Tag Archives: World War II

Drinking Cream (Gladys)

: July 24, 1943 envelope

: July 24, 1943, p. 1

: July 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 24 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another day without any mail – but probably will get a load Mon. Haven’t had any now for several days – the last was of July 11. It is warm again today and a little cloudy so we may get rain. Have clothes hanging out on the line. It is past noon and we haven’t had lunch yet but I was a little tired and thought I would rest a bit then would feel more like eating. Fed David at 11: and sent Mother’s tray up a few minutes ago. Someone she knew in T.H. had stomach trouble and a Dr. there had this person drink cream. She wanted to try that so I got cream this morning. I haven’t much confidence in it but will give it a try. Jim & Thelma are to be here tomorrow so maybe she will pick up a little.

[page 2] I sent John down to the basement with the kitchen waste basket & he has come up so I imagine he is getting hungry. He usually has a good appetite.

I went to town this morning and bought meat for our company. I was in Ford’s yesterday – They had dressed chickens – I asked the price – 57¢ a lb. – I got steak – it’s a little cheaper – 50¢ lb. If I had wanted chicken enough would have gotten one on foot & dressed it myself. I got bananas 16¢ a lb. – apricots 37¢ lb. – That gives you a fair idea about the cost of groc. I won’t buy any more apricots. One thing now we don’t have to buy potatoes & green vegetables.

David is fussing a little but it’s time for him to take a nap. He stood along about a second yesterday – He is a little afraid yet, but more daring than J. & M. were.

The clock just struck 12:30 so must get out to the kitchen & get something ready to eat.

Lloyd Tilton is home on furlough. I am going to try & collect what he owes us, thru Geo.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/29/drinking-cream-gladys/

Sucks His Thumb (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 23, 1943 envelope

: July 23, 1943, p. 1

: July 23, 1943, p. 2

: July 23, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.
July 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of June 30, July 2 and July 3 came yesterday – also one from the Folks and one from The Walkups with pictures of the girls. Yours gave a definite pictures of finances and off hand I’d say they weren’t so good but well enough to get along on, and the extra I sent will keep us out of the red. Of course while they are low that doesn’t show the loan and interest you paid off so in relative way they aren’t low but I’d say doing rather well.

Now another you wrote – you said most everyone when seeing D.

[page 2] for the first time remarked how much he looked like his Daddy and in the same sentence without punctuation marks etc. you said he sucked his thumb. I really wasn’t aware of the fact that I had that habit, or did you mean to infer that. Maybe you just meant his looks and not his habits. Another thing you wrote or rather not what you wrote but how – when you said I hope to convey everything with “Love Mother” with the quotations marks etc. I really liked that because I think I got the full meaning of what you meant. Thanks Lots.

It’s refreshing to get letters as I said in yesterday’s letter and I know you are doing the very best to get them to me, but there are many obstacles between here and there which are a little hard to overcome

[page 3] but somehow we get the letters thru in pretty good time and here is hoping those letters continue until a better medium of contact is mage – Namely personal –

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/28/sucks-his-thumb-roscoe/

Weiner Roast (Gladys)

5 Replies

: July 23, 1943 envelope

: July 23, 1943, p. 1

: July 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 23 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but will probably get one or more tomorrow. The latest I have is of July 11. It came the 20^th. I told you before I got Jim a leave thru the Red Cross. He called said he would be home Sunday. He & Thelma are going to T. H. then drive up in their car. I really feel it is necessary for him to come home. Mother doesn’t seem to improve much. As I said before, if your Mother were in the condition Mother is in I would go thru the Red Cross to get you a leave. Margaret asked me to go give Bud his 2:30 shot. Then I went to a meeting at Mrs. Ade’s home – I was put in as Vice-President of Cosmopolitan and we had to make out the years program. I just came home. John was to feed D. at 3 but when I came home he said D. wouldn’t eat. I had left pudding and asparagus for his dinner. He will probably he hungry at 7 – his bed time

[page 2] We had the weiner roast last nite and Zells all came over. Mrs. Z. brought ice cream, cookies & baked beans. I furnished wieners, buns, pickles, mustard, cheese and ice tea. They said next time they would furnish the meat. I had Bobby & Jimmy come too. After eating the children played croquet & worked down the food so no one was sick during the night. Bob & Clarice came out while we were still sitting around the furnace talking. Bob had taken care of the call to Jim for me. I gave David his bottle out there then when he began to act sleepy took him upstairs to bed. Bob & Clarice think he is “O.K.” 10 months old today. He hasn’t gained much the last month but I think that is due to his activeness.

