Tag Archives: World War II

One of my bad days (Roscoe)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

1/29/43
Dear Mother,

This has been one of my bad days – don’t know why or how – just not worth a dern. Finally I went up and took a bath in the brisk breeze and that cooled me off and gave me a little pep I think. I hope. Yesterday I wrote several letters but today this will be the only one I hope.

Today has been less rainy than the past few days but we have had several spurts – now and then. It rained hard at intervals last night and the old tent flopped and banged but stayed put.

My watch is on the bum and a fellow is fixing it for me. He is supposed to be pretty good but

[page 2] I’m not sure what condition it will be when returned. Of course a watch isn’t very important – What one needs here is a calendar and now since I have two I’m pretty well fixed up.

The Chaplin was in a while ago and he said he thought he would get someone to play the song tonite. I think this is choir practice night and he probably will have the regular pianist play it. Maybe John will have to make another record and sent it. We do have a phonograph.

In Ruth M.’s letter the other day she referred to her days work as My Day and I told her I’d rather she wouldn’t use that with quotation marks because of the reminder – Think I asked you to do the same thing. Once upon a

[page 3] time.

Our latest mail is still Jan 8th but there is one delivery yet today so maybe things will pick up.

Dr. P. is all ambition today – has shined his shoes – swept the floors cleaned out our water buckets etc. Must be some sorta of a spell coming on. I haven’t caught any of that surplus so far. Fred is making a necklace but uses only one strand of shells – really don’t think it is a good as the last one I sent.

LATER No mail and no show which pretty well ruins our whole afternoon and evening but maybe will be able to go to bed early and get good sleep for some hours. I am going to get something to read and see how that will work. It isn’t raining very hard but hard enough to keep the show from going on.

[page 4] We just had a visitor and chinned a while nothing important but just helped pass the time. We are just like persons living on the wide open spaces of the west glad for an opportunity to talk.

Well, I’ll have to admit that all I’ve been doing is just trying to fill in space and really I think it’s been a poor job – Maybe something will be in the mail tomorrow and will give something to write back.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/28/one-of-my-bad-days-roscoe/

Snow again today (Gladys)

1 Reply

1943-01-29Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-29-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of 1-20-43 rec’d today – Snow again today – IT keeps coming – is the soft clinging kind that makes things look picturesque. It was snowing before we got up and it keeps snowing but isn’t very deep yet. Just got the walks & drive cleaned off and now covered again. I can hardly see south or north to 41. It is that white. Such a contrast to your weather. Just had to stop and see about David. I had bathed & fed him put him in bed and he was raising a fuss. He doesn’t stay put any more. Now we have to watch him even in his bed. He gets over to the side and hangs his legs out or gets turned with his head to the side and that hurts him. He is a confirmed thumb sucker but I am not trying to break him of the habit yet. John and Mark think everything he does the smartest ever. He gets tickled sometimes when I change his clothes – must be ticklish like his Daddy. If this weather continues we will have to get some more fire wood – Not that we need the heat but we like a fire on dark days and Bill told me to get all I wanted from his wood pile. Shirley Boze and her family moved to Calif. Ann went along – Lambs bought the Boze property. Shirley was due for another baby about the time she left here. I see in the paper that Link and Mr. Webster (Music teacher) are new Rotary members. Uncle Wes’ picture was in the latest Rotarian. Dorothy White sprained her ankle and Babe Carrol is working for Dr. M. John Krull is in Camp at Atlantic City N.J. Most of the above is from the Enterprize.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/27/snow-again-today-gladys/

I hardly know (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/28/43

Dear Mother,

I hardly know how much I’ve answered and how much hasn’t been. All I know is that there was lots of mail in the past few days. The last letter being Jan. 8 and you were better. All the other letters told of your ups & downs. Your letter may not seem interesting to you but I read every one of them several times because they are extremely interesting. The pictures are also swell – keep them coming ever once in a while.

This morning while things were a little lax, I got out your letters and check way back to August. And strange as it may seem when the ordinary mail didn’t come the V-mail did. There are lots of letters missing – Really

[page 2] more than I thought. Some of the days may be Sun. and since you can’t mail a letter then that might account for a few missing dates. Here is the score so far – I’m giving your missing dates. Some are the Aug. 19, 23-30. Sept 6 and then from the 12 to 30 inclusive. Oct 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 13, 15, 22, 25, 26. Nov. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 15, 21, 22, 26 & 29. Dec. 6, 18, 24, 25, 27 & 29. Jan 2. Now if you can think of anything important you wrote in those you might repeat. You will notice that more than ½ of Sept are missing. V-mail letters of Sept. 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 25, 26 & 29 – Oct. 2-5. Nov. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 & 9 have been received. You see most of the V-mail letters work in where the other spaces are the largest. Maybe you wrote more V-mail and maybe when you wrote a V-mail you didn’t write other. In any case that gives you an idea of how much mail is missing. I haven’t kept track of other people’s letters because

[page 3] I don’t know how often they wrote.

