Robert Case Papers, 1938-1943 (majority within 1941-1943)
0.25 Linear feet
The collection includes typed and handwritten letters by Case to Mary Catherine Damon whom he referred to in most of the letters as Kay Damon. In the letters, Case discusses his reasons for being a conscientious objector and daily life at Public Service Camp 21. The bulk of correspondence is from 1942 until 1943 The Civilian Public Service was made to provide alternative service for conscientious objectors due to religious objections against war. Civilian Public Service Camp 21 was a Forest Service camp located in Cascade Locks, Oregon and run by the Brethren Service Committee a part of the Church of Brethren. Many of the conscientious objectors were from various other Christian religions besides the Church of the Brethren. CPS Camp 21 opened November 1941 and closed July 1946. The men fought forest fires, worked on forest fire prevention and did camp maintenance and construction. Total number of workers who worked in the camp were 579 men.
The February 1943 folder includes two pictures and a postcard of the library fire that occurred January 1943 in the camp. The library included a collection of 2000 volumes, but after the fire was rebuilt and restocked with a new collection of 3000 volumes.