Rolla Manuscript Collections

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ozark, Missouri Records include microfilm copies of membership registers, roll of officers, and official reports to the state lodge from 1869 to 1931 for the Finley Lodge No. 206.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Nixa, Missouri Records include microfilm copies of membership registers, roll of officers, and official reports to the state lodge from 1869 to 1931 for the Nixa Lodge No. 561.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Vienna, Missouri Records include microfilm copies of the Methodist Sunday School that includes attendance records, statistical summaries, and meeting minutes from 1895 to 1898.

The Robert L. Schenker Records contain a microfilm copy of a ledger from a mercantile business operated by Robert L. Schenker, at Vienna, Maries County, Missouri. The ledger includes a list of promissory notes and their settlements, and an inventory of stock.

The Knights of Pythias, Ellsinore, Missouri Records contain microfilm copies of the record books of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Ellsinore in Carter County, Missouri. The volumes include minutes of meetings, records of membership, committee reports, and financial data.

The Chilton School, Carter County, Missouri Records contain microfilm copies of the records for the district clerk and a teacher's register from Chilton School in Carter County, Missouri. Records include proceedings of annual meetings, minutes of meetings of directors, treasurers' accounts, lists of resident taxpayers and children, estimates of expenses, term reports, and a teacher's register.

The Dry Hill School, Carter County, Missouri Records contain microfilm copies of the school records for Dry Hill School in Carter County, Missouri. Included are the record books of the district clerks and teachers' registers from 1923 to 1958.

The Rolla, Missouri Local Council of Girl Scouts Records include meeting minutes, financial records, correspondence, administrative papers, and a cassette tape of “Hot Line” telephone call-in KTTR radio from 1936 to 1975.

The Gravel Ridge Baptist Church, Charleston, Missouri Records contain microfilm copies of six volumes that include financial records, business meetings minutes, and membership information from 1925 to 1990.

The Thomas Rountree Records contain microfilm copy of the lesson book prepared by Reynolds as a teaching aid. The book contains samples, problems, and examples in mathematics, accounting, surveying, and penmanship. The lessons apparently were copied from other textbooks.

The Harold Q. Fuller Papers contain the personal papers of a physics professor and community leader in Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri. The papers concern Fuller's work with the Rolla School Board, the Phelps County Nutrition Program, the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging, and the family farm.

The Daughters of Rebekah, Dadeville Lodge No. 555 Records contain a membership register from the Rebekah Lodge at Dadeville in Dade County, Missouri. It contains the names of members and the dates of active memberships, transferal, and suspensions. There is a fragmentary index at the beginning of the volume.

The Daughters of Rebekah, Julia Lodge No. 72 Springfield, Missouri Records contain two membership registers and a visitor’s register containing records from 1889 to 1937.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Springfield Lodge No. 218 Records contain the records of the Odd Fellows lodge at Springfield in Greene County, Missouri. The records consist of volumes containing semi-annual reports to the Grand Lodge of Missouri, 1894-1932, and a folder of miscellaneous papers, 1897-1939.

The Adolph Schoenherr Papers contain the business and personal papers of Adolph Schoenherr, a businessman and mine operator in Jasper County, Missouri. The papers concern lead and zinc mines around Webb City and Carterville, and the operations of the Schoenherr-Walton and Reliance mining companies. There are also papers concerning a proposed adoption of a child by Adolph and Beulah Schoenherr.

The Rebekah Assembly of Missouri Collection contains microfilm copies of printed minutes of the annual meetings of the Rebekah Assembly of Missouri. The minutes include lists of state officials, delegates and alternates, financial information and committee reports, matters concerning the Odd Fellows Home in Liberty, Missouri, and a listing of the names and local addresses of all Rebekah lodges in Missouri.

The Dixie School, Jasper County, Missouri Records contain a microfilm copy of the district clerk’s record book for District No. 6 in Jasper County, Missouri. The record book includes minutes of the annual meetings, proceedings of the board of directors, annual enumeration of the district, lists of resident taxpayers, oaths of officers, estimates of school expenses, teachers’ contracts, and records of expenses.

The Cedar Bluff School, Jasper County, Missouri Records contain a microfilm copy of the teacher’s register for Cedar Bluff School in Jasper County, Missouri. It includes daily and term attendance records for each student beginning April 10, 1893 and continuing through March 18, 1898. There is also a visitor’s register.