You mentioned that Dr. Holliday was back – you know stories get around pretty fast and we have it that he wasn’t just as brave as he might have been and shady circumstances surround his return. That came pretty straight although he may be back only for a short time. In that case I guess no one could be too hard on him, but if he is back for good I’d rather think there was a colored gentleman in the woodpile. [This is a more polite version of the idiom which means “some fact of considerable importance that is not disclosed—something suspicious or wrong.”]

Last night it looked very rainy before movie time but we took our rain coats etc and went. It was a detective story with several persons suspected and when it came just about time for the quilty one to be caught it simply came down in bucketfulls, but we stayed. Didn’t even get a bit wet, but the rain made so much noise on my hat I could hardly

[page 4] hear the sound. This P.M. it is so windy I wonder sometime if our tent will stay put but so far it’s pretty well anchored – even though it does make lots of noise.

I turned John’s music over to the Chaplin and so far he hasn’t found anyone to play it. Don’t know if it is too difficult or written too poorly. He said he believed he could find someone and if so he is going to let me know. I haven’t heard much of Mark and his horn lately. Is he still at it and if so how is he getting along? And does their music have any affect of D. sleeping hours. I would think he’d get used to noise with the two older ones around because if I remember they weren’t too soft natured around there at times.

Dr. P. & W. have gone to the sea shore for a short shell gathering trip. I’ll go again one of these days and see if I can pick up a different variety and get

[page 5] an idea. Not that I think the things I make so wonderful but it’s something different. Dr. Joe is at a place where he can buy better things than here and I doubt if good are as scarce as here and the stores and supplies larger. I told you before – but I wrote him and got an answer but haven’t heard from my last letter to him. It’s “sorts” nice that you and she can talk to each other once in a while. I think.

Show’s over and all mail over. Good show no mail. It only rained a little during the show so we really enjoyed it. The wind is still blowing like the very duce but the tent is still holding fast, probably the flopping of the tent will help us sleep.

That will be all from here tonite good night and
Love Daddy

P.S. Did that ending sound like Allan Scott do you still listen to him?

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/26/i-hardly-know-roscoe/

Two More Letters (Roscoe)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

1/27/43

Dear Mother,

Two more letters came from you today but they were back, Jan 1 and Jan 4. I suppose now there won’t be any more mail for days again – Even now the oldest letter is 19 days. That isn’t so bad if we could just keep it coming with any regularity. There is more to it than that but I can’t tell just now why we have difficulty.

You asked questions about the money. I’ve already written that but my advice is to buy bonds. The Bldg. & loan is OK but those are taxable so in the long run bonds are better. About the piano – See what Miss Smith thinks, and I don’t recall any further questions, but there are comments – Sure wish I could have been present at the little

[page 2] party at Funks. I can just see Bill passing the drinks. Tell Ellsworth I have gained some weight but he still has me bested by a large poundage. I hope this new necklace gets there in A-1 condition because I believe you will like it better. There are upward of 200 shells in it and there are 2 holes in each shell. My thumb and index finger are still numb – The color of these may not be right for you but as you said a new dress will have to be bought.

I was surprised and I wasn’t at the Dye family. I think I told you before that you she came to me about him being so hard to get along with and he always seemed so sarcastic with her and I think she was more or less sensitive by nature – and they used to sleep in different rooms. I shouldn’t write that – but I did. You

[page 3] had written me that before and I also had seen it in the Newton Co. E. Don’t write out the last word in any more of your letters because there is a ship by that name and someone might censor it. So refer to it as I have above. Gosh I wish I could remember what I wrote in that letter to Bart – because if it comes back out here I might blush if Dr. P. or Fred read it. I’ll censor the whole letter out before they have a chance to read it.

I hope you and D. are over your troubles entirely but there are several month of cold weather yet and one can expect things like that during those months.

