Tag Archives: World War II

David’s arrival (Roscoe)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

2/3/43

Dear Mother,

The only letter so far today was Dorothy K. letter of Sept 23 telling me of D. arrival. A little late but as innocent looking as any other letter that comes along. I answered it and told her I hope that you and Nick would excuse the correspondence between the two of us. I never did know if you went in a car or ambulance but she remarked the screaming siren so it must have been the ambulance. It’s funny why those letters never came. The one I really wanted at that time and then doesn’t get here until today. If there was long distant telephone service D. could almost have told me himself quicker than the letter. Well I’m

[page 2] glad things got along so well then and hope that you both are better now. Our weather is still very hot and I suppose yours is very cold and as I said before the weather sure takes a beating when there isn’t anything else to write about. I heard this A.M. that only v-mail could be written from there – hope that isn’t true because that would rule out pictures and they mean lots.

Guess Floyd can settle down for some time now and take his trip to Georgia for the spring as planned – but how will he get around? Ruth didn’t say how much gas etc they were allowed. As far as pleasure driving is concerned that could be curbed 100% because after all this is an al out war and goodness only knows we don’t get 3 gal. (that is short for gallon) per week for pleasure. Our pleasures are fe very simple indeed and it won’t

[page 3] bother people at home with jobs and families to do without some of the pleasures here to fore enjoyed. Well, I got that off my chest.

Ruth mentioned Floyd sending me another box – hope it isn’t soft candy because that sure is a mess around here – one of the fellows who works in the ships store gave us a box of candy bars yesterday. Really I think it was because they were all soft and sticky. He said it was because we had been so good to him. I think we have eaten one box so far – candy just doesn’t seem to go so good in hot weather.

Later – shows over – got your letter of Sept. 22 – with 4 air mail stamps – Uncle W. letter of Sept 23 telling of D arrival and a letter from Ruth M. dated Sept. 22 with 12 three cent stamps Uncle W. letter had 4 stamps so

[page 4] after all I didn’t fare so badly – also got a letter from mom dated Jan 7 and a Christmas greeting from Geo Sondergrath.

We hear – that only v-mail will come air mail – and ordinary mail will come by ship – however still write your letters air mail for they will come to the coast quicker, and I don’t know what to tell you to write – Just write for a while write both each day if possible and when they get here I’ll tell you which to stop – Just give me the high point in the v-mail and the others can be more complete – That’s all for now

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/09/davids-arrival-roscoe/

A birthday letter (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

2/2/43

Dear Markie,

Here is your birthday present – Hope it gets there in time. I got your Christmas letter the other day and will answer it in a few days but for now – Happy Birthday

Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/08/a-birthday-letter-roscoe/

The groundhog’s shadow (Gladys)

1 Reply

1943-02-03Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-3-43

Dear Daddy – If there is anything to the ground hop seeing his shadow we are realizing it today. It was clear all day yesterday (Feb. 2) and just like spring – but today it is typical of what we have had all winter – instead of now it is raining & blowing – Just finished with D. – bath, pablum, etc. He has gone to sleep with his left thumb in his mouth. 14 lbs 9 oz this a.m. The telephone rung about 8:30 and frightened him – he was asleep – I said that wouldn’t have happened if you had been home – he would be used to the telephone any and all times. Arlene and I planned to go see Lucile this P.M. and take our babies but I am sure we won’t walk if this weather continues. I mailed a valentine to you but you probably won’t get it on time. I remember last valentine day – I was a little on the nausea order. Had the flu, etc. This little fellow is worth all the discomforts. You will say so when you come home. Will get our pictures today and send out. I am getting the den floor finished – moving out the piano and making a real nursery. I am sure I can dispose of the piano if I get another one. Will inform you if and when we get one. The uniform money hasn’t come. Had a letter from Watsons – Ethel told me Mark Wayne’s grades so I’ll have to write her about J & M. Mark’s A+ in band and spelling was all he thought necessary. They got your letter and will answer with valentines. The two I got yesterday were dated Jan 26 & 27 – good time. Bank bal at present is around 300⁰⁰ but will have to pay boys ins this month. I didn’t get a Jan. bond so will have to get two this month – Haven’t a safety dep. box yet. Haven’t figured the 42 tax yet.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/07/the-groundhogs-shadow-gladys/

