Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Cora Phares letters

Abstract

The Cora Phares letters (dated 1889-1897, bulk 1890-1892; 0.14 cubic feet; 4 folders) comprises 28 letters between Cora and Charley Kirk that document aspects of a long distance relationship and finding work in Illinois.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Cora Phares letters
Date
1889-1897 (inclusive)
1890-1892 (bulk)
Creator
Phares, Cora, 1869-1966
Extent
0.14 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Courtship
Farm life -- Indiana
Letters.
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
2009ms132.0050: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Cora Phares letters, 1889-1897, bulk 1890-1892, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Cora A. Phares (1869-1966) was born in Butler County, Ohio to George A. Phares (1837-1907) and Margaretta Page Phares (1839-1926), who ran their own farm. Cora married Frank Wintersteen (1875-1940), another farmer of Butler County, in the early 1900s. They had two children together - Willard (1907-1998) and Gordon (1909-1987).
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 Cora Phares letters (dated 1889-1897; 0.14 cubic feet; 4 folders) comprise 28 letters between Cora and Charley Kirk that document aspects of a long distance relationship and finding work in Illinois. The letters detail Kirk's move from Butler County to Illinois to find work, social life in Illinois, and his thoughts on marriage. The letters also indicate that Kirk was barely literate, as many words are spelled phonetically.
The Cora Phares letters 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
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 Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Cora Phares letters, 1889-1890

  • Box 142, folder 4
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Cora Phares letters, 1891

  • Box 142, folder 5
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Cora Phares letters, 1892-1897

  • Box 142, folder 6
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Cora Phares papers, 1878-1881

  • Box 142, folder 7
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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.