We didn’t have a show last night – too much rain – It’s still cloudy today but not

[page 4] much rain so our show should go on. The Evenings are very long when we don’t have a show. WILL FINISH LATER

After show and mail – Your letters of Dec. 22, 18, 23, Jan 4, Dec 5 and Dec 19 came. I just gave you those as I have them laid out on the table and tell Tony Schub his postmarks of Dec 18 & 19 were incorrect. They were Nov instead of Dec. Your letters are getting pretty well up to date now. That is up to Jan 8th you were better in that letter hope you are continuing so . The picture of the three boys was good and the snow pictures were good. Those small ones must have been taken by Mr. Zell I believe. I still believe I’ve answered all the questions. You say taxes. Do you mean 1941 Federal? That amounts to 80⁰⁰. I believe – The last two installments. I still wish you would

[page 5] pay that or put that much extra in bonds, because I know that that will have to be paid. And possibly interest. So I’d rather it be paid. But don’t pay 1942.

Letters also came from Ruth M. Sam & Esther – Dave & Marie and a Christmas greeting from Berdie Steele. I’ll make out a list of your letters up to date in a day or two and you can see how many are missing. Lots of your letters have the same date post marked on the outside. Must be early in A.M. and late P.M.

I’ve gotten so many letters from you in the past 2 days that I’ll have to re-read and rewrite but for today I’ll say Lots of Love – and thanks for all those letters. I know it’s a burden for you to write as much as you do as often.

Love again
Daddy

Mrs. Fred Williams
1012 Root St.
Flint, Michigan} Fred’s wife’s address

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/24/two-more-letters-roscoe/

The Necklace Broke (Gladys)

4 Replies

1943-01-27Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-27-43

Dear Daddy-Yours of 1-17 Rec’d today. We are having sunshine today – there was a heavy frost last nite. It isn’t as cold as yesterday – but still cold enough to keep the stoker busy – Mr. Monroe oil it yesterday and aired the radiators. My sinus seems some better today – and I quit doing anything about it – it kept draining whether I had it washed out or not so thought I would quit doing anything – Maybe that doesn’t make sense but having it washed out every other day didn’t seem to help any. There is some drainage today but lots less. I am figuring up taxes. Have to pay gross this week. Agnes is going to write you and explain in detail about ’41 Federal. I am going to give her the figures for ’42 and she will file a report. Now please quit worrying about the taxes – we will take care of things “OK.” David is asleep. He took his pablum without a fight this AM. As soon as we get all our photographs finished will send you another box and put the pictures in the box. I believe you will get it that way as soon as by letter. The reason you haven’t been getting letters is due to shipping space shortage. Maybe the V-mail will be speedier. The necklace broke but I think I’ll have Mr. Reinard restring it. I had my picture taken and then the string broke. The picture didn’t turn out very good and I had it taken again but couldn’t wear the necklace.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/24/the-necklace-broke-gladys/

More Christmas Greetings (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/26/43

Dear Mother,

Just finished a letter to Uncle W. thanking him for the atlas. I didn’t give you a very good accounting of all the things you sent. We did get rid of some sardines last night. I used some of the misquito cream before the show and we have the calendar up on the wall in plain view of all. I don’t know if you knew it or not but one of those papers had an article in it about the mail to the boys outside of U.S.A. Hope more articles like that are written and results are obtained, because it is now 7 days since any new mail has arrived and that makes things sorta draggy as far as the mail is concerned (I mean new). Got the package of course and some Christmas greetings

[page 2] mailed way back in Dec. The Christmas season has sure lasted long this year as far as the greetings are concerned some of those earlier ones came about 2 wks before and the last one came 2 days ago from Dolores. I still have hopes of getting another or two – don’t know who from but just expecting I guess.

We have had rain most of the day after a deluge last night or rather 5 AM this morning. It really sounded like it was coming right thru the tent top, but it didn’t.

John and Mark, circa 1942

John and Mark, circa 1942

I always keep forgetting when I write to John or Mark. Are they still keeping the scrap book? And if not why not? And I still think it would be a good idea – Maybe one item each week or

[page 3] one per month. I think each should do that. Particularly of things that happen in the South West Pacific. Those things might be interesting to talk about when I get home. That’s just a suggestion and if I thought it a good one made it I would say it was a good one but I really don’t want to brag – modest. I remember John was saving some before I left.

The films you sent weren’t exactly for the camera. There were 16 exposures and the camera only shows eight – So one my first roll every other spot was vacant. There isn’t any hole in the camera to show the extra ones. Don’t know if I’ll be able to figure how to use them all. The pictures were pretty good but small. There weren’t any pictures just the developed films. I tried to develop a few but didn’t do so hot. Will try again soon. In time I’ll get some to send home – If not I’ll send the films. If you are allowed to send packages – you might send 2-3 rolls. We have to be a little careful where we take pictures and when but there are times when good pictures would be of great value.

