Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Gertie Turner letters

Abstract

The Gertie Turner letters (dated 1918; 0.02 cubic feet; 1 folder) comprises three letters from Gertie to his wife that document his experience in training camps during World War I.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Gertie Turner letters
Date
1918 (inclusive)
Creator
Turner, Gertie
Extent
0.02 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
World War, 1914-1918.
Family.
Basic training (Military education)
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
2009ms132.0697: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Gertie Turner letters, 1918, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Gertie Turner (1890-1986) was born in Kentucky to Columbus Turner (1850-1929) and Alice Hayden (1858-1930). From June to December 1918, Gertie served in the army. He worked as a barber prior to, and after, serving in the military. He married Eula Jordan (b. 1894) and together they had one child, Dorlas Pearl Turner (1920-1992).
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 Gertie Turner letters (dated 1918; 0.02 cubic feet; 1 folder) comprises three letters from Gertie to his wife that document his experience in training camps during World War I. In the letters, he writes about being a bugler, having to learn how to drive a motorcycle, his happiness at getting pictures of her and his parents, and thoughts about having a child after the war.
The Gertie Turner 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

Gertie Turner to Eula Turner, 1918

  • Box WH-72, folder 11
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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.