Photograph of the Abel family and home at 777 South 17th Street and Ross in Waco. From left to right, they are Ida Victoria, Maud Vivian (standing), Lillie Jane, Robert Downman, Clarence Albert (standing), Hector Valdemar, and Valdemar. Ida Victoria sits in a wooden rocking chair on the porch, and Lillie Jane sits in a wicker chair next to her. She holds Robert Downman, and Maud Vivian stands behind her chair. Clarence Albert stands on the porch steps, while Hector Valdemar sits on the arm of a rocking chair. Valdemar stands next to the chair, leaning against the side of the house. The photograph was purchased at the Abel estate sale in Waco, Texas.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on June 13, 1944. His mother has returned home from the hospital, and Willis urges her to get well. He commends the speed with which the Allied armies have been moving through Italy, and still hopes that he'll be home before the end of the year.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on July 13, 1943. He discusses getting a magazine, and his plans to go fishing soon. He also denies ever signing up to fly planes, as his father had received a letter from the Air Force that claimed he had.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on May 13, 1944. He thanks them for the flint they sent him, and asks for a few more boxes. He sends his condolences on all the rain Waco had received, noting that it'll take a while for the river to recede and the fishing to improve. He mentions seeing Wilbur Crawford recently, and the two of them deciding they want to go on a camping trip. He sends well wishes to his mother.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr., on May 13, 1945, detailing his time overseas. He worked in a plant for a while, then in a battery shop. After a while he broke his foot, and had it put in a cast, so he worked in a supply room until it healed. They were on their way to Oran when Italy fell, so they went on to Italy instead. After the invasion of southern France, his company moved to northern Italy and built the largest maintenance shop in Italy. In May 1945, he was in charge of the Tire and Battery Shop.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on September 13, 1943. He asks them to send him food that isn't being rationed for Christmas, and to give a present to a girl at home from him.

A letter from Frank M. Allen, registrar at Baylor University, to Johnie Louise Bruyere, on June 13, 1936. He sends her an evaluation of her work at Baylor thus far, which states the classes she has taken and the classes she needs to take to graduate.

Postcard of Camp MacArthur sent to Mrs. DeBusk, Beth and Boby about his stay in Waco. It shows Section E at the camp.

Aerial photograph of downtown Waco, Texas as seen in 1917; the old city hall and the square around it can be seen directly in the center of the picture. The Brazos River can seen on the right side of the photograph.

Letter from Wilhem Tietz to the Ernst Tietz Hotel, addressing his uncle, possibly the owner of the hotel. The letter is written in German and appears to be discussing the sickness or passing of an aunt in the family.

Photograph of a large group of people at the State Meeting of the W. H. and F. M. Society at the Shiloh A. M. E. Church in Galveston, including Mrs. M. A. Carr, Mrs. L. M. Sewell, L. M. Sanders, and Rev. W. D. Johnson. The people are sitting and standing in several rows in front of the side of the church with stained glass windows in the background. Written on the front of the photograph: "State Meeting of the W. H. and F. M. Society. Mrs. M. A. Carr. Pres. Mrs. L. M. Sewell, sec. at Shiloh A. M. E. Church, Galveston, Texas. Rev. L. M. Sanders Pastor, Rev. W. D. Johnson, Bishop."

Photograph of firefighters holding a fire hose. The men positioned near the ground outside the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. In the background the fire is visible inside of the church.

Photograph of firefighters holding a fire hose. The men positioned near the ground outside the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. In the background the fire is visible inside of the church.

Photograph of firefighters holding a fire hose. The men positioned near the ground outside the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. The water from the hose is spraying towards the large facade window of the church.

Photograph of the large facade window of the Austin Avenue Church. The stained-glass in the window has been destroyed by a fire and damage around the tracery of the window is visible.

Photograph of firefighters inside Austin Avenue Methodist Church. The firefighters are grouped together in a hallway and holding on to a water hose. In the foreground there is the 13th Street foyer of the church with water on the floor and stains on the walls.

Photograph of firefighters outside Austin Avenue Methodist Church. In the foreground there is a long water hose in 13th Street that goes up the side steps of the church. Firefighters are standing on the steps of the church facing towards the stained glass windows. Another group of people are standing on the sidewalk and looking towards a ladder that is propped up on the church.

Photograph of smoke rising from inside a building. The exterior building has an upper row of windows where smoke is visible. On the lower row of windows is a sign saying Pop Hale's Place Beer. A ladder is leaning against the building.

Photograph of firefighters group around a water jug. Three uniformed firefighters are receiving water from a female Salvation Army worker who is wearing the water jug on her front.

Photograph of the large decorative facade window of the Austin Avenue Church. The glass of the window has been burned out by a fire and damage around the tracery of the facade window is visible.

Postcard of the Texas Cotton Palace. Visitors are shown in the grounds of the palace in front of the large building. The postcard is addressed to Miss Viola Flores from Menasha, Wisconsin.

Photograph of the fire damage of Austin Avenue Methodist Church. The photograph shows the collapsed and charred roof of the church. The stone and brick exterior of the church is still standing.

Photograph of a top view of the fire damage to the sanctuary of Austin Avenue Methodist Church.

Photograph of a front view of the fire damage to the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. Through the large facade window there is roof damage and smoke rising. To the left side towards the ground are fire hoses and ladders leaning on the church.