Columbia Manuscript Collections

The collection contains a letter concerning Samuel Watson's pension application.

The collection contains elevations and floor plans of a nineteenth-century house in St. Louis County, MO. The main part of the house was constructed c. 1807.

Concerns stores lost when he was forced to retreat.

A personal reminiscence of Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, KS, August 1863.

Enrollment certificate dated September 22, 1862, and a provost marshal pass dated December 5, 1862, for Lewis M. Switzler.

Muster-out roll and payroll for this company.

To William P. Hubbard, Somerville, Two Mile Prairie, Boone County, MO, from Bolivar, MO, May 8, 1851.

Discusses his religious philosophy, family, and personal affairs.

An informal history of the growth and changes at William Jewell College, Liberty, MO.

To John D. McKown, St. Louis, MO, from Vera Cruz, Mexico. Clark marched with General Scott during the Mexican War; he describes the assault on Vera Cruz.

Letter to wife when under sentence of death, and from Chaplain Philip McKim telling of the execution. Copy of letter from Ladd to father with postscript from chaplain. See ST. LOUIS DEMOCRAT, 31 October 1864, for biographical information.

Twenty-one letters to and from James Fitzpatrick of Lexington, KY, concerning family news, the California gold rush, farming, and cholera epidemic.

Letters from a confederate soldier concerning the war, Johnson's Island, and conditions of prisoner exchange and release.

An informal history of the state mental hospital, 1847-1912.

Muster-out roll of regiment commanded by Captain Robert P. Clark. Organized 20 October 1863 at Platte City, MO.

Mostly correspondence of Bingham family of Virginia and Missouri; scant mention of contemporary news. A few miscellaneous papers connected with estates, wills, and property.

Advertisement for sale of real estate and slaves from the estate of Hiram L. Sloan, Cape Girardeau, MO.

Excerpts from four letters from the Oregon Territory. Mention of Indians, typhoid fever, and living conditions.

A personal history relating his trip west for the California gold rush and back to Missouri by boat, and his experiences with Quantrill's raiders.

A personal reminiscence and historical anecdotes collected by author since 1895, dealing with Mississippi County and Charleston, MO.

Travel by wagon train to California gold mines. Diary records agricultural conditions, mileage, and travel conditions. Few place names or comments. Little mention of the gold rush itself. Biographical material in information folder.

Migration of Bays, McKee and Blue families to St. Joseph, MO, in the 1830s, and their descendants to 1960.

Bills, resolutions and amendments for the Confederate General Assembly, November 1861, under the governorship of Claiborne Fox Jackson. Includes a letter from C.F. Jackson, the act withdrawing Missouri from the Union, an act to provide for electing representatives to the Confederate States of America Congress, and other acts.

Detailed diary of overland trip to California from Missouri during the Gold Rush. Describes scenery, weather, and gives number of miles traveled each day.

Twenty-five letters from a Union soldier in Company I, 6th Missouri Cavalry, to his family describing heavy fighting, hardships, and battle of Vicksburg.

A note for one thousand dollars to encourage the rebuilding of the University of Missouri after the fire of 1892.

The collection contains photocopies of two letters, presumably written during the Civil War, but dates are illegible.

The collection contains Photostats of letters from Moses J. Bradford to his wife in Rolla, MO, from various Union prison camps expressing fears about the war and about the safety of his family and describing prison life and conditions.

The collection contains letters from a Lexington, MO, farmer to his mother, describing the battle of Lexington, September 1861.

The papers of Jabez Smith contain letters to Smith, Independence, MO, from various people acting as his agents in California and Virginia. Also included are miscellaneous items and photographs.

Organizational records of the Grindstone Valley Development Corporation include by-laws, meeting minutes, financial records, stockholders' agreements, research reports, and business correspondence. These records document the corporation's real estate investments, sale of stocks, sale of bonds, organization, potential development of the area now encompassed by Grindstone Valley Nature Area, and the sale of that area to the City of Columbia in 1975.

The collection contains correspondence between Frank M. Cortelyou, Sr., and Edwin Layton, Case Western Reserve University, concerning John Lyle Harrington, a Kansas City civil engineer and member of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation during Hoover's administration.

The papers of Dutton Brookfield contain the business, political and personal papers and photographs of a Kansas City, MO, community leader. Brookfield was President of Unitog Company (1953-1979), a mayoral candidate (1963, 1971), and on boards of numerous corporations and educational and civic organizations. Family papers include letters from the Civil War, World War I and II, and Vietnam.

The collection contains a photocopy of the Kansas City portion of Rabbi Eppstein's diary. the diary comments on Jewish life in a city at this time, national and international events, and daily activities of rabbi.

Records of the state division, including meeting minutes, officers' and committee correspondence, membership information, publicity, legislative and program and conference files, and local branch materials. Also includes materials from the Southwest Central Region and the national organization. See also collection C3521.

The collection contains a muster-out roll of the company commanded by Captain F. Marian Darnall.

The collection contains a Civil War muster-out roll of Winfield S. Wood's Company.

The collection contains two letters written from Sacramento, CA, containing descriptions of mining camps and information about other men from Callaway County who attempted to find gold on the West Coast.

The collection contains an interview with the president of the University of Missouri. Included is information concerning accomplishments at the University, other positions held, and thoughts on improving educational opportunities in Missouri. Also included is an article based on the interview.

Letters written to a fraternity brother concerning the Beta Theta Pi reunion at Governor Guy B. Park's inauguration.

Two letters from government officials explaining the tools of measurement used in the pacification of the Vietnamese countryside.

Review of governing bodies of Harvard, Yale, Cornell and Michigan Universities. Proposals for change in selection of University of Missouri board of curators and administrative heads.

Western stories by Grindstead and letters, photographs, and news items pertaining to his family. Ribbons, programs and certificates relating to his career. Also United Daughters of the Confederacy material of Mrs. Grinstead's.

Account of visit to Federal Hill, Bardstown, KY, and the Kennedy mansion, Paint Lick, KY; history of Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home;" and Harriet Beecher Stowe's use of Kennedy family in UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. Five photographic postcards of Federal Hill and the Kennedy home.

Reminiscences of her early childhood in Cazenovia, NY; two letters to J.C. Bay, 1928; and photograph, articles about, and obituary of Cornelia C. White.

Account book of J.W. Haynie Company with Wells, Fargo & Company, and one loose check.

From Dry Town, CA, Oct. 30, 1850.

Letter describes trip to California from Indiana; Salt Lake City in 1850; and mining, prices, cholera, and prospects of a fortune in California.

One share of stock in the Tuolumme County Water Company, Columbia, CA, April 6, 1855, bought by John O'Neill. Note by J. Christian Bay that O'Neill collected distribution dividend in 1906.

Travel to Wisconsin and Illinois from Newfane, Windham County, VT, 1817-1820; occupations and experiences on frontier; description of Indians, wilderness, logging operations on Mississippi and Black Rivers; travel from Quincy, IL, to New England by stage, boat, and train with itemized account of expenses, 1852.

Handwritten account book of orders on Yerington and Company and account book of Yerington and Company with the Agency of the Bank of California, Virginia, and Nevada.

Excerpts from letters written by Samuel C. Plummer, physician, on an overland trip to California. Conditions on trail and business endeavors in Placerville, CA. Letter from Samuel C. Plummer, II, describes his father's return from California.

A voucher for 24 dollars for expenses and a traveling allowance issued to Chauncey Smith from the temporary seat of government at St. Charles, MO.

Typescript done by Ayres of a diary of Lavina Priest, written while on a visit to Kentucky in 1860 and a letter to "LOML" from Ayres describing a bus trip to Idaho and Yellowstone Park in June 1948.

Autobiography, written in Danish.

The collection contains a copy of Livserindringer written in Danish, and a letter of Jorgensen to J. Christian Bay from Reserve, MT.

The collection contains a typewritten copy with handwritten insertions of Miriam Davis Colt's diary as edited by J. Christian Bay for Friends of the Torch Press, Cedar Rapids, IA, 1941. The diary includes an introduction by Bay; as well as a description of the journey from New York to Kansas Territory and failed attempt to establish a homestead.

The collection contains thirty-two letters written by Catherine and Cyrus L. Watson from Louisiana, Missouri, and Springfield and Bloomington, IL, to friends and relatives on the sickness and deaths of Mary Pond and Catherine Watson.

The collection contains originals and typed copies of two letters to J.C. Bay discussing early American fiction collections.

The collection contains a letter and typewritten copy to Mrs. Stetson, Cincinnati, OH, from Frederika Bremer, Stockholm, Sweden, July 14, 1852, sending salutations to friends.

The collection contains a deed of land, lot 11, block 14, Mineral Point, of Alfred Brunson to John Hutchison, acting as guardian of Mary B. Burnett and Thomas B. Burnett, minor heirs of Thomas P. Burnett, October 14, 1852.

The collection contains a farewell poem addressed to Roswell Field by M.C.H. Typewritten copy included.

The collection contains a letter to [J.C.] Bay, from Chicago, IL, Jan. 1, 1929, concerning John Wesley Monette (1803-1851), a New Orleans physician.

The collection contains a letter from Farwell to Spafford, from Chicago, Mar. 4, 1880, expressing sympathy on the death of his son and desire to talk with him about church matters. Typewritten copy of letter included.

To J.C. Bay, Chicago, IL, from Minneapolis, MN, Feb. 27, 1940. Letter in appreciation of Bay's favorable comments on an article by Flanagan and donation of rare books to University of Minnesota library. Typewritten copy included.

Poetic description of "the main-traveled road." Also a typed copy.

Enclosure to Garrard's memoir of Charlotte Chambers.

Two letters in Danish to J.C. Bay from Hannibal in Dannebrog, NE, and typed translations. Also a Danish newspaper clipping.

Note by Head discussing unknown manuscript. Also a typed copy.

From Chicago, May 17, 1913. Letter discussing the benefits of fiction in enlightening people on social and economic problems; Hough's opinion of American character traits. Also typed copy.

Notes for dinner speech on ballistics prepared for a Technological Club banquet. Also a typed copy.

Note about the route of the Judson family from Ohio to Washington Territory in 1853.

Certificate of inspection of 126 gallons of Catalonia red wine, imported by Hooper to Port of Marblehead, District of Massachusetts.

To Theodore W. Koch, from Detroit, MI, Feb. 14, 1913. Letter regarding C.M. Kirkland, school teacher and author of books about life on the frontier. "Mrs. Mary Clavers" was a pseudonym for Caroline Matilda Stansbury (Mrs. William C.) Kirkland.

Letter to an unknown man from Martineau, probably written after she moved to London in 1832 and before she sailed for the United States in 1834. The letter thanks the man for the copy of his pamphlet he sent her. Apparently it dealt with the subjects of education and the position of women in England, subjects of interest to Martineau.

Letter to a friend describing opposition to Judge Douglas; candidacy and loss in Missouri 7th district congressional race, 1858; slavery; and mutual acquaintances.

To [Ben P.] Poore. Letter informing Poore of new address and asking that books be sent to Pike by carriage.

An account for $36 for transportation of baggage from Washington to New York.

To John Crerar Library, Chicago, IL, from Chicago, IL, Jan. 29, 1942. Letter from Superintendent of Pinkerton National Detective Agency accompanying complimentary pamphlet titled "History and Evidence of the Passage of Abraham Lincoln from Harrisburg, PA, to Washington, D.C., on the 22nd and 23rd of February, 1861." Pamphlet not included.

Transcript of New York cattle market report appearing in the NEW YORK TRIBUNE, 4 July 1854. Description of cattle drive from Texas to Illinois by Jas. Gilchrist, T.C. Ponting, and W. Malone, 1853. Prices, route, profit, and cattle breed included.