The Coleman Family Papers contain original and photocopies of letters written to Elizabeth C. Coleman and her parents during the Civil War, by relatives and friends in the 6th Missouri Infantry. Included are letters from Otterville and Rolla, Missouri, and Vicksburg, Mississippi, one from Washington, D.C., in 1865, and two from Pilot Knob, Missouri. The letters contain camp news and information on mutual friends. The letters from Pilot Knob concern postwar employment.

The Historic Mining Photographs Collection contains images concerning mining industries in Missouri, with an emphasis on the Old Lead Belt of southeastern Missouri, and the Tri-State Mining District centered on Joplin in Jasper County, Missouri. The subjects include surface installations of various mines, mining equipment, mills, and general views of the mining areas.

The Joplin Globe Magazine Collection contains annual magazines of the Joplin Globe newspaper featuring stories on mining and related industries in the Tri-State Mining District of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Included are production summaries for leading mining companies and articles on mineral industries in the Tri-State and the United States. The magazines are illustrated and carry advertisements by lead and zinc mining and milling companies.

The Morgan and Johnson Counties, Missouri Scrapbook Collection contains scrapbooks consisting of clippings of obituaries and death notices. The emphasis is on individuals from Morgan, Miller, Johnson, and Henry Counties in Missouri. Most of the clippings concern residents of Versailles in Morgan County, and Chilhowee in Johnson County.

The Robert L. Elgin Travel and Tourism Collection contains materials related to travel and tourism in Missouri. Included are maps, postcards, ephemera, and a series of promotional booklets produced by the Missouri State Division of Resources and Development.

The John Jacob Sutter Papers contains photocopies of a notebook and travel journal by John J. Sutter, a native of Germany and resident of Saint Louis, Missouri. The memoranda book covers Sutter’s service as inspector of artillery in the Department of the Missouri in 1865, and inspections at Cape Girardeau, Macon, Rolla, and Springfield, Missouri; and Fort Leavenworth, Fort Scott, and Paola, Kansas. The travel journal documents a trip from Saint Louis to Germany and return in 1871. The travel journal is in German.

The Richland Hotel Collection contains items from the Richland Hotel in Richland, Pulaski County, Missouri, including two photographs of the hotel, a blotter, an envelope, and two rate cards.

The Clinton & Great Western Nurseries Collection contains a business card from Clinton & Great Western Nurseries.

The Robert Huston Carnahan Papers contain a letter from Robert H. Carnahan, an officer in the 3rd Illinois Cavalry stationed at Rolla in Phelps County, Missouri. In the letter, dated December 3, 1861, Carnahan commented on winter quarters and camp life.

The Franklin County, Missouri Postcard Collection contains two postcard views of scenes along Indian Creek near Saint Clair in Franklin County, Missouri. One postcard shows an iron truss bridge over the creek, the other is a view of the farm of William E. May.

The Newburg High School Collection contains a photograph of the Newburg High School girls’ basketball team from 1921, a program for a theatrical performance at the Lyric Theatre from 1930, and commencement programs from 1935 and 1939.

The W. Harry Barron Papers contain a typescript copy of a letter from Dr. W. Harry Barron to Ruth Berry dated October 27, 1946, concerning the history of Mine La Motte in Madison County, Missouri. A physician who practiced medicine in Madison County for most of his life, Barron was also the unofficial historian of Mine La Motte.

The Washington County, Missouri Probate Records contain a microfilm copy of probate records from Washington County, Missouri. The first two volumes contain the statements of administrators of estates and guardians of minor children beginning in 1813 and continuing into August 1843. The third volume includes wills from 1845-1886.

The Washington County, Missouri Court Records contain a microfilm copy of a record book of the Washington County Court beginning on November 11, 1822 and continuing
through July 8, 1839. Court business generally included appointments of local officials, certifications of elections, assessments, and road matters.

The David S. Scott Papers contain the Civil War letters of David S. Scott, Co. H, 8th Indiana Infantry, written to Kate Missimer in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The letters, from Pilot Knob, Black River, Van Buren, and Oregon County, Missouri, concern camp life and the campaign of the Army of Southeastern Missouri.

