Address by Col. E.L. Wilbur
Creator: Wilbur, Colonel E.L.
Date: February 8-11, 1942
Delivered at six regional meetings in Kansas (Dodge City, Salina, Chanute, Hays, Topeka, and Wichita) during the winter of 1942, Col. E.L. Wilbur's remarks strike at the heart of the effort on the home front during World War II. Explaining that the present crisis required more than a military solution, Wilbur extols the virtues and importance of civilian involvement in defense matters.

A.L. Foster to the manager of Kelly's Hotel in Iola, Kansas
Creator: Foster, A.L.
Date: March 09, 1945
In this letter, from A.L. Foster of the Chicago Urban League to the manager of Kelly's Hotel in Iola, Kansas, details Foster's experiences at the hotel in the winter of 1945. Foster, a passenger on a bus from Ft. Scott to Wichita, was asked to sit in the rear section of the restaurant solely because he was an African American.

Anne G. Cravens to Governor Andrew Schoeppel
Creator: Cravens, Anne G.
Date: August 15, 1944
In this letter to Governor Schoeppel, Anne G. Cravens of Santa Monica, California, tells Schoeppel that he should work to establish a "Veterans City" in Kansas where returning soliders could live following the war.

A resolution approving and requesting legislative action on a program of basic military training and drill in the high schools of the state of Kansas
Creator: Sunflower Junior Statemens Club
Date: October 4, 1942
This resolution, produced by the Sunflower Junior Statemen's Club: Alumni Association of Sunflower Boys' State, asks that "a program of military drill and training" be required for all junior and senior high school boys throughout Kansas.

Arthur Capper to John N. Johnson
Creator: Capper, Arthur, 1865-1951
Date: September 13, 1947
In this letter to John H. Johnson, editor of the Negro Digest, Senator Arthur Capper of Kansas addresses the fact that African Americans living in Washington D.C. had "no voice in the Federal Government." According to Capper, African Americans in D.C. were "deprived of this right simply because a certain element is prejudiced against them, and does not want them to enjoy the rights that are given whites and colored in other states."

Arthur Capper to Milton Tabor
Creator: Capper, Arthur, 1865-1951
Date: February 22, 1947
In this letter, Senator Capper responds to an earlier letter sent to him by Milton Tabor, the managing editor of The Topeka Daily Capital. In response to Tabor's comments regarding the rising racial tensions in Topeka, Capper argues that "we must protect these groups who are quite often discriminated against." Furthermore, Capper explains that Washington D.C. had many similar problems because "there is a strong prejudice among the whites here against the Negroes." He also mentions prohibition efforts and the American Red Cross.

Arthur Capper to Mrs. Barbara Winthrop
Creator: Capper, Arthur, 1865-1951
Date: February 18, 1941
In this letter from Senator Capper to Mrs. Barbara Winthrop, Evanston, Illinois, President of We the Mothers Mobilize for America, Capper explains his stance on involving the United States in the conflict underway in Europe.

Avis Atkinson and Governor Andrew Schoeppel correspondence
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1943-1947 : Schoeppel)
Date: February 12-16, 1943
This correspondence deals with the possibility of moving Japanese Americans to Kansas to serve as laborers during World War II. In the letter to Governor Schoeppel, Avis Atkinson of Fall River, Kansas, urges the Governor to do everything in his power to keep the U.S. government from allowing Japanese Americans to work in Kansas because "Once a Jap Always a Jap." Governor Schoeppel's reply is cordial but reinforces the fact that, if the federal government so desires, he will comply with their wishes and house Japanese Americans and/or Japanese prisoners of war.

Await a Parsons Boom
Creator: Kansas City Times
Date: July 01, 1941
This article, from the Kansas City Times, details the often significant economic impact associated with the building of military or defense related facilities. In Parsons, Kansas, the most obvious impact of the decision to build a artillery munitions plant was on the area around Parsons where more than 300 homes were built to house the men and women who worked at the plant.

Benjamin O. Weaver to Governor Andrew Schoeppel
Date: September 01, 1943
In this letter to Governor Schoeppel, Kansas House of Representatives member Benjamin O. Weaver explains that many of his constituents in Kiowa County, Kansas, are opposed to the use of Japanese Americans as laborers in the state. Included with the letter is a petition signed by numerous Kiowa County residents which states that they are against releasing the Japanese Americans because they "think it dangerous to the war effort." A searchable, full-text version of this letter is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Beulah Mongold to Governor Payne Ratner
Creator: Mongold, Beulah
Date: January 23, 1942
In this letter to Governor Payne Ratner, Beulah Mongold of Topeka, Kansas, proposes that all vacant lots in town be utilized as Victory Gardens because "every foot of ground should be at work." A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Boom not all joy
Creator: Kansas City Times
Date: September 27, 1941
This article, from the September 27, 1941, edition of the Kansas City Times, addresses the concerns of the residents of Parsons, Kansas, following news that an artillery munitions plant will be built near their town.

