From Demolition to Discovery: A 109-Year-Old Postcard Returns Home

Dylan Mermis embarked on an unexpected journey when a treasure hunt through soon-to-be-demolished buildings in Russell, Kansas, caught his interest. Invited by his friend Bobby, who received permission to explore these buildings due to safety concerns, Mermis found himself amidst antiques and historical treasures.

Bobby was aware of the demolition and had arranged with the owner to take anything he wanted from the buildings, which promised over 10,000 square feet of space filled with forgotten items. Curious about this unusual opportunity, Mermis and his girlfriend joined Bobby to discover what might lie beneath the dust and rubble.

During their search, which lasted around 19 hours over two days, Mermis focused on gathering magazines. Among these were popular titles like Cosmopolitan, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition to magazines, he stumbled upon a box of photos. While most pictures were beyond salvaging, one postcard photograph depicting a soldier stood out.

This 109-year-old photograph featured Hugh H. Hoff, who communicated with his cousin in 1917. At that time, Hoff had recently completed officer training, opting for a second lieutenant role in the active-duty Army instead of a more lucrative first lieutenant post in the Reserves, during World War I.

Mermis recognized the historical significance of the postcard and sought to reunite it with Hoff’s family. Upon returning home, he researched Hoff online, discovering that Hugh “Huxley” Hoff came from Edmond, Oklahoma. Hoff survived the war and lived until 1944, leaving a family legacy.

While searching for Hoff’s descendants, Mermis learned of Hoff’s children and, although Hoff’s daughter had passed away, he traced lineage to find Hoff’s great-granddaughter. Reaching out through Facebook, Mermis was pleased to receive a startled and appreciative response. He connected her with her aunt and sent the postcard to them.

This surprising connection and retrieval of family history emerged from an unexpected discovery among seemingly forgotten relics. Mermis reflects on the decision to keep and return the postcard, stating, “It wasn’t the easiest task to accomplish, but it didn’t belong in a landfill after being bulldozed. Had it been just a photo, I might not have taken it.” Yet, he felt sending it to its rightful family was the proper course of action.