Tag Archives: World War II

So Excited (Gladys)

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September 10, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 10, 1945, p. 1

9-10-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 6, 7, & almost the 8^th came this a.m. I am so excited over the prospects of your trip to Chicago. If you do get to come, I think I’ll have Dorothy drive me up and stay with her mother until I am ready to come back. However, I’ll plan when the time comes. (I mean for her to stay at her mother’s).

I was downtown this a.m. and saw Ed Barce. He said to tell you he has another office and will get out as soon as you come back. I saw Betty & Jack Yost. Jack has been discharged.

We hear that Mr. R. is going to put the Nu-Joy out here – that is if this new road goes thru. It’s very early to get any definite predictions on the situation so I am not taking that as “whole cloth.” After having one old trap of a building burn, I would think no one would want to put a business like the restaurant in that old Kent house.

I put some corn in the locker this morning and that winds up my food preparation. I want to save the space for the beef in Oct. We heard over the radio this a.m. that meat rationing will be off Oct. 1 so we won’t have to worry about points for our beef.

It’s 2:15 and since noon I have cleaned the stove and little bathroom. Geo. Tilton

September 10, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] promised to get someone to fix our linoleums, but I am not going to get excited about how soon he fulfills his promise. I think if I went in and gave him an order for some new furniture he might send someone out, but I don’t believe he is in much of a hurry as it is. If he doesn’t act soon I am going to try and get someone myself. The bathroom should be fixed soon.

When I talked to Ed Barce I thought he might have some information but he seemed to know nothing. I wonder if he could find out anything – Nothing has been said that we have heard over the radio or in the papers about Navy Drs. However, the Army has announced that a number of Drs. are to be let out soon.

If you do get to go to Chicago you won’t get this until after I see you.

I hurried to town and hurried home this a.m. so didn’t hear any news.

Will be anxious for a letter tomorrow –
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/19/so-excited-gladys/

Nu-Joy Restaurant (Gladys)

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September 9, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

9-9-45

Dear Daddy –

We had quite an exciting afternoon. The Nu-Joy Restaurant burned to the ground. The fire started in the kitchen and the fire Dept. wasn’t called soon enough, so the story goes. All the fire trucks around here came but about all the good they did was to keep the garage from burning and the Kentland Café building. John & Gladys are back and getting their place ready to open. I suppose they will step up their work to get opened sooner now that the Nu-Joy is gone. The Harlan Parrs were in town and had come out this way so they took David and me down. J. & M. were already down watching the fire. We parked by Childress Station and watched a while, then I asked them to take be back home. There was such a mob gathering I thought I would rather be home. Traffic had to be re-routed out this way to 24. There were cars parked on 24 out past here. Ed J. took John out for another driving lesson this evening and he told John what the Electric Co. had to do when they knew how the fire was going. Ed was on the scene most of the time – until after the fire was really over. I could see smoke for a long time.

Jimmy Ed is much better. I took David and stayed there while John & Ed were driving. Jimmy seems normal. Lucile says he chokes up some at night, but while we were there I didn’t notice any signs of hay fever or asthma. Maybe what was bothering him a week ago is gone now.

Joe Bill Mullen was in church this

September 9, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] with Gloria Blanke and his mother. He has to go back to the hospital for more treatment. I have heard there is to be a wedding, but I don’t know when.

The Foulkes were entertaining dinner guests at the Nu-Joy when the fire started. I think they left before they had finished eating. No one was caught in the fire but Katie told me all they could get out was the money. I heard later that some other things were saved – some 5^ths. One fireman was supposed to have taken 3 cases of beer.

Olene Miller says Emmett wrote her not to send him any more packages, so she things he will soon be coming home.

Lila called me tonight. She said Joe is still in N. Africa. He got his promotion so is now Comdr. She doesn’t know anything about when he will get home and wondered if you knew anything.

Mrs. Glick was at church this a.m. She asked me how soon you were coming home. I told her I didn’t know. Dr. G. seemed to think it would be soon, or something to that effect.

I got the boys started back on their regular monthly allowance again. Mrs. Koon came out Sat. and paid the bal. of the rent $15.00 – so that helps out the petty cash fund.

The Statons were gone from home today and came in on 24 and turned to come up the short street so didn’t see what had happened. You can imagine their surprise when we told them what had happened.

