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Collection Overview
Title: Theodore Fleck Correspondence, 1918-1919
Extent: 1.0 Folders
Date Acquired: 07/14/2015
Subjects: World War, 1914-1918.
Languages: English
Scope and Contents of the Materials
All but one of the letters in this collection were written by Edith (Edythe) Mellinger, a Richmond, KY resident who was writing to Theodore Fleck of Milwaukee, Wisconsin during World War I. Their correspondence began through a program to get young women to write to soldiers, so the couple never met face to face until after the war. The letters talk briefly about happenings in Richmond, but mostly they are getting to know each other. In one letter Edith is working in Washington, DC and she describes her life there.
Collection Historical Note
Theodore Fleck (1896-1972), son of Jacob and Catherine Fleck, lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when he enlisted in the Army in 1918. Even though these letters indicate that their relationship was getting serious, Theodore was married to a different Edith between 1922 and 1930 and later a Margaret. He lived in Wisconsin until his death. Edith Mellinger (1897-1941), daughter of Alexander and Emma Mellinger, was born in Covington, KY, and lived in Bourbon County, Kentucky, Madison County, Kentucky, Toledo, Ohio and Los Angeles, California where she died without ever marrying.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Acquisition Source:
Ebay Seller-hodagent
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Folder:
[
Folder 1],
[All]
- Folder 1
- Barcode: 31234013795396
- Item 1: Edithe Mellinger to Theodore Fleck, 28-Aug-18
- Writes about shortage of sugar and young men, going to a movie and their relationship.
- Item 2: Edithe Mellinger to Theodore Fleck, 30-Aug-18
- She is writing from Washington, DC where she has taken a job in the Chemical Warfare Service under the War and Navy Department. She talks about where she is living and parties she attends.
- Item 3: Edithe Mellinger to Theodore Fleck, 25-Mar-19
- Writing from Richmond, talks about it being "dry" on Sunday. Talks about Camp Taylor and his strengths.
- Item 4: Edithe Mellinger to Theodore Fleck, 2-Apr-19
- Writes about having the flu, the photos he sent of France, and about their long-distance relationship. Apparently they have never met face to face.
- Item 5: Edythe Mellinger to Theodore Fleck, 16-Apr-19
- Discusses courtship and when Fleck will return from Paris, also includes newspaper clippings.
- Item 6: Edythe Mellinger to Theodore Fleck, 21-Apr-19
- Writes about a French boy in Richmond, French authors, English brides, a banquet for returned soldiers and sailors, fortune tellers and religion, Ouija boards.
- Item 7: Edith Mellinger to Theodore Fleck, 22-Jun-19
- Writes about dancing, Richmond, glad he didn't join a relief organization, and still wondering when he will ship back home.
- Item 8: George E. Sharma? to Theodore Fleck, 20-Aug-19
- Letter from a cousin, talks about family, mentions Edith and Marie and asks about the "one in the south." He was also in France and has recently returned himself.