The children are out playing croquet now & noisy too so think I’ll have to go out & quiet them.

I have to get to town & buy some meat for our coming company.
Love Mother

David with one of the Zell girls, July 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/27/weiner-roast-gladys/

New Stationary (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 22, 1943 envelope

: July 22, 1943, p. 1

: July 22, 1943, p. 2

: July 22, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

July 22, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 – F.P.O. San Fran

Dear Mother,

You will note the new Stationary – Geo. was able to pick it up someplace – came I with two boxes and I just kidding told him it was nice of him to bring me a box – so he just up and gave it to me.

I wrote yesterday of the difficulty of writing to other people because they expect news of natives, war etc. which of course is after the first time or two exhausted. I know you don’t expect such and it would be an impossibility to write news each day. So I have to turn more to the thoughts that pass thru one’s mind while there is nothing else to do. I imagine it’s something like a person being in jail and having time for reflections. Of course the shame and disgrace of our lot is absent which is unlike the fellow in jail so

[page 2] maybe our thoughts are much more pure. Milton wrote “Paradise Lost” while in Jail but I don’t think I could do any such but and I’ll be satisfied if I can only write a letters which will not make you feel badly and but on the contrary make things a little more pleasant and help make the time pass more rapidly – the most rapidly passing part of the day and the most enjoyable part of the day is letter writing time. I shouldn’t say the most enjoyable because – letter received hold that place but that happens so infrequently that it would be a long way between uplifts. Don’t miss-understand – my letters don’t uplift me but it’s a time when I’m doing something which concerns you directly and I enjoy writing them if they only get over to you what I anticipate. If the things I’m writing bore or have the opposite affect

[page 3] of what I’m trying please tell me and I’ll try to reform.

I read lots of letters from the boys to their wives and sweethearts and I’m sure lots of them are very disheartening to those who receive the.

The first break in the letter – a red headed Irishman came in to complete the electrical fixture – we now have lights in our tent but the use of them is somewhat restricted. Anyway this red head is like all electricians full of conversation and in no apparent hurry to get too much done. He has spent about 15 years in the navy part of which was in the last war and those people take their tour of duty as a matter of fact because it’s a part of their life’s work.

I hope I have made this letter interesting and if I failed I’ll still try to redeem myself by saying
Lot of Love
Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/26/new-stationary-roscoe/

An Emergency Leave (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 22, 1943 envelope

: July 22, 1943, p. 1

: July 22, 1943, p. 2

: July 22, 1943, p. 3

: July 22, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 22 – 1943

DearDaddy –

If the weather takes a beating it’s because of the variety. It is too cool today to have the windows on the north open. Yesterday it was so sweltering hot after the rain we had in the a.m. then during the night this cold wind started blowing in from the north. I was tired from the trip to Laf. yesterday, besides cleaning the weeks out around the evergreens after supper, and thought I would go right to sleep, but heard Mother and went in to see about her. She was having gas pains so bad she couldn’t rest. I didn’t have anything for pain so gave her a nembulal – she quieted down and has slept most of the day from it – however she didn’t sleep any yesterday due to the heat and

[page 2] said she didn’t sleep between 3 & 4 this morning so that is one of the reasons she has slept so much today. I saw Dr. Cole and he changed one of her medicines. She took one does last night and while I was downstairs this morning after taking her breakfast up she tried to take a dose of medicine & dropped the bottle and broke it, so will have to get that prescription refilled. Jim wrote that if I thought he should come home to go to the Red Cross & get him an emergency leave. I called Bob Hufty this a.m. and he was going to talk to Ed M. – the Red Cross man in Goodland who takes care of those things – and get Him to come home. I hope I am doing the right thing, but Jim think he will get a leave after he gets a placement – but I am afraid it may not work out that way – and as frail as Mother is I think he should come home. If it were your Mother I think I would go thru the Red Cross and get an emergency leave for you.

