J. Neilson Barry papers, 1932-1958

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Barry, J. Neilson (John Neilson ), 1870-1961
Title
J. Neilson Barry papers
Dates
1932-1958 (inclusive)
Quantity
2 linear feet
Collection Number
MG 026
Summary
Correspondence, maps, and unpublished "Idaho Source Material."
Repository
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

J. Neilson Barry was an Episcopal clergyman, born in Virginia about 1870. In the mid 1890's he made his first trip west, and eventually settled in Portland, Oregon. In October of 1947 he began corresponding with University of Idaho officials, including President J.E. Buchanan and librarians M. Belle Sweet and Lee Zimmerman, on the subject of Idaho history and geography and trying hard to sell the library HIS maps--presumably the only correct maps in existence.

His letters give strong suggestions for student projects, all of them utilizing his maps, and they deplore the lack of Idaho related documents in the library. Many of his letters are illustrated with small maps, and some have larger maps attached. To emphasize a particular sentence he would either draw over the typing with a colored pencil or draw a pointing finger at the sentence. Many of the letters are very repetitive, the same anecdotes told and complaints made in letter after letter. Some of the letters do, however, contain interesting information on early place-names and interesting bits of early Idaho history. In 1953 he began corresponding with two members of the Board of Regents, Marguerite Campbell of New Meadows, and J.L. McCarthy of Orofino. McCarthy apparently became alarmed at the "your library isn't any good" tone of the letters and wrote to President Buchanan who, as he did with most of the Barry letters, sent the letter to Mr. Zimmerman for a reply. he correspondence with Barry seems to have terminated in October 1958 when he gave the library some maps and the carbon copy of his unpublished book on Idaho Source Material.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Letters from Barry to the University of Idaho Library on Idaho history and geography, his hand-drawn maps, and his unpublished "Idaho Source Material"; includes correspondence with Forest Service officials and others on routes of early travelers in the Pacific Northwest