The United-Mexican Mines Company Collection contains a certificate for 1000 shares of stock in the United-Mexican Mines Company.

The Methodist Episcopal Church-South, Southwest Missouri Conference Records contain photocopies of records from the Jasper Circuit in the Joplin District, which was a part of the Southwest Missouri Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church-South. Included are a Quarterly Conference Record of the Jasper Circuit, 1919-1923, and miscellaneous papers, 1919-1967.

The Old Settlers Reunion and Texas County Fair Collection contains a program from the 46th Annual Old Settlers Reunion and Texas County Fair that took place on August 8-11, 1956 at Houston, Missouri. The program includes the schedule of events, rules and officials of competitions, and advertisements.

The Rolla United Service Organization Council Records includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs and miscellaneous materials concerning the USO center at Rolla in Phelps County, Missouri, on the occasion of its thirtieth anniversary.

The Young Americans for Freedom, Rolla High School Chapter Records contain materials pertaining to the Rolla High School Chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom. It consists of the constitution, by-laws and charter, newspaper clippings concerning the chapter’s events and activities, and printed materials from the national headquarters.

The Thomas Ervin Burgess Papers consists of photocopies of a Civil War photograph, service record, and genealogical data of Sergeant Thomas E. Burgess of Gasconade County, Missouri. Burgess served in Dallmeyer's Battalion of Missouri Militia, the 10th Missouri Cavalry, and the 2nd Missouri Cavalry in the Union Army, 1861-1865.

The George H. Ambrose Papers contain the personal and business papers of George H. Ambrose, a county judge of Lafayette County, Missouri, and president of the Lexington & St. Louis Railroad Company. The collection includes correspondence, legal and business papers, memoranda books, and bank account books.          

The Lloyd Ellis Hardy Collection concerns Lloyd Ellis Hardy, a native of Tippah County, Mississippi, and later a resident of Bethany, Harrison County, Missouri. Compiled and edited by Robert G. Johnston, the collection includes photocopies of letters written during Hardy’s service in the 4th Missouri Infantry on the Mexican border and at Nevada, Missouri in 1916-1917, and with the 139th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division in France in 1919.

The J. Milton Shockley Collection contains photocopies of “What They Said,” a compilation of stories and anecdotes regarding residents of Maries County, Missouri, by Dr. J. Milton Shockley, a local historian and past president of the Maries County Historical Society.

The Baptist Association Annual Meeting Records contain microfilm copies of annual meeting minutes of Primitive Baptist associations in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, and Oklahoma. The most complete series are for the Center Creek and Ozark associations of Missouri. The minutes include the proceedings of the associations, lists of churches, officers, and representatives, the articles of faith and rules of decorum, and correspondence with other associations.

The Reuben Smith & Company Records contain a ledger from Reuben Smith & Company, a mercantile firm at Selma in Jefferson County, Missouri. The volume contains a listing of lands patented and rules for mining in Harmony Township in Washington County, Missouri, 1836-1845, and invoices for goods purchased by Reuben Smith & Company, primarily at Selma in Jefferson County, Missouri, 1837-1846.

The Old Path Association of Baptist Churches Records contain microfilm copies of annual session minutes of the Old Path Association of Baptist Churches in Benton, Hickory, Polk, and St. Clair counties in Missouri. Included are minutes of the meetings, the articles of faith, rules of decorum, lists of churches, officers, and representatives, statistical information, and correspondence with other associations.

These are papers collected by Dr. Vance A. Bradford while conducting genealogical research on the Bradford family. Included are six boxes of correspondence with and about descendants of Samuel Bradford of Snow Hill, Maryland, and two boxes of papers from the Duncan homestead in southern Phelps County, Missouri.

The Paul Christian Yates Papers contain a microfilm copy of a journal kept by Dr. Paul C. Yates, a physician in Newton County, Missouri. Included are narratives of individual cases, particularly maternity calls, notes for addresses to meetings of medical associations, and a few personal items.

The Charles P. Walker, Daily Express Collection contains Volume 1, No. 29 of the Daily Express, published December 11, 1861 at Rolla in Phelps County, Missouri. Charles P. Walker, editor of the weekly Rolla Express, published the daily sheet for the military market during the Civil War. It contains an address to Congress by President Lincoln, camp news, and official notices.