We were up late last night so in order to get the boys settled down early will go to bed myself. Lucile came out late last night to show us Karen’s pictures. She stayed until 11:30. I made a pot of coffee and we ate some of John’s prize cake he baked yesterday morning.

Love Mother

Photograph of the Nu-Joy fire, from the Kentland-Newton County Centennial, 1860-1960. Note the incorrect date!

[Editor’s note: A newspaper clipping regarding the Nu-Joy fire can be found here. Note that both Gladys and the newspaper give the date of the fire as Sunday, September 9, 1945, not September 7th as printed in the centennial book.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/18/nu-joy-restaurant-gladys/

Back in San Francisco (Roscoe)

1 Reply

September 8, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 8, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 8, 1945

Dear Mother,

I’m all back in San Fran. We arrived in Klamath Falls at about 0800 this AM and I was told there were no planes going back to San Francisco so I got all my train reservations and then at chow time a Commodore Peale was coming down. In fact a plane came up after him so he let me come with him. It would have taken me 12 hours on the train but by plane it was only a 2 hour trip. It was really a swell ride – very clear and there was one high mountain with snow all over its top. It’s about 400 miles to Klamath so I did pretty well to make the round trip 800 miles in 24 hours and get all the other things done, I mean, the patients on the train and off, etc., (and $7.00 extra).

Now – about the Chicago draft. So far as I know now it is a go. My name is right on the paper. So be thinking the plans out and I’ll let you know a little more definite about when we leave, etc. I imagine we will leave here on Wed.

September 8, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] night about 8 PM, and we should be in Great Lakes sometime Sat. I haven’t the slightest idea how much time I’ll be able to get off and won’t know until I get there. I think the safest bet if you could arrange is to meet me there and then if I have time we can go on down to K. If not, we will have some time together in Chicago. I mean you can come to Chicago and I’ll meet you there. I’ll either wire or call later in the week so just stand by but be planning just what you think is best. Maybe Dorothy or Lucille will keep D. and the other boys can shift for themselves. Stand by then Dear for word from me. I really want to see you.

Either Geo. W. or Vince Stanich came out to see me this PM but that was before I got back so don’t know which it was – they didn’t leave name nor address.

I’ll mail this so it will go out on the only mail tomorrow and then if anything develops after that I’ll write later in the day.

Yours written Sept. 4 came today – glad D. is better, and hope John is better satisfied and Mark also – I mean about the plane – I want him to ride a plane but to make a real trip and not with just any pilot who may come along. It really isn’t safe. Well, Dear I’m really looking forward to next week this time,

Love,
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/17/back-in-san-francisco-roscoe/

Between San Francisco and Klamath Falls (Roscoe)

1 Reply

September 7, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 7, 1945, p. 1

Sept. almost 8

Dear Mother,

Riding someplace between San Fra. and Klamath Falls – and it is not Sept. 8 but near it.

I think I have the forty seven Marines pretty well under control. We have the last two Pullmans and they are not supposed to go into the other parts of the train but I’m not too sure – There is one corpsman at the door but I’m not sure how tough he is.

Now – I was notified that I might get a draft to Chicago next Wed. It hasn’t definitely gone thru as yet but I’m hoping. When I get back and I get the correct dope I’ll write right away or possibly call Sunday – However you won’t get this until after that

September 7, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] call unless the mail goes faster than I think. The letter you wrote last Sun. came today. I hope D. didn’t have any more upsets.

More about the draft to Chicago. If I left there on Wed. I get to Chicago on Sat. I’m not sure how much time I’d have, possibly not over 12-18 hours. I just wonder if it would be possible for you to come to Chicago. I’d like to see the boys of course but that would be too much. We could get a hotel in Chicago I think. Sometimes one is able to get a day or two but not too often. I’ll let you know more later and we will see what you would rather do. I’d hate to get that near and have some time but not enough to see you. I mean to come to Kentland.

Well, this train shakes too much for me to write any more –
Lots of Love
Daddy

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/16/between-san-francisco-and-klamath-falls-roscoe/

Toss His Cracker (Gladys)

5 Replies

September 8, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 8, 1945, p. 1

9-8-45

Dear Daddy –

I rec’d two letters yesterday so didn’t get any today. Probably get two or three Mon. They have been coming pretty regularly. Dorothy came out yesterday and said Bobby had gotten some rat poison she had put out for the mice. It was on a cracker and he bit off one corner before she knew he had it. She told me when they came back from their vacation what she was going to do and I wondered at the time if it was wise to put poison out. The cracker he got was in the cabinet under the sink. They tried to get him to throw-up but he never did. She got Babe Carrol & Pauline Dennis and Babe even stuck her finger down his throat but “no go.” Nick went to see Dr. M. and he gave some medicine that should have made him “toss his cracker” but it didn’t work. He seemed perfectly OK when she was here with him in the afternoon. I told her he evidently didn’t get enough to hurt him. She said she knew he got some because she could smell it on his breath. Bernard Funk’s little girl drank iodine and had to be taken to the hospital and have her stomach pumped.

We are having rain today and cool. I am glad we got our washing done yesterday. Mark is trying to finish the lawn. He started this morning but didn’t hurry and had to stop between rains. Sammy has been here and of course he can’t work as fast if he has company.

September 8, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Mark went to the fair with Zells yesterday afternoon. They stayed until late – saw the stage show. John didn’t go out and I didn’t either. I couldn’t get up any enthusiasm about any part of it.

Had another letter from Jim. It was written Aug. 19 and he didn’t seem to know the war was over. He said they dropped anchor near an island not long ago (before Aug. 19) and picked up a letter from me. Maybe by now he knows. Don’t they have radios on ships and don’t they keep up on the latest?

Uncle Wes & Aunt J. plan to come back Wed. and be here for dinner. Aunt J. sent me a card. Mom had received the picture of D. I sent for her birthday.

We listened to a Comdr. Crum on a radio program today. Thought he might give out something but it was all about Army discharges. However, he promised the points for Navy overseas duty will be given out soon. He said it would probably be ¼ point for each month, which will give you about 5. He invited anyone to write him on any questions they have and he will answer. He said this is a free country so feel free to ask. Anything you want to know. If I thought I would find out anything I would write the big question in our minds.

Dr. Hungess is gone on a month’s vacation and Irene changed the baby’s feeding this week. She put him on S.W.A. Maybe he told her to do that if he didn’t get along – but he is past 2 months old now – I would think a little advanced for that type of feeding.

Mark is waiting to take this –
So Love Mother

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/15/toss-his-cracker-gladys/

Patricia Bryan

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Patricia was the daughter of William Fletcher Bryan and his first wife, Wilma R. Martin. Fletcher served in the Navy, enlisting in April 1942 and working his way through the ranks. By September 1945, he was a Lt. (jg). Presumably, Fletcher crossed paths with Roscoe in Liberty, Missouri, but further research will be needed. Before the war, Fletcher was a school teacher as was his wife Wilma.

The most distressing part of researching people who lived long ago, I find, is that I know how the story ends. And sometimes the story does not have a happy ending. When Patricia was 15, she was killed in an automobile accident. Her mother Wilma died four years later, also in an automobile accident.

A link to a newspaper article regarding Patricia and her accident in The Corpus Christi Caller Times (Corpus Christi, Texas), 22 May 1961, p. 10, col. 3-4. can be found here.

Four Nurses (Roscoe)

1 Reply

September 7, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 7, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 7, 1945
USNRH
S.F. (12)
Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this in the AM in order to be sure it gets done because not having taken a draft out before I don’t know how much last minute work there might be.

Last night the Drs. & nurses had a Cock. T. party from 5 to 7:30 – Just the usual Yap-a-Yap. It was quite harmless thing and no one as far as I could see got too much & everyone seems to be aboard this AM. It was paid for and sponsored by the Welfare. I guess it was

September 7, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] supposed to be a Morale builder. The Drs. change so rapidly I suppose they figure that is a good way to have people meet in a sort of informal way.

The package came in yesterday after I mailed your letter so that takes care of everything except those several letters on the way. I do hope I get one or two today because by being gone it will be several days that I know I won’t get mail.

I never did tell you but a Dr. and several nurses always take these drafts – I mean male nurses. I thought I’d better clear that up a bit.

September 7, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] I’ll have four corpsmen – 2 for each car. Really the male nurses I mentioned are only corpsmen but I had to writes nurses in order to get the joke – some joke.

Drs. get orders out of here practically every day – It seems to be the Lt. Cdrs. and the jgs. I’m not sure what they are saving the Lts. for.

