R. D. Hume and Company records , 1877-1911

Overview of the Collection

Creator
R.D. Hume and Company; Hume, R. D. (Robert Deniston), 1845-1908
Title
R. D. Hume and Company records
Dates
1877-1911 (inclusive)
Quantity
44 linear feet, (19 containers, volumes)  :  8 manuscript boxes, 10 record storage boxes, 1 oversize flat box, volumes
Collection Number
Bx 184
Summary
The R.D. Hume and Company was founded by Robert Deniston Hume (1845-1908) who came to Oregon from California and created a commercial empire in Curry County. The collection (1877-1911) contains ledgers, journals, cash books, inventories, statements, invoices, letterpress copybooks, as well as records of related accounts and companies: Wedderburn Trading Co., Del Norte Commercial Co., and Excelsior Packing and Trading Co.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Robert Deniston Hume (1845-1908), who founded R.D. Hume and Company, came to Oregon from California. Hume began a salmon fishing and canning operation at the mouth of the Rogue River in 1877, and during the next thirty years created a commercial empire in Curry County. Known as "King of the Rogue," he controlled fishing on the Rogue River, claiming a monopoly, and also invented canning machinery and devised a successful method of hatching salmon.

In addition, he founded the city of Wedderburn, published newspapers at Gold Beach and Wedderburn, owned and operated general stores, and invested in a timber company and a fleet of coastal shipping vessels. He also established a commission house in San Francisco and shipped salmon abroad.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains ledgers, journals, cash books, inventories, statements, invoices, letterpress copybooks, as well as records of related accounts and companies: Wedderburn Trading Co., Del Norte Commercial Co., and Excelsior Packing and Trading Co.

Records of related accounts and companies are included. Hume may have been an owner or did business with these companies, most likely shipping.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Pacific salmon
  • Salmon canning industry--Oregon
  • Salmon fisheries--Oregon

Corporate Names

  • R.D. Hume and Company

Geographical Names

  • Curry County (Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Administrative records
  • Letterpress copybooks