Mark is out with D. giving him a sunning – David slept so long this afternoon I had to awaken him to give him his dinner. He has had only one bottle today. Drank his milk from a glass at 11 & 3.

[page 3] Mark picked beans again and we got 4 more qts canned today – by picking them and canning 4 qts at a time it won’t be such a task. We have 8 qt now and think there will be another picking Sat.

Tomorrow is David’s 10^th month. I weighed him this a.m. but he hasn’t made much gain the past month. He eats good and takes a can of milk a day but he is so active I think he keeps streamlined. He doesn’t look thin but his Mother wanted to add another lb. to his chart on his 10^th month – He is doing “O.K.” so that is all that’s necessary. He won’t sit on my lap – he climbs all over me if I try to hold him – he likes action. He climbs out of his play chair (you saw it in one picture). The other day he managed to get his chair pushed over to the stove and I watched him to see what he would do – He got hold of the oven door handle and pulled himself up to the stove and played on the burners – I stood right behind him so he wouldn’t fall to see how far he would go. He doesn’t like No! No! he gives them a dirty look.

[page 4] John is reading the new Colliers. He needs a new reed for the oboe & couldn’t get one so can’t go to band practice tonite. I have been promising the children a wiener roast in the back yard so will have that for them this evening. There is a lot of trash accumulated in the furnace I want to get burned. It’s hard to get marshmallows but John is a good buyer and has cornered several packages so they are going to have them in addition to wieners – Mrs. Zell said she would furnish ice cream & cookies.

Mary McGee Arnett went to Laf. with Arlene & I yesterday. She is Dr. Cole’s patient. Her baby is due in 5 wks. Her husband is in Texas and she thinks maybe he will have to leave U.S. before the baby is born (it’s been done before).

Kathryn Ade joined the Women’s Marine Corps. She is at present at Lake Geneva, Wis. awaiting call. I see by the paper that Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Lohr (Rose Carter – still owes us 12⁰⁰) have a baby boy. Also Bud Hancock is a father – baby girl – That’s about all the news I see & think will interest you.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/25/an-emergency-leave-gladys/

A Good Excuse (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 21, 1943 envelope

: July 21, 1943, p. 1

: July 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

July 21, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother,

Along with your letters yesterday came one each from Harry Storm, Wayne W. and Ruth M. Ruth of course told me of the boys visiting and yours telling of the visit – both came the same day. The finances as you described them will be bolstered by the check I sent on the 17^th of July. That last part was just a way of me telling you that I had sent the check.

So far today I have had no love tangles or problems to give advice on. Maybe won’t have anymore because those things always run in pairs and spells.

I’m out in the yard again where the flies are bothersome but won’t be long because it doesn’t take Cartwright long to do what he has to do.

You said you had seen John Krull – seems like he has only been in the forces for a short

[page 2] time but I guess long enough for leave. Maybe like the short leave I had just about one year ago. You haven’t mentioned Jim for some time. The last time you said he was expecting a leave and intimated he might be getting ready to light out for some place. I never did write to him because all address I got were so far behind I always felt he would be miles ahead of where I’d write – A good excuse don’t you think? And I’m really thinking up lots of excuses these days because after writing one person I forget what I wrote the last time and I’m afraid or repeating. Of course I know I repeat a lot to you but we understand.

I’ve been writing this now for about 3 hours with this and that coming up to cofe confuse so I really can’t be expected to be romantic but by trains of thought being broken into frequently so I just say

Lots of Love
Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/24/a-good-excuse-roscoe/

Writing Early (Gladys)

3 Replies

: July 21, 1943 envelope

: July 21, 1943, p. 1

: July 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 21 1943

Dear Daddy –

The mail hasn’t come yet – I am writing early because have to go to Laf. Arlene wants to go to the dentist at 1: and we will have to leave about 11: – I am going to get things all done before I go – baby’s bath & food – Mother’s dinner & something lined out for J. & m. It is raining right now so will be a good day to leave the family – they will stay in better (without resentment). John doesn’t mind so much. Mark wanted to go along – I don’t know why, except he just started saying he wanted to and wouldn’t change – but John remonstrated and with good cause because Mark can help here at home and he has nothing to go for. I wouldn’t go myself but have to get Mother’s Bacillus Acidophilus at the hospital. That is about all

[page 2] I need to go for – except want to see Dr. C. and tell him about Mother. She has been having gas pains, and food hurts her stomach.

One day last week Jessie & Clarence Schauwecker stopped on their way home from Whiting and Jessie told some of the people around C.C. she had stopped. We got a letter from Opal Storm. It was a nice newsy letter – the same old Opal but we appreciated it and had a few chuckles over it. She said Harry had written you & had an answer.

Had an inquiry from Allison in Indpls on Cracker Algood. I answered the questions & returned it tho it was addressed to you. I wonder why she is in Indpls wanting work. I just wonder if there is any family trouble there. I thought Gerald had a good job in Laf. and with the baby to look after – I don’t understand.

I must start moving around here & get things in order before I go.
Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/23/writing-early-gladys/

The Love Doctor (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: July 20, 1943 envelope

: July 20, 1943, p. 1

: July 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

July 20, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60, F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

I’ve spent 10 min. on this letter up to now – I suspect you are tired of hearing me say that in the beginning but it seems the putting down of a few words helps to break the ice.

Dr. Gardnier here after Jim – received a June issue of Readers Digest and I spent most of yesterday P.M. reading it, at least I got the meat out of the whole thing. The articles were just like they used to be some good some bad.

Another hours delay – a store keeper 1^st class came in to have me sign some papers for his promotion and then he seeing me writing got to talking about married life – he isn’t married but has been going with the same girl for 5 years, but she won’t marry him because she is older than he by 5 years. And again I tried to play cupid by agreeing with him that that much difference in age wouldn’t make

[page 2] any difference – I’m getting the love questions now on the average of about one each day, and I joined the Navy for war. To me it only goes to prove that a family physician can be the same whether at home or elsewhere because lots of these kids really are serious. Maybe it’s just because I’ll talk to them about a subject which is most interesting and most important to them at the moment, but who should I go to?! I have it. Only to you thru the medium of writing as I have in the past. And I might say it has worked and possible that is why I’ve been able to help some of the fellows – I have a wonderful inspiration.

Just received yours of July 4 to July 7 mailed on July 6 & 7. I’m glad you took your mother to have a thorough exam. I’m sure bephron wasn’t strong enough because I think she is rather enemic – I’ll be looking forward for a report.

Don’t feel badly about my love talk – I don’t mean it that way. I’m trying to be complimentary but you know me it’s hard to get it out.

Lots of Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Rotary Dinner (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 20, 1943 envelope

: July 20, 1943, p. 1

: July 20, 1943, p. 2

: July 20, 1943, p. 3

: July 20, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 20 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of July 11 came today – now the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 have to catch up, and I suppose they will be coming along in a few days. Went with Zell’s & Shirks to the Rotary dinner last nite. It was at Curtis Creek Country Club – North & East of Brook. We left town about 6:30 and after arriving waited until about 8:30 before dinner was served. The crowd was unusually noisy – had time to get what it takes – but finally after getting seated at the table (there were 50) the serving started – with tomatoe juice & crackers. I passed my juice on to Mr. Z. and nibbled on crackers. A salad was put on and it looked like something made from any available scraps.