Poem of six verses, DE SENECTUTE (without apologies to Cicero or Emmerson), by a Chicago dermatologist; photograph of Pusey.

To the Secretary of the Navy, Mar. 30, 1840. Letter recommending William W. Reynolds for appointment as midshipman in the U.S. Navy.

To Brentano's, Inc., Chicago, IL, from Topeka, KS, June 8, 1925. Letter concerning publishing THE OVERLAND STAGE TO CALIFORNIA in 1901; biographical information; and offer of two copies of one book for sale at $40 and $35.

From Ste. Genevieve, MO, Aug. 22, 1883. Letter mentioning business partnership of his father, Ferdinand Rozier, and John James Audubon; dissolution of the partnership; and Audubon's move to Kentucky.

Review of IN THE FURROW, volume of poems by Lewis Worthington Smith. Review is written in Danish but quotes parts of poems in English.

From Worcester, MA, Aug. 21, 1935. Information in reply to an inquiry [by J. Christian Bay] regarding the first printing of "America."

To J. Christian Bay, from Chicago, IL, May 27, 1927. Letter expressing appreciation for help given Wright Howes Old and Rare Books. Also typed copy.

To J.C. Bay, Chicago, IL, from Sterling, IL, Oct. 30, 1920. Letter of thanks; photograph of Stager Place, Sterling, IL, on stationery.

Letter from Van Zandt to Colonel James Taylor, Newport, KY, arranging survey and division of land, and a copy of Taylor's reply. Also typed copies.

To J.C. Bay, Chicago, Illinois, from Cincinnati, Ohio. Letter informing Bay that there are no plans to publish a new edition of Beginning of Literary Culture in the Ohio Valley by William Henry Venable.

To J.C. Bay, Chicago, IL, from Minneapolis, MN. Letter announcing dispatch of complimentary copy of "The Pioneer Woodsman as He is Related to Lumbering in the Northwest," by George H. Warren.

To J.C. Bay, Chicago, IL, from Denver, CO, Sept. 29, 1922. Letter discusses sketches written by Wilcox while a journalist, old books and book dealers, and historical information.

Correspondence of Deans G.D. Edwards, 1907-1937; Carl Agee, 1930-1949; and Seth Slaughter, 1949-1967. Correspondence of George Wetherell, extension minister, and James Wyker, director of the Rural Church Extension Service. Minutes of board of trustees' and faculty meetings, treasurer's reports, annual reports, and audits.

Reprint from THE FILSON CLUB History Quarterly, 10 (January 1936).

Records of the association document annual meetings, awards, and other membership activities, including schedules and announcements of meetings, foundational documents, correspondence among members, election records, and files on inductees to the Missouri Sports Medicine Hall of Fame. Several versions of legislation requiring the registration of athletic trainers in Missouri are also included, along with related comments and correspondence.

Newspaper articles describing trip by wagon train from St. Joseph, MO, to Willamette Valley, OR. Articles from LAIDLAW (Oregon) CHRONICLE, 1906, describe organization of wagon train and experiences on journey. Also photographs of Laidlaw, OR, ca. 1905.

Discusses the Thomas Kennedy plantation in Kentucky and its inhabitants as the factual basis for Harriet Beecher Stowe's UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. Background on writing of book and history of Lewis Clarke, a former slave on the Kennedy plantation who told the stories of his experiences there to H.B. Stowe. Appeared in LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL, May 16, 1881.

Article by James Allison for Evansville, IN, JOURNAL discussing the historical background of UNCLE TOM'S CABIN in Kennedy plantation, Garrard County, KY. Interview with former mistress of Lewis George Clark (George Harris).

Correspondence, bulletins, circulars, and posters.

The John Nathan Sparks Papers consist of the business and personal correspondence of an employee of the Missouri Lumber and Mining Company of Grandin, MO.

Newspaper clippings about Missouri State Survey Commission, established by Governor Henry S. Caulfield to collect facts about state's penal and eleemosynary institutions, institutions of higher education, public schools, taxation system, finances, and financial administration.