Helen Kline’s husband (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:
2/2/43
Dear Mother,
It seems my prophecy about v-mail has come true because Today I received your letters of Jan 17, 18 & 19 that is v-mail. Now I don’t know whether you are writing regular air mail or not but don’t discontinue it altogether. I said last night to write it at least once each week but with it coming the way it does maybe once each week won’t be enough. I know it’s asking a lot to write so much so often but you’ll never know how much those letters mean and I can’t see why you should say my letters are interesting because about all I do is fill up space while yours are very interesting to me as well as being filled with things I want to know.
This surely has been a

[page 2] winter for you and I’m sorry I missed it for I would have enjoyed it so much.
This is ground hog day and if there are any of those animals here they could have seen their shadows OK, but it has started raining again so don’t know what the remainder of the day will be like. Hope it doesn’t rain out our show tonite.
All morning long there was a haze hanging around over the mountains and the atmosphere seemed very sticky so we more or less expected rain. Even our view of the ocean wasn’t clear – seemed to remind one a little of Indian summer at home.
I ran into a navy man yesterday and we got to talking about eggs and informed me he could get us a doz. cold storage eggs for nothing so we had a

[page 3] little egg fry after the show we got a hot plate some butter and the bottom of a mess container and were those egg sandwitches with sunny side up good. They were even good to look at. Don’t misunderstand me we have enough to eat etc but it’s the way it’s cooked.
I hope by now you got the word I sent about the taxes. Just pay enough to keep me out of Jail and keep the property in our name.
I’m going to send Mark a letter and one dollar for his birthday – I wrote that yesterday so just repeating. I have had no word on the uniform money so let me know once in a while if you have heard from it.

Later – no show it is raining. This eve after chow Helen Kline’s husband came to see me of course I didn’t know him because as near as I

[page 4] can remember I had only seen him once and that was when we were living in Elmer D. property. We had quite a long conflab. He can’t disclose where he is but he is pretty sure his wife knows. In case you go to Lafayette you might call the folk and tell them he was here. Of course he probably will write them tonight also.
Got a letter from Ruth Y. and from Mom, both dated Jan 15. They gave me the low down on things around C.C.
Well, hope your sinus is better – Lots of Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/06/helen-klines-husband-roscoe/

Re-read your six letters (Gladys)

1 Reply

1943-02-01 #2Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S.YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-1-43

Dear Daddy – Re-read your six letters rec’d today so I could think a little better in answering. Don’t worry about the taxes. I am buying bonds – besides one each month have 6 – 37⁵⁰ – so they can be used to pay any taxes that have to be paid after the duration – but I will repeat – Agnes M. talked to a Federal man and he said not to finish the ’41 payments now – and if it has to be paid will have the bonds to take care of it. I was glad you prescribed but in case you don’t get some of my later than Jan 7 letters – I tool sulfathiazole drops – but had been taking the “diazine” and use the “thiazole” drops and I began to itch and nose was worse. I was so stopped up I could hardly breathe – I then used Glucofedrin and that opened me up – but I was careful about using drops because I knew it would irritate. Dr. Ade washed the left sinus out. I didn’t seem to get any better so quit all treatments and it seemed to leave finally. David did have a cold and I was I suppose over anxious about him but I was afraid it would develop into something serious. He is fine now. Has a coming appetite and gains an ounce or more a day. Now gets Pablum and vegetable soup – 1 can carnation – one egg yolk (dextri M & water) Vit C tablet & oleum (6 drops) every day. I tried giving him a drink of water from a cup today. I think he will learn easily. He holds on to things and rolls around in his bed, got turned around today and had his feet against the head of the bed. He won’t stay in a basket anymore. Took the bed upstairs so will have to put him on the studio couch downstairs now. Your J.A.M.A. is still coming and I save every one. I also save other medical magazines. If you don’t want them when you come back can chuck them. John & Mark are bathing. I am getting sleepy so will have to quit due to space.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/05/re-read-your-s…letters-gladys/

Summer is passing rapidly (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

2/1/43

Dear Mother,

First day of Feb. and our summer is passing rapidly of which I am more than pleased somewhat, and at the same time your winter is passing of which you are more than somewhat pleased. I’ve been reading some more of Daymon R. books and he uses those more than somewhat – more than somewhat.

