The latest edition of our newsletter, The Arkansas Archivist, is out! Topics include our upcoming foodways symposium, recent acquisitions, news from our branch archives, and a memorial to Dr. Robert Sherer.
August 2017 newsletter
Friday, September 1, 2017
Arkansas State Archives Closed on Labor Day
The Arkansas State Archives will be closed Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, in observance of Labor Day. It will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Wednesday's Wonderful Collection - Butterfield Overland Mail Centennial Commission records, MS.000182
The Butterfield Overland Mail Company was established by John Butterfield of Utica, New York, in 1857. He contracted with the United States Postmaster General to transport the mail from the Mississippi River to San Francisco, California, including a major route from Memphis, Tennessee, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a route form St. Louis through Missouri and northwest Arkansas, including stops in Fayetteville and Elkhorn Tavern, and ending in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The Butterfield Overland Mail Centennial Commission was formed in Arkansas in the 1950s as a part of the national celebration with W.J. Lemke of Fayetteville, Arkansas, as its Arkansas chairman. Others on the commission included Ted R. Worley of the Arkansas History Commission and J.H. Atkinson of Little Rock Junior College. National committee members included H. Bailey Carroll of Texas, Lewis C. Jones of New York, and William J. Peterson of Iowa. Along with local events commemorating the anniversary along the different routes, a centennial caravan was organized from Tipton, Missouri, to San Francisco, California.
The records include correspondence, newsletters, programs, maps, sketches, published materials, and research notes, as well as papers involving the organization of the Arkansas commission, as well as the organization on the national level.
- 1. Historical sketch by W.J. Lemke (Box 1)
- 2. Description and history of the Memphis to Fort Smith branch by Ted Worley
- 3. Organization papers
- 4. Correspondence, 1953-1956
- 5. Correspondence, 1957
- 6. Correspondence, 1958
- 7. Programs and invitations
- 1. Arkansas Overland Mail Centennial newsletters (Box 2)
- 2. Newsletters, other states
- 3. Published materials
- 4. Pamphlet cuts, maps, drawings
- 5. Research notes
- 6. Newsclippings
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Arkansas History Commission reschedules quarterly meeting
The Arkansas History Commission has canceled its regular quarterly meeting scheduled for Thurs., Sept. 7, 2017, at 10 a.m., and has rescheduled the meeting for Thurs., Sept. 21, 2017, at 10 a.m. They will meet in the Arkansas State Archives conference room, located on the second floor of the Multi-agency Complex at One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, Arkansas. This meeting is open to the public.
The Arkansas History Commission is an advisory body to the Arkansas State Archives.
The Arkansas State Archives is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and is responsible for collecting and maintaining the largest collection of historical materials on Arkansas in the world. The State Archives has two branch locations; the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives is located in Powhatan and the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives is located in Washington.
Other agencies of the Department of Arkansas Heritage include the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the Historic Arkansas Museum.
For questions and comments, please contact the Arkansas State Archives at 501-682-6900.
The Arkansas History Commission is an advisory body to the Arkansas State Archives.
The Arkansas State Archives is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and is responsible for collecting and maintaining the largest collection of historical materials on Arkansas in the world. The State Archives has two branch locations; the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives is located in Powhatan and the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives is located in Washington.
Other agencies of the Department of Arkansas Heritage include the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the Historic Arkansas Museum.
For questions and comments, please contact the Arkansas State Archives at 501-682-6900.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Arkansas State Archives announces Caring for Collections workshop
The Arkansas State Archives and the St. Francis County Historical Society are hosting an archives and special collections workshop from 9 a.m. until noon on Sat., Sept. 23, at the Woodruff Electric Co-op- Corporation building in Forrest City, Department of Arkansas Heritage Director Stacy Hurst announced today.
“Caring for Your Historical Collections” will feature sessions on “Basic Tips for Managing Historical Collections,” “Responsible Preservation on a Budget,” and “Working with Special Formats.”
