Dylan Mermis embarked on a treasure hunt through buildings in Russell, Kansas, slated for demolition. His friend Bobby informed him about these buildings filled with antiques, extending an invitation to explore before demolition due to safety concerns. Mermis accepted, drawn by the prospect of discovering treasures hidden amid the ruins.
Mermis, accompanied by his girlfriend, spent nearly 19 hours across two days examining the contents of the buildings. He focused on collecting magazines, some dating from 1887 to 1920, including well-known titles like Cosmopolitan. While searching, he stumbled upon a box of photos.
Most photos were unsalvageable, but a postcard photograph caught his attention. The soldier on the postcard was Hugh H. Hoff, communicating with his cousin in 1917. Hoff had recently completed officer training, choosing a second lieutenant’s position in the active-duty Army over a higher rank in the Reserves during World War I.
Intent on returning the photograph to Hoff’s descendants, Mermis researched Hoff’s family history online, uncovering details about Hoff’s life and family in Edmond, Oklahoma. Hoff had children, so Mermis tracked down information related to Hoff’s grandchildren.
Eventually, Mermis connected with Hoff’s great-granddaughter through Facebook, who was intrigued by his discovery. He sent the postcard photograph to her, successfully reuniting an artifact with the right family members.
Though unsure how the postcard ended up in Russell, Mermis emphasized the importance of preserving historical mementos. Contacting Hoff’s descendants and delivering the photograph ensured the memory stayed away from demolition debris. The meaningful find felt like the appropriate action to take.