Otis J. Clontz Collection
M2001.1
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- UNC Asheville Special Collections and University Archives
- Title
- Otis J. Clontz Collection
- ID
- M2001.1
- Date [inclusive]
- 1912-1945
- Extent
- 4.0 Linear feet ; two boxes and two file drawers
- Physical Description
- Contains postcards, photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence and realia
- Location
- Boxes are located in Special Collections, Row 7, Section 3. Other materials located in file drawers near fire exit.
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Otis J Clontz Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina Asheville
Scope and Contents
Primarily contains postcards, photographs, booklets, other documents, and realia related to the US Army in the years immediately prior to, and during World War I. The materials were collected by Otis J Clontz (1895 - 1971) and his family, and focus on the 30th Infantry "Old Hickory" Division in which Clontz served. There are over 100 photograph postcards. In addition to postcards showing the National Guard at training camps prior to WWI, and the army at war, a large number show pre-war French scenes and buildings, as well as images of destruction from the fighting. A small number of postcards show the 1916 floods in Asheville.
Other materials include booklets, poems and parodies, newspapers and clippings, and items of kit belonging to Otis Clontz.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
UNC Asheville Special Collections and University Archives
Ramsey Library, CPO # 1500One University Heights
Asheville, North Carolina, 28804-8504
828.251.6645
speccoll@unca.edu
Rights
No restrictions; Copyright: Retained by the authors of certain items in the collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Creator
Otis J Clontz ; Robert J Clontz
Processing Information
Processed by Special Collections staff, 1983, 2001 and 2005. New finding aid and minor reprocessing by Colin Reeve, May 2017
Collection Inventory
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Box 1: Documents |
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File 1: Postcards |
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WNC and 1916 Flood |
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"Eventide in the Heart of the Mountains - A Scene on Pigeon River". Color postcard [P1] |
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Smith Bridge July, 16-19, 1916 [P2] |
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Flood in Asheville, July 16 - 19 , 1916 [P3] |
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Asheville Cotton Mill, July 16-19, 1916 [P4] |
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Southern Railroad Bridge Asheville, NC, July 16, 1916 [P5] |
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Bridge at Biltmore, Flood, July 16 - 19 , 1916 |
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Passenger Station Asheville, NC, July 16-19, 1916 [P7] |
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"Panoramic view of Champion Fibre Company, Canton, NC". Color postcard [P8] |
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"Champion Post Card for use of Champion men for messages of good cheer to Champion Buddies in the Armed Forces of the Nation from Canton Division" [P9] |
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Army (National Guard) Camps |
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"The Day of the Soldier Boy", by Segt. Wm. H Barter, 5th Mass Infy. [P12 and duplicate of P36] |
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Camp Glen 1916 [P13, 2 copies] |
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"Training Cavalry Horses". Sent to Roy Clontz from (A B C), El Paso, Texas, 1916 [P14] |
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"Hay used for Fortifications on the Mexican Border" [P15] |
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Soldiers in camp [P16] |
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"To the Tar Heel Brigade on the Border", composed and written by Pvt. Harry R. Pail, dedicated to Brigadier-General Laurence W. Young, Com. 1st NC Brigade on the Border. Part 1 [P17] |
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"To the Tar Heel Brigade on the Border", composed and written by Pvt. Harry R. Pail, dedicated to Brigadier-General Laurence W. Young, Com. 1st NC Brigade on the Border. Part 2 [P18] |
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Unidentified army sergeant and a lady [P19] |
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Soldier in uniform. Written on rear, "A true friend (?) Miss Maude Nelson (?) NC" [P20] [Note: Maude Nelson married Otis Clontz] |
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"Reading the Camp Rules U.S. National Army Cantonment" [P21] |
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Three soldiers in front of a tent [P22] |
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Soldier sitting in rocking chair. "(Horce) N Featherston, Biltmore Ave, Asheville NC" written on reverse [P23] |
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Solder in uniform [Oval cut from postcard] [P24] |
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"Preparing for Winter. Putting Flooring in Tents. US National Guard, Camp McClellan, Anniston, ALA". [P25] |
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Group of soldiers in uniform. Pablo Beach Postcard Co. Fla. [P26] |
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"Company K" marching across railroad tracks [P27] |
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Soldier sitting on a chair. Written on rear, "A C Hinton, Springhope, NC. RFD #1" [P28] |
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"Pvt. R V Wills, Murphy, NC, 1916" [P29] |
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Duplicate of P29, but without any writing [P30] |
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Two soldiers in camp with dogs [P31] |
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Fort wall with ditch between. Written on rear, "Fort Macon" [P32] |
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Two soldiers sitting on sand dune [P33] |