The event is free but registration is required. Registration is limited and deadline for registration is Sept. 18. Check-in for the event begins at 8:15 on Sept. 23.
The Arkansas State Archives is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and is responsible for collecting and maintaining the largest collection of historical materials on Arkansas in the world. The State Archives has two branch locations: the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives is located in Powhatan and the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives is located in Washington.
Other agencies of the Department of Arkansas Heritage include the Arkansas Arts Council, the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the Historic Arkansas Museum.
The St. Francis County Historical Society is a charitable organization that exists to preserve and promote the history of St. Francis County. Its mission is to discover and collect any material which may help to establish or illustrate the history of the area.
For more information about the workshop, email events.archives@arkansas.gov or call 501-682-6900. To register, please visit https://caring-for-collections.eventbrite.com.
“Caring for Your Historical Collections” will feature sessions on “Basic Tips for Managing Historical Collections,” “Responsible Preservation on a Budget,” and “Working with Special Formats.”
The event is free but registration is required. Registration is limited and deadline for registration is Sept. 18. Check-in for the event begins at 8:15 on Sept. 23.
The Arkansas State Archives is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and is responsible for collecting and maintaining the largest collection of historical materials on Arkansas in the world. The State Archives has two branch locations: the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives is located in Powhatan and the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives is located in Washington.
Other agencies of the Department of Arkansas Heritage include the Arkansas Arts Council, the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the Historic Arkansas Museum.
The St. Francis County Historical Society is a charitable organization that exists to preserve and promote the history of St. Francis County. Its mission is to discover and collect any material which may help to establish or illustrate the history of the area.
For more information about the workshop, email events.archives@arkansas.gov or call 501-682-6900. To register, please visit https://caring-for-collections.eventbrite.com.
August 2017 Acquisitions and Accessions
ASA acquisitions
John S. Polk Accretion, 1 cu ft.
John S. Polk Accretion - Artifacts, 28 items
Bold Pilgrim Cemetery Preservation Association Project, 10 cu. ft.
Arkansas Waterways Commission 50th Anniversary Challenge Coins, 2 items
Lucille Rogers Hefley Family papers, 1 cu. ft.
Assorted Maps, 150 items
2006 Hog Killin' at the Eddie Mae Herron Center DVD, 1 item
State Board of Barbers Examiners records, 6 cu. ft.
David Pryor Campaign Thimbles, 2 items
"Jim Crow Goes to War: Race Relations in WWI Arkansas" Symposium Recording, 3 items
Bethel A.M.E. Church 150th Anniversary Souvenir Journal, 1863-2013, 1 item
Early Catheys and Ulster Scots by Everett Henry Cathey, 2 vols
Haven of Rest Cemetery final grant report, 4 items
Camden African American Historical Markers Project final grant report, 0.1 cu. ft.
PAAC (Preservation of African American Cemeteries) Junior Preservation Society final grant report, 0.2 cu. ft.
Washington County Historical Society final grant report, 0.25 cu. ft.
Mike Rankin genealogy papers accretion, 2 cu. ft.
Wabbaseka Memorial 3rd Anniversary Celebration DVD, 1 item
Aesthetic Club records, 2015-2016, 0.10 cu. ft.
Thomas Peason, Sr. Uniform, 1 item
Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission, 54 cu. ft.
House Education Committee member photographs, 1997-2015; House Agriculture Committee member photographs, 2013, 10 items
Secretary of State records, 2001-2008, 62 cu. ft.
Arkansas State Parks records: Mt. Nebo State Park, 0.25 cu. ft.
