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Emma L. Rutz papers, 1918-2002
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Rutz, Emma Lydia, 1876-1955
- Title
- Emma L. Rutz papers
- Dates
- 1918-2002 (inclusive)19182002
1918-1919 (bulk)19181919 - Quantity
- 0.34 cubic feet (2 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 6518 (Accession No. 6518-001)
- Summary
- Postcards, photographs, booklets, maps, US army service record, and some newspapers and correspondence from one of the one hundred nurses that were mobilized under the United States Army Base Hospital No. 50, Eagleston unit, in response to the growing involvement of American forces in World War I
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Emma Lydia Rutz (22 March 1876 - 30 July 1955) was one of the one hundred nurses that were mobilized under the United States Army Base Hospital No. 50, Eagleston unit, in response to the growing involvement of American forces in World War I. Originally born in Staten Island, New York to Swiss Immigrant parents Marie Enz and John (Henry) Rutz, Emma was the youngest of eight siblings. Rutz grew up in New York and graduated from nursing school in January of 1909 at the St. Mary’s Hospital Training School. before moving to the Northwest by 1914, moving between Alaska and Washington while working as a nurse.
As American involvement began to increase, the University of Washington's Base Hospital unit was officially ordered by Major General Arthur Murray to mobilize in 1918. A hundred nurses were called upon in and around the Seattle region to enlist for duty to staff the hospital overseas. Rutz was officially enlisted as a registered nurse of the US Army by Jun 8, 1918, and with the nurse unit was shipped from New York to France on August 24, 1919, to serve in the Mesves Hospital Center in France.
Rutz and her fellow nurses served until the end of WW1, and safely returned to the United States by 1919. Following her service in WW1, Rutz continued to work as a government nurse in various hospitals between Washington, Oregon, and Alaska before entering the United States Indian Service to work as chief nurse by 1937. She retired in 1946 and returned to Washington, where she settled on Vashon Island and passed away in 1955. Rutz was interred in 1956 at the Willamette National Cemetery.
Sources: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Obituary, "Passaic Herald News", collection materials, Base Hospital Fifty – University of Washington. Accessed: April 2024, https://basehospital50.blogspot.com/
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
WW1 postcards, photographs, poetry booklets, maps, US army service record, and some newspapers and correspondence. Photographs and postcards are of Europe, majority in France, collected by a nurse during her service in World War I. Later correspondence and photostatic copies of veterans records are related to Veteran's Administration Hospital benefits. Additional correspondence is associated with an offer to donate her collection to The Women's Memorial, in Arlington, Virginia.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | Cote D'Azur Photobook 7"x10.5" string-bound photobook
A book of twenty-five images of French cities and Monaco along the
Cote D'Azur. Scene descriptions are in French and English. Published by
Giletta, Nice. A typed quotation from Winston Churchill's, 'The Crossing', is
inserted at the page Nice, English Walk and Jetty Palace. A letterhead from the
Hotel Negresco is inserted at the page Nice, Palmarium and Casino.
|
1918-1919 |
| 1/2 | WWI Booklets One 4"x5" cloth-bound booklet, one 5"x7.5" booklet
in leather jacket, one 4.5"x7" paper-bound booklet
Cloth-bound booklet titled, "Songs of the Soldiers and Sailors"
U.S. , issued by the Commissions on Training Camp Activities of the Army and
Navy Departments, First Edition, 1917. A paper-bound book of verse titled,
"Yanks, A Book of A.E.F. Verse", published in France by The Stars and Stripes,
First Edition, Victory Edition, 1918. Hand-written on first page inside cover,
'First Edition published in France - 1918. Emma Rutz'. The leather jacket front
reads, 'A Book to Beguile the Time'. The back of the leather jacket reads, '
Los Angeles, Cal'. The leather book marker reads, 'As We Grow Better We Meet
Better People'. A paper-bound booklet titled, 'Histoire Resumee De La Guerre
(Aout 1914-Avril 1918)' published by Librairie Hachette et Cie, 1918.
|
1917-1919 |
| 1/3 | Correspondence A poem, on YMCA American Expeditionary Force letterhead, written
in Dutch or German. A business envelope containing correspondence, between 1999
and 2002, related to the donation of Emma Rutz's WWI memorabilia to The Women's
Memorial.
|
1918-2002 |
| 1/4 | Service Records An envelope, written on front, 'Emma Rutz, Commission &
various photostated records' containing a letter from the Veterans
Administration relating to Emma Rutz's records request to establish eligibility
for hospitalization at Providence Hospital, in Seattle, dated November 12,
1953. Records include photostatic copies of her active duty notification and
various other military records.
|
1953 |
| 1/5 | Newspaper Articles Article 'Eight Thousand Swiss' recounting the Swiss soldiers who
fought for France at the battle of Verdun. A February 7, 1937, Lewiston Morning
Tribune article 'Indian Children Find Health and Happiness at Old Fort Lapwai
Tuberculosis Sanatorium' showing Emma Rutz, chief nurse, providing treatment.
|
1918, 1937 |
| 1/6 | Maps A 4.25"x^.5" red paper-bound multi-fold map of the city of Paris,
France with tables highlighting the sights and areas of the city. A multi-fold
automobile and bicycling map of France, published by A. Taride.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/1 | The Cascade and Shasta Routes Postcard Set A 4"x6" fanfold postcard mailing envelope of "Scenes Along the
Southern Pacific from San Francisco to Portland". The inside cover includes a
narrative for each of the postcard scenes.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/2 | Pikes Peak Auto Highway Postcard Set A 4"x6.25" fanfold postcard mailing envelope of the "Pikes Peak
Auto Highway". The inside cover includes a narrative for each of the postcard
scenes.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/3 | Miscellaneous U.S. postcards Four 3"x5.5" postcards, two 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Three WWI-related postcards. One Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake
City, UT postcard. One Portland, OR postcard. One Lake Pond D'Orielle,
Sandpoint, ID postcard stamped Red Cross Canteen, Sandpoint, Idaho, on
verso.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/4 | Amboise, France Postcards Three 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
One colorized postcard of the Chateau and bridge, one monotone
postcard of the Chateau and one postcard of the interior of the cathedral in
Amboise, France.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/5 | Armentieres, France Postcards Eleven 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Four monotone postcards of the city, cathedral and train station
in Armentieres, France. Seven monotone postcards of war-damaged buildings.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/6 | Blois, France Postcards Twenty-four bound 3.5"x5.5" post cards, four
3.5"x5.5" colorized postcards, thirteen 3.5"x5.5" monotone postcards.
Bound set of detachable souvenir postcards from the city of Blois,
France with French and English text. Printed by Anciens-Etab. Neurdien et Cie.
- Crete Succ. Corbeil-Paris, 52, Av. De Breteuil. - Paris. - B1. One colorized
and one monotone postcard of La Caserne Maurice-de-Saxe. One colorized postcard
of Le Chateau et l'Eglise Saint-Vincent. Two duplicate colorized postcards of
Vue generale prise du Chateau. One postcard of the Blois, France train station.
Six postcards of the general views of Blois, France. Three postcards of the Rue
Denis-Papin. One postcard of the exterior and one of the interior of l'Eglise
St-Nicolas.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/7 | Chambourd, France Postcards Ten 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Monotone postcards of the Chateau in Chambourd, France.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/8 | Chaumont, France Postcards One colorized 3.5"x5.5" postcard, one monotone
3.5"x5.5" postcard.
One colorized and one monotone postcard of the same view of the
Chateau in Chaumont, France.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/9 | Chenonceaux, France Postcards One monotone 3.5"x5.5" postcard.
One monotone postcard of the Chateau in Chenonceaux, France.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/10 | Compiegne, France Postcards Five 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Two postcards depict WWI 1918 bomb damage to parts of the city of
Compiegne, France. One postcard is of the Hotel de Ville. One postcard is of
the bridge of pinnacles. One postcard is of the statue of Joan of Arc.
|
approximately 1919 |
| 2/11 | Langeais, France Postcards One 3.5"x5.5" postcard.
A monotone postcard of the Chateau in Langeais, France.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/12 | Lille, France Postcards Four 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Three monotone postcards of the city center and one of the
Saint-Maurice Gate in Lille, France.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/13 | Mesves, France Postcards One 3.5"x5.5" postcard.
A monotone postcard of a Mesves, France street corner with a sign
that reads: To Headquarters Mesves Hospital Center.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/14 | Pantheon de la Guerre Postcard Set Twenty individual 3.5"x5.5" post cards. One 5"x6"
pamphlet.
A descriptive pamphlet with a set of postcards representing
various European war-related scenes and subjects. Published by Pierre
Carrier-Belleuse et Auguste-Francois Gorguet. On verso of postcards: Edit. Art.
H. Manuel, Paris
|
1918 |
| 2/15 | Paris, France Postcards Twenty bound 3.5"x5.5" postcards, one incomplete
unbound set of eleven 3.5"x5.5" postcards, one 3.5"x5.5" colorized postcard,
sixteen 3.5"x5.5" 'Paris landmarks' postcards, eight 3.5"x5.5" Sacre-Coeur de
Montmartre postcards.
