Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Richard Whitsitt Ratliff letters

Abstract

The Richard Whitsitt Ratliff letters (dated 1897-1932; 0.06 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprises letters sent from Richard Ratliff to his parents that document his life in the military during World War I.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Richard Whitsitt Ratliff letters
Date
1897, 1916-1932 (inclusive)
Creator
Ratliff, Richard Whitsitt
Extent
0.06 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Family.
Parent and child.
World War, 1914-1918.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, American.
Basic training (Military education)
Health
Death
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
2009ms132.0885: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Richard Whitsitt Ratliff letters, 1897-1932, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Richard Whitsitt Ratliff (1897-1932) was born in Bath County, Kentucky to Richard N. Ratliff (1862-1947) and Kate Whitsitt (1862-1946). He worked as a shoe merchant. 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 Richard Whitsitt Ratliff letters (dated 1897-1932; 0.06 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters sent from Richard Ratliff to his parents that document his life in the military during World War I. In the letters, he writes about getting a job offer at a store, joining the military, life in a training camp, thanks for receiving packages from his parents, asking for money, attempting to get a furlough, health issues, and plans to come visit. There are two other letters in the collection, one to Richard's father congratulating him for the birth of Richard W. and one to Richard's sister from her husband. Additionally there is a receipt from a funeral home for the cost of Richard Whitsitt's funeral.
The Richard Whitsitt Ratliff letters 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

Richard Whitsitt Ratliff to parents, 1918-1925

  • Box WH-107, folder 12
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Ratliff family papers, 1897, 1916, 1932

  • Box WH-107, folder 13
To top

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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.

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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.