Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Charles Middleton papers

Abstract

The Charles Middleton papers (dated 1937-1938; 0.08 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters and papers that document the experiences of Charles Middleton and relief efforts of Louisville, Kentucky after the flood of 1937.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Charles Middleton papers

Date: 1937-1938 (inclusive)

Creator: Middleton, Charles G., 1883-1956

Extent: 0.08 Cubic Feet

Subjects: Letters.; Floods -- Kentucky.; Disaster relief.; Flood relief.; Families.; Friendship.

Arrangement: Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.

Finding Aid Author: Sarah Coblentz

Preferred Citation: 2009ms132.0673: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Charles Middleton papers, 1937-1938, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Repository: University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History: Charles Middleton (1883-1956) was born in Kentucky to John Middleton (1842-1924) and Betty Roberts Summers (1860-1937). In 1912, Middleton married Anita Gheens (1886-1945) and together the couple had two sons, Charles Jr. (1916-1988) and Edwin (1920-1980). After the death of his wife, Charles remarried to Ann Wilhoyte (1919-2000). Charles was a lawyer practicing in Louisville, Kentucky and was partners in the firms Crawford & Middleton; Crawford, Middleton, Milner & Seelbach; and Bullitt & Middleton.; American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.

Scope and Content: The Charles Middleton papers (dated 1937-1938; 0.08 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters and papers that document the experiences of Charles Middleton and relief efforts of Louisville, Kentucky after the flood of 1937. The letters are between Charles, his family, friends, and neighbors discussing relief efforts, offerings of lodging at undamaged locations, updates on personal health, how homes have fared in the floodwaters, and passing on information of family and friends that others had not heard from yet. The papers include contact lists from the municipal government for first responders and Red Cross stations, passes for access into specific areas of town, documentation of damages across town, and information on what to do in the aftermath of a flood.; The Charles Middleton papers collection is part of the Wade Hall Collection of American Letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access: Collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Use Restrictions: The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Charles Middleton letters, 1937

Box WH-67, folder 5

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Papers on 1937 Louisville, Kentucky flood, 1937-1938

Box WH-67, folder 6

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Abstract
Descriptive Summary
Collection Overview
Preferred Citation
Restrictions on Access and Use
Contents of the Collection

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