[page 2] Finally at last the main course was brought on – It was good, fried chicken, etc. – I felt Bob sorry for Bob Shurtler – he & Dot were guests of Chet Van Scoyck. Bob had been shocking oats all day and was so hungry he could hardly wait, but he got along. I think our side was last to be served. Paul Funk was a guest to furnish piano music so we had some singing directed by Chet Van S. Art Burdick was present – he is a Sec. Lieut. In the Army Signal Corps – and is en route to someplace – so he was urged to sing & sang two songs. A group tried to get up a mixed quartet but it didn’t do too good. Some kept trying to keep songs going so Ralph Bower put a coin in the juke box and said he bet he would put a stop to that. Finally after much noise etc. the speaker was introduced. He was from Mexico City and to make his talk more effective donned native garb and

[page 3] had a guitar. Where he was about thru talking he sang some serenades. He is sort of good will ambassador from the Mexico City Rotary. After the dinner was over we came home but I think the rest of the crows stayed and danced. On the way home Mr. Z. said some of the fellows told that Sacky was going to take our Mexican guest for a poker game, but seems Roberto knew a little more about the game than Sacky. He told at the beginning of his talk something about it and we would have thought it just a gag in the speech, but guess it wasn’t after all.

Gladys Krull was there too. She says John is being sent out soon. She was feeling so badly about it & Mrs. Krull Sr. told her to think of me. Mrs. Shandy was invited but I didn’t see her there. I talked to Bob H. about your dues & he said they were taken care of for another year. – Bart was at the Party alone – friend wife being away this week – and was he having himself a good time – need I say more?

[page 4] I am planning to go to Laf. tomorrow to get Mother some medicine. It is the “Acidophilus Broth” & Dr. Cole said I could get it only at St. E. and it has to be kept on ice. Arlene wants to go along – she has an appointment with the dentist. Also Mary McGee – I think her last name is Arnold – is visiting Arlene now & she wants to go see Dr. Cole – She is going to have a baby before long.

Mark is out sunning David. Yesterday he picked, washed, broke & put into cans 4 qts of green beans – then I put them in the pressure cooker, so we have 4 qts green beans towards our next winter supply. This morn. I fed David without a bottle – gave him potatoes, egg yolk, apple sauce & what milk he would drink from a cup. I want to have him drinking from a cup altogether by Sept. John have him his bedtime bottle last night just after I left and put him to bed. I was so sleepy this a.m. but he was ready to eat at 7 a.m. so I got up – because Mother likes her breakfast early too – John has gone to take his piano lesson – It’s 11:30 – so must get lunch ready –

Love Mother

The Check Is in the Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Note: It appears that the v-mail of June 26th is not in the collection so the exact details of Ruthie Parttens’ accident are currently unknown.

: July 19, 1943 envelope

: July 19, 1943, p. 1

: July 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S.Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
July 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your v-mail of June 26 came yesterday and in it you told of the accident of Ruthie Parttens. I know you had from the way one of your later letters read.

I’m writing this out in the yard and the darn flies keep landing pretty heavy. They are the most persistent things – try to fly into your eyes nose and ears. They aren’t nearly so bad now as at first. A few sanitary measures really do help keep the critters down.

This is repeating and I’ll do the same again in one or two letters. I sent a check in the letter of July 17. It was issued July 16 by J. B. Condron of the supply core US NAB Navy 60 – check number 28 and symbol numbers 51209. I think that gives the dope so if it is lost we can reapply for it. I expect an answer from you that you have received it by Aug. 16. Giving one month for a

[page 2] letter to make the round trip.

Went to a movie last night the first on this place for me – It wasn’t a bad show but I don’t care for shows anymore than I used to at home. It was something to do but I’d rather read if there was something to read and some place to do it. I probably should write letters to a number of people but with subject matter so limited I just simply abhor writing other than to you and I might say a large part of the day I find myself thinking of what I might write and you can see what poor results.

Just weathered a long series of conversation from some of the neighbors dropping in but that is the usual rather than the unusual – It still doesn’t help letter writing.

You mentioned something about Joe Roberts setting Christmas as time to return. I’m not setting but hoping – Not placing a time limit.

Well that’s all for now.
Love Daddy