Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Dick J. Nelson papers, 1890-1969
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Nelson, Dick J., 1875-
- Title
- Dick J. Nelson papers
- Dates
- 1890-1969 (inclusive)18901969
1930-1969 (bulk)19301969 - Quantity
- 0.25 cubic ft. (1 slim document box)
- Collection Number
- 00247
- Summary
- The collection contains manuscripts of historical articles and poems of this Western author.
- 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
- Sponsor
- The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Dick J. Nelson (b. 1875) was an employee of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad (later Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) in Wyoming. During his retirement he wrote many reminiscences and short historical works about northeast Wyoming.
The Nelson family arrived in Wyoming from Kansas in 1888. Alfred M. Nelson homesteaded in Weston County. His son, Dick J. Nelson, started work as a brakeman in Sheridan in 1895. Dick Nelson married Mae Murrin, daughter of Cheyenne’s first mayor, in 1900. He served in World War I, then became assistant superintendent of the Casper division. Fifteen years later he became superintendent of the Sheridan division. He retired November 1, 1939, and moved to San Diego, California, where he was president of the Wyoming State Society of San Diego from 1941 to 1952. In 1951 he published Only a Cow Country, a history of northeastern Wyoming.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains manuscripts and poems written by Dick J. Nelson containing many anecdotes of the Sheridan and Newcastle areas. Also included are a few photographs, news clippings, letters, and membership cards.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Dick J. Nelson papers, 1890-1969, Collection Number 00247, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
Related MaterialsTo see another archival collection created by Dick J. Nelson, see:
Dick J. Nelson Papers, 1958-1966, Collection Number C MSS -M569, Denver Public Library, 1357 Broadway, Denver, CO, 80203.Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationThe material was received from Dick J. Nelson between 1952 and 1966 and from R. E. McWhinnie in 1969.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was processed by D.C. Thompson in August 2000.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Correspondence: Burlington Railroad, 1937-1938, 1953Return to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 1
Points of historical interest in Wyoming
Correspondence: Cambria, Wyoming, 1955Return to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 2
Manuscripts:Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 3 | Baseball, Snakes, and Beer |
1953 |
| 1 | 4 | Beans |
1953 |
| 1 | 5 | Beneath the Kinakenick (Hank Mason) |
1959 |
| 1 | 6 | A Benefactor (printed) |
1966 |
| 1 | 7 | Christmas Time in Wyoming Territory (1888) (printed) |
1957 |
| 1 | 8 | Dick Nelson, Pioneer Stock, Kansas Born, Wyoming Reared |
1952, undated |
| 1 | 9 | History of Weston County |
1952 |
| 1 | 10 | The Metropolis and Its Now Suburbs of Northern Wyoming (Sheridan) |
1969 |
| 1 | 11 | My Eyes Did Not Deceive Me |
1953 |
| 1 | 12 | Pioneer Rails Followed Pioneer People |
1955 |
| 1 | 13 | A Preacher Packed to Preach |
1951 |
| 1 | 14 | A Spring Blizzard, 1896 |
1952 |
| 1 | 15 | When Lead Was Law |
1930, 1959 |
| 1 | 16 | Wyoming Homestead Tragedy (printed) |
1960 |
News Clippings, 1959Return to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 17
Photographs: Track laying; Dick and Mae Nelson; Fred Coates and Dub Meeks at Hank Mason’s grave, 1890-circa 1959Return to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 18
Poems by Dick J. Nelson, 1942-1966Return to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 19
Sketch: Cowboy on bucking horse, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 20
Wyoming State Society of San Diego, California, circa 1940s-1950sReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 21
Membership card and paper slip
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Railroads--West (U.S.)
Geographical Names
- Newcastle (Wyo.)
- Sheridan (Wyo.)
- West (U.S.)--History.
- Wyoming--History--1890-1918.
- Wyoming--History--1919-1945.
- Wyoming--History--1946-
- Wyoming--History--To 1889.
Form or Genre Terms
- Manuscripts.
- Photographs.
- Poems.
Occupations
- Railroads--Employees.
Processed by D.C. Thompson
2006
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