One bound set of detachable souvenir postcards from the city of
Paris, printed by Levy Fils & Cie. One incomplete, eleven of twenty-four,
unbound set of detachable Paris postcards titled La Grande Guerre. One
colorized postcard of L'Eglise du Sacre Coeur. Sixteen 'PARIS' postcard set
featuring notable buildings and other Paris landmarks. Eight individual
postcards featuring views of the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre:
postcards No. 6 - Couronement du Clocher is stamped Basilique du Sacre-Coeur
Montmarte, Paris and No. 8 - Corniche du grand Dome is stamped Basilique du
Sacre-Coeur Montmarte, Paris, on verso.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/16 | Reims, France Postcards Eight 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Monotone postcards of the Reims, France cathedral and city
fountain. Four show the war-damaged cathedral and surrounding buildings.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/17 | Soissons, France Postcards Thirteen unbound 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Incomplete, unbound, set of monotone postcards of war-damaged
buildings, in Soissons, France.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/18 | St. Aignan, France Postcards Ten unbound 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Incomplete, unbound, set of monotone postcards of St. Aignan,
France. Two each of postcards No. 13 and No. 20.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/19 | St. Quentin, France Postcards Seven 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Monotone postcards of war-damaged buildings in St. Quentin,
France.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/20 | Strasbourg, France Postcards Twenty bound 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Bound set of detachable souvenir postcards from the city of
Strasbourg, France, printed by Levy Fils & Cie (LL), 14, Rue Letellier,
Paris. Inserted in the front of the postcard set is the business card of Mlle
Jeanne Deconinck, Diplome de l'Ecole des Etas Unis Paris pour Manicure,
Coiffure, Ondulation Marcel, 31, Place de la Republique, Armentieres
(Nord).
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/21 | Verdun, France Postcards Twenty bound 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Bound set of detachable souvenir postcards from the city of
Verdun, France, highlighting images from "La Guerre Europeenne 1914-1918".
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/22 | Versailles & Les Trianons, France
Postcards Twenty-four bound 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Bound set of detachable souvenir postcards of Versailles & Les
Trianons. Five loose postcards, two missing. Published by Moreau, Editeur,
Versailles.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/23 | Real Photo Postcards WWI Euope Two 3.5"x5.5" monotone real photo
postcards.
One postcard is a group photo of several soldiers posing on and
against the base of a small cliff. One postcard is a photo of a woman at a
lakeside.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/24 | Cartoon Postcards Three 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
Color Cartoon postcards published by Inter-Art Co., Florence
House, Barnes, London, S.W. Postcard No. 268 titled "A Little Light on a Dark
Subject"; No. 1273 titled "Kamarade! Kamarade!"; No. 1856 titled "There are One
or Two Little Things You Ought to Know Here."
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/25 | Greeting Postcards Two 3.5"x5.5" colorized postcards.
One colorized postcard of a young woman holding flowers with the
sentiment "Caresses et pensees" written on front, correspondence on verso, from
Madeleine. One colorized postcard of a young woman sitting by a vase of flowers
with the sentiment "Bonne Fete" written on front, correspondence on verso, from
Marthe Deconinck with greetings from other family members of Marthe.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/26 | City Postcards Four 3.5"x5.5" postcards.
One postcard of Brantome, from Madeleine. Two postcards of
Thiviers, from Madeleine. One postcard of Tourcoing (Nord), from Jeanne.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/27 | Real Photo Postcards Two 3.5"x5.5" postcards, one 3.5"x5"
postcard.
One monotone family portrait postcard of two adults and a child,
from Johann Kuippers. One monotone studio portrait of a woman, from Jeanne. One
monotone photo postcard of the interior of a barbershop with two women and a
man, with greetings from 'vos cher amis from Armentieres, Nord, France.'
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/28 | WWI A.E.F. France Photograph set .
A set of photographs taken in France during, and immediately
following, WWI. The set is stamped 473 on verso. Some photos are incorporated
in Official Committee of Base Hospital Fifty commemorative book 'The History of
Base Hospital 50', published in 1922.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/29 | WWI A.E.F. Photographs Fifteen approx. 3" x 5" monotone photographs,
forty-two approx. 3.25" x 5.5" monotone photographs.
Photographs taken in France and Monaco during, and immediately
following, WWI. Several photographs feature Emma Rutz with local citizens.
Other photographs show war-damaged buildings. Some photographs are incorporated
in Official Committee of Base Hospital Fifty commemorative book 'The History of
Base Hospital 50', published in 1922.
|
1918-1919 |
| 2/30 | Photo-processing Envelope The photo-processing envelope is from Strnard's Kodak Finishing
Shop, Renton, Wash. It original held several of the WWI A.E.F. photographs
processed by Strnard's.
|
1919 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
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