An exciting collection of documents has been uncovered belonging to Alexander G. Downing (1854-1932), pioneer Iowan and life member of the Drake University Board of Trustees. Our Special Collections’ copy of “Downing’s Civil War Diary” (c1916, edited by Drake History Professor, Olynthus B. Clark) reveals that on June 24, 1865, Downing took leave to Louisville, Kentucky. The University Archives has discovered the original, handwritten pass he carried in hand during that journey. Other contents include letters thanking Downing for his monetary contributions to Drake, one signed by President Hill M. Bell, the other by Francis Marion Drake. The digitized collection is accessible here.