Columbia Manuscript Collections

Genealogical notes on the Evans and Middleton families of Missouri.

Issue for 7 March 1823 giving speech by Thomas M. Allen and national and local news.

To Irvine O. Hockaday, Fulton, MO, from Jefferson City, Sept. 26, 1839. Minor, secretary of the senate, informs Hockaday of his appointment as curator of the University of Missouri.

Letters to Floyd C. Shoemaker, Columbia, MO, from Venice, CA, about jazz musician Scott Joplin. Includes some printed brochures regarding ragtime, jazz, and Scott Joplin.

List of subscribers to the proposed railroad.

Copy of proclamation setting Thursday, 13 November 1843, as Thanksgiving Day.

Miscellaneous land grants, land warrants, correspondence, receipts and deeds.

Bulletin listing city and county property that M. Jeff Thompson, general land agent at St. Joseph, MO, will sell or trade, 1 April 1857.

Miscellaneous letters and clippings regarding the Royall, Switzler, Price, and Henderson families; article about John Price by Eva Grant Maloney; typescript copies of "A Trip to the South," and "My Second Tour in the South," by William F. Switzler in 1836; Mary Jane Royall Switzler's album of memories filled with prose and poetry.

Notice of temperance and prohibition conference, called for Sedalia, MO, March 17, 1908, by state W.C.T.U. president.

Negative photostat of a map of Greene County, MO, showing roads, Indian trails, villages and mounds, and narrative regarding Indians in Greene County, 1915. Also a copy of a map of the battlefield at Lexington, MO, September 1861, as drawn during court of inquiry in the 1870s.

Miscellaneous bills, receipts, articles, and genealogical notes regarding the Tull and Neidermeyer families of Boone County, MO.

Letters to A.P. Green about his subscription to the Missouri Public Expenditure Survey, Missouri Constitution, Constitutional Convention Bulletin, and minutes of the organizational meeting of Missouri War Chest, 1943.

Draft of master's thesis entitled "Frontier Dramatic Criticism, St. Louis, 1835-1838," submitted to the University of Wisconsin speech department. A history and analysis of the theater in St. Louis, 1835-1838. Letter from Brown to William G.B. Carson about his project.

Diary kept by Rhoades while he was adjutant of the 9th Regiment, Missouri Infantry. Concerns a boat trip from New Orleans to Ste. Genevieve, MO, after being paroled from the army.

Measured drawings by the Historic American Buildings Survey including plans, elevations, and details. Original portion of house was built c. 1780. After 1790 the house was owned by John Mullanphy and his descendants. OVERSIZE.

Copies of miscellaneous letters, clippings, and songs of a University of Missouri fraternity.

Six handwritten booklets of poetry.

"Grundy County Tour," compiled by chapter in Trenton, Missouri.

Report on a game survey of Missouri, submitted to the game restoration committee, Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute.

Manuscript of novel, THE SHORT SUMMER; and manuscript of THE YEARS OF THE LOCUST, in English and German.

This collection of World War II letters was collected by W.W. Gillespie for publication in the Memphis Revielle, a weekly newspaper in Scotland County, Missouri, and by Frederick Tainter for publication in the Bugle, published monthly in St. Charles, Missouri. Also included are letters collected by the State Historical Society of Missouri in 1946 from various donors. Most are concerned with acknowledging receipt of the letter.

Clippings largely from Kansas City and St. Louis, MO, newspapers regarding World War I soldiers from Missouri; the 35th, 89th, and Rainbow Divisions; and the Red Cross and hospital work. Also includes political cartoons, war statistics, and county casualty lists.

Business correspondence of Ovid Bell, editor of the FULTON GAZETTE. Covers letters F-W, arranged alphabetically. Some correspondents are Walter Williams, Joseph Mudd, Joseph W. Folk, David R. Francis, and representatives of other newspapers in Missouri.

Ledgers, daybooks and inventory lists from the Bradshaw and Proctor Company, Barnett, MO, and the Leeton Lumber and Hardware Company, Leeton, MO. James Bradshaw was a partner in both firms. Other items are deposit slips, freight bills, and miscellaneous correspondence.

