Frederick P. Cumbus Scrapbook
Scope and Contents
Due to its deteriorating condition, it was necessary to disassemble the Frederick P. Cumbus Scrapbook. The original scrapbook was comprised primarily of photographs, with loose items interspersed throughout. Photocopies of the photographs, as they appeared in the scrapbook, were made prior to their removal.
Materials in this collection relate to Fred Cumbus’ tour of duty in World War I and his career at the "New Orleans Times-Picayune". The collection contains photographs documenting his World War I experiences, newspaper articles written by Cumbus, and other records and photographs that document his journalistic career.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1918-1978
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
Frederick P. Cumbus was born in Alabama in 1895. He attended public school in Birmingham, and in 1917 he began working for the "Birmingham Age-Herald". The same year he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Europe during World War I.
After returning to the United States, Cumbus moved to New Orleans in 1921 and began working for the "New Orleans Times-Picayune". He was a reporter for the civil courts, United States offices, and city hall. He was also automobile editor, acting city editor for a short time, and amusements editor. He followed these jobs with an eight-year stint as state editor from 1941 to 1949, when he became copy editor. He also served briefly in the Louisiana State Guard doing public relations work and editing a monthly publication, "The Pelican State Guard". Cumbus retired from the "Times-Picayune" on July 1, 1964 after 43 years.
During World War I, Cumbus met Theresa Grettan while in Southampton, England. They met in December 1918, and they were engaged by February 1919. They married after Grettan moved to the United States, and they had one daughter, Mary Theresa Cumbus Lodrigues. At the time of his death on March 23, 1978, Cumbus had four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Extent
.25 Cubic Feet : MC2/D15
Language of Materials
English
Photograph Log
2 ¼” x 1 ¾” B &W 1919
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-2 Fred Cumbus
2 ¼” x 1 ¾” B &W ca. 1919
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-3 Fred Cumbus and Fellow Soldiers (Cumbus 3rd from right)
2 ½” x 1 ¾” B &W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-4 Fred Cumbus and Unknown Soldier
6 x 3 ½” B &W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-5 Theresa Grettan Cumbus
5 ¼ x 3 ¼” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-6 Theresa Grettan Cumbus (right) and Unknown (left)
5” x 3” B &W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-7 Fred Cumbus with Various People (Seated in 2nd row behind 2 men on right)
9” x 7” B &W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-8 Fred Cumbus, Unknown Woman, and Theresa Cumbus
8” x 10” B &W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-9 (L to R) George W. Healy, Jr., Al Wilke, and Fred Cumbus
8” x 10” B &W June 24, 1964
Healy is presenting Wile and Cumbus with silver bowls in honor of their retirement from the Times-Picayune
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-10 (L to R) George W. Healy, Jr., Al Wilke, and Fred Cumbus
8” x 10” B &W June 24, 1964
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-11 Al Wilke and Fred Cumbus Drinking from Silver Retirement Bowls
8” x 10” B &W June 24, 1964
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-12 Fred Cumbus Drinking from Silver Retirement Bowl. Al Wilke (left)
8” x 10 B &W June 24, 1964
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-13 (L to R) George W. Healy, Jr., Al Wilke, Fred Cumbus, and Unknown
8” x 10” B &W June 24, 1964
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-14 Either Fred Cumbus’ Grandchildren or Great-grandchildren
5” x 7” B &W June 24, 1964
(Box 1, Folder 8)
M411-15 Small Statue of Liberty next to the Pont de Grenelle Bridge Crossing the Seine River, Paris, France
2 ¼” x 3 ¼” B &W Undated