Bureau of Legislative Research photograph collection
Arkansas Waterways Commission records
Epilogue to Horace Adams' manuscript "The Seekers"
June Blankenship Estate Artifacts
1906 Arkansas Map, the Scarborough Company, Indianapolis
Mary Jean Hall Collection/Terror at Black Falls Movie Memorabilia
Prayer card for Mrs. Anna C. Hall, 1954; Souvenir of the Golden Jubilee of Sister M. Benedict, R.S. M., Mount St. Mary's Academy, Little Rock, AR, August [16], 1901
WWII Scrapbook compiled by Lawrence P. Harper
The Gus and Eunice Thompson Cultural Center final grant report
Pulaski County Assessor's office record books: Pulaski County atlas, 1906 and 2 township plat books, ca. 1855
Talbot and Carlene Field Estate Artifacts
Mary Jean Hall Collection/Terror at Black Falls Movie Memorabilia
J. E. Little Farm records, 0.5 cu. Ft.
Prayer card for Mrs. Anna C. Hall, 1954; Souvenir of the Golden Jubilee of Sister M. Benedict, R.S. M., Mount St. Mary's Academy, Little Rock, AR, August [16], 1901
WWII Scrapbook compiled by Lawrence P. Harper
Conway County Historical Preservation Associatoin final grant report
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church record book [Amity, AR] and loose correspondence, 0.25 cu. ft.
Jane Ragan Crecink scrapbook, 1 cu. ft.
AHPP State Review Board Meeting report, August 2, 2017
Arkansas State Medical Board Records, 14 cu. ft.
House Education Committee member photographs, 1997-2015; House Agriculture Committee member photographs, 2013
NEARA acquisitions
Spencer family papers, 0.6 cu. ft.
Mize-Justus family papers, 1.15 cu. ft.
John S. Polk Accretion, 1 cu ft.
John S. Polk Accretion - Artifacts, 28 items
Bold Pilgrim Cemetery Preservation Association Project, 10 cu. ft.
Arkansas Waterways Commission 50th Anniversary Challenge Coins, 2 items
Lucille Rogers Hefley Family papers, 1 cu. ft.
Assorted Maps, 150 items
2006 Hog Killin' at the Eddie Mae Herron Center DVD, 1 item
State Board of Barbers Examiners records, 6 cu. ft.
David Pryor Campaign Thimbles, 2 items
"Jim Crow Goes to War: Race Relations in WWI Arkansas" Symposium Recording, 3 items
Bethel A.M.E. Church 150th Anniversary Souvenir Journal, 1863-2013, 1 item
Early Catheys and Ulster Scots by Everett Henry Cathey, 2 vols
Haven of Rest Cemetery final grant report, 4 items
Camden African American Historical Markers Project final grant report, 0.1 cu. ft.
PAAC (Preservation of African American Cemeteries) Junior Preservation Society final grant report, 0.2 cu. ft.
Washington County Historical Society final grant report, 0.25 cu. ft.
Mike Rankin genealogy papers accretion, 2 cu. ft.
Wabbaseka Memorial 3rd Anniversary Celebration DVD, 1 item
Aesthetic Club records, 2015-2016, 0.10 cu. ft.
Thomas Peason, Sr. Uniform, 1 item
Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission, 54 cu. ft.
House Education Committee member photographs, 1997-2015; House Agriculture Committee member photographs, 2013, 10 items
Secretary of State records, 2001-2008, 62 cu. ft.
Arkansas State Parks records: Mt. Nebo State Park, 0.25 cu. ft.
Bureau of Legislative Research photograph collection
Arkansas Waterways Commission records
Epilogue to Horace Adams' manuscript "The Seekers"
June Blankenship Estate Artifacts
1906 Arkansas Map, the Scarborough Company, Indianapolis
Mary Jean Hall Collection/Terror at Black Falls Movie Memorabilia
Prayer card for Mrs. Anna C. Hall, 1954; Souvenir of the Golden Jubilee of Sister M. Benedict, R.S. M., Mount St. Mary's Academy, Little Rock, AR, August [16], 1901
WWII Scrapbook compiled by Lawrence P. Harper
The Gus and Eunice Thompson Cultural Center final grant report
Pulaski County Assessor's office record books: Pulaski County atlas, 1906 and 2 township plat books, ca. 1855
Talbot and Carlene Field Estate Artifacts
Mary Jean Hall Collection/Terror at Black Falls Movie Memorabilia
J. E. Little Farm records, 0.5 cu. Ft.
Prayer card for Mrs. Anna C. Hall, 1954; Souvenir of the Golden Jubilee of Sister M. Benedict, R.S. M., Mount St. Mary's Academy, Little Rock, AR, August [16], 1901
WWII Scrapbook compiled by Lawrence P. Harper
Conway County Historical Preservation Associatoin final grant report
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church record book [Amity, AR] and loose correspondence, 0.25 cu. ft.
