Diary of a Not Wimpy Kid
On to the next auction! Pook and Pook Auction in Downingtown, Pennsylvania has been extremely busy with blockbuster sale after blockbuster sale. The estate sale of Linda and Dennis Moyer has come to an astounding conclusion, but there is not rest for the weary. All the dust has been vacuumed up after the fierce weekend bidding. Showcases are emptied, the art work taken from the wall and the furniture has been moved from their temporary home and the next sale is moving on in. So, what will occupy the auction hall now? The July 30th auction will fill the hall with firearms, swords, bayonets and a great collection of ephemera, the majority of which came from the legendary collection of Joe Rubinfine. The ephemera will start off the auction and many recognizable names which will lead the parade. Names like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, William Heath, Thomas McKean, William Taft, Abraham Lincoln, Robert Morris, Boss Tweed, Dolley Madison, and on and on. There are several exceptional powder horns that are some of the stellar lots that need a new home.
My choice for the pick of the week is not a household name. It is not a name like Winchester, Colt, Browning, Ithaca, Stevens or even Smith and Wesson. The name attached to the lot that is my pick of the week is Wilson Kappel of Boliver, Ohio. Who? What did he invent? What did he make? Was he a signor of the Declaration of Independence? Well the quick answer is that he was an individual without a famous name, he didn’t invent anything, he wasn’t a famous signer, and he didn’t make anything. He was an unsung true American hero. He was a soldier. He was a mechanic in the US Army, Company C, 6th Infantry Division. Lot 96 is part of his legacy.
It is a wonderful detailed diary of his experiences in World War one. It begins with him registering on June 5th, 1917 through his arrival back home July 31, 1919, includes 153 pages covering every aspect of his service. There are detailed accounts from home to Camp Sherman, to Camp Forrest Ga., the rifle range at Ringgold Ga., to Hoboken, NJ., the time on the troop ship Huron, as well as the troop ship Mt. Veron. There are many locations discussed in the diary. Places like Brest France, Barsubaube France, Soulaine France, Pagny – Sur – Meuse France, Remiremont France, Le Tholy France, front line trenches, at the front, St. Die France, St, attack on Frappell Germany, Pouxeux France, ST. Nicolas, France, St. Christophe France, Bischarge Luxembourg, Sandweiler Lux., Rodenburg Lux., Wassenbillig Lux., Treves Germany, Petange Luxembourg, Prum Germany and a whole lot more.
There is a list of Divisions with enlistments, casualties, captures etc., a complete roster of Company C March 1918 before they left for France, list of all the men that were in C Company, 6th Infantry from March 1918 to March 1919 and what happened to them, including some details. The archives also include a printed certificate from Jimmy Carter to his brother Owen Kappel, Stars and Stripes newspaper, his dog tags, funeral notice from October 22nd, 1979, real photo postcard, family hunting postcard from 1914, his address book, Civil War bullet passed down through the family, several family photos before and after the war, his 8th and 9th grade report cards, a letter to his brother and a hardback book {The Official History of the Fifth Division}, 1919.
I hope I get the time to read the entire diary, for what I read is riveting. Many accounts leaving a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. After reading his writings I am left with a simple thought. Wilson Kapppel did do something great. He was important. He was one of many who has fought for America and the freedoms that we all enjoy. I salute you and the sacrifices that you made. You are indeed one of the many true American heroes.
https://pookandpook.com/lot/detailed-wwi-hand-written-diary-and-archives-4037623
