Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Noble Lane letters

Abstract

The Noble Lane letters (dated 1940-1945, undated; 0.13 cubic feet; 3 folders) comprises letters between Noble Lane and his parents that document life during World War II in Indiana and in the military.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Noble Lane letters
Date
1940-1945, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Lane, Noble
Extent
0.13 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Military correspondence.
Family.
Farm life
Military life.
World War, 1939-1945.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American.
Health
Gossip.
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
2009ms132.0582: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Noble Lane letters, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Noble Lane (1922-2004) was born in Elrod, Indiana to Frank Lane (1888-1970) and Nellie Rahe (1892-1957). The family owned and operated their own farm in Milan, Indiana. In 1943, Lane enlisted in the US Army and served stateside and abroad during World War II until his release in 1946. He returned home to work on his family's farm until his death. Lane did not marry.
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 Noble Lane letters (dated 1940-1945, undated; 0.13 cubic feet; 3 folders) comprises letters between Noble Lane and his parents that document life during World War II in Indiana and in the military. Lane receives letters mainly from his parents, they write about working on the farm, what his friends are up to, local gossip, visits from family and friends, and their personal health. He writes back to them, describing his health, staying in the hospital and hoping to be medically discharged, his dreams of being able to be home and assist on the farm, seeing monuments and carnivals in Europe, the local weather where he is, and how he is adjusting to his job in the military. Also in the collection is one photograph of Lane.
The Noble Lane 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

Letters from Noble Lane, 1944-1945

  • Box WH-49, folder 6
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Letters to Noble Lane, 1940-1944

  • Box WH-49, folder 7
To top

Photograph, undated

  • Box WH-49, folder 8
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.

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.