Robert C. Benoit collection, 1912-2001.

ArchivalResource

Benoit, Robert C. Robert C. Benoit collection, 1912-2001.

Robert C. Benoit collection, 1912-2001.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/298879519

The collection contains several series representing research interests of Benoit over a period of many series. Of primary interest to Benoit was the material on Gerstner Field (8 boxes) and Edmund G. Chamberlain (4 boxes). Gerstner was a WWI aviation training field located near Holmwood, south of Lake Charles, from 1917-1921. This series contains newspaper articles written about the field beginning in 1912 to around 1940. It contains information on commanders, instructors, pilots who went on to become heroes of the war, pilots who were from the Lake Charles area or settled here, and military aviation in general. Of considerable interest to Benoit was John Purroy Mitchel, former mayor of New York City, who died while stationed at Gerstner. The collection contains photographs of Mitchel, his crashed airplane, and transcripts of his letters. There are also photographs of the damage to the field caused by the hurricane of 1918. While researching Gerstner Field, Benoit became interested in the case of Captain Edmund G. Chamberlain, who had received training at Gerstner Field before transferring overseas. According to the records, then Lieutenant Chamberlain had flown on an "unofficial" mission with the British on July 27-28, 1918, and had proven himself a daring aviator and hero who was recommended for the Victoria Cross and the Congressional Medal of Honor for his exploits during those two days. Later he was brought to trial after an investigation into these exploits and court-martialed. Benoit collected proceedings of the trial, testimonies of the witnesses, copies of the exhibits, and much more material relating to Chamberlain and the case. Benoit also collected information on the case of Annie Beatirce McQuiston (Toni Jo Henry), the only woman executed in Louisiana's electric chair. She was executed in Lake Charles on November 28, 1942, for the murder of Joseph P. Calloway. The collection contains Benoit's personal files, covering a wide range of topics and indicating his interest in local history. He was interested in the missionary work of John A. and Mary Lou Stockwell, Methodist missionaries from Lake Charles. Benoit's photography includes local youth baseball leagues, his work with the LaGrange High School yearbook, the Resume, and many other local activities.

59.73 linear ft. (47 boxes)

McNeese State University, Lether E. Frazar Memorial Library