William Hines papers, 1906-1959

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Hines, William, 1943
Title
William Hines papers
Dates
1906-1959 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.25 cubic ft. (2 boxes)
Collection Number
00990
Summary
WIlliam Hines was a ranch hand and oil executive in Wyoming. This collection contains a diary, correspondence, and other material related to his life.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

William Hines (d. 1943) was a Wyoming ranch hand, oil leaser, and oil executive who accompanied author Owen Wister around the state of Wyoming when Wister was writing his novel "The Virginian." Hines is often cited as having related that he either witnessed or inspired some of the scenes in Wister's novel. He was involved in the oil field at Salt Creek with the Midwest Oil company in 1911, and later became vice president of the E.T. Williams oil company. Hines married Mary Jackson in 1921, and two years after their honeymoon the pair settled in Denver, Colorado. He died in 1943 after a short illness.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Hines papers consist of diaries, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and photographs related to the life of William Hines.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged at the series level. The collection has been separated into two series due to the different provenance of materials within the collection.

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by WIlliam Hines at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Mary Hines in 1961 and Judith Huss in 2007.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Shaun Hayes in February of 2009.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. Material from Mary HinesReturn to Top

Consists of a diary relating Hines' experiences working at the Salt Creek oil fields in Wyoming, as well as a general journal, balance sheets detailing various financial holdings, and a letter of condolence to his wife following his death.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Diary from Salt Creek
1911
1
Balance sheets
1922-1931
1
General journal
1922-1931
1
Correspondence
1943

Series II. Miscellaneous Hines Family MaterialReturn to Top

Composed of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and a large number of photographs related to Hines' life. The photographs are of Hines and his family. Many of them are unlabelled. Much of the correspondence is in the form of postcards addressed to both William Hines and to his wife, Mary, following his death. Also included is a newspaper article detailing the role Hines may have played in the writing of Owen Wister's novel '"The Virginian."

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
2
Correspondence
1906-1959
2
Newspaper clippings
1921-1949
2
Photographs
Undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Oil fields-- Wyoming -- Natrona County
  • Petroleum industry and trade -- Wyoming -- Natrona County

Personal Names

  • Hines, Mary D.
  • Wister, Owen, 1860-1938 -- Virginian

Geographical Names

  • Natrona County (Wyo.)
  • Salt Creek oil field
  • Wyoming -- History -- 1890-1918
  • Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries