This collection (1929-1960, undated) consists of a scrapbook, mostly of newspaper clippings and letters, compiled by Clement “Slim” Craychee documenting his career as a professional boxer, his involvement in World War II, and his employment.



The newspaper clippings and flyers related to Craychee’s boxing career document a number of his matches, including bouts against Frankie Spargo, Mason City; Joe Yangor, Des Moines; Larry Curtis, Elmore, Minnesota; Johnny O’Hara, St. Paul, Minnesota; Percy Villa, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Battling Johnson, Forest City; Dick Daniels, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Johnny Fulton, Cedar Rapids; Jimmy Ihring, Des Moines; Jimmy Ryan, Des Moines; Tut Jackson, Des Moines; Harry Smith, Nashua; Al Shumack, Oelwein; and Joe Cook, Forest City. Other clippings record Craychee’s efforts as a boxing matchmaker and referee.



The scrapbook also includes correspondence between Craychee and Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve, J. J. Gene Tunney, who was a former boxing heavyweight champion. Letters of recommendation sent to Lieutenant Commander Tunney on Craychee’s behalf include one from Hugo Otopalik, football coach at Iowa State.



Several loose items were separated from the scrapbook. These materials include a postcard and hand-written poetry that Craychee sent to his wife during his enlistment, a 1945 newsletter published for soldiers on the USS Gen. W.G. Haan who were returning to the United States, and several photographs of Craychee, his wife, and the Budweiser Clydesdale team on parade in downtown Mason City, Iowa.