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Register of the Raymond D. Bell Papers, 1912-1950

Archives and Special Collections, New Mexico State University Library

Email: archives@lib.nmsu.edu
URL: http://archives.nmsu.edu



© 2002

The Board of Regents. New Mexico State University.



Collection Summary

Title Raymond D. Bell Papers,
Dates (Inclusive) 1912-1950
Creator Bell, Raymond D.
Abstract Professor of Military Science and Tactics at New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts; Commandant, Army Specialized Training Program; and a Major in the U.S. Army Infantry. Collection consists primarily of diaries kept by Bell from his time in school until just prior to the Korean War and personal photographs.
Collection Number Ms 319
Size 1.5 linear feet
Repository Archives and Special Collections, New Mexico State University Library
Language English.

Biographical Sketch

Raymond Duffield Bell was born on January 24, 1893 in New York City to Nelle Sweet March and Dr. William Duffield Bell. His mother died when Raymond was three years old. He was raised by his paternal grandparents in Washington, D.C. His father died of an alcohol related illness in 1910. Bell wanted to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and join the military.

After graduating from public school in 1907, Bell attended a series of different high schools until 1911 when he decided to enter the army through West Point. Because applications from western states were lower, Bell spent a year in Wyoming to establish residency and apply to West Point from there. He began attending classes in September 1912 and in December was appointed to Second Lieutenant.

Bell spent two months with the infantry in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1917 where he graduated from General Service Schools. He was promoted to Captain in 1918 and transferred to China in 1919. He spent almost two years in China before returning to the United States. He graduated from infantry school in 1924.

Bell had been appointed to Major prior to his arrival to the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (NMCA&MA) in 1942 where he was a professor of military science and tactics. From 1943-1944, Bell served as a member of the Academic Senate Army Specialized Training Unit Committee. He left NMCA&MA in June 1944.


Scope and Content

The Raymond D. Bell papers comprise 1.5 linear feet and span the years 1912-1950. The collection contains primarily of ten volumes of Bell's journals. Bell numbered the journals volumes I-XI, with volume V, 1922 missing from the collection. The journals contain information on Bell's daily life. They begin with background information on his family and his school years and continue through his illnesses, retirement from the army and becoming a professor at the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. In addition to the journals, the collection also contains clippings, a technical manual, a ledger of books read, and photographs.

The collection is arranged with all of the journals first, followed by the remaining materials arranged alphabetically.


Restrictions

Access and Use Restrictions

This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Search Room.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyright and other applicable statutes.

Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Raymond D. Bell Papers. Ms 319. Archives and Special Collections. New Mexico State University Library.

Acquisition

RG82-046 Gift of Jimmy and C.E. Bradley


Description of Series/Container List

Description Container

Diary, Volume I: 1912-1915

Box-folder 1:1  

Diary, Volume II: 1915-1918

Box-folder 1:2  

Diary, Volume III: 1919

Box-folder 1:3  

Diary, Volume IV: 1920-1921

Box-folder 1:4  

Diary, Volume VI: 1923-1925

Box-folder 1:5  

Diary, Volume VII: 1926-1930

Box-folder 1:6  

Diary, Volume VIII: 1931-1935

Box-folder 1:7  

Diary, Volume IX: 1936-1940

Box-folder 2:1  

Diary, Volume X: 1941-1945

Box-folder 2:2  

Diary, Volume XI: 1946-1950

Box-folder 2:3  

Calling Card and Book Plates 

Box-folder 2:4  

Clippings 

Box-folder 2:5  

Ledger, Books Read 

Box-folder 2:6  

Military Posts and Camps in New Mexico 

Box-folder 3:1  

Notes from "Riccotti" 

Box-folder 3:2  

Photographs 

Box-folder photosc  

Technical Manual, Administration, October 10, 1942

Box-folder 3:3  

 
 
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