Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Manuel Gonzales papers

Abstract

The Manuel Gonzales papers (dated 1969-1976, undated; 0.06 cubic feet; 1 folder, 16 slides) comprises letters and slides that document the life of Manuel Gonzales in the military and his family at home in California in the 1970s.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Manuel Gonzales papers
Date
1969-1976, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Gonzales, Manuel
Extent
0.06 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Family.
Love-letters
Military life.
Basic training (Military education)
Military training camps.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0902: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Manuel Gonzales papers, 1969-1976, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Manuel D. Gonzales was born in 1956. In April 1974, he married Deborah A. Roybal (b. 1956), and together they had at least one child, Manuel Jr. born in February 1974. In the 1970s, Gonzales joined the United States Army. No other biographical information available.
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 Manuel Gonzales papers (dated 1969-1976, undated; 0.06 cubic feet; 1 folder, 16 slides) comprises letters and slides that document the life of Manuel Gonzales in the military and his family at home in California in the 1970s. The letters are from Manuel to his wife while he is in basic training at Fort Knox and Fort Benning. He writes about participating in physical training (PT), getting back into shape, making friends with other soldiers, his results on exams taken, going through inspections, the weather in Kentucky and Georgia, dealing with leeches and snakes, how much he misses her and their children, dealing with irregular pay and owing bills, and how ready he is to be done with the training he is going through. Some letters hint to him participating in a specialized training course, potentially the US Army Ranger School. The slides depict family gatherings for holidays and celebrations, and aviation.
The Manuel Gonzales 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

Manuel Gonzales papers, 1974-1976, undated

  • Box WH-110, folder 2
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Slides, 1969-1973, undated

  • Box WH-120, folder 5, item 1-16
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.