Newspaper clippings pertaining to the Townsend Plan, a pension plan for the elderly sponsored by Dr. Francis Townsend in the mid-1930s, and the U.S. House of Representatives' investigation of it which Congressman Bell instigated and chaired. Clippings are from papers throughout the country. December 17, 1935 to July 26, 1936.

Scrapbook of newspaper clippings, mainly pertaining to Cowherd's career as congressman, 1897-1905. Speeches or excerpts from speeches during campaigns. 1890 speech before the graduating class of the Washington University Dental School.

Newspaper clippings of book reviews, speeches, and poems. Letters received on death of brother, Lynn S. Banks, 1928. Speeches on inauguration of Samuel S. Laws as president of the University of Missouri, 1876, and other speeches. Tribute to John T. Mitchell, 1921. 1883 pencil drawing of scene on University campus by J.J. Fowler.

Correspondence between members of the P.T. Miller family and the E.W. Stephens family, as well as Personal, business, and civic letters of Hugh Stephens. Several letters from 1811 to 1814, one 1839 letter, then resumes with a few Civil War letters. Traces the courtship of Nick E. Miller and Sallie "Birdie" Fisher until their marriage in 1874. Also includes the 1902 foreign travel letters of James H. Moss, a relative of the Stephens family.

Correspondence, notes, rough drafts, revisions, and proof sheets for place names series with emphasis upon Missouri place names. Newspaper clippings about Ramsay and the place name articles. Small volumes of notes and prints pertaining to his academic classes, and sample student themes and bibliographies.

Correspondence concerning demand for and installation of computer facilities at the University of Missouri, minutes of related committees, miscellaneous computer pamphlets. Preliminary drafts and final copy of the National Science Foundation's Science Development Program Proposal seeking aid in establishing a mathematical science center at the University.

The collection contains a letter to Maggie Sampson, Rocheport, MO, from Nellie Phillips, Columbia, MO, Dec. 30, 1889, thanking Miss Sampson for a Christmas gift.

The collection contains a letter to John Strain, Greenfield, MO, from W.P. Strain, Limestone, TN, June 26, 1865, discussing the effects of the Civil War on his area, business and farming conditions, an Independence Day celebration, and family news.

The collection contains a history of the Savitar Frolics from 1938 to 1954, giving names of winners and lists of participating groups.

The papers of W.P. Hall contain a letter from the South African Boer War Exhibition Company ordering 400 horses; a letter from Carl Hagenbeck regarding sale or trade of two elephants; and a contract with Barnes-Carruthers Fair Booking Association regarding two elephant acts and elephant trainers.

Correspondence between Confederate Colonel N.L. Norton and Confederate Army officers and a friend.

The papers of Charles A. Wade contain letters, commissions, and miscellaneous material of a captain in Company C, 25th Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, who was killed at the Battle of Pittsburgh Landing, April 10, 1862. The letters urge his wife to sell out and join him.

The collection contains a letter to John Hambright, Fort Osage, MO, from Fayetteville, AR, May 23, 1845, concerning the emigration of Choctaw Indians from Mississippi to Arkansas; and a newspaper clipping announcing the sale of slaves by Commissioner John Hambright, brother of Robert Hambright.

The collection contains a record of the organizational meeting of the Warrensburg school board.

Describes Martha Jane Canary Burke (Calamity Jane) in her last years at Deadwood and Belle Fourche, SD, during the late 1890s and early 1900s. She died in 1903 and is buried in Deadwood.

The papers of James A. Long contain letters from Long to his family in Manchester, St. Louis County, MO, while in the University in Columbia, describing everyday student life, professors, preachers, the Whig party in Columbia, James S. Rollins' gubernatorial campaign, and family news.

Correspondence, financial and legal documents, diaries, and account books of a Saline County, MO, family. The papers deal, for the most part, with the family business, primarily accounts for goods and food sold. There is some material dealing with family matters, including a diary of a trip taken to Montana in 1865 by Abel J. Van Meter.

The collection contains a reward notice announcing a $5000 reward for the capture of Bill Doolin, train robber.

The papers contain miscellaneous notes of Vera Edith Armil taken from various records concerning the history of sales of her house at 305 Hitt Street, Columbia, Missouri, accompanied by a photograph of the house.

