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
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