When I first came I called Geo. Wingfield and he was gone but I left a message and he called me yesterday. He had just gotten back and had lots to do so I didn’t get to see him. He told me

September 7, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] on the phone that he and Stanich would probably be out in 60 days. That sounds good because they won’t leave only Med. off. to run the Navy. I saw an enlisted man leave here yesterday with his discharge. That was a real one and not a medical. I wanted to look to see if maybe my name was on the thing but I guess it wasn’t.

Well, I’ll try to get a line off tomorrow someplace –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/13/four-nurses-roscoe/

Sprained Ankle (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 7, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 7, 1945, p. 1

9-7-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 4 & 5 came this a.m. with cks. which I will deposit today and which will boost our balance up to $578.31 (plus $47.00). Thanks – I do want to pay for the new burner if possible when it is installed. The furnace is going fine – that is we have a fire this morning and a washing going. No school today so the boys are here to help me. I told you in yesterday’s letter that Loughridge came out yesterday to find the trouble and the wire to the air had been cut so he spliced it and fixed things up.

Arlene had a wiener roast yesterday for Bobby’s birthday – however she didn’t mention it being his birthday – but it leaked out and he received gifts from all his guests. Earlier in the afternoon Arlene sprained her ankle. At the time it didn’t hurt, but as the time passed it got so bad she couldn’t put her weight on it. It got to paining her so terribly that we thought she might have a broken bone. It being Thurs. PM was a problem about getting a Dr. They wouldn’t even try to call M. because they said he wouldn’t do anything. They didn’t want to call Van because they wanted an X-ray. Bill tried to get Rumkorf but he said he was leaving for somewhere and that was that. Bill finally called Altier and he told him to bring her down. I stayed down there with Donna (the girl) until they got back. There was no break but the Dr. said it was worse than a break. The ligaments were badly torn and that she would have to keep off her foot two or three weeks. I told you she is 6 months pregnant and the girl she brought home from Wis. is homesick and wants to go back next week. She is going to have to find

September 7, 194,5 p. 2

[page 2] someone to help her. She told me the day before that she had been so terribly ill at the beginning of this pregnancy and that she had had to rest so much. She came near having a nervous breakdown early in the summer. I told her last night maybe it was a good thing this happened to her so she will get plenty of rest. She said she guessed the Lord was taking care of her so she would rest.

About the travel business. I haven’t given it much thought because of J. & M. being in school. I wouldn’t relish the idea of a trip but had thought if you just stay on & stay on David & I might come out However I think all these Drs. just like you are going to raise up in arms if something isn’t done, but fast. The only thing to do at the present time is to wait – but not too long before someone does something. It always looks darkest just before the dawn, to quote a proverb or something.

—Just stopped to hang up some washing. It seems hot out in the sun – I suppose we will have some warm days but it cools off in the evening. It is a good day to dry clothes, and since I am washing today that is quite important.

Your Reader’s Digest came today. I’ll send it with both local papers. If you don’t want me to send the papers or magazines just let me know. (Hope it won’t be necessary much longer).

I think the Bendix has stopped again, so will go hang out some more clothes.

—I went down to see Arlene and she was feeling better, tho still having some pain. Bill found a “maid” for them this morning, so that will help some. It’s the woman who did work for Mary & Bernard. Mary let her go – she was not pleased with some things and Arlene told Mary she couldn’t be so fussy in these times. Mary retorted “you sound just like Bernard.” Evidently Bernard had told her the same thing, but she let her go anyway. Mark is going to the Fair with Zells, but not until later this afternoon.

Love Mother

Klamath Falls (Roscoe)

1 Reply

September 6, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 6, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 6, 1945
USNRH
San Francisco (12)
Calif.

Dear Mother,

Another day and no mail. Your last was Aug. 31. Just about as bad as overseas.

Yesterday I mailed you a check and a money order & I know you will let me know as soon as you get them. I’ll hold on to the M.O. stub and the data off the check until I do hear from you.

I’m going to Klamath Falls, O., tomorrow with a draft. It is only a one day trip. This was not by choice but by order. I have 47 marines. Seems as if no one wanted to go there so the

September 6, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Capt. put the bee on me. We leave here about 6 PM – get there around 6 AM and then turn around and come home. Well it will be a trip. I’ve put in for a Great Lakes draft but so have numerous others but maybe my turn will come.

This has been the warmest day so far. No fog and just like Ind. or Mo. but I suppose by night the wind will start blowing, etc.

I don’t know how to get the mail thru any faster. Most of the Drs. seem to be in the same boat but a few seem to be getting along a little better.

