Columbia Manuscript Collections

Photograph of members and guests of the Jefferson Club of St. Louis at Monticello, VA, the home of Thomas Jefferson, on 12 October 1901. Included are Missouri politicians Harry B. Hawes and William J. Stone.

Photograph of a covered bridge located at the city limits of Paris, Monroe County, Missouri.

Pictorial representation of Spring Valley Farm, the residence of Thomas F. Stone, located seven miles north of Weston, Platte County, Missouri.

Twenty-four views of various buildings and exhibits of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Consists of black and white miniatures in the form of a souvenir booklet.

Photographs of the Agricultural Boarding Club, students and faculty, Jesse Hall auditorium, and university cadets and officers. Also, a print of the university, Stephens Female College, and Christian Female College.

Plans for north and south elevations of the Capitol, by Tracy and Swartwout, Architects, New York City.

Songbook of lyrics of the popular college songs of the day.

Songbook used at Central Hill Grange, Fayette, Missouri.

Announcement of a complete abstract office for Saline County, Missouri, urging landowners to protect themselves with a perfect abstract of title to their property.

Regular Democratic ticket, Columbia, Missouri, November 7, 1876, giving candidates for president, vice-president, electors, governor, and other state and county officials.

Illustrated program and advertisement of J.E. Toole and his “excellent dramatic company,” in Edwin Jerome's comedy, Killarney and the Rhine. Includes dramatic criticisms and reviews. Probably distributed in Carlinville, Illinois.

Report on the college and appeal from the alumni association president concerning the half million-dollar expansion campaign for the college.

Letter written by the Missouri state auditor to the Daily Democrat-News, Marshall, Missouri, on the question of increased state taxes.

Pamphlets by Mitchell entitled "Truman's First Nomination for Senator was Stolen" and "Four Horsemen of the Pendergast Machine."

Account and record books of a preparatory school; students' accounts and records of tuition received.

Map showing location, plot plan, and portion of Civil War Battle of Lexington State Park; basement and floor plans; interior and exterior details; north, south, east, and west elevations; sections; and profiles. Documentation was undertaken as part of Historic American Buildings Survey under direction of U.S. National Park Service, Branch of Plans and Design, with Kenneth E. Coombs, architect.

Advertisement for Kansas farmlands in the "Golden Belt."

Newspaper cartoons concerned with Missouri politics during this period. Published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The collection contains clippings of articles written by S.C. Turnbo of southern Missouri. They give accounts of hunting wild animals, such as panthers, bears, and wolves, in the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas, also a bit about pioneer life.

The collection contains materials collected by William R. Denslow, including his father’s memoirs, articles on local history, letters dated 1859-1861 written by a young boy working on a whaling ship, and a typescript copy of an 1898 diary describing the Yukon gold fields.

The papers of Ivan Lee Holt, Jr. contain correspondence, memoranda, reports, and other papers relating to the career of Holt, a circuit judge in St. Louis, Missouri. Contains material concerning his activities in the American Bar Association including the Section of Judicial Administration; the National College of State Trial Judges; the National Probation and Parole Association; the Methodist Church; and other charitable, legal, and religious organizations.

The papers contain correspondence of Percy A. Hogan, law librarian at the University of Missouri. Percy A. Hogan served as law librarian and lecturer in legal bibliography for the University of Missouri Law Library, 1915-1956. Percy and his wife Florence rented an apartment in the Conley home at 602 Sanford and his papers were found there in 1981.

Records, reports, and correspondence of companies which had main offices in Edinburgh, Scotland. Their purpose was to obtain land in southwest Missouri to sell or lease.

Originals in Colorado State Archives.

The collection contains three issues of a University of Missouri student newspaper for November 1915 and January and April 1916. Articles include information on athletics department, sportsmanship, and fraternity and sorority activities.

The collection contains articles on the old Civil War mansion of John R. William and a detailed statement of receipts and disbursements of Cass County, Missouri, 1957.

The collection contains the line drawings for the Batschelett House in La Due, Missouri, including: location map; partial site plan; foundation and floor plans; a general section; north, south, east, and west elevations; door and window elevations; and profiles of details. Documentation was undertaken as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey through the U.S. National Park Service Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation, John A. Huffman, architect. Drawings by Tony Apostolaros.

The collection contains a history of Mercer County, Missouri, as given on the frontispiece of the 1877 atlas.

The collection contains a site plan, floor plans, and south, east, and west elevations of a proposed addition to the Lincoln County Courthouse. Drawings by Henze and Kuda Associates, architects.

