Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Henry Cummins papers , 1858-1863
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Cummins, Henry, 1840-1901; Sawtelle, C. M.; Pengra, Bynon J., 1823-1903; Marsh, Sidney H. (Sidney Harper), 1825-1879
- Title
- Henry Cummins papers
- Dates
- 1858-1863 (inclusive)18581863
- Quantity
- 0.5 linear feet, (1 container) : 1 clamshell box
- Collection Number
- Ax 130
- Summary
- Henry Cummins (1840-1901) was a well-read and enthusiastic student of topics various and sundry with a partiality for pseudo-science. The collection (1858-1863) consists of Cummins' personal correspondence as well as a memory book and miscellaneous papers.
- 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
-
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
Henry Cummins (1840-1901) was a resident of Eugene, Oregon, a refugee from his father's farm. His father, William M. Cummins, had come to Oregon in 1853 and settled in Lane County.
Henry attended school for a time, worked in a bookstore, set type and did job printing in the office of the People's Press and later for the State Republican, worked on a survey expedition under Dr. A. W. Patterson up the Deschutes River in 1861, was appointed assistant clerk in the state Legislature (House) in 1862, and studied law.
He left Oregon in 1863, went to Washington, D.C., and is said to have been involved with some of Hinton Helper's schemes. He was attracted to spiritualism, phrenology, phonography, handwriting schools, atheism, water cures, vegetarianism, and geology. He founded a Pantheon of Science in Eugene and was a member of the Infidel Association of America. He read widely and indiscriminately.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Cummins shared his interests and prejudices with friends in Eugene, Salem, and Portland. His correspondence is filled with discussions of the merits or demerits of whatever branch of learning excited him at the moment. The letters also contain much gossip, self-searching, and youthful indignation. They include references to Joaquin Miller. Includes 217 letters.
Most of Cummins' own letters are to young women; he was apparently able to retrieve the letters when affections cooled.
Major correspondents include his brother, John, a lawyer in Lafayette, Oregon, Charles Partridge, James M. Gale, Charles Lafollett, J. L. Luckey, C. M. Sawtelle, Theodore Burmester, Charles H. DeWolfe, Byron J. Pengra, Cornelia Coon, J. S. Miller, Sidney H. Marsh, C. Hoel, and Emily Crandall.
There are six letters by friends from the Salmon River mines, Idaho, 1862.
Also included in the collection are two memory books filled with inscriptions and good wishes from many of Cummins' friends and acquaintances. One of these books contains a small photograph of Cummins with negative.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Description |
|---|
| Guide to the Henry Cummins Papers |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Frontier and pioneer life--Oregon--Eugene
- Gold mines and mining--Idaho
- Mines and mineral resources--Idaho--Salmon River Watershed
- Pioneers--Oregon--Correspondence
- Pioneers--Oregon--Eugene
- Pseudoscience
Personal Names
- Cummins, Henry, 1840-1901
- Cummins, Henry, 1840-1901
- Marsh, Sidney H. (Sidney Harper), 1825-1879--Correspondence
- Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913
- Pengra, Bynon J., 1823-1903
- Sawtelle, C. M.
Geographical Names
- Oregon Territory--History
- Oregon--Politics and government--1859-1950
- Oregon--Social life and customs--19th century
Form or Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Scrapbooks
