Julia Yates Wimsatt collection on James L. Yates

Abstract

The James L. Yates World War I papers and photographs document Yates' time as a soldier in the United States military in the years leading up to American participation in World War I.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Julia Yates Wimsatt collection on James L. Yates
Date
1909-1917, circa 1920s
Extent
0.23 Cubic feet
Subjects
Military history--Records and correspondence.
Postcards--20th century.
Soldiers--Correspondence.
World War, 1914-1918--France.
World War, 1914-1918.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into four series by material type.
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Andrew McGraw
Preferred Citation
2011ms057 : [identification of item], James L. Yates World War I papers and photographs, 1909-1917, circa 1920s, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
James L. Yates was the first person from Owensboro, Kentucky to die during World War I. He was buried in Bony, France. Before serving in France, Yates was stationed in Texas where he aided in patrolling the border with Mexico. He also spent time at Fort D. A. Russell but it is unclear what his duties were there.
Scope and Content
The James L. Yates World War I Papers and photographs document Yates' time as a soldier in the United States military in the years leading up to American participation in World War I. The papers consist largely of letters written to his sister, Julia Wimsatt, who lived in Owensboro, KY. The bulk of the album photographs were taken when Frances Hebbard, wife of Lewis Hebbard (who was a half nephew of Yates) travelled to France to visit James Yates' grave. The clippings mainly document the reaction to Yates' death in Owensboro, his home town. Several of the clippings pertain to his time guarding the Mexican border, which was his assignment before leaving for France.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
The 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.

Contents of the Collection

Correspondence, 1910 November 15 - 1917 March 19

Scope and Contents note

The correspondence series is composed of letters written from James L. Yates to his sister, Julia Wimsatt. The letters describe Yates' duty guarding the Mexican boarder, and the training performed in anticipation of deployment to France. Because there is only one recipient for the correspondence they have been described by where they were mailed.

Fort D. A. Russell Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1910 November 15

  • Box 1, Folder 1
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Fort D. A. Russell Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1911 October 29

  • Box 1, Folder 2
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Fort D. A. Russel Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1911 November 2

  • Box 1, Folder 3
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Texas City, Texas, 1913 Ocotber 28

  • Box 1, Folder 4
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Texas City, Texas, 1913 June 22

  • Box 1, Folder 5
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Texas City, Texas, 1913 June 4

  • Box 1, Folder 6
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Texas City, Texas, 1914 July 11

  • Box 1, Folder 7
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Texas City, Texas, 1914 April 29

  • Box 1, Folder 8
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Harlinger, Texas, 1915 September 17

  • Box 1, Folder 9
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Brownsville, Texas, 1915 August 25

  • Box 1, Folder 10
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Texas City, Texas, 1915 May 21

  • Box 1, Folder 11
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Harlinger, Texas, 1916 September 7

  • Box 1, Folder 12
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San Benito, Texas, 1917 May 27

  • Box 1, Folder 13
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Progress, Texas, 1917 March 19

  • Box 1, Folder 14
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Postcards, 1909-1913

Scope and Contents note

The postcard series contains postcards sent by Yates to his sister and niece.

Betty?, undated

  • Box 1, Folder 15
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To Lowilla Hebard (his niece), 1909

  • Box 1, Folder 16
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To Julia Wimsatt, undated

  • Box 1, Folder 17
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To Julia Wimsatt: depicts the 19th Company in line, undated

  • Box 1, Folder 18
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To Julia Wimsatt, 1913

  • Box 1, Folder 19
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To Julia Wimsatt, undated

  • Box 1, Folder 20
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Clippings, undated

Scope and Contents note

The Clippings series contain articles pertaining to James L. Yates.

"Name of the Legion Hall Changed", undated

  • Box 1, Folder 21
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"Sargent Yates Died of Wounds Received in the War", undated

  • Box 1, Folder 22
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"Owensboro Give It's First Son to Liberty's Cause", undated

  • Box 1, Folder 23
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"Legion to Vote on Changing Name to Honor Dead Hero", undated

  • Box 1, Folder 24
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"Sergeant Yates Died of Wounds Received in the War", undated

  • Box 1, Folder 25
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"Two Americans Murdered" Browsville, Texas, 1915 September 3

  • Box 1, Folder 26
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"Bandit Chase is Thrilling Affair", undated

  • Box 1, Folder 27
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"What will Owensboro Do?, undated

  • Box 1, Folder 28
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Photographs, undated

Scope and Contents note

The photographs series contains photographs of a trip to France by relatives of Yates to visit his grave and other World War I memorials. There are also several photographs of Yates.

James L. Yates grave in Bony, France, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 28:1, Page 1
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WWI Memorial - France, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 28:2, Page 1
  • Box 1, Folder:Item 28:4, Page 1
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Francis Hebbard Bony, France, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 28:3, Page 1
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Francis Hebbard at the grave of James L. Yates - Bony, France, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 28:1, Page 2
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Graves of World War I soldiers - Bony, France, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 28:2, Page 2
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World War I Memorial - France, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 28:3-4, Page 2
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World War I Memorial - France, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 30_1, Page 3
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Unidentified individuals, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 30_2, Page 3
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Grave marker, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 30_3, Page 3
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Unidentified individuals, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 30_4, Page 3
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Unidentified individuals, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 30_1-5, Page 4
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James L. Yates and two other men in uniform, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 31:1, Page 5
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Four unidentified men in uniform, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 31:2, Page 5
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Unidentified woman, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 31:3, Page 5
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Great Nephew of James L. Yates - William Monroe McLimare, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 31:1, Page 6
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Great nephew of James L. Yates - Earl Griffith McLimare, undated

  • Box 1, Folder:Item 31:2, Page 6
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James Yates and other soldiers 50 yards from the Rio Grande River, undated

  • Box 1, Folder 32
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James L. Yates, undated

  • Box 1, Folder 33
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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.