Jane Ragan Crecink scrapbook, 1 cu. ft.
AHPP State Review Board Meeting report, August 2, 2017
Arkansas State Medical Board Records, 14 cu. ft.
House Education Committee member photographs, 1997-2015; House Agriculture Committee member photographs, 2013
NEARA acquisitions
Spencer family papers, 0.6 cu. ft.
Mize-Justus family papers, 1.15 cu. ft.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Wednesday's Wonderful Collection - Billie Jewel Colbert papers MSNE.0008
Billie Jewel Colbert was born December 20,
1924, to Hubert and Beulah M. Colbert. He attended school at Powhatan prior to
entering the Army in July 1943. In June of 1944, he died in battle in France.
He was posthumously awarded both the Purple Heart and Silver Star.
His parents, and later his brother Jack, kept a scrapbook with the photographs, correspondence, commendations, and newspaper clippings collected through Billie's service, subsequent death, and ongoing communication from military and governmental agencies and offices.
Billie's brother, Jack M. Colbert, served during World War II in the Marine Corps, and his brother, Clifford R. Colbert, was a Navy veteran. His other siblings included sisters Gladys and Thelma.
This collection includes correspondence, citations, newspaper clippings, photographs, and school records. There are letters from Billie Jewel Colbert to his family, from his days in basic training until just prior to his death; correspondence from other soldiers in his unit following his death; letters from government and military officials; correspondence about death benefits, citations, transportation of his remains, and other official matters; insurance documents. The documentation of his awards are included, however both the Purple Heart and Silver Star medals are held by Arkansas State Parks.
The materials in this collection document Private Colbert's experience through training, his service in England and in France, and the official processes that follow the death of a soldier in combat.
- Citations (Box 1)
- Memorial to Billie J. Colbert by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
- 1944: Purple Heart Citation
- 1945: Silver Star Citation
- Memorial to Billie J. Colbert by President John F. Kennedy
- Memorial to Hubert H. Colbert by President Jimmy Carter
- Correspondence (Box 2)
- Personal
- Undated: letter from Billie Colbert to his father
- 1941 June 11: postcard to Billie Colbert from brother Jack Colbert
- 1943 September 5: letter from Billie Colbert to his parents
- 1943 September 12: letter from Glenn to Hubert Colbert
- 1943 October 5: letter from Billie to his father
- 1943 October 31: letter from Billie to his parents
- 1943 December 29: change of address notification from Billie to his parents
- 1944 January 15: letter from Billie to his parents
- 1944 January 30: v-mail from Billie to his parents
- 1944 February 1: v-mail from Billie to his mother
- 1944 February 8: v-mail from Billie to his mother
- 1944 February 27: v-mail from Billie to his father
- 1944 February 28: v-mail from Billie to his mother
- 1944 May 25: letter from Billie Jewel to his mother
- 1944 May 28: letter from Billie to his father
- 1944 June 17: letter from Billie to his mother
- 1944 June 17: letter from Billie to his father
- 1944 July 9: letter from Hubert Colbert to Billie
- 1944 July 15: letter from Margaret Soviero to Beulah Colbert
- 1944 July 24: letter from Sergeant Jack Colbert to his mother
- 1944 July 26: letter from Major General J.A. Ulio to Beulah Colbert
- 1944 August 19: postcard from Private Joseph Soviero to Beulah Colbert
- 1944 August 19: letter from Margaret Soviero to Beulah Colbert
