Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
User information
Biographical sketch
Scope and Content note
Cataloguing information
Processed by
Charles Latham
22 January 1993
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 2 items
COLLECTION DATES: 1945
PROVERNANCE: Stephen Belcher, Indianapolis IN, 29 August 1979 (via Tom Krasean)
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society
ACCESSION NUMBER: 92.0177
William Forbes Belcher lived in Indianapolis, and was serving as a major in Okinawa in 1945.
Franklin Vonnegut (1856-1952) was the son of Clemens Vonnegut, a German immigrant who came to Indianapolis and founded a hardware store, which was a city institution for over a hundred years. He was president of the company from 1908 to 1940. He was involved in numerous civic institutions: a founder and later president of the Commercial Club; a founder and longtime director of Indianapolis Area Red Cross; leader of Community Fund and supporter of several German gymnastic organizations.
This collection consists of two letters, one from and one to William Forbes Belcher when he was serving in the Pacific in World War II. The letter from Belcher (a Xerox copy) is to his sons Stephen and David-- a father's letter of advice to very young sons whom he feels he may never see again. It includes a poem to "My Boys." The second letter is from Franklin Vonnegut (aged 88) to Belcher, a typical "home front" letter to an officer at the front. The two letters together exemplify some of the kinder moments in a nation at war.
MAIN ENTRY: Belcher, William Forbes
SUBJECT ENTRIES: World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan--Okinawa Island
World War, 1939-1945--Indiana--Indianapolis
Soldiers--Indiana--Indianapolis
Fathers and sons--Indiana--Indianapolis
ADDED ENTRIES: Vonnegut, Franklin, 1856-1952
END