Find of the Month

Each month we highlight interesting, important, and odd items from our collection, along with the stories they tell.

Most recent Find of the Month

December 2025 - Letters to Lt. Stetson

Along with correspondence about Fire Department business, Fire Chief Frank Stetson's files also include copies of letters to his son Horatio, who was serving in World War I. The younger Stetson had previously been posted in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War and at the Mexican border with the Washington National Guard. As the new war was ramping up, he attended officer training camp and was made a First Lieutenant in the Signal Corps.

In a December 1917 letter, the chief expressed dismay at learning that Horatio had left Fort Leavenworth and was on his way to New Jersey, as it was hoped he would remain some months longer in Kansas. He wrote to his son, "If you are sent to France soon keep us posted as to your whereabouts. You know your mother was very much opposed to your going and will be very anxious, as we all will, to hear from you." In another letter, he expressed hope that the war would be over before his son would arrive overseas.

Eventually Horatio was sent to France, where he managed telegraph and telephone lines leading to General Pershing's headquarters. The chief wrote, "I am sorry to have you go but now that you are a soldier you will be obliged to do as soldiers are required to do. Mother speaks of you every day and wonders how you are getting along."

Chief Stetson told his son about work during wartime:

We are having one awful time trying to keep the Fire Department reasonably manned by reason of the war and better positions offered the men and more pay than they are getting in the Fire Department. They are away over 100 of the old men and they have quit and it is difficult to get new ones to take their places.

The chief also shared local political news:

There is an awful upheaval regarding the clean-up of the City. They have not yet impeached the Mayor. The Grand jury will take it up which meets soon… I have my doubts as to their impeaching Gill before the March election, if they do then. He is some fighter.

Horatio was promoted to Captain during his time in France, and was discharged at Camp Lewis on August 15, 1919.

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