Statue is on an island in the Seine River called “Allee de Cygnes” or Swan Alley. It is 35 ft. high and faces America.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-16 Unidentified castle
2 ¼” x 2 ¼” B &W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-17 Cityscape
2” x 3 ¼” B &W Undated
View of an unidentified city across a body of water.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-18 Cityscape
2” x 3 ¼” B &W Undated
View of the same city as in M411-17.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-19 Unidentified building
4 ½” x 2 ½” B &W Undated
Possibly a church at the end of a street.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-20 Unidentified Statue of What Appears to be a Woman
4 ½” x 3” B &W Undated
Statue sits atop a high pedestal. Several cannons are in the background.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-21 Unidentified City Scene
5 ¾” x 3 ½” B &W ca. WWI
Busy Street Scene.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-22 Unidentified Building
5 ¼” x 3 ½” B &W Undated
Large palatial structure with well kept grounds.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-23 Unidentified building
5 ½” x 3 ¼” B &W Undated
Different view of the building in M411-22. In this view, an American flag flies on top.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-24 Unidentified Building and Statues
5 ½” x 3 ½” B &W Undated
Possibly a government building, with statues and cannon on the grounds.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-25 La Bourse- The Paris Stock Exchange, France
5 ¼” x 3 ½” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-26 Le Grand Palais- Museum, Paris, France
5 ¼” x 3 ½” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-27 Stonehenge, England
5 ¾” x 3 ½” B & W Undated
Partial view of the Stonehenge Monument (Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-28 Stonehenge, England
5 ½” x 3 ½” B & W Undated
Slightly different view than M411-28. A uniformed soldier is standing in front. (Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-29 Netley Abbey, England
5 ¼” x 3 ½” B & W Undated
Founded by Cistercian monks in 1239. Located between Southampton and Hamble, England.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-30 Fountain at Versailles, Near Paris, France
5 ¾” x 3 ½” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-31 Rheims Cathedral, Rheims, France
5 ½” x 3 ¼” B & W Undated
Bombed by Germans in April 1917 and November 1918.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-32 Joan of Arc Statue at Rheims Cathedral, Rheims, France
8” x 7” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-33 Rheims Cathedral Interior after German Bombardment, Rheims, France
8” x 7” B & W ca. 1917 or 1918
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-34 Rheims Cathedral Interior after German Bombardment, Rheims, France
8” x 7” B & W ca. 1917 or 1918
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-35 Unidentified Destroyed Church
8 ½” x 7 ¼” B & W Undated
Interior view.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-36 Unidentified Destroyed Church
8 ½” x 7 ¼” B & W Undated
Exterior view.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-37 Christ Burial Scene, Unknown Location
7” x 5 ¾” B & W Undated
Statues portraying the burial of Christ near a tomb.
(Box 1, Folder 9)
M411-38 Unidentified American Soldier
2 ½” x 1 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Soldier is lounging against a brick wall.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-39 Unidentified American Soldier
2 ½” x 2” B & W ca. WWI
Soldier is standing in front of an open door.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-40 Unidentified Soldiers with Children
2 ½” x 1 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Soldiers are posed with children and a dog.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-41 Unidentified Soldier with Children
2 ½” x 1 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
One soldier posed with four children.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-42 Soldiers in Bunk
2 ¾” x 1 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Three soldiers in a bunk.
Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-43 Unidentified Soldiers
2 ½” x 2 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Five soldiers posed outside a brick building.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-44 Soldiers in a Field
3 ¼” x 2 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
Five soldiers partially hidden in a field of flowers.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-45 Unidentified Soldiers
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Three soldiers in a trench. Writing on signs in the trench appears to be German.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-46 Unidentified Soldiers
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Four soldiers outside a building.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-47 Unidentified Soldiers
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
A group of soldiers (possibly Russian) in a trench.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-48 Unidentified Soldier on Phone
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Soldier with mustache using phone.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-49 Unidentified Soldier in Hole
3 ½” x 2 ½” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-50 Unidentified Soldiers
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Some appear to be Russian soldiers.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-51 Unidentified Soldiers
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Appear to be Russian soldiers. \
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-52 Unidentified soldiers
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W
Appear to be Russian soldiers.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-53 Unidentified Officers
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Officers seated at an outdoor table.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-54 Unidentified Officer
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
A much decorated officer holding his helmet.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-55 Unidentified Soldiers
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Appear to be Russian soldiers marching.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-56 Unidentified Soldiers with Dead Horses
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Appear to be Russian soldiers looking at the bodies of two horses.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-57 Unidentified Soldiers with Dead Horses
4” x 3 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
Appear to be Russian soldiers looking at the bodies of two horses.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-58 Unidentified Soldiers Carrying Wood
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Appear to be Russian soldiers carrying planks or small tree trunks up a hillside.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-59 Unidentified Soldiers Behind Cannon
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Helmeted soldiers appear to be preparing to fire a cannon.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-60 Unidentified Soldiers Behind Cannon
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Possibly Russian soldiers preparing to fire a cannon.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-61 Unidentified Soldiers Peeling Potatoes
3 ½” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
The soldiers appear to be Russian.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-62 Unidentified Soldiers Climbing Hill
3 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Soldier on left appears to have been injured.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-63 Unidentified Soldiers Sleeping by Road
4 ¼” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-64 Unidentified Soldiers Outside American Red Cross Auditorium
4 ½” x 2 ½” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-65 Unidentified Soldiers Standing in Formation
5” x 2 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
Soldiers are standing at attention, outside barracks.
Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-66 Unidentified Soldier in Wheelchair
4 ½” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-67 Unidentified Soldier and Fred Cumbus (right)
4 ½” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-68 Unidentified Soldiers on Horses
4 ½” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-69 Unidentified Soldiers Standing in Formation
4 ½” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-70 Unidentified Soldiers Marching (2 copies)
5” x 3 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-71 Unidentified Soldier
5 ½” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Soldier is standing, with arms behind his back. (Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-72 Two Unidentified Soldiers
5 ½” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Soldiers are standing in front of a masonry wall. (Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-73 Three Unidentified Soldiers in Front of Statue
5 ½” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-74 Group of Unidentified Soldiers
5 ½” x 3 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1 Folder 10)
M411-75 A Prisoner of War Enclosure at Camp Guthrie
5 ½” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Prisoners are being marched into or out of the enclosure.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-76 Military Hospital
5 ½” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Interior view, with patients on cots.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-77 Unidentified Soldiers Standing in Formation
5 ½” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Soldiers standing at attention, with a tent in the background.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-78 Group of Unidentified Soldiers
5 ¼” x 3 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
Large group posed for photo.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-79 Group of Unidentified Soldiers
5 ¼” x 3 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
Large group posed for photo.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-80 Royal Air Force
8” x 6” B & W 1918
Group photo of Women's Royal Air Force. Theresa G. Cumbus was a part of the women’s RAF in Great Britain.
(Box 1, Folder 10)
M411-81 Gravesite of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt
4 ¼” x 2 ¾” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 11)
M411-82 Gravesite of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt
4” x 2 ¾” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 11)
M411-83 Gravestones
4 ¼” x 2 ¾” B & W Undated
Gravestones in a cemetery. One features the Star of David. The others are in the shape of a cross and have small American flags beside them.
(Box 1, Folder 11)
M411-84 Unidentified Gravestone
4 ¼” x 2 ¾” B & W Undated
Upright monument with a cross on top.
(Box 1, Folder 11)
M411-85 Unidentified Cemetery
4 ½” x 3” B & W Undated
Cemetery with above-ground tombs.
(Box 1, Folder 11)
M411-86 Gravesite of First Lt. C.V. Reed, Died October 7, 1918
5 ½” x 3 ¼” B & W 1918
A large transparent dome filled with a floral display adorns the grave.