Letters from German and Swiss girls to Missouri state food and drug commissioner about an article he published in German and Swiss newspapers and magazines asking for wives for American servicemen stationed in the Philippines ca. 1912. Typed translation of newspaper article, letters in German.

Memorial address given before the John Sappington Center, Daughters of the American Revolution, Crestwood, MO, about John Long, captain of the 15th Militia Company, Caroline County, VA, during the American Revolution.

Examples of two kinds of seals to be used on wax or paper, and handwritten description of one seal.

Black-bordered funeral notice of Robert Levi Todd, born in Boone County, MO, 25 March 1822, died in Columbia, MO, 11 May 1898.

Published by the Mary Hardin Mission Circle, First Baptist Church, Mexico, MO. Contains biographical sketch and poetry of Mary Hardin, wife of Charles H. Hardin, governor of Missouri.

Letters, documents, and photos concerning church matters and the funeral of Emanuel Haller. Most of the letters are in German.

Bound copy of a speech, "The Limitations of Reform," printed in the SATURDAY EVENING POST, February 12, 1910.

The collection contains miscellaneous broadsides regarding sales of farms, announcements of meetings, reward for Jesse and Frank James, the Ku Klux Klan, candidates for office, and poultry.

The microfilm contains documents from U.S. Veterans Administration files in the National Archives regarding Lay's pension application.

The papers of Curtis Burnam Rollins contain two letters concerning Emanuel Lasker's application for appointment as mathematics professor at the University of Missouri, 1902, and a certificate appointing Rollins to the board of curators, University of Missouri, 1911.

The collection contains four deeds, all entered in Randolph County, Missouri. Some holders are George Rogers, William Rogers, James T. Halliburton, and George Hagar.

The collection contains "Wildlife in Missouri History," a speech given at the State Historical Society of Missouri's annual meeting, October 1965.

The collection contains an announcement of a speech to be given by P.D. Hastain, mayor of Sedalia, about capitol removal.

The collection contains the broadside, "Imperial Missouri. An appeal for assistance by the Missouri Transmississippi Exposition Commission," asking for financial contributions for Missouri's entry in the exposition.

The papers of James Cash Penney contain speeches, articles, and pamphlets by and about Penney regarding his moral, religious, and business interests as well as his cattle farms.

The collection contains three programs listing officers, members, and activities of a Columbia, Missouri, circle.

The collection contains a copy of two pages from a scrapbook listing presidents, secretaries, and places and dates of meetings, 1896-1943. Also included is one page of personal notes on the presidents.

The collection contains photocopies of minutes of the proceedings of the faculty of McGee College, September 1867-June 1870.

Correspondence between Freeman Barrows, his brother John and his sister Sarah; between Elizabeth Vaill Waldo and her sister Asenath B. Vaill Barrows, wife of Freeman Barrows. Freeman Barrows tells of business, social and economic conditions in Batesville and Papinville, Missouri, and urges his family to join him there.

To William P. Barlow, St. Louis, Missouri, from St. Louis, Missouri, November 5, 1891. Regards lieutenants in Von Phul’s Battery, Missouri Artillery, Confederate States of America.

Notice of a reunion of the 9th Missouri Cavalry to be held at Moberly, September 13-14, 1900. Signed by Odon Guitar.

Announcement of a reunion of the National Association of Mexican War Veterans by the president of the Missouri Association, Odon Guitar, to be held in St. Louis, September 16-17, 1904.

Civil War reminiscences of a Union soldier who went with men from his neighborhood at Talbert Ferry on White River to Salem, Arkansas, to fight with Colonel Marshall of the 1st Illinois Cavalry.

Copies of letters from England to George Cresswell of Pennsylvania and Washington County, Missouri, regarding economic conditions in England and slavery.

Notes on mural decorations and Missouri state capitol decorations, compiled by Alice A. Linnemann of Lindenwood College, St. Charles, Missouri. Also her correspondence with sculptor Adolph Alexander Weinman, Arthur A. Kocian, and Ben L. Emmons.

Military and pension records from U.S. Adjutant General’s Office. Davis enrolled in the Missouri State Militia at Cameron, Missouri, in 1862.

Copy of a daily account of a Lincoln County, Missouri, farmer’s life. Marriages and deaths, activities of friends and relatives, election returns, prices paid for household goods, farm life, and Civil War experience.

