Search results | Digital Grinnell

Title: Anna Lee Freeman to Lucille Ley - February 13, 1945
Description: Anna Lee writes to ask Lucille if she has had any news about Jimmy. She talks about how she recieved her son's personal items the other day and how hard it was for her to read his letters. She mentions it has now been almost a year since the crew's mission failed.
Date Created: 1945
PID: grinnell:26511

Title: Birds-eye view looking Southwest, Dysart, Iowa
Description: Looking southwest at the town of Dysart, Iowa, which was platted in 1872. The town takes its name from Joseph Dysart, a farmer and founder of the town.
PID: grinnell:14661

Title: Black bridge, North Dyersville, Iowa, North Fork Maquoketa River
Description: Looking at an metal arched bridge over the North Fork Maquoketa River. 1909 postmark.
PID: grinnell:14663

Title: Chicago and North Western Train Wreck, April 23, 1908, De Witt, Iowa, Silver Creek
Description: View of the wrecked train. On April 23, 1908, southwest of DeWitt, Iowa, at Silver Creek, flooding weakened a bridge and gave way to stock train 132 where an engine and 17 cars of cattle fell into the water. Three crewmen perished in the wreck.
Date Created: 1908
PID: grinnell:16950

Title: Edna M. Smith to Lucille Ley - December 14, 1944
Description: Edna expresses disappointment that her son is not in the photo Lucille sent. She says she has heard from all the other next-of-kin except one. She muses on the little information she knows about her son's military service and comments that she still has not received any off his personal effects. She wonders whether Lucille has ever been asked to settle Jimmy's estate, a process which she calls "red tape." She doubts whether George is actually dead without proof. The mothers swap photographs of their sons.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26522

Title: Edna M. Smith to Lucille Ley - November 13, 1944
Description: Edna outlines the chronology from the time she received notice that her son was missing in action to the time she received the list of crew members killed in action and Lucille's letter at almost the same time. She says her son never gave out any information or sent any photos, so she is glad to have more information. She begs Lucille for any additional photos or information she may have and expresses her solidarity as another mother of a missing soldier. She promises to send any updates she receives.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26521

Title: High school building, Durant, Iowa, Durant High School
Description: Looking north at a three-story brick building. Durant was first named Brayton after its founder Benjamin Brayton. The name was later changed to Durant after Thomas C. Durant, one of the pioneers of the Transcontinental Railroad and an individual who contributed the bulk of funds needed to build the town's first public school. 1912 postmark.
PID: grinnell:16818

Title: John L. Smith to Lucille Ley - November 13, 1945
Description: John tells Lucille that he has received the final report and that his son is presumed dead. He provides his son's badge (?) number and asks Lucille for Jimmy's number so that he can send the information to the Quartermaster General's office. He says he intends to inquire about the deaths and burials of all the soldiers who were shot down on the 29th of February.
Date Created: 1945
PID: grinnell:26524

Title: John L. Smith to Lucille Ley - December 14, 1944
Description: John sends Lucille a Christmas card in which he thanks Lucille for the photos she sent, although his son is not in them. He sends a photo to her. He agrees with her that the prostpects of their sons returning are slim, but wishes Lucille a nice Christmas nevertheless.
Date Created: 1944
PID: grinnell:26525