Silvester Schiele, 1939 Portrait given to his nephew Roscoe S. Yegerlehner

Silvester Schiele, 1939
Portrait given to his nephew Roscoe S. Yegerlehner

Later. Mail

Got 5 letters from you – postmarked – one Dec. 21, two on Dec. 28, one Jan 7 and one Jan 8. Mark’s Christmas greeting came. Mrs. Plummers greeting and letter. Geo Tilton’s letter and calendar another letter from Uncle Wess and a letter from Dave Burns. His letter (Daves) was the oldest – Dec. 10 (4). Mark’s greeting was Dec. 10 Mrs. Plummers was Dec. 20 and Geo Tiltons Dec 4 (10). Notice the correction. Anyway things looked

[page 5] up. In your last letter you said your sinus was better and Dr. A. thought it looked better – sure hope you are both correct.

I’ll answer just a question or two of your letter today and read them over more carefully before the next – First I can’t offer anything on the piano – Have John talk to Miss Smith – She could give more advice than I. If you can see your way clear financially and she thinks it better than the old one it is perfectly OK with me. What will you do with the old one. Make them take it away for I don’t want to have to push it around the garage when cleaning time comes.

Well, I must write other letters and will re-read your before tomorrow’s letter. When you get my letters just mention the dates written no particular reason just curious. D’s picture was pretty good –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeny
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/22/more-christmas…eetings-roscoe/

One of Those Old Fashion Winters (Gladys)

1 Reply

1943-01-26Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-26-43

Dear Daddy – Clear and cold today. This must be one of those old fashion winters people talk about. Mr. Monroe is here this morning checking the furnace oiled and aired. He says everything is fine. I am on a club committee this afternoon. I would rather stay in since it is so cold but maybe it will do me more good to get away from home for a little while. I will wear my new coat and keep warm. I haven’t gone much this winter and need to get away from the house now & then. Arleen went to Laf. on the bus Sat. and when she told me I told her to let me know next time and I would take her so we may go one day this week. I don’t mind driving now because the traffic is slowed down and not much of it. There are hugh [huge] signs all along that say “Government orders drive only 35 per.” The ones I have noticed that do not keep to that are mostly out of state license. I hear David grunting and it is time for his bath – and pablum – the latter he doesn’t care much for but “mama” pokes it down him just the same. He does better than at first, however if he doesn’t get it he is hungry so has to have it. No letter today but had 3 yesterday (Jan 13-14-15). The J.A.M.A. is still coming – will talk to Dr. M. about your Co. dues. Dr M. sent you a box of goodies.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/21/one-of-those-o…winters-gladys/

Sipping on warm beer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/25/43

Dear Mother,

We are sweltering again this P.M. but there is a pretty good breeze so we aren’t suffering too much. As I’m writing this I’m sipping on a warm bottle of beer. That seems to hit the spot much better than warm chlorinated water. And even better than warm coke – we have all three. Our beer was all gone for a few days but we were able to beg a little working around. Got a case of 48 bottles for 10¢ per bottle. We have it stored and when a bottle is taken out a dime is put in the fund goes on for another case. Don’t worry we aren’t drunks because 2 or 3 bottles is about the days limit and that is generally in 10-12

[page 2] hours. Just for thirst and not affect. Maybe the beer has caused the extra weight I spoke about and not the food. Anyway that can be cut off when I come home.

Image via Wikipedia

The show last night was “Arise My Love” pretty good but another war picture – What we need is more funny – slap stick – Donald Duck or Pop Eye. Or some of those actresses in person – What for? The what for was the last item, but don’t worry on that score either because other than whiskers we are a bunch of hermits – no money either along with the whiskers.

Really it’s hard to write anymore as you can tell from what I’ve written above but maybe some of these days more mail will come and then

[page 3] there will be something to answer and write about.

I’m sending in another letter about the uniform money so if you get it be sure to write me in several of your letters. I’d like to get that and your transportation to and from Norfolk, but those things seem to be very slow. That would make a pretty good size pile and if you see fit pay off the loan on the John Hancock policy and save 6%. I’ll try again later.

We had sardines and crackers tonight with beer. What does that mean? Your box came today. The one with the chewing gum and sardines – we had some crackers left so we are still saving the crackers you sent for a later party. Boy were those sardines good. I can see where 5 boxes won’t last very long.

