Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

James D. Hankins papers, 1920-1921. MS 0144. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

General Note

James DeWitt Hankins was born in 1902 in Clover Lick, West Virginia. He graduated VMI in 1923 and went on to become a teacher. He died in 1978 in Richmond, Virginia.

Scope and Contents

The James D. Hankins papers consist of six letters (dated 1920-1921) written by Hankins to his cousin Florence. The letters describe many features of cadet life during the early 1920s, including a New Year's Eve celebration, a feud between the first and third classes, throwing "bombs" in barracks courtyard, final exams, and a ghost haunting barracks.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Ghosts—Virginia Military Institute
• Virginia Military Institute—Athletics
• Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1920-1929
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1923
• Virginia Military Institute—Curricula