Carl Fredin to Governor Payne Ratner
Creator: Fredin, Carl
Date: January 20, 1942
In this letter to Governor Ratner, Carl Fredin of Wadsworth, Kansas, offers his suggestions and ideas concerning the best way to go about creating Victory Gardens in Kansas. A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Chester Stevens to Andrew Schoeppel
Creator: Stevens, Chester
Date: August 02, 1943
In this letter to Governor Schoeppel, Chester Stevens of Independence, Kansas, argues that the proposed cut in the value gasoline "A" coupons to the Midwest is unfair due to the great distances between many towns and cities in that area of the country.

Civilian protection organization for a municipality
Date: Unknown
This organization chart depicts the Kansas State Council of Defense structure. Listing the Civilian Protection Organization for a Municipality (Citizen's Defense Corps), the chart details how civilians were to respond in the event of an attack on the U.S.

Claud McCamment to D.J. Fair
Creator: McCamment, Claud R
Date: January 30, 1942
In this letter to D.J. Fair, Director of the Kansas State Highway Commission, Claud McCamment, a Safety Engineer for the State, reports the results of his survey of five Kansas cities in preparation for the Kansas Federal Defense clinics to be held in those cities.

Community Service and War Fund
Date: 1943
This item details the various teams and committees related to the Community Service and War Fund in Kansas for the 1943 drive. Included are the quotas for each team and committee.

Coral Bell to Governor Andrew Schoeppel
Creator: Bell, Coral
Date: October 4, 1944
This letter from Coral Bell to Governor Schoeppel, concerns the treatment of the African American citizens of Ellis, Kansas. Bell explains that the Victory Café in Ellis has a sign in the front window that states "We Cater to White Trade Only" and questions is this the type of freedom he fought for while serving in the U.S. military.

Dean H. Umberger to Governor Payne Ratner
Creator: Umberger, Dean H.
Date: August 26, 1942
This letter to Governor Ratner from Dean H. Umberger of the Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in Manhattan, Kansas, details the progress of the Victory Garden Program. Victory Gardens were planted throughout the United States during World War II to help ease the burden on the public food supply in the U.S.

Dr. J.A. Billingsley and Governor Andrew Schoeppel coresspondence
Date: September 22, 1945-September 24, 1945
This correspondence between Governor Schoeppel and Dr. J.A. Billingsley deals with the severe shortage of doctors that Kansas faced throughout World War II. In his letter to Governor Schoeppel, Billingsley explains that his assistant, Dr. John Betz, has been in the military for three years despite health problems. As a result, Dr. Billingsley has had to rely on the help of "two men who are both past sixty-five and are unable to carry the load."

Edward McMaster to Governor Andrew Schoeppel
Creator: McMaster, Edward
Date: April 15, 1945
In this letter to Governor Schoeppel, Lieutenant Edward McMaster, Information and Education Officer for the Headquarters, 8th Fighter Group, at San Fransico, California, asks Schoeppel for information concerning various fields of employment in Kansas.

E. E. Baird and Governor Andrew Schoeppel Correspondence
Creator: Baird, E.E.
Date: August 20, 1945
In this letter to Governor Schoeppel, E.E. Baird of Wichita Kansas, asks the governor to use his "good offices and influence on Washington" to speed-up the return of Kansas soldiers who served in World War II. Like many Americans, Baird was anxious to have the troops home following the official end of World War II. However, as Schoeppel's reply indicates, immediate demobilization for all military members was impossible.

E.H. Lindley to Governor Walter Huxman
Creator: Lindley, E.H.
Date: July 11, 1938
In this letter to Governor Huxman, University of Kansas Chancellor E.H. Lindley informs Huxman that a group of African Americans visited his office and complained that the university's medical school had never allowed an African American to graduate. Chancellor Lindley suggests to Huxman that the matter must be investigated because "our schools must be and remain open to all classes of citizens."

Elmer Jackson to Harold Stauffer
Creator: Jackson, Elmer C. (Elmer Carter), 1912-
Date: November 21, 1945
This letter, from Elmer Jackson of the Kansas branch of the N.A.A.C.P. to Harold Stauffer, Chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, details the difficulties faced by African American students at the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia.

Emerald Moon to Governor Walter Huxman
Creator: Moon, Emerald L.
Date: August 2, 1938
Kansas State School of Medicine student Emerald L. Moon thanks Governor Walter Huxman for "the attention and action he gave to the "unjust prejudice against members of my race." A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.