Robert E. and Gladys Wilson Bundy Papers

Early correspondence of Gladys Bundy (approximately 100 letters) consists mostly of letters to "family" (actually a courtesy family, the Pinkhams, with whom she had resided). These letters discuss political conditions around Wuchang as well as their daily life at Boone University, which was part of a four-way merger of mission schools forming Central China University in 1924. Riots in Wuchang forced the closing of Boone Middle School in June of 1925.

Upon their return to China in September of 1926, after a furlough, Gladys and Dorris went to Guling (Kuling) and Robert headed for Wuchang but was prevented from getting beyond Hankou (Hankow) because the siege of Wuchang by southern troops had begun on September 1. His letters to Gladys (Sep 3-Oct 7) describe the siege, discussing the role of missionaries like Dr. Wakefield, Bishop Gilman, and Mr. Kean in negotiations and Bundy's own involvement in getting supplies to the city and evacuating the inhabitants. Newspaper accounts, reports by other missionaries, and photographs also provide day by day documentation of this episode.

The Bundys were reunited in Wuchang on October 10th, 1926 and Gladys' letters describe the student attitudes, damage to the city, and new rules and regulations under southern rule. Included in Robert's correspondence is his statement supporting neutrality on the part of foreign missionaires in China's civil wars. (1926 Dec 23)

The remainder of the papers consists of scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, station reports, and other printed material about the political, economic, and social conditions in China from 1923-1937, and other miscellaneous items. A good portion of the material in the collection is directly related to the siege of Wuchang. There is only one letter from the Bundys' years in Tokyo, 1927-1929 in the original Correspondence series, but more in the Addendum that was added in 2001. The Addendum also includes writings and notes of Robert Bundy, journals, and personal items and memorabilia.