Letters written primarily by William F. Jones from his home in Bloomingburg, Ohio, to cousins living in Montgomery County, Missouri.  Jones describes the national political scene, election results, his family, local weather and crops, his Civil War experiences, and the Spanish-American War. The collection also includes the account book (1844-1928) of Wilson P.H. Jones.

Correspondence of Lizzie B. Matthews, with George H. Brooks, between 1889 and 14 August 1900, their wedding date. Topics include teaching school, teachers' salaries, smallpox outbreaks, local court cases, small town entertainment, weather, road conditions, and operating a dry goods store in Salisbury. Miscellaneous programs. Also includes photographs of the Matthews store in Salisbury, Matthews family members and teachers from Salisbury schools.

To Clark Hyatt, from St. Louis, March 8, 1836. Reprint of letter describing St. Louis and Potosi.

Papers of two Missouri families represented by William Thompson Davis and his brother-in-law, Joseph Taylor Juan Hughes. Collection consists mainly of Davis' letters, his diploma, and a program from the Davis Institute. Also includes genealogical material.

Records of a small, college-based literary society in existence from 1850 to 1860. Its membership included DeKalb Musgrove, Adair Wilson, and Joseph Taylor Juan Hughes. Consists of correspondence with prominent individuals, 1851-1859, and an incomplete set of meeting minutes, 1853-1856.

Clipping reprinting section of journal of the Reverend William A. Helffrich of the early Reformed Church, describing river trip from Pennsylvania to Hermann, Missouri, in 1848, and the social life among pioneer settlers. From the Advertiser Courier, Hermann, Missouri, 27 April 1945.

Clippings concerning national politics. Party platforms and financial matters.

Letter dated 1851 to her husband, N.G. Cooley, who was in Idaho prospecting for gold. Reprinted in Carrollton Democrat, 1935.

Papers of a Missouri National Organization for Women chapter coordinator and assistant state and state coordinator, 1978-1982; Adult Abuse Remedies Coalition lobbyist, 1979-1980; delegate to 1980 Democratic National Convention; and Missouri Equal Rights Amendment Countdown Campaign project director, 1981-1982.

The papers contain a copy of a diary of family’s trip from Louisa County, Virginia, to Cooper County, Missouri. Account of a similar trip in 1938 by Charles Quarles Chandler, II. Ralph Dickinson’s comments on the 1836 diary. Photographs and miscellany.

The collection contains a record of daily activities and personal accounts kept by a Callaway County, Missouri, farmer. A few diary entries, 1848-1849, were made by someone other than William Nash.

The papers contain a typescript of a diary of Pauline Stratton’s life in Virginia and Missouri. She writes of spinning, weaving, soap making, rearing her children, enslaved people, the Civil War, and business difficulties after her husband’s death. Also included is a photostat letter written by her to her husband in 1841 before their marriage.

The collection contains a series of diaries written by a housewife near Billings, Missouri, about home activities and family affairs; notes kept on correspondence from 1885 to 1920; and recipe book giving recipes for cakes and pies, and remedies for illnesses and rheumatism.

The collection contains a copy book with definitions and problems covering all common types of arithmetic and surveying; tables; and a few notes added at the later date.

Notes on law lectures of Professors Campbell, Cooley and Walker, taken by William N. Russell in 1864. Also gives date he began law practice (May 16, 1864) and a record of clients and fees.

Lecture notes taken by Spillman, who graduated from the University of Missouri in 1886. The notes are for chemistry, lithology, paleontology, geology, and civil government.

Scrapbook of business cards from lawyers and other businessmen, primarily from eastern Missouri.

Papers of the first woman graduate of the University of Missouri, School of Journalism, in 1910.  She was active as a journalist, teacher, playwright, poet, fiction writer, and photographer.  Material includes correspondence; diaries; manuscripts for Keeley’s articles, fiction, and poetry; clippings; audio cassettes; and photographs.

The collections contain a teachers’ record book for grades 1-13, inclusive from 1914-1917. Also included is one copy of state report of high school statistics and miscellaneous printed blanks for teachers’ contracts and reports.

The papers of Raymond Brandt contain correspondence, newspaper articles, interviews, notes, financial accounts, audio cassettes and photographs of a Sedalia, Missouri, man who was a Washington, D.C. correspondent for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from 1923 to 1967. Brandt wrote on politics, economics, and the Soviet Union, which he visited five times.

The collection contains the attendance and grades of students of High Hill School and the text books used. Not completely filled.

The collection contains one school record book with grades and attendance records for pupils.

Record books of school district, giving minutes of meetings, accounts, lists of taxpayers, teachers, contracts, and other information.

A handwritten record of the burning of the University, prefaced by an argument in favor of the retention of the old university columns. Telegrams to the president from Governor David R. Francis and others; also some press clippings on the fire and events that followed.

Records compiled in 1941 in attempt to document history of a Missouri educational policy group.

Records of official meetings, polls of students, and lists of students receiving passing grades on various examinations.

Copies of the minutes of the University deans' meetings, sent to J.T. Quarles. Committee members were: Williams, Brooks, Quarles, Mumford, Miller, Martin, Heckel, Parks, Neale, Robbins, Cowan, Bour, Short, Conley, Moredock, Stephens, Irion, Brewer, and Noyes. Various university problems were dealt with under two presidents, Stratton D. Brooks and Walter Williams.

The program of the dedication of the Missouri Capitol on 6 October 1924 lists the activities and participants for the day, including the parade in the morning, the band concert, and the "dedication exercises proper" in the afternoon.

Lists of leading cattle feeders in Missouri. Counties listed are Barry, Barton, Benton, Bollinger, Cole, Henry, Lawrence, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, St. Clair, and Vernon. Lists were compiled with a view to securing results of an experiment in steer feeding.

Minutes, register of doctors, accounts, copy of medical fee bill, and photograph. Association was located in Higginsville, Missouri.

Farm breeding records, farm sales, purchases, and general account book and farm ledger of Henry Baker, St. Joseph, Missouri. Photographs enclosed.

Scattered personal accounts, 1845-1847 and 1878-1882, probably kept by a Howard County, Missouri, farmer.

Correspondence and other papers from Zimmerman's terms as a Democratic congressman from Missouri's 10th district, 1935-1948. Zimmerman's major committee assignments included the Agriculture, Flood Control, and Post-War Economic Policy and Planning Committees.

Records of wages paid, money expended for lumber and supplies, and other accounts. Also reports on the weather and the breeding of jacks. Probably from Jackson County, Missouri, area.

Scrapbooks containing theater programs, contracts with performers, clippings, and photographs.

The collection contains books kept by a Henry County, Missouri, lawyer and realtor, including cases, fees, and real estate with prices and commissions.

The collection contains farm, purchase, milling and general household accounts kept by Pliny Parks. Early entries are listed in English pounds. The book was probably kept while the owner lived in New England.

The records of the earliest social service agency in Columbia, Missouri. Name changes include Charity Organization Society, 1901-1922; Public Welfare Society, 1922-1934; Social Service Society, 1937-1957; and Family Service of Columbia, 1957-1984. Contains financial records, administrative records, casework files, correspondence, proposals, and publicity materials.

The collection contains one scrapbook of newspaper clippings kept by Davidson's parents of Sedalia, Missouri, about his experiences while a 1st Lieutenant during World War I. Also includes articles about Davidson's father, pastor of the First Baptist Church, who did YMCA work in France.

Scrapbook of French newspaper clippings about world events. Most of the clippings refer to France, the French Chamber of Deputies, England, the British parliament, and Ireland. Articles on William E. Gladstone and Charles S. Parnell, Irish home rule bill, and Napoleon's expedition into Egypt.

Winning album for a girl under 13 years in the 1903 Natural Food Company sticker album contest. Album must have been shown at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis sometime in 1904; cover title is “World’s Fair Sticker Album.”

Items collected by Maria Rees Luckett of Pettis County, Missouri, and her daughter, Susan Magoffin Luckett Longan, including pictures, clippings, greeting cards, letters, and other miscellaneous material.

Newspaper clippings taken from a Holden, Johnson County, Missouri, newspaper, pertaining to deaths of literary, military, and political notables of the time; Holden M.E. Church convention program and membership certificate; Johnson County wolf hunt; and feature and human-interest stories.

Diary of Martha M. France, wife of St. Joseph, Missouri, banker, Charles B. France, Jr. Diary, mementos, and photos of her daughter, Sara M. France, a student at Ogontz School near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1889-1892.

Autograph book from Howard Seminary for Women, Fayette, Missouri, 1855; account books of Gillaspy and of general store; 1877 merchant’s tax book; horse breeding record book; Gillaspy’s diary, 1864-1865; scrapbook with articles about the Civil War, poems, stories; Deborah, A Tale of the Overland Road, 1865, by Barnett C.M. Farthing, telling of a trip from Nevada to Missouri.

Records of the Baptist Missionary Society of Goochland, Virginia. Genealogy of Archie Perkins family, beginning in 1760. List of individuals enslaved by James Herndon. Archelaus Herndon lived in Carrollton, Missouri.

Constitution and articles of association of an organization at the University of Missouri. The group was formed to encourage legal study, to provide a forum of thought, to strengthen collegiate ties, and to secure benefits from discussions of legislative and judicial questions.

Minutes of meetings, membership lists, and drill of the club. Also a copy of its 1897 constitution.

Papers concerning Frewen's personal life, money-making ventures, and interest in bimetallism and silver. Frewen was a member of Parliament for Northeast Cork and long interested in Irish problems.

Originals in the Library of Congress.

Constitution and by-laws, deed, rules for use of meeting hall, reports of secretary, receipts for dues, and application for membership of a German social organization in Boonville, Missouri. Minutes, roster of members, and account books. Written in German until 1902.

Brief history of the club, 1839-1889; fiftieth anniversary celebration speeches; biographical sketches of members; and list of subjects discussed by the club.

Correspondence of Odon Guitar, including love letters to Kate Leonard in 1865; letters from his mother, Emily Guitar, while Odon was in the Army; correspondence of John and Emily Guitar, 1832-1846, and letter from Odon to his parents from Fort Leavenworth, 1843. Also copy of letter of J.H. Ellis criticizing Odon's conduct as provost in St. Joseph, 1863.

Constitution, bylaws and amendments to the constitution; revision of the executive board of curators, adopted 31 July 1896; cash receipts of fees and dues of boarding club.

Equity for Agriculture: An Advertising Campaign for Governor Smith, 1928, prepared by Ferry and Hanly Advertising Company. Newspapers and periodicals, advertisements, pamphlets, and some statistics on the distribution. Agriculture in the 1936 Presidential Election, prepared by Critchfield and Company.

The recording secretary’s books for Lodge 634 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen in Brookfield, Missouri.

Printed copy written in French. Early history of Missouri and the founding of Fort D'Orleans. Also partial translation.

Floor plans for Clay County courthouse by Abend Singleton Associates, Kansas City, Missouri.

Certificates of marriage, registration of ear marks, and records of stray animals--horses, mules, hogs, etc. The strays were taken before a justice of the peace and appraised. Clerks were Carty Wells, 1833-1837; Joseph B. Wells, 1837-1841; and Eli Carter, 1842-1846.

Debates on qualifications of Missouri governor, representation, banks and corporations, election of auditor, and elective judiciary. Record of proceedings of Missouri Constitutional Convention in Jefferson City, November 1845-January 1846.

Record of marriages solemnized by H.E. Doerner, justice of the peace, at Steele, Pemiscot County, Missouri, 1904-1910, and The Revised Ordinances of the Town of Steele, 1905. H.E. Doerner was chairman of the board of trustees at that time. Included are newspaper articles about Doerner.

Record book of trials and court proceedings from Howard County, Missouri, beginning in February 1868.

Papers of Cannon, Democratic congressman from Missouri's 9th district, 1923-1964, and of Champ Clark (1850-1921), Democratic congressman from Missouri's 9th district, 1893-1895 and 1897-1921, and Speaker of the House. Papers include correspondence of Cannon and Clark, speeches by Clark, newspaper columns written by Cannon, a constituent card file kept by Cannon, and miscellaneous material.

Biography of the life of John Leyden, including short accounts of incidents and short letters of Leyden's describing his work; and journal of a trip through Scotland, describing the country, people, and institutions. The journal covers July to October 1800. Original journal and typed copy are in the collection.

Copies of letters, poems, and essays of Virginius B. Otey of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Personal files of a professor of economics at Drury College who was a delegate-at-large to the convention. Meador served on the committees of education, taxation, schedule, and executive. Composed primarily of correspondence, the collection also contains drafts of articles, minutes of committees, and proposals considered by the convention.

Photocopy of a diary kept by a farmer in a rural community in Perry County, Missouri. Diary records daily events such as births, marriages, and deaths, the weather, social occasions, and agricultural tasks. Gaps may exist in diary.

Diary of a merchant of Virginia City, Montana Territory, records the weather, business, gold fields, and local conditions.

Diaries kept by a lawyer and judge who was a resident of Slater, Saline County, Missouri. General home affairs, his law practice, religion, the Southern Methodist Church, politics, travel, business, bank failures, and improvements made over the years. Also includes genealogical material.

Diary of a volunteer under the command of Alexander Doniphan in the Mexican War. Richardson left Carrollton, Missouri, in August 1846 and reached Monterey in May 1847. By July he had returned to his home in Maryland.

The records contain minutes of church meetings, including financial reports, dismissal of members for various reasons, such as dancing, drinking, immoral conduct; rules of decorum; articles of faith; church membership; and a church history from 1827-1867.

The records contain pages from the Robards family Bible listing marriages, births, and deaths.

The papers contain copies of his sports column, which was written in the form of letters to servicemen and women during World War II. O'Donnell also printed letters from them.