- 1944 November 20: letter from Margaret Soviero to Beulah Colbert
- 1945 January 2: letter from Margaret Soviero to Beulah Colbert
- 1945 May 2: v-mail from Private Joseph Soviero to Beulah Colbert
- 1945 May 22: letter from Private Joseph Soviero to Beulah Colbert
- 1945 July 1: letter from Private Joseph Soviero to Beulah Colbert
- Official
- 1944 July 23: Western Union telegram from Adjutant General Ulio to Beulah Colbert
- 1944 July 31: letter from Major Theodore M. Gribble, Army Service Forces, to Beulah M. Colbert
- 1944 August 7: VA letter regarding death pension to Hubert and Beulah Colbert
- 1944 September 1: letter from Arkansas Governor Homer M. Adkins to Beulah M. Colbert
- 1944 October 7: letter from Colonel G.C. Graham, Camp Joseph T. Robinson, to Beulah Colbert
- 1944 November 11: letter from A.L. Smith, Army Effects Bureau, to Hubert Colbert
- 1945 January 19: letter from Brigadier General Robert H. Dunlop announcing the posthumous award of the Silver Star to Billie Jewel Colbert
- 1945 February 2: letter from 175th Infantry Regiment Chaplain Charles F. Schilling to Beulah Colbert
- 1945 April 4: Notice of Settlement of Claim for pay due Private Billie Jewel Colbert
- 1945 September 25: letter from Major General Edward F. Witsell to Hubert Colbert
- 1946 October 9: letter from Captain Thomas F. Lewin, Office of the Quartermaster General, to Hubert Colbert
- 1946 October 29: letter from Captain Thomas F. Lewin, Office of the Quartermaster General, to Hubert Colbert
- 1948 March 29: Western Union telegram notification of pending shipment of Billie Jewel Colbert's remains to Arkansas
- 1948 April 20: Letter from New York Mayor William O'Dwyer to Hubert Colbert
- 1948 May 5: Western Union telegram notification of shipment of Billie Jewel Colbert's remains to Arkansas
- Informational items
- 1944 May 18: information about the Purple Heart provided by Major General J.A. Ulio
- 1944 August 28: information from Office of Special Settlement Accounts to Beulah M. Colbert regarding Death Gratuity Pay
- 1947 November 24: order and confirmation of order for 29th Infantry Division History book
- Notice No. 1: Six Months Gratuity Pay
- Notice No. 2: Claim for Amounts Due Deceased Personnel of the Armed Forces of the U.S.
- Information packet for dependents of deceased military personnel
- Insurance
- 1944 August 16: VA notice to file insurance claim to Beulah Mildred Colbert
- 1944 October 20: General Accounting Office notification of receipt of insurance claim
- 1947 October 6: VA Life Insurance award letter to Beulah Mildred Colbert
- Newspaper clippings
- 1945 June 21: Times Dispatch, Walnut Ridge, "Buddy Tells How Pvt. Colbert Met Death"
- "Powhatan Soldier Killed In France; Awarded Medal, Is Also Commended"
- "Last Rites for Billy J. Cobert"
- "Silver Star To Heroic Soldier"
- Other
- 1941 April 24: Billie Jewel Colbert's eighth grade report cards from the Powhatan School
- 1943: Authorization of Class B Allotment for Purchase of War Savings Bonds
- 1943 November 11: Application for Ration Currency for a one week home visit for Billie Jewel Colbert
- 1948 May 9: invoice from Gregg Funeral Home for services and flowers
- 1948 May 12: receipt from Gregg Funeral Home for payment for services for Billie Jewel Colbert
- 1948 May 12: request for reimbursement of interment expenses
- Parcel wrapper from package sent by Hubert Colbert to Billie Jewel Colbert, returned to sender, marked "Deceased"
- Cancelled six cent air mail stamp, detached from envelope
- Cancelled three cent postage stamp, detached from envelope
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