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Kirkendall (Emit A.) Papers
MSA.33  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Related Archival Materials
  • Processing History
  • Scope and Contents
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Biographical Note
  • Acquisition
  • Preferred Citation

  • Contributing Institution: Library and Archives at the Autry
    Title: Emit A. Kirkendall Papers
    Creator: Kirkendall, Nadine
    Creator: Kirkendall, Emit A.
    Identifier/Call Number: MSA.33
    Physical Description: 3.6 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1899-1977
    Date (bulk): 1899-1958
    Abstract: Emit Akins Kirkendall (1878 June 1 - 1958 January 23) was a Spanish-American War veteran, an inventor of agricultural tools, and a real estate agent in Baker, Oregon. His collection of papers, correspondence, photographs, and memorabilia span from 1899-1977 and document his military and real estate careers, as well as personal and family history. The military photographs in this collection document the United States military experience in the Philippines from 1899-1901.
    Language of Material: English .

    Related Archival Materials

    Emit A. Kirkendall artifacts, Autry Museum of the American West; 2008.60

    Processing History

    Initial inventory, physical processing, and cataloging by Autry Museum of the American West staff. Additional processing and finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Project Archivist, 2012 March 26, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

    Scope and Contents

    This collection consists of business records, correspondence, deeds, financial records, legal documents, military documents, newspaper clippings, notes, pamphlets, patent certificates, personal papers, photographs, and travel ephemera belonging to Emit A. Kirkendall, and dates span from 1899-1977. Many of the photographs in the collection document military and civilian life in Manila, Philippines during Kirkendall's time in the Spanish-American War. The majority of military correspondence regards Kirkendall's hospitalization in Manila and resulting pension claims extending into the 1930s. The two patent certificates in the collection are #1024008 awarded in 1912, improvements in staples; and #1053043 awarded in 1913, device for quickly releasing a horse from connection with a vehicle. Personal correspondence also includes Nadine Kirkendall's personal correspondence.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives  and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

    Conditions Governing Use

    Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

    Biographical Note

    Emit A. Kirkendall (1878 June 1 - 1958 January 23) was born in Hamden, Ohio, but lived most of his life in Baker, Oregon, now called Baker City, Oregon. Kirkendall was a member of Troop G of the Fourth Regiment of Cavalry of the United States Army, which was the first regiment of American ground forces sent to defend Manila during the Spanish-American War. The first troops were sent in 1898, but the horses of the Cavalry were accidentally sent to Hawaii. Troops E, I, and K used Filipino horses and fought to capture Malolos. Kirkendall in Troop G, along with Troops C and L, campaigned under Major General Lawton to capture Santa Cruz, Philippines. In late 1899, General Lawton moved the entire 4th Regiment north to capture then-Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo. Lawton was killed on that leg of the journey, but by early 1901, the U.S. forces were reassigned to pacification duties in the Philippines. Kirkendall's unit left Manila on 1901 July 4, and by September 1901, the entire Fourth Regiment returned to the United States. Kirkendall was discharged in 1902 and returned to his home in Ohio.
    In 1909 he joined the United Mine Workers of America as a mine driver, and moved to Baker, Oregon. He was granted two patents for agricultural improvements: one was a design for securing fencing wire to trees and posts; the other was a device for quickly releasing a horse from connection with a vehicle, such as a carriage.
    Kirkendall later pursued a career in real estate in Baker, Oregon, where he lived with his wife Nadine and daughter Audrey (Coalman). He was sometimes called Emmett or Kirk by his friends and military cohort. Kirkendall retired from the real estate business in 1944, was the Past Post Commander of Oregon 1931 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a member of Elks Lodge No. 338. He and Nadine later moved to Arizona and then to San Diego, California.
    Emit Kirkendall died in 1958, and wife Nadine died in 1977. Both are buried in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. Their daughter Audrey Coalman passed away 2007 May 18.

    Acquisition

    Purchase from the Estate of Audrey Coalman, 2007 May 24.

    Preferred Citation

    Emit A. Kirkendall Papers, 1899-1977, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MSA.33; [folder number] [folder title][date].

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    United States. Army. Cavalry, 4th
    Spanish-American War, 1898 -- Campaigns -- Philippines
    Financial records
    Correspondence
    Certificates
    Legal documents
    Clippings
    Patents
    Photographs
    Manila (Philippines)
    Baker (Ore.)
    Soldiers -- United States
    Deeds
    Military documents
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States