The collection primarily contains black and white photographs of Peking, China during the time of the Boxer Rebellion, some with handwritten inscriptions, ca. 1900-1901, as well as 1 map of Peking, 1 identification card, and a copy of Thomas' discharge papers. The photographs include portraits and group shots of a number of 9 U.S. Infantry soldiers, Peking scenes, as well as some very graphic images of executions.

John Wesley Thomas was born in Decatur, Illinois ca. 1869, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1899. He served in Company B of the Ninth Regiment of Infantry, as part of the China Relief Expedition of 1900, and was honorably discharged in 1902. His discharge papers list his occupation as embalmer and indicate he was transported back to the U.S., via Japan, in 1903.

.4 linear feet (1 document box)

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

None.