about a dozen. I guess (over)

[page 2] he finally got one picked out.

Say, did you ever hear the tale of the frog. – He didn’t have any. You probably aren’t up to date on this one. Why don’t Hitler have a Suit Case. – He lost his “grip” in Russia. The only bags he’s got are under his eyes.

We don’t have such a good basketball team this year. I don’t know so much about it yet cause we have just played 1 game. We lost 18-31 to Switz City.

Boy it’s raining pitchforks & negro babies here. It’s been raining about all day today & yesterday. Carolyn don’t feel very well. She has sore throat. Daddy says she ought to

[page 3] have her tonsils taken out. I think she’ll have them taken out next summer. This

This fountain pen writes better after it was filled.

I am collecting post cards. I have from 15 different states including from District of Columbis. 37 post cards all together. I would like very much if you could send me one. I have just started this lately.

As ever
Duane Y.

P.S. If it isn’t to much trouble.
P.S. I didn’t get my this letter mailed. It’s Mon. evening & there is a snow blizzard. Over the radio they said 2 people had fro died in the northern part of state.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/21/uncle-roscoe-duane/

Lt. Palmer’s Flowers (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Nov. 4 (v-mail) came today. That really wasn’t so bad. In it you wrote of my Oct. 30 letter arriving in 5 days, and I also noted that you now have my corrected address. The telegram you sent when your Mother passed away also arrived today. So you see letters are much faster.

In this letter you mentioned the flowers Lt. Palmer sent but didn’t say what day they arrived. You had written that in a previous letter. I sure hope it hit your birthday as we intended. I sure wish I could get something like that to you for Christmas but I’m afraid there won’t even be flowers this year because we didn’t have the same service as last year.

I know you are disappointed in the letter from here now. I mean the length of time especially after those few came thru so fast. I’m writing just as often however.

The relief you eng experienced by you, which you wrote of in today’s letter, was mutual I can assure you.

I moved today into another room. There was a better

[page 2] one (I thought) vacated and so I moved in. It was just down the hall so there wasn’t much involved. You might put that in the class of furniture moving of which I wrote about a few days ago. This one gives me a better southern, northern, eastern, or western I’m not sure which anyway I can see more – Most of what I can see is mountains so in the new room I can see more mountains. That is very intelligent writing I’ll even admit myself.

More about Lt. Palmer – He is a-1 – was married a year or two ago – was very sick for ten days and I nursed him as a fellow tent mate and of course learned to know him very well. I was certain he would send you anything I asked. In fact he didn’t want to take any money said he would buy the flowers himself but I wouldn’t give him your address until he took the money. He is not a Doctor but his Dad is, so he knows a lot about the ins and outs of the medical profession.

Dear – please don’t worry if my mail is slow – It’s just one of those things that can’t be helped and it will be OK but one gets anxious waiting for letters. I know!

Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/20/lt-palmers-flowers-roscoe/

Hope for Early Return (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
11-18-43

Dear Daddy –

Yours letters seem to be picking up again – Two today – of Nov. 9 & 10 – The last I had was last week of Nov. 4. It’s strange you would only get Ruth’s letter of Oct. 17 when I wrote directly from the hospital Oct. 15 – and regularily after that date – In fact I wrote to you every day during Mother’s entire illness, missing very seldom. The Red Cross was supposed to get a message to you but evidently didn’t.

Hickey wrote to his father about your visit to him and same was mentioned in the Democrat this week. I was going to tell some of Hickey’s family about his P.S. on the letter but haven’t seen any of them yet. Marg Carlson & her mother run the Democrat now and she had a front page article with news about people in service from Kent.

We had Zells here for dinner this evening. Mr. & Mrs. went to Indpls. Early yesterday a.m. The girls came here after school & spent the night and had lunch with us today. Their folks weren’t home yet after school this afternoon so I prepared

[page 2] dinner and they got home just about time to eat. Virginia & I had gone over to the brooder house to fill the feed & water containers when they came home. We really had a house full last night with three boys & three girls.

This afternoon Lucile walked out with J.E. It was a nice warm sunny day for a change. I wanted to get some pictures of David and he for the first time wouldn’t act nice for the camera. I wanted him to stand up and he would just sit down or cry. I was going to the school to help teach Mark’s room to knit and didn’t want to take David along so Lucile kept him. He stays in Jimmy’s play pen when he is there and is pretty good. Jimmy’s things are different. When I stopped to get him Lucile said he had behaved very well. I told her I would keep Jimmy for her when she attends afternoon club meetings. She doesn’t leave him much. Lucile is a very devoted mother, I think. I don’t leave David very often but had to more or less during Mother’s illness. I left him Tues. when I went to the Dr. but Mrs. Zell stayed here with him. She says she will keep him tomorrow while I go again to see Dr. Ade. I don’t like the idea of taking him along because the stores are full of Christmas shoppers now & I don’t think it’s the best place for him, and I certainly don’t want to take him

[page 3] into Dr. Ade’s office at this time of the year. I have a little nose & throat bug but there are so many people now having same or worse waiting in his office for treatment.

Mrs. R. came over with her three last night. She says Joe is still thinking you & he will get to come home after your 18 months. Also she told me that Earl is out somewhere now but she doesn’t know where. His wife has been with him all the time but is back home now. J. had sent some pictures home of his work with the natives. There was one of a woman with a dress on. Much cleaner looking than of some I have seen. Maybe it was a new dress & hadn’t had time to get dirty – or am I too critical?

I see by the paper that Dr. Van spoke at Rotary last meeting. I understand he isn’t very happy about being home. Shame he can’t trade places with you, eh what? I know you are there to do your duty and cheerfully, but it would be nice if exchanges could be made in some cases, but since those things aren’t done we will just be patient and hope for your early return.

Had to make Mark go to bed early tonight. He has been doing too much & not getting enough rest. He was working arithmetic and was reduced to tears about it so I insisted he go to bed and get up early in the morning & do homework. John is playing the piano just now.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/19/hope-for-early-return-gladys/