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Soldier sitting on crescent moon cut out. Written on rear, "Fred Eugene Wilson, Asheville, NC R #1" [P34] |
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Three soldiers (in photo studio) [P35] |
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"The Day of the Soldier Boy", by Segt. Wm. H Barter, 5th Mass Infy. [P36 and duplicate of 12] |
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Soldier sitting on chair. Written on rear, "Raymond Edwards, Nov. 15th 1917" [P37] |
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Soldiers on firing range. "Co. K" written on front. [P38] |
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Group of soldiers posed in front of a tree. [P39] |
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Soldier standing in front of tree [P40] |
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Two soldiers dressed as cowboys. Written on rear, "Corporal Raymond B Moore, 55 Roberts Street, Asheville, NC" and "Bugler C G Curly Harbin, 47 Buxton St. Asheville, NC" [P41] |
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Two soldiers in front of a tent [P42] |
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"(5th) Ohio Infantry at Camp (Pershing). Wm Horne (Co.), El Paso Tex." [P43] |
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Soldiers in camp (cleaning rifles). "Co. K" written on front. [P44] |
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"U.S. National Guard Cantonment, Camp Greene, Charlotte, NC - View from Water Tank Number 1". Color postcard [P10] |
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Captain (C I Baird), Edwin & James. On reverse, "March 26, 1914. (Julius Rath) and Globe trotter from 1897 to 1915". "C.I. Baird, Asheville , NC 1912" [P11] |
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Two soldiers standing. Written on rear, "Walter Bryson, Murphy NC", and "Fabe White, Weaverville, NC" [P45] |
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Rifleman and spotter [P46] |
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Band with instruments [P47] |
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Army in France |
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"Old Hickory 30th Division". Includes insignia, quote from Filed Marshall Haig, and list of towns that played a part in capturing the Hindenburg Line. [P48] |
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"Leaving France, St. Nazaire, France, USS Powhatan" [P49] |
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"Off to USA on board USS Powhatan" [P50] |
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"Goodbye France,. Hello USA. The 30th" [P51] |
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"Co. F 105th Supply Train" on board ship. Stamped on rear, "Jesse B Kitchens, USS Powhatan, c/o Postmaster NY City" [P52. Differs from P53] |
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"Co. F 105th Supply Train" on board ship. Stamped on rear, "Jesse B Kitchens, USS Powhatan, c/o Postmaster NY City" [P53. Differs from P52] |
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Group of four soldiers and small child in front of tent. (Otis Clontz on right) [P54] |
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File 2: Postcards |
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Views of France |
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"Reims dans ses annees de bombardments [in its bombing years] 1914-17, Place Barre - Maison Poullot" [P55] |
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"Reims dans ses annees de bombardments [in its bombing years] 1914-17, Rue Saint-Thierry" [P56] |
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"Le France reconquise (1917) - Mennessis (Aisne) - Les vestiges de l'Usine d'Aluminium" [France reclaimed...the remains of the aluminium factory] [P57] |
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"1914-15...Marne - Huiron - Interior of the church burnt up on the 7th of September 1914" [P58] |
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"1914-15...Marne - Huiron - A grave" [P59] |
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"War 1914-15-16...In the Somme. French offensive - Guns taken from the Germans" [P60] |
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"Environs de Conlie - Chateau de Sourches" [P61] |
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"Environs de la Fleche - Chateau de Bazouges vu du Loir" [P62] |
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"Langres - La Rue Diderot" [P63] |
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"Lhomme - Chateau de Benehart" [P64] |
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"Chateau de Bonnetable - Vue d'ensemble" [P65] |
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"Tuffe - Chateau de Cheronne" [P66] |
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"Besse-sur-Braye - Chateau de Courtanvaux" [P67] |
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"Pont-de-Braye - Chateau de la Flotte" [P68] |
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"Le Mans - Cathedrale" [P69] |
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"Le Mans - Interieur de la Cathedrale" [P70] |
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"Courceboeufs (Sarthe) Eglise - Abside" [P71] |
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"Environs de La Ferte-Bernard (Sarthe) - Chateau de Courtangis" [P72] |
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"Sarthe - Chateau de Gallerande" [P73] |
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"Chateau de Montdragon a la Bosse (Sarthe)" [P74] |
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"Chateau de Montmirail (Sarthe)" [P75] |
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"Parigne-le-Polin (Sarthe) - Chateau des Perrais" [P76] |
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"Sarthe - Chateau de la Roche-Mally" [P77] |
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"Ste-Jamme (Sarthe) - Chateau d"Antoigne et la Sarthe" [P78] |
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"Troyes - La Caisse d'Epargne" [P79] |
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"Troyles - La Cathedrale" [P80] |
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"Troyes - La Fontaine Argence" [P81] |
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"Troyes - Square de la Prefecture" [P82] |
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"Troyes - La Prefecture" [P83] |
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"Troyes - Grilles de l"Hotel Dieu" [P844] |
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"Sarthe - Chateau de Sable, vu du Port" [P85] |
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"Sable-sur-Sarthe Solesmes - Abbaye des Benedictins" |
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"Saint Brieuc - Le Palais de Justice" [P87] |
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"Bretagne - Saint-Brieuc - Monument Anatole le Braz" [P88] |
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"Paris - La Place de la Concorde et la Seine" [P89] |
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"Paris - La Rue Soufflot et le Pantheon" [P90] |
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"Amiens - La Cathedrale" [P91] |
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"Tours - Le Coteau du St-Symphorien et l'Ecole Normale des Tilleuls" [P92] |
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"Tours - The Station" [P93] |
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"Tours - National Street South Side" [P94] |
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"La France reconquise [reconquered](1917) - Saint-Simon (Aisne)" [P95] |
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"Environs d"Ecommey - Chateau de Chardonneux" [P96] |
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"Troyes - Le Cirque Municipal" [P97] |
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"Troyes - Le Chevet de la Cathedrale" [P98] |
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"Troyes - L'Hotel de Vauluisant" [P99] |
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"Troyes - Le Monument des Enfants de l"Aube et la Gare" [P100] |
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"Le Luart - Chateau du Luart" [P101] |
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"La France reconquise [reconquered] - Roye - The church interior" [P102] |
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"La Grand Guerre 1914-17 - Eglise de Curlu" [P103] |
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"War 1914-15-16...In the Somme - Curlu church taken back by the French" [P104] |
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"La France reconquise [reconquered] - Roye (Somme) - Arm Place and St-Pierre Street" [P105] |
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"Reims dans ses annenees de bombardements [in its bombing years] 1914-1917 [P106] |
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"War 1914-15-16...In the Somme - British offensive" [P107] |
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"1914-15...Examination of spies" [P108] |
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File 3: Postcards and Correspondence from France |
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"Fayl-Billot - La Grand-Rue", mailed in 1908. [Correspondence on rear is in French] [P109] |
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"Souvenir de Fayl-Billor" Sent by Noblab B. and seems to be third postcard as text is a PS. [P110] |
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Picture of young woman with flowers. Sent by Berthe Noblab [P111] |
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"Paris - Colonne de Juilet Place de la Bastille". Sent to Leon Cabaret in Beaumont S. Sarthe in (1918) [P112] |
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"Paris - Avenue de l"Opera". Sent to Leon Cabaret in Beaumont S. Sarthe in 1918 [P114] |
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"Beaumont-Sur-Sarthe - L'Eglise" [The church]. From Leon Cabaret, Beaumont-Sur-Sarthe, 24th March 1919 ]P115] |
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Man and woman with flowers, and captioned "Bonne Annee". Sent to Marie Pernot, (Fayl-Billot) [P116] |
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"Beaumont-Sur_Sarthe - Pont Suspendu [suspension bridge]". Sent to Otis Clontz from Leon Cabaret, 15th May 1919 [P117] |
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"Beaumont-Sur_Sarthe - La Gare de Vivoin-Beaumont [train station]". Sent to Otis Clontz from Leon Cabaret, 15th May 1919 [P118] |
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"Beaumont-Sur_Sarthe - La Chateau de Juille". Sent to Otis Clontz in Canton, NC from Leon Cabaret, 25th September 1919 |
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"Ballon (Sarthe) - Champ de Foire et Mansion d'Ecole. Sent to Otis Clontz in Canton, NC from Leon, 28th September 1919 [P120] |
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"Vivoin - Vieux Moulin [old mill]". Sent to Otis Clontz in Canton, NC from (Cabaret L.) 25th September 1919 [P121] |
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"Juillet (Sarthe) - L'Eglise". Sent to Otis Clontz in Canton, NC from Leon Cabaret, 25th September 1919 [P122] |
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"Ballon (Sarthe) - Le Chateau". Sent to Otis Clontz in Canton, NC from Leon Cabaret, October 8th 1919 [P123] |
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"Fayl-Billot (Hte-Marne) - Bois Banal". Dated 4 October 1919. Sender and recipient unknown [P124] |
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"Barbed wire cut, Americans creeping on the Germans with hand grenades - France" Sent to (T C) Clontz in Arden, NC from AKP [P125] |
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Booklet of eighteen postcards of Le Mans. Further card appears to have been removed. Handwritten translation of French description on rear of most cards [P126] |
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Letter from Marie to "Cher Otis" sent from Fayl-Billot, 12 (February) 1919 [P127] |
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File 4: Verse and Parody |
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"A.W.O.L." Jan 15th 1918. "Composed and wrote by OJC, (HNF) AMC". Six handwritten pages of verse [P130] |
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"General orders adapted by all discouraged A.E. F. soldiers", 27th March 1919. Handwritten on two sheets of Salvation Army notepaper [P131] |
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File 5: Photographs and Booklets |
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Photograph of soldier sitting atop a tent [P134] |
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Photograph of two soldiers. Written on rear, "Corp. R B Moore, 1st class. pvt. (J G Hogan) Oct. 1st 1917" [P135] |
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Photograph of five soldiers [P136] |
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Photograph of three soldiers eating. [Names on back are very indistinct, but "Clontz" can be read] [P137] |
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"Ballads of the Border", William Hervey Allen, 1916. Otis J Clontz handwritten on cover [P138] |
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"Our Borderland", song by Corp. L M Hammonds, Camp Owen Bierne, El Paso, Texas [P139] |
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"Souvenir of Camp Sevier, Greenville SC". Booklet with photographs distributed Hobbs-Henderson Co. department store, Greenville [P140] |
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File 6: Photographs and Booklets |
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Photograph of man and two women standing in front of a house. Written on back, "this is my vacation-house at the seashore 4 miles from home taken last July from left to right: my wife, myself, and my eighteen years old daughter". [Signature is indecipherable.] [P141] |
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"Operations, Thirtieth Division Old Hickory....The Hindenburg Line...", (1918). 22 pages. |
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"Bill Kaiser Must Come Down, A Rousing War Poem", by A R Harrison, Asheville, NC, 1917 [P143] |
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"Popular songs of the A.E.F.", YMCA, Paris, 1918 [P144] |
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"Pages of American Glory", Michelin, 1918 [P145] |
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"When You Get Home", Home Service American Red Cross [P146] |
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"To The Homeward Bound Americans", by B Van Vorst, Paris [P147] |
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File 7: Discharge Papers |
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Otis Clontz discharge from the United States Army, April 14, 1919 [P148] |
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File 8: Discharge Papers |
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Otis Clontz discharge from the National Guard of the United States, August 22, 1922 [P149] |
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File 9: News Clippings |
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"The Two Doves" poem by Marshall Hanna, written for the Illustrated News [P150] |
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"Welcome, Men of Old Hickory", cartoon by G A David [P151] |
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List of recipients of "Diplomas to be Awarded at Memorial Exercises at Asheville on Sunday, May Sixteenth", 1920 [P152] |
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"30th Were Lads Who Smashed Through Line", The Asheville Citizen, May 8, 1919 [P153] |
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File 10: Contemporary Photographs |
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Front of Clontz home, Academy Street, Canton, NC. 2001[P154] |
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Side of Clontz home, Academy Street, Canton, NC. 2001[P155] |
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Rear of Clontz home, Academy Street, Canton, NC. 2001[P154] |
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File 11: Items from WWII |
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Postcard of the Leaning Tower of Pisa [P155] |
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V-Mail to Mrs. O J Clontz from Pvt. Frank Clontz, (1944) [Copy] [P156] |
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"Lifting a 1300 lb motor from a medium tank which has to be repaired". (Clipping) [P157] |
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Box 2: Realia |
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Dog tag belonging to PFC Otis J Clontz |
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Leather leg coverings worn by PFC Otis J Clontz |
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Army cap, (WWI), possibly belonging to Otis J Clontz |
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Brass shell casing, inscribed with, (fleur de lis) and "Btry Co '113'th FA, St Mihiel Argonne 1918, 1919 Edith Verdun ARC" |
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US Army Field Ration Type C, B Unit. Unopened can with 4.5oz biscuit, .5oz sugar,and .3 oz soluble coffee. Sawyer Biscuit Company. |
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Lateral File Drawer: Newspapers |
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The Asheville Citizen, November 12, 1918 |
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Greenville Times, September 29, 1919 |
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The Asheville Times, Reunion Number, September 28, 1920 |
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The Asheville Times, Second News Section, Old Hickory Reunion, September 28, 1920 |
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The Asheville Times, Asheville Prosperity Section, Welcome Old Hickory, September 28, 1920 |
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The Asheville Times, Automobile Section, Old Hickory Reunion Number, September 28, 1920 |
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The Asheville Times, Last Edition, September 28, 1920 |
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The Asheville Times, May 7, 1945 |
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The Asheville Times, August 14, 1945 |
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Drawer VF4: Oversize Photograph |
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Large [36" x 8"] photograph, Third Battalion First Regiment N. C. Infantry, 1916 [P158] |
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