September 6, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] We finally got orders to move into our new quarters. They sure are swell – built for two officers but so far only one has been assigned to each room. There is a big lounge – Ice box, a small galley, etc. My stuff has just been thrown in but I’m going to arrange as soon as I get off this eve.

There were about eighty new admissions on my ward today so all has been more or less confusion but they settle down a little after a few hours.

I’ll try to get you a letter out before I go to Klamath tomorrow but I’ll be pretty busy and it may not be much

September 6, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] the next day maybe I can write from there – the next day I may be back – depends upon the transportation schedule. I get $7.00 per day extra but I have to pay for my own pulman so I won’t make much on the trip. If I break even I’ll be well satisfied.

Well, I must get going to get this into the mail today.

Love Daddy

P.S. Have one of the boys write me a letter with a 3₵ stamp and mail his & yours at the same time to see how much difference. The package has not arrived. The pictures did.

The Furnace (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 6, 1945 envelope

September 6, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

9-6-45

Dear Daddy –

The sons one and two are off to school. David is trying to find something to do – I don’t have to look for anything – there is plenty to do, but I am not doing too much. I knitted on Bobby’s snow suit yesterday and got the jacket ready for the sleeves. It was so nice out in yard so after David had his nap we went out and enjoyed the scenery. David plays in the driveway in the rocks. He enjoys that as much as a sand pile. Coco came to see us while we were in the yard. She seemed very glad to see us, and I think she was. They just returned home Tues. evening.

Things are at a stand still on the furnace. The air stopped working and I called Loughridge but couldn’t get Chet. Bun promised to come out and see if he could locate the trouble, but he didn’t come. I called again and he said he was covered up with work and his Dad was out of town. He said to call Monroe or Arnold. I told him since they were going to make the change over I would rather they would come out. I wouldn’t bother with it but I can’t even heat water as it is now. It would click, but the air wouldn’t turn on, so I disconnected the fuse, until someone can look at it. We can get along without hot water until we need to wash.

–Yours of Sept. 2 & 3 came and the regular checks. Also some adv. from Carr Drug, Pit-Morian, M. & R. Dietetic Lab & Sherman. They must think you will soon be back. Hope they are right.

September 6, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Norma was going to town so I went along – The stores will be closed this afternoon and I wanted to get a few necessities. Tomorrow school will be out and one of the boys can go if necessary. I banked one ck. and cashed the other. Have to give the boys their allowance so we can get back on schedule.

We haven’t heard anything in the past few days about Navy releases but I think the info in the Chicago Tribune is authentic because it is the same as we heard Sat. on the radio, given out by Adm. Denfield, head of Navy Demobilization. So I think something will be done as soon as it is possible. Dolores said so many changes had to be made over night that it will (may) take a little time to get releases started. However if 11,200 is the goal for Sept. someone should be getting theirs soon. I just scanned over the Democrat and see that John Krull has been discharged. They are getting ready to open their restaurant. Also see the Paul Yost is to be discharged soon. I’ll send the papers to you and you can do your own reading. I think you will enjoy that more.

I just checked the bank statement. Our present bal. with the $170 deposited is $369.27 (plus $47). The Laf. Life will have to be pd. this month or before Oct. 7 but you will send some by then.

I talked to Geo. Tilton about the linoleums this morning and he is going to see about fixing them. They split the place where it is bulged – put in cement and weight it down until it dries, then it should stay – and he says shows no mark.

Lucile just called ma and said she was going to cancel her appointment with Dr. Ade next week. She was to take Jimmy down for allergy tests – he has not been so good the past week and she thinks the trips down and the tests would be too hard on him now – I told her too, to wait a while because Dr. Y would probably have an outfit like that and she could get it done right here. She agreed that it would be much easier.

As you advised me, keep your chin up and I love you,

Mother

P.S. Bun just came out and found the trouble – the wire leading to the air was cut so he fixed it and now I have a fire going and soon will have hot water and burn the garbage. He seemed to think they would soon have the oil burners, so I tried to impress him with the fact that he can’t get it in too soon.

David “Anthy” is still wide awake after being in bed since lunch time and it’s now past 2:30. I think he is not going to sleep at all and I did want him to have a nap since we are to go to Funks for a wiener roast tonite. When anyone asks him where Daddy is he says San Franciko. Coco asked him who was who in our group picture and he was very emphatic about, “my daddy.”