Springfield Manuscript Collections

The William W. James Sheet Music Collection contains sheet music created by Springfield, Missouri, composer William W. James. The collection also contains copyright agreements between James and music publishers.

Valuation for three people enslaved by Richard Nowlin of Ray County, Missouri.

The James E. Mueller Collection contains personal and professional photographs, negatives, and slides taken by Joplin, Missouri, photographer James Evans Mueller. The collection also includes Mueller’s personal papers.

The Wesley Bates Wasson Ledgers consist of four volumes that belonged to Dr. Wesley “W. B.” Bates Wasson of southwest Missouri. The ledgers contain his patient’s accounts, including names, dates, locations, services provided, and corresponding fees. The counties represented are Barry, Christian, Greene, Lawrence, and Stone.

The Springfield Wagon Company Time Book contains names, hours worked, and wages paid to employees of the Springfield Wagon Company in Springfield, Missouri, from October 6, 1888, to December 12, 1891. The time book also records contract works such as woodworking, painting, and blacksmithing.

The Taney County, Missouri, Treasurer Ledgers consist of four ledgers documenting county revenue funds and tax levies from 1888 to 1907. The ledgers also include Taney County resident names, property location and assessments, and funds paid.

The Evelyn Milligan Jones Papers consist of the personal and professional papers of Joplin, Missouri, native Evelyn Milligan Jones. The collection also contains photographs, diaries, and manuscript drafts of Milligan Jones’ book Tales of Joplin: Short and Tall.

The Kenneth V. Fast Papers contain the personal papers, correspondence, and photographs of Kenneth Vernon Fast of Marionville, Missouri, while serving in the United States Army during the second World War.

The Janice J. Lee Collection contains publications related to the radio and entertainment industry in Springfield, Missouri, 35mm slides of Historic Route 66, and oral history interviews from St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company employees. The collection also includes audio recordings of the Goodwill Family, Slim Pickins Wilson & Band, and the Old Chuck Wagon Gang.

The Robinson Family Papers contains correspondence, photographs, and personal papers belonging to the Robinson family of Missouri and Indiana. The collection also contains land deeds from Taney County, Missouri.