To Mary Ann Simmons, from Tennessee, December 6, 1863. Written while in the Union army. Describes the weather and inquires after her health.

Address at the dedication of the new bandstand in Fayette, Missouri, at Central Methodist College.

Card with Bryant's signature and the date, November 11, 1875.

Letter to G.C. Broadhead, of Columbia, Missouri, from Alma, Kansas, February 15, 1890, concerning coal mining in Kansas.

History of the church from its organization in 1843 to 1971, naming deacons and pastors, giving a history of the church buildings, and describing some of the special meetings of the church.

Story of the life of Captain J. Keeney, an early pioneer in Oregon. Keeney was born and raised in Independence, MO. Presumably copied from newspaper.

Handbill from the University of Missouri Student Association, urging people to vote March 7, 1972 on Columbia, Missouri, city charter amendments, sewer bond issue, and the General Telephone Company franchise, and one handbill announcing a meeting of the Socialist Study Group on U.S. Imperialism and the Third World, April 22, 1972.

Resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of Independence, Missouri.

The records contain the original church record book of the Prairie Point Baptist Church, dating from 1842 to 1897. Includes the articles of faith, rules of decorum, covenant, monthly business meetings, subscription pledges, and current members. Renamed three times: Pleasant Grove, Ebenezer, and Blackwater Baptist Church. Miscellaneous items from 1913 to 1949.

Deed for land in Clay County, Missouri, 1838, and a land grant registered at Lexington, 1843.

Receipt for hay from Frank Thompson to W.H. Bass, who received payment of $1.50 in Columbia, Missouri, May 21, 1884.

The papers of Don C. Carter contain a summary of the Sturgeon, Missouri, court of common pleas; a docket, Boone County circuit court, February term, 1893; an engineer’s story of the Civil War; and a newspaper clipping concerning the Centralia Massacre.

The collection contains a deed for land and town lot in Randall County, Texas.

Copy of a letter to John G. Miller from O’Bryan in Boonville, Missouri, February 6, 1854, regarding the position of slavery in Missouri and Miller’s political strength in Boonville.

The collection contains a copy of an account of the George Stein family migration to America in the fall of 1881 aboard the SS NECKER, and their settlement in Clark County, Missouri.

The papers of Howard V. Canan contain research notes on James Craig.

Speech given at the State Historical Society of Missouri annual meeting, October 2, 1971.

The collection contains copies of letters to Bohm regarding music, local news, and politics.

The collection contains photocopies of a circular describing the Freethought University, Liberal, Missouri; “The Orthopaedian,” Liberal, Missouri, 1900; and “Songs of the Lyrian Form,” by O.E. Harmon, 1930.

Copy of a memoir relating activities of the 38th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company K, from July 27, 1861, when it was mustered into service at Newton, Jasper County, Illinois, to its mustering out at Chattanooga, Tennessee, September 15, 1864.

The papers of Hiram Holler contain a land grant, deeds, and abstract title, entered in Taney County, Missouri.

To Virginia Botts, Columbia, Missouri, from New York, April 13, 1964. Photograph of the view from her window in the Catskill Mountains, with note thanking Botts for her letter.

Copy of a letter to the Missouri Alpha Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, giving a brief professional sketch of himself. Published in The Scroll, 1896.

Photostat of appointment as postmaster at Sinclair, Stone County, Missouri. Brief history of post offices and postmasters of the area on reverse.

Typescripts of speech delivered in the House of Representatives regarding the slavery question and speech in answer to insult by Mr. Claiborne against the Jews.

Manuscript from which was prepared “In Another Day on the Old North Side,” which appeared in the Kansas City Star, June 1, 1958.

Inaugural remarks of state auditor of Missouri, January 11, 1971.

The Thomas B. Curtis Papers contain constituent correspondence and congressional committee material during Curtis’ terms as a Republican U.S. representative from Missouri. The bulk of committee material pertains to Ways and Means and Joint Economic Committees. 

Papers of a St. Louis lawyer who was a Democratic delegate-at-large to the Missouri Constitutional Convention of 1943-1944. He was elected president of the convention and played an active role in the campaign for the adoption of the constitution drawn up by that body.