I forgot to tell you that the house payments will be different this year. Not the 39.01 but the extra that is put on for tax. I wish you would let me know what the payments are – just for fun. And what did you do about that insurance. I mean those dividends that we have words and letters about each year. Maybe you have written those things but haven’t gotten here

[page 2] as yet. As I have it figured the June payment on the old Hancock policy will be the last – and while we are on that subject – How much is borrowed on that. That only way you have of telling that is by the interest you just paid or should have paid sometime in Dec. or Jan. So if it isn’t too much trouble I’d like to know those 3 things.

1. House payments 2. What about the dividends and 2. How much is borrowed. And also the number of bonds up to a certain date and whether or not you got a safety deposit box. Guess I’m jumping the gun but just in case you forgot to write those things. And I never did get the uniform money nor your travel money. Well so much for those things.

I’m going to send Mark one dollar for his birthday just like I did John when I was at Moffett field – I’ll try to send that

[page 3] out tomorrow. You don’t need to tell him unless you want to. I’m just telling you in order that you will know and should it get lost explain to him I didn’t forget.

I’m hardly expecting any mail today since I’m pretty well up to date. I mean new mail. We always expect some of that old to catch up with us sooner or later – possibly later.

Today is pay day and none too soon – for I have 2 cents. I have a little money on the book and in time will send more home, but it doesn’t build up very fast when we have to pay .60 per day for food. About one dollar per wk. for laundry. Same for cigarettes. Coke, beer and a few luxuries like that and send $200⁰⁰ home. I want a little on hand so that I’ll have car fare from San. Fran to Kentland in the dim distant future – what I don’t

[page 4] need I just leave on the books and in case of transfer can be drawn at any time. If too much accumulates I’ll send it home again. Your first birthday present was part of my travel money to Calif. and we also got some travel money from San Francisco to Ventura. I guess Helen Washburn told you about that trip we took. Our ticket costs 3.60 and we were paid 18⁰⁰ travel expenses. Had a pulman and everything. Got on the train at about 9 P.M. and off at 6:45 AM. It was one swell ride. Walsh had the upper berth and I the lower. He got tight and I had to help him in and out, but we made it OK. So far I haven’t been tight and don’t worry I can take care of R.S. Y.

After the show and after main [mail] – the show was good – The mail wasn’t.

Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/04/summer-is-pass…rapidly-roscoe/

Six letters today (Gladys)

1 Reply

1943-02-01 #1Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-1-43

Dear Daddy – Six letters today and one each for J. & M. – Also the box with the cat eyes & shells. I think the cat eyes very pretty & unusual. The name is right. Mark was thrilled over the shells. John looked at them but they didn’t mean so much to him as Mark. Your letters today were in answer to some you from me and it was the kind I like to get – of course you can’t write like that until you get some to answer. We are all over our colds – so hope you haven’t spent too much time worrying over us. We did have a long siege but seems like past history now. Mother is ironing and Clara M. is doing some cleaning. I am not trying to do much but take care of David. I think that comes first and tho he is very good it takes just so much time to do all that has to be done for him – and I am a little on the ragged end after such a long sinus infection. I am feeling good but not much extra pep for doing cleaning. There has been so much smoke this winter because of the extreme cold weather everything gets so dirty. We took the rug out of the den (nursery). It was getting so worn & hard to keep clean. I am going to move the piano into the living room so the den can be David’s room. That is where we keep him most of the time and it is too crowded now. There is sunshine today after yesterdays gloom. Some thaw too. Ruthie wrote that the movies they took were good so when you come home you can see what David looked like at 3 months. Will send pictures this week – Love – Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/03/six-letters-today-gladys/

Last day of this month (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

I got some letters a week before the first one you wrote came.

