United Spanish American War Veterans and Auxiliary, Robert A. Lowry Camp #24, 1926-1971

ABOUT
The United Spanish American War Veterans, Robert A. Lowry Camp #24, operated from 1926-1971 and consisted of local men who served during the Spanish American War (1898-99) and Philippine American War (1899-1902). The organization was named for Robert A. Lowry (September 24, 1859 - March 6, 1920), who served as Captain in the First Oklahoma Territorial Regiment, Company L and who is known as the “Father of Stillwater.”

The first meeting of the Robert A. Lowry Camp #24 took place on September 25, 1926, with 16 dues paying members and ended on January 14, 1967, with the death of its last member, George Walter Mathews. 

The United Spanish American War Veterans, Robert A. Lowry Camp #24 Auxiliary included local women who supported the veterans. The organization began on January 26, 1929 and a notation in the financial records indicates that the last meeting of the Auxiliary took place in 1968, though some records exist until 1971. The Auxiliary provided support for the veteran group and advocated on behalf of the veterans and their widows in obtaining pension funds. Its records also reveal the heartbreaking story of two organizations coming to an end and the woman who kept the organizations going until the final TAPS were played.

Although records were kept by numerous members, primary record keepers included Edwin H. Brown, who served as the first Adjutant; Zella Hanner (December 6, 1884-October 15, 1970); and Vella Johnson (August 24, 1888-July 2, 1980).

Preservation and digitization of this collection was made possible with a grant from Oklahoma Historical Records Advisory Board. 

CONTENTS
The collection contains veterans' personal wartime experiences, minute ledgers, membership rolls and dues, newspaper clippings, financial records, personal correspondence, photographs, and scrapbooks. Most items are in generally good condition, though scrapbooks are brittle. 

Please speak with a librarian at the Help Desk concerning duplication of specific items. Materials in the collection are also accessible in high resolution format online (see below).

ACCESSING THE COLLECTION

In Library
The collection can be used in library during open library hours by visiting the Adult Help Desk. Items will be retrieved by a librarian and can be viewed next to the Help Desk. An I.D. is required to be on deposit while you view materials. Please use the following documents to determine which files to request for use.

Finding Aid
Inventory of collection

Online
Material can be viewed online via the Oklahoma Department of Libraries' "Image of Oklahoma" project. View the collection.