(Box 1, Folder 11)
M411-87 German Bi-Plane
3 ¾” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
Side view of a German airplane with a swastika emblazoned on it.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-88 Crashed Plane Through Roof
4 ½” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
Plane crashed through the roof of a building.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-89 Skeletal Remains of Dead Soldiers
3 ¼” x 2 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Human remains in an outdoor scene.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-90 Skeletal Remains of a Soldier with Gear
4” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-91 Scene of the Aftermath of a Battle or Bombardment
4 ¼” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
Debris and animal carcasses scattered on the ground.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-92 Trench near Verdun
2 ¾” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
View of an empty trench.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-93 Trench
4 ½” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Two soldiers walking beside a trench in an open field.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-94 Looking from Fort Doumont onto Trenches
4 ½” x 3 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-95 Fort Doumont near Verdun
4 ½” x 3 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-96 Trenches
5 ¾” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Two soldiers walking among the trenches.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-97 Pit or Trench
5 ¾” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Crescent-shaped wall on one side, with ladder extending over the top.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-98 Railroad Cars
5 ½” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Stake-bodied rail cars covered with tarps. Possibly carrying supplies.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-99 Tank
5 ¾” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
A tank sitting in an open field.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-100 Tank
5 ¾” x 3 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Close-up of tank with "Annchen" written on its front.
(Box 1, Folder 12)
M411-101 Soldier in Barracks
2 ¾” x 1 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Unidentified soldier on cot.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-102 Parachute Caught in Tree
3 ¼” x 2 ½” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-103 Train
3 ¼” x 2 ½” B & W Undated
Passenger cars with Red Cross symbol on their sides.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-104 Stone House
3 ¼” x 2 ½” B & W ca. WWI
Stone house with a cross painted on the front. A dog is standing in the yard.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-105 Four Unidentified Soldiers in Front of Building
3 ¼” x 2 ½” B & W ca. WWI
The building appears to be the one in M411-104.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-106 Four Unidentified Soldiers in Front of Building
3 ¼” x 2 ½” B & W ca. WWI
The building is the same as in M411-105.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-107 Group Gathered Around a Monument
3 ¼” x 2 ½” B & W Undated
Possibly some sort of re-enactment.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-108 Group Gathered Near Cannon
3 ¼” x 2 ¼” B & W Undated
Possibly some sort of re-enactment.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-109 Parade
4 x 2 ½” B & W Undated
Horse drawn carriages parade down a street, as a large crowd looks on.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-110 Sniper’s Box Near Rheims
3” x 3 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-111 Train Station
4 ¼” x 2 ¾” B & W Undated
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-112 Unidentified Buildings
4 ¼” x 2 ¾” B & W
A small pond is in the foreground.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-113 Soldiers Standing on Possible Railroad Mechanism
4” x 2 ¾” B & W ca. WWI
Soldiers are standing on what appears to be a track-switching or turntable device.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-114 Rubble
4 ½” x 3” B & W ca. WWI
Unidentified ruins cover the landscape.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-115 Livestock
4 ¼” x 2 ¾” B & W Undated
Two cows and a donkey standing in a street, while a man looks on.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-116 Two Men in Boat
5 ¼” x 2 ½” B & W Undated
Two men in a rowboat. One is holding onto a bicycle. Two other men are looking on.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-117 Two Girls Digging in Sand
4 ¾” x 3 ½” B & W Undated
Two young girls wearing what appear to be school uniforms digging a hole in sand.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-118 Town Scene
5 ½” x 3 ¼” B & W Undated
A crowded city street with vendors' tents.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-119 Workshop, Laboratory, or Factory
5 ¾” x 3 ½” B & W Undated
Interior view of a room containing unidentified equipment.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-120 Four National Guard Colonels
8” x 10” B & W Undated
Four colonels (three in uniform) with flag display.
(Box 1, Folder 13)
M411-121 Soldiers in Formation
18 ¾” x 4 ¼” B & W ca. WWI
Large group of WWI soldiers standing in formation, somewhere in Europe. (Oversize materials in map case)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Frederick P. Cumbus Scrapbook
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345