Kentland Ind
Jan 31-1943

Dear Daddy-

The last day of this month and more weather. It is very gloomy – rain – There is a little snow left and it isn’t very picturesque. I don’t know how cold it is but looks very uninviting out – like a person would rather stay inside. I called Mrs. Plummer this morning and asked her if she would come over this afternoon – I am going over after her in a few minutes – in the car of course. – – a few hours later

Have had our guest and taken her home again. We had a nice visit. She hadn’t seen the baby since before Christmas and was so glad to spend an afternoon with him. Said he looks like you. She had a “snapfolio” Ruth Padgett gave her to send to you. It has two pictures of the Padgett baby – you remember him. The photo holder

[page 2] was just what I was wanting to send our pictures in – Ruth wanted you to have it to keep David’s pictures in. She told Mrs. Plummer she used 100 cans of S.M.A. – amounting to $100⁰⁰ for “Tommy.” At 10 months he weighs 24 lbs – and wears 3 yr old size suits. He is a baby like Donnie Funk – however our David isn’t so slow. He weighed 14-7 this morning – 4 months & 1 week old – gets Pablum, egg yolk & vegetable soup in addition to 1 can milk every day. He seems to know when to behave just right. He was as good as could be while Mrs. P. was here. He usually is but has his days.

The wind is blowing this evening – You know how it can blow around here – as well as there – The boys – (John & Mark) – came in from Youth Fellowship and John said it’s not so good out. It was freezing when I took Mrs. P. home. There were snow flurries about 5 o’clock – but they didn’t last long.

Bought car & drivers license yesterday $9.75 altogether. Have a bal in the bank now of 296 – but have the Jan bills to pay – coal 28.64 – The boys ins next month & David’s new policy

[page 3] Our new 1943 license is a little plate that is attached to the old (rear) but a new number 541-198. The balance I quoted has the Feb rent deducted – and the Feb check hasn’t been added yet. – Also I have to pay for my coat yet. – Maybe I’ll still have margin enough after everything taken care of to play your ins. loan – then mine. I think those two paid off would be the best investment because of the 6%. I bought those 6 – 37⁵⁰ bonds I mentioned several times before – and about that 1941 tax again. The Federal man advised not to pay it – because it won’t have to be paid – if at all – until six months after the duration and there will be no interest – and we have our bonds to use for payment later on – now does that sound like a wise play or not? Since we are being urged to buy more bonds all the time – and the bonds will be ready for use when you (we) need them to pay taxes, etc., when you are ready to start up again. If this plan doesn’t suit you you can write and tell me to go ahead & pay said taxes.

[page 4]  This is the first regular letter I have written in about a week – Have been using v-mail. There is another campaign on for people to use it. I never feel like I get it all said when I use v-mail but since it should be quicker than this will use it most of the time. The P.O. Clerk told me I could send 3 a day but I try to get by with one. At least it will help some if you get a v-mail once in a while – if not all. If you could get one a week you could keep pretty well informed about us here at home. My sinus trouble seems to have cleared up and my throat is well too. The sinus drainage made the throat irritation. John & Mark are on the well list too and David is fine – gains about an once a day – sometimes more. It seemed like we did have a long siege – starting early in Dec and one or the other of us having colds in some form thru most of this month. John having stiff neck two days & missing school. Mark got a cold Mon. last week from the cold school room but he is over it now. – They have gone to bed and I am tired and it’s time to take David up & feed him. Have to move his bed upstairs. He is much too active now for the basket. Will have to fix something for him to be in downstairs. It if were warm weather could put him down in a play pen but since it is cold will have to do something else. Didn’t get a letter Sat. so am looking for one tomorrow –

Love – Mother

P.S. as of this date uniform money hasn’t come

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/01/last-day-of-this-month-gladys/

Don’t exactly know why (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/31/43

Dear Mother,

This P.M. while reading a little I fell asleep and was out for almost one hour. Don’t exactly know why because I was reading one of Daymon Runynon short stories, but I will confess I don’t remember much of the story even though I did finish it.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Hasn’t rained any today as yet but the wind blows hard – we are looking forward to a show tonight to help the Eve. pass by. The name of the show is The Queen of the Yukon. Sounds very exciting.

Dr. Loop was in a short time this P.M. Just long enough to say Hello and was gone again. I thought he had gone because it had been some time since he had paid us a visit.

