Snapshot a Local WWI Soldier

The Crawfordsville District Public Library invites the public to enjoy our newest local history display on the second floor, which features Sgt. Floyd Dunkle Fraley. This display provides a snapshot of the life of a local Montgomery County man who served in WWI, told through several war-time letters and other memorabilia.

Some of you may be wondering who Sgt. Floyd Dunkle Fraley is and how all his letters and items came to the library. Great questions! Our journey of creating this display began when local author and historian, Cindy Hudson, donated the items to our resident local historian, Dellie Craig. After Sgt. Frayley and his wife passed away, a steamer trunk full of items made its way to Cindy via the Fraley’s daughter, Rebecca (Fraley) Weaver, who then passed it to her daughter, Marty Weaver. Marty, knowing her friend’s interest in local history, gave the trunk to her friend, Ms. Hudson.

Sgt. Fraley, who lived in Linden, IN, enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 20, 1917, and reported to Camp Zachary Taylor for basic training. After graduation, he moved on to Camp Sherman in Chilicothe, Ohio, for additional training. Sgt. Fraley spent the remainder of his enlistment, September 1918 to July 1919, in or around Marseille, France.

Sgt. Fraley wrote hundreds of letters and postcards to his parents, Arthur and Daisy Fraley, and his sister, Ruth Ann Fraley. He also wrote numerous letters to his girlfriend, and later wife, Roxie Evangeline “Van” Morrow. While not all of the letters are available for patrons to handle, our local historian has prepared a large number of them in binders for your reading pleasure.

Stop by soon to explore this fascinating piece of local history. Check out the section on Van Morrow Fraley while you’re here as well! She worked in the White House directly for President Woodrow Wilson and was an original “Girl Friday”.

We look forward to assisting you on the second floor soon! Questions? Please call the Adult Services Information Desk at 765-362-2242, ext. 3. Our current hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.