Letters, 1917 October-1918 July
Scope and Contents
October 18-22
Ruth visits her brother Lyman at Camp Taylor, near Louisville, shortly before he is transferred to Rock Island, IL.
In November he is ordered to Washington, a move Harold has been working for.
October
Having told Ruth he doesn’t think they should marry during wartime, Frank Richards enlists and leaves for
camp in Hattiesburg, MS.
November
Ruth complains about fatigue and nerves, spends time in bed with a ‘cold on [her] lungs’, and suffers a
sprained rib caused by coughing.
December
Ruth travels back east to spend the holidays with friends in New England and New York.
1918
January
Ruth joins her mother in Washington, DC, where both her brothers are stationed; back in Indianapolis she
continues her work with the Red Cross.
May 31
Lyman and Lucille have a son, Thomas Hubbard Thompson.
July 1
Ruth learns that Harold has arrived safely in France; he went with 225 men, whom he had equipped, but he is
safely behind the lines.
Chronology after the letters:
November
Ruth has a position with the sugar division of the government’s rationing administration.
November 11
The war is over. Presumably, Frank Richards has arrived in England.
Ruth learns that Lyman will go to France with the Motor Transport Corps.
November 14
Having rented out their house once again, Ruth and her mother move into a flat.
November 18
Ruth’s job ends, and her Red Cross work is over; she will look for a new job.
The flu germ has arrived. There is much news of the Kaiser, Germany, and peace.
1920
August Ruth is an instructor of girls at Pinewood Camp, Brutus, MI.
[This is the last these papers reveal about her.]
Dates
- Creation: 1917 October-1918 July
Creator
- From the Collection: Thompson, Ruth (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Extent
From the Collection: 2.00 Linear Feet
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository