Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Sue Fite correspondence

Abstract

The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Sue Fite papers (dated 1910-1920; 0.35 cubic foot; 1 box) comprise correspondence addressed to Sue Fite, a nurse, from romantic partners across the country.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Sue Fite correspondence
Date
1910-1920
Creator
Fite, Sue
Extent
0.35 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Bisexuality -- United States
World War, 1914-1918.
Domestic Life -- United States -- 20th century
Nurses
Lesbians -- Correspondence
Young women -- United States -- Correspondence -- 20th century
Nurses -- Correspondence.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged alphabetically.
Finding Aid Author
Nicole Priest
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0121 : [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Sue Fite papers, 1910-1920, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Sue Fite was born in 1887 to Marion and Marta Fite in Tell City, Ind. Sue had two older siblings, Mattie and Elizabeth, and two younger siblings, Fred and Liza. Fite moved to Chicago to attend nursing school in 1911 and became a trained nurse. Fite later moved to Manhattan, New York in the 1930s. As an adult, she carried on various bisexual and lesbian relationships with men and women, respectively.
American Letters collector Wade Hall is a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Since 1962, he has lived in Louisville, where he has taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He has also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He holds 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 is 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.
Year: 1910; Census Place: Tell City Ward 3, Perry, Indiana; Roll: T624_374; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0136; FHL microfilm: 1374387.
Scope and Content
The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Sue Fite correspondence (dated 1910-1920; 0.35 cubic foot; 1 box) comprises correspondence addressed to Sue Fite, a nurse in her twenties, from various romantic partners across the country. Her romantic interests included both men and women. There is also correspondence from family and friends. The letters' location of origin range from Tell City, Ind., and Forest Park, Ill., to New York City. Topics in the collection include Fite's nursing school education, World War I, and bisexual and lesbian romantic relationships. Many correspondents are often referred to by either a first name or nickname only.
The Sue Fite papers are 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
Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.

Contents of the Collection

Budd Holmes correspondence, 1918 May-1920 June

  • Box 200, folder 1
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Edith Dout correspondence, 1920 June 21-1920 July 3

  • Box 200, folder 2
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FFF, Florence correspondence, 1918 February-1918 May

  • Box 200, folder 3
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Freya correspondence, 1914 December-1917 December

  • Box 200, folder 4
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Hazel correspondence, 1914 November-1917 August

  • Box 200, folder 5
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Helen correspondence, 1920 June 22-1920 July 2

  • Box 200, folder 6
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Janice correspondence, 1920 June 20-1920 June 24

  • Box 200, folder 7
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Maria correspondence, 1911 November-1918 July

  • Box 200, folder 8-9
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General correspondence, 1910 July-1918 July

  • Box 200, folder 10
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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.