[page 2] Just 6 mo ago today I took my wild airplane ride across the country from Chicago to San Francisco. That was a very hard day’s ride and if you ever want to relax don’t travel so far in a plane because it is very tiresome. I really have to go back a long time to get something to write about but that’s the only way I can think of enough to write. There are lots of things I could ask about but I know you have the answers in the mail that is coming but mail coming doesn’t mean a thing – only that that is here is any good or as an old Yegerlehner saying – a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Or maybe that is somebodys else’s saying.

Dr. P. just got a Christmas greeting and a V-mail dated Dec. 26 but that doesn’t

[page 3] help very much – we still have a possibility of mail at 5 P.M. but I think there is no hope for much – but in time things will come along again I hope. Will finish later.

Well things are better – had two shows tonite, and also had mail. Your V-mail letter of Jan 12 came, air mail Jan 14 also air mail Dec. 29, Dec 26 Dec. 24. Your letter of Jan 14 wasn’t too good but I really think now that you have had that washed out it will be OK at least I hope so. I believe if that had been treated often early that wouldn’t have happened – but you can’t get that type of treatment at home unless things have changed since I left there. I truly hope and pray things are better for you now. My mail is at least 6-8 days later than others due to you writing every day. The V-mail is later than most others but this Jan. 14 is the later – keep dropping a V-mail about once each wk.

[page 4] The picture of D. was pretty good – he begins to look as if he is filling out pretty rapidly.

Most of your letters were old and the old ones told of your condition leading up to this last affair but like a continued story all your letters end in critical points. The one on Jan 8 said you were better. The V-mail of Jan 12 said one side was Ok, but the other was acting up. Yours of the 14th said you had a washing out and there is the end. I suppose the next will be 4-5 days later and it probably won’t get here for several days. So I’ll just have to wait worry & sweat until I get the next. Your suggestions about the hospital is fine and I hope you go if things are too bad. Surely someone will take care of J & M in case you have to go.

I’ll be waiting for Agnes M. letter about the taxes – do what you want. Just so you keep me out of Jail & buy bonds

[page 5] to cover the taxes. And Don’t renew the J.A.M.A. I told you that before but just in case the word didn’t get there.

Along with your mail came a V-mail from Allgoods and a Christmas greeting from Guess Who – Amel Taylor. And it was censored – wasn’t that a Joke. The only letter that has even been censored. Really I’ll write them a reply – They I think mean well but their finances are not the best so I’ll answer just to be nice.

I’ll re-read your letters tomorrow and maybe have something more to write but it is now time to turn in so I’ll say solong and hope you are better, much better, by now

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/30/dont-exactly-know-why-roscoe/ ‎

Opera about over (Gladys)

2 Replies

1943-01-30Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-30-43

Dear Daddy – Sat P.M. and opera about over. You know that is a “must” with John. Mark is working on a model. David is asleep – had vegetable soup today. Gave him about a tablespoon full to start with. He likes it better than Pablum but he takes it now without a howl. I went to see Jimmy Johnson yesterday. His “mama” wants him to be a perfect baby but I think Jimmy is going to be an “individualist” – such as sucking his fingers like our David does. Those things can be corrected in time and don’t worry me now. Lucile wants to get Jimmy over the 2 a.m. habit but he upsets things by waking around 4 a.m. I suppose it is natural for her to be so exacting. They had a letter from you and had me read it. You do write nice letters – they agreed with me that you do. Pat yourself on the back – Our weather is warmer and snow about gone. I was afraid it might freeze before the snow left then it would be slick again. Such a winter – hope it will soon let up, but still have Feb & Mar. I am looking forward to spring and working in the yard – if Mother will stay so I can get out. Wish we could raise a garden so we could can beans, carrots, tomatoes, etc. All those will be rationed soon and if we could can some would help. I got 8 cans of soup for D. today. Have a supply of canned milk- They say not to do that but I don’t want to risk not getting milk for him. Am glad we use Dexri-Maltose. Karo is so hard to get. We can’t get our pictures till Wed. but will send them as soon as we can. Hope you like them. The uniform money hasn’t come, if it does I’ll pay that Ins. loan. I bought 6 $50 bonds, besides the monthly 25⁰⁰ – David has 2 & J. & M. each one but will soon have another. They are buying 25¢ stamps now.

Love-Mother

©013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/29/opera-about-over-gladys/