MERCI TRAIN COLLECTION
1936 - 1948
Manuscript Collection Number
440
Accessioned: Gift, 1949
Extent: .33 linear ft.
Content: Letter and manuscripts
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: January 2002 by Theresa Hessey
Table of Contents
Historical Note
The idea for the
Friendship Train originated in 1947 against the backdrop of war-torn Europe. In that year, American newspaper columnist
Drew Pearson conceived the plan of a grass-roots humanitarian effort that would
assist the Marshall Plan in providing aid to the countries of France
and Italy. After crossing the country collecting goods
from American citizens, the train consisted of several hundred boxcars and $40
million worth of food, clothing, medical supplies, and other staples. The boxcars arrived in Europe,
and the train rolled through the countries distributing relief aid.
In response, a French railroad worker, André
Picard, initiated the Merci (or Gratitude) Train as a way of thanking American
citizens for their generosity. The
boxcars used for this response effort were called “40 and 8s.” During World War I, they were used to
transport troops and animals and were capable of carrying up to forty
servicemen or eight horses. The citizens
of France
filled forty-nine of these boxcars, one for each of the forty-eight states and
one which was divided equally between the territory
of Hawaii and Washington,
D.C., with a wide array of gifts. These included books, ashtrays, vases, bridal
gowns, dolls, children’s drawings, pictures, original manuscripts and musical
compositions, and other items. After
landing in New York, the train
made stops in each state leaving a boxcar of gifts. These items were then dispersed to libraries,
state institutions, schools, and individual citizens.
Over the
course of history, this gesture has remained largely forgotten. Although many of the boxcars have been
refurbished and placed on display, there are some that remain missing and are
presumed to have been destroyed. In
addition, even though most states performed an inventory of the items prior to
distribution, today many of the gifts cannot be accounted for.
Sources:
Scheele, Dorothy R. "What Generosity ... What Gifts!" Lancaster County, November 2001, 54-59.
"Univ. Gets Share of French Gifts." The Review, February
17, 1949, 1.
“The Merci Train” Retrieved January 14, 2002 from http://www.rypn.org/Merci/
Scope and Content Note
In 1947, American
citizens contributed food, clothing, medical supplies and other staples to an
ever-growing train of goods to be distributed to the people of war-torn France.
As a token of gratitude, French citizens replied in kind and gathered a
collection of forty-nine boxcars laden with various gifts for the American
people. Known as the Merci, or Gratitude
Train, the train deposited one boxcar of items in each state. The boxcar given to Delaware made several stops and gifts were
distributed throughout the state. Among
the items distributed in Newark were these to the University of Delaware Library:
three manuscripts, spanning the years 1936-1948, that comprise this
small Merci Train Collection. Consisting
of .33 linear feet, the manuscripts included in this collection were written
and donated by A. Carriere of Millau, Aveyron, France.
Also included is a handwritten letter of gratitude to the American
people by the author.
All of the
three manuscripts are handwritten and appear to be hand-bound. Both “Les Brigands de Millau” and
“Monographie de la Terre & Commune de Saint-Léons: patrie de J. H. Fabre”
are dated 1936, while the third manuscript “Les Gorges de la Jonte” is dated
1948. The first manuscript “Les Brigands
de Millau” addresses French history during the revolution. The second manuscript “Monographie de la
Terre & Commune de Saint-Léons:
patrie de J. H. Fabre” discusses the geography and cultural history of
the city of Saint-Léons. It contains sections on the police
department, the office of mayor, community institutions, local hospitals and
churches, and the agriculture of the region.
Also included are many hand-drawn illustrations and maps of the
area. The final manuscript “Les Gorges
de la Jonte” appears to be a geological treatise. It also contains various hand-drawn
illustrations and maps. Though the
manuscripts in this collection provide an overview of the history and geography
of the Averyon region, the manuscripts, as artifacts, represent the good will
and gratitude of the people of Averyon and their contributions to the Merci
Train.
Contents List
Folder -- Contents
F1 Letter written by A. Carriere, November 8, 1948
Letter expressing the author’s gratitude toward the
American people for the items received on the Friendship Train.
F2 “Les Brigands de Millau” by A. Carriere, 1936
F3 “Monographie de la terre & commune de
Saint-Léons: patrie de J. H. Fabre” by
A. Carriere, 1936
F4 “Les Gorges de la Jonte” by A. Carriere, 1948