[page 4] a small atlas came from Uncle W. today. It’s pretty good – has maps large enough to see something.

I printed a few pictures but just got the knack of the thing so will print more in a few days. These are very small but if good they can be enlarged. I’ll print more when I’m in the mood. Seems as if I’m temperamental anymore but I’ll get over that in time I hope.

Well I do hope some late mail will come tomorrow.

Love Daddy

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
Receiving Station
U.S. NAVAL Advanced Base
Noumea, New Caledonia
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/20/sipping-on-warm-beer-roscoe/

Groceries are high (Gladys)

1 Reply

1943-01-25Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-25-43

Dear Daddy- I am sending a regular letter today so you might note which get there first. After the balm of yesterday the weather today is like a slap in the face. There is a little snow but not enough to cover the ground and is it cold – Wouldn’t mind mixing some of your warm weather with this. But surely we will have a good spring then we can forget all about this wintry winter. Mark has just come in for lunch. John hasn’t arrived yet. David is asleep – after he takes his 10 a.m. feeding he sleeps a lot until 2 P.M. He is feeling very lively today – has been kicking a lot and laughing. If your uniform money comes I will pay off the ins loan on your pol. I will anyway if I have enough after paying taxes etc. I am going to give Agnes figures this week then after she figures will let you know the “answer.” Our expenses aren’t elaborate but groceries are high and I think the boys should have good food. So far have bought 100⁰⁰ coal and as the weather is going will have to get more. I think I’ll get Mark a coat for next winter because the material is better now than it will be. He has been wearing a short coat but will get a ‘finger-tip’ next. He is waiting to mail this –

Love Mother

Yegerlehner, Gladys (Foster) - Birth affidavit, 1943I do not specifically know why at this particular time Emma or Gladys needed this affidavit. It survived, and was found amongst all the papers and letters. Since it was dated 25 January 1943, the same day as this letter, I felt it added to the narrative.

Transcription of Birth affidavit:

1/25/43

This is to certify Gladys Ruth Foster Yegerlehner was born Nov. 1st 1905 in Terre Haute Vigo County Indiana and that I was then and there present.

Emma H. Foster [her signature]

This is to certify that Emma H. Foster appeared before me Jan. 22th 1943 and acknowledged the execution of the forgoing instrument. Personally.

Geo Wᵐ Wolf notary
My commission Expires
2/7/46

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/19/groceries-are-high-gladys/

Not Much in the Mood (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1/24/43

Dear Mother,

I’ve written Dolores in answer to a Christmas greeting received from her this A.M. and also to the folk and I can say right now I’m not much in the mood for writing. It’s too hot. I wrote Boonie last night but was so sleepy I’m afraid it was a poor letter. If you see him make excuses for me.

It’s almost bath time again but today Dr. P. went to see if the water was on. I did yesterday and was fooled so he made the sacrifice today.

I finished taking the roll of films and think I’m having them developed – at least I turned them

[page 2] over to a fellow who said he would have them developed. If you say I’m getting fat this time I guess I’ll have to start reducing. Maybe I have gained 3-4 pounds – but once I get home your cooking will take care of that. Just kidding – our diet is so top heavy with carbohydrate that I’m not surprised at weight gain and I don’t get any more exercise than I did at home. Of course, we don’t have cars here but we don’t need them we are right here.

The preacher was here all time I was writing to the folks – Shooting the breeze and therefore I didn’t write much but I have no excuse now for he has gone and P. & W. are on their way to bathing. I’m going

[page 3] to rub in some Fitch and go do likewise – so will finish later on.

Later – shows over and about ready to turn into the sack to keep the mosquitoes from nipping at me. Got three bites on my hands at the show and was uncomfortable most of the time try to scratch.

I wish you would repeat some of the letters you wrote along about Christmas because I have a feeling those will be late like those of D. arrival. I’d like to know how you and the boys spent the time etc. That

[page 4] is if it isn’t wasn’t too bad and you don’t like to recall the time again.

I’ll repeat – I sent you a box yesterday – Just shells etc. If it doesn’t arrive there won’t be much lost only just some of my leisure time gone to waste.

And again repeating – Don’t pay the taxes – only 1941 – the remaining installment but leave 1942 until later.

Well, I’ll stop repeating and say – Lots of Love –

Daddy

Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner (MC) U.S.N.R.
Receiving Station
U.S.Naval Advanced Base
Noumea, New Caledonia
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/18/not-much-in-the-mood-roscoe/