The Green Ridge School, Camden County, Missouri Records contain records of the Green Ridge School, which was located near Climax Springs in western Camden County, Missouri. Among the records are minutes of meetings, annual enumerations of students and lists of taxpayers, teachers’ contracts, clerks’ reports to the county, rules and regulations, class registers, and classifications of students.

The Mill Creek School, Texas County, Missouri Records are microfilmed records of the School District No. 2 near Plato in northwestern Texas County, Missouri. The records include seven volumes for the district clerk from 1886 to 1925 and teachers’ registers from 1893 to 1927.

The Pine Flat School, Texas County, Missouri Records contain a microfilm copy of the records of School District No. 129, known as Pine Flat School, which was located north of Eunice in eastern Texas County, Missouri. Included are records of the district clerk, teacher’s registers of attendance, and reports of teachers to the county superintendent of schools.

The Coffey School, Texas County, Missouri Records contain microfilm copies of annual meeting minutes, lists of board members, attendance data, term statistics, and other records from Coffee School in Texas County, Missouri from 1936 to 1950.

The Edwin D. Wheelock Papers contain photocopied Civil War correspondence written by Edwin D. Wheelock, a soldier in Company G of the 17th Illinois Cavalry. The letters were written from camps at Alton, Illinois; St. Louis, Rolla, and Pilot Knob, Missouri; and Fort Scott, Kansas. There is also a letter written by a friend, Emery F. Farnsworth, who was a soldier in the 37th Illinois Infantry, a photographic copy of Wheelock in uniform, postwar information on veterans of the unit printed by the Nunda Herald, and a brief family record.

The John J. H. Duncan Papers contain a Civil War letter sent from Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri, written by John J. H. Duncan of Company C, 145th Illinois Infantry. Written to a cousin, the letter discusses the death of Duncan's father and contains miscellaneous camp news.

This is a Civil War letter from Patterson in Wayne County, Missouri, by S.P. Hellis of the 1st Nebraska Infantry. Hellis discussed camp life and some of the officers, and expressed his disatisfaction with the war.

The Maries County Teachers’ Association Records are microfilmed meeting minutes of the association that include roll calls of attendees and minutes of proceedings from 1910 to 1931. Records were not recorded from 1915 to 1927.

These are scrapbooks of the FFA chapter at West Plains in Howell County, Missouri. The scrapbooks include photographs, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous printed materials on the chapter's activities, 1955-1966. There is also a printed history of the FFA in Missouri, 1928-1978.

The Bank of Willard Records contain a microfilmed minute book of the Bank of Willard at Willard, Greene County, Missouri. The volume includes minutes of monthly meetings of the directors and annual meetings of stockholders, and reports by bank examiners.

This is a history of the Nova Scotia Iron Company, 1880-1893, written by Robert L. Elgin. The company operated mines and a hot blast furnace in Dent County, Missouri. The furnace operated only intermittently from 1881 to 1884. The history, written largely from newspaper sources in Dent and Crawford Counties and iron trade journals, was prepared for the Mark Twain National Forest.

This is a survey of Rolla, Missouri, by the Industrial Development Department of the Kentucky-Tennessee Light and Power Company of Bowling Green, Kentucky. The report contains narrative and statistical information on businesses, professional services, civic organizations, schools, and public buildings in Rolla, as well as natural attractions of the surrounding area in Phelps County. Photographs of many of the sites are tipped in.

This is a handbill by J. H. Criswell at Owensville in Gasconade County, Missouri, soliciting ties for the St. Louis, Kansas City, and Colorado Railroad.

These are two photographs made at Rolla in Phleps County, Missouri. One view is of the booth of James A. Spilman, a merchant and dealer of Studebaker farm wagons, at the Phelps County Fair in Rolla. The other is a panoramic collage of the Missouri School of Mines at Rolla, taken from the school's water tower.

The Jacob P. Williamson Papers contain a Civil War letter written February 27, 1862, from Camp Rolla in Phelps county, Missouri , by a soldier in the 13th Illinois Infantry. The letter notes the Union capture of Springfield, Missouri, by soldiers who had marched from Rolla, and rumors of future movements.

The St. Patrick Church Rolla, Missouri Collection contains the pamphlet, “Seventy-Five Years in Rolla, 1862-1937.” Written by Father Sidney P. Stocking and committee members of the St. Patrick Catholic Church to commemorate the church’s diamond jubilee. The pamphlets contains photographs and brief historical sketched of the parish, early pastors, nearby churches established as missions, and lists of baptisms and marriages.

These are the records of the Athena Club, a women's club at Charleston in Mississippi County, Missouri. The records consist of minute books, 1953-1992; and scrapbooks, circa 1941-1985.

This is a scrapbook concerning the annual poultry festivals at Crane in Stone County, Missouri. The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings, correspondence, programs and miscellandous printed materials.

These are records of the First Presbyterian Church at Rolla, Missouri. Included are minutes of meetings of the church Session, membership and marriage records, minutes of meetings of Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees, and church bulletins.

These are papers of "Bittersweet: The Ozark Quarterly," a journal of Ozark culture published by Ellen Gray Massey and her English classes at Lebanon High School. Included are tape recordings, transcripts, and photographs of interviews. Subjects include fiddling, making railroad ties, one-room rural schools, social customs and more, the African-American experince, and handicrafts.

This collection consists of a building dedication program and a brief history of the First Christain Church at Rolla in Phelps County, Missouri.

The Elizabeth Remay Dabbs Thompson Papers contain the personal and family papers collected by Elizabeth Remay Dabbs Thompson from 1850 to 1932. This collection includes photocopies of family correspondence, legal documents, and business papers for the Dabbs and Thompson families of Greene County, Missouri.

This is a letter from James Ballard near Mine La Motte in Madison County or St. Francois County, Misouri. The letter concerns acquisition of apple, pear, and plum trees, and other business matters. The recipient of Ballard's letter, John Randol, Jr., was probably in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.

The American Red Cross, Scott County Chapter Records contain photocopies of files from the American Red Cross chapter in Sikeston, Scott County, Missouri. Most concern allotments for dependents, emergency loans, extensions of leave, and other family matters of servicemen during World War II.

These are papers of L. E. Mador, an economist, political scientist, and civic leader in Springfield, Missouri. Included are materials concerning Springfield's Charter Commission (1952) , Missouri state government, and Wiilson's Creek National Battlefield.

The Douglas Ritchie Bushnell Papers contain the photocopy letters of an officer of the 13th Illinois Infantry, written during campaigns in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Bushnell was killed in action at Ringgold, Georgia, in November 1863. There are also a few letters from his wife, Emily, and other correspondents.

The Spencer M. Hubbard Papers contain the personal and business papers of Spencer M. Hubbard, physician and county clerk of Texas County, Mo. Also include is the medical account book of Spencer's father, Dr. John H. Hubbard, 1849-1852, and minutes of the Texas County Medical Association, 1888.

These are papers of an attorney and developer of mineral properties in southeastern Missouri and Oklahoma. Most of the collection concerns title work and exploration of tracts near Irondale and Palmer in Washington County, Missouri.

This is "A Message to the Homeseeker," advertising the towns and principal businesses of Newburg, Rolla, and Saint James in Phelps County, and Salem in Dent County, Missouri. The booklet contains brief descriptions of businesses and illustrations of commercial establishments and public buildings.

This is a booklet published to promote economic development in southeastern Missouri. Sections are devoted to the communities of Sikeston, Charleston, Dexter, Malden, East Prairie, and New Madrid. Numerous businesses are profiled including information on proprietors, locations, services, and their histories.

The Southeast Missouri Drummers' Association Collection contains photocopies of the souvenir program of the fourteenth annual meeting of the Southeast Missouri Drummers' Association, held at Sikeston, Scott County, Missouri, May 26-28, 1910. The program features a schedule of events, descriptions of prominent Scott County businesses, photographs of officers and members of the assocation, and views of buinessses, residences, and public buildings in Sikeston.

The Ed DeField, "Remembrance of World War II" is a photocopy of a memoir of World War II by a native of Mississippi County, Missouri. DeField was a member of the 397th Antiaircraft Battalion. He served in Wales, Normandy, France, Belgium, and Germany, and in the Allied occupation force.

These are photocopied program booklets for annual rodeos, minstrel shows, "jubilee", and the 70th anniversary of the Lions club chapter in East Prairie, Mississippi County, Missouri.

This is a photocopy of a souvenir booklet for the centennial of Sikeston, Scott County, Missouri. Prepared by Audrey Chaney, the program includes illustrated historical sketches of Sikeston, prominent citizens, municipal officials, business, churches, and schools. There is also a schedule of events, a program for the centennial pageant, "Pioneer Days Relived," and advertisements.

These are teachers' record books of the elemenatry school at Banner in western Iron County, Missouri. Included are records of individual attendance and classification, monthly summaries, inventories of school property, and records of visitors to the school.

This a photocopy of the record book of William M. Jenkins, a Baptist minister, road overseer, and justice of the peace at Cross Timbers in Hickory County, Missouri. Included are records of Hickory county Road district No. 2, 1885-1889; records of marriages, 1874-1899; and Jenkins family genealogical data.

This is volume 1, Number 8 of The Record, published "In the Interests of Musical Culture and General Education" by Professor Ephraim H. Scott, director of the Western Conservatory of Music at Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri.

The Mothers and Patrons Club, Leadwood, Missouri Records contain the records of the Mothers and Patrons Club, a women's social and civic organization founded in 1910 at Leadwood, Saint Francois County, Missouri. The records consist of minutes of meetings, membership records, finanacial data, and miscellaneous papers, and yearbooks.

These are daybooks of the mercantile operation A. Buford & Son at Ellington, Reynolds County, Missouri. The firm dealt in groceries, hardware, furniture, shoes, clothing, and sundries. Many payments on accournt were made in kind.

These are the records of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 151 in Mount Vernon, Lawrence County, Missouri. The records consist of minutes of meetings, rolls of officers, reports to the Grand Lodge of Missouri, membership records, and miscellaneous papers.

These are the records of Daughters of Rebekah Fidelia Lodge in Mount Vernon, Lawrence County, Missouri. The records consist of minute books, a financial record book, membership account books, and roll of officers.

This is a minute book for the Bank of Avilla at Avilla in eastern Jasper County, Missouri. Included are minutes of the Board of Directors, 1924-1930, and a stock ledger, 1923-1944. The majority stockholder and cashier was Ivy E. Russell.

This is the record book of an investment company located at Carthage in Jasper county, Missouri. Allen McReynolds and the president of the firm.

These are minutes of the Board of Directors' and stockholders' meetings, and miscellaneous papers of the Bank of Carthage in Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri.

This is a souvenir program for the twenty-fourth annual convention of the Southeast Missouri Drummers Association, held at Sikeston, Scott County, Missouri, on May 27-29, 1920. The illustrated program includes a schedule of events, photographs of officers and members of the association, and views of Sikeston.

These are photocopies of the record books of what is now in the Weng Mortuary in Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri. Entries include genealogical data, the cost of caskets, clothing, and other funeral expenses, and payments on accounts. There are records for 1887-1893, and 1900-1938.

These are programs for the 35th, 37th, and 46th annual Jackson Day Banquets, held in 1958, 1960, and 1969 at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri. The sponsors were the Greene County Democratic Central Committee, the Roosevelt Women's Democratic Club, and the Young Democratic Club of Greene County.

This is a small souvenir booklet presented by Professor H. C. Clark to the students at Ivey School in Laclede County, Missouri, at the close of the school year in 1912.

This collection includes a Fiftieth Anniversary souvenir booklet for, and an invitation to a wedding at, the First Baptist Church of Steele in Pemiscot County, Missouri.

These are transcripts of two letters by Captain Goah W. Stewart of Company K, 1st Missouri Infantry (CSA) to his sister in Pemiscot County, Missouri. The letters briefly note his escape from Gratiot Prison in St. Louis, and the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, in which he was wounded.

This collection contains the minute book of Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 244 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri. Minutes include rolls of officers, membership applications, work in the various ranks, payment of sick benefits, and financial statements.

The C. F. Bruton, The Modern Promised Land Collection contains a photocopy of a promotional booklet published by a real estate agent in Sikeston, Scott County, Missouri. It praises the agricultural opportunities in Southeast Missouri generally, and specifically the Sikeston area.