Includes the papers of Roy G. Smith who served nearly fifty years with the Young Men's Christian Association in the Philippines, Peru, and the United States. The papers concern family news, business, farming, livestock, religion, teaching, Native-Americans, fur trade, politics, the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and descriptions of California, Iowa, Kansas and Texas. Many of the family letters talk about their religious experiences. Family papers, genealogical records, historical and organizational records of various Methodist churches, photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and other materials. Letters written by U.S. servicemen during World War II to friends and relatives throughout the United States.
Many letters reflect upon spiritual and religious concerns of the servicemen.
A printed program for the centennial celebration held at the Wyaconda, Missouri, Baptist Church in August 1944, in honor of the Association's organization in October 1844. Two letters from Wyatt to his daughter, Mrs. Mary Gentry, describing the Missouri River flood in Warren County, disease in Marthasville, Missouri, and conditions in their church. One letter contains words to a hymn composed by Benjamin Sharp and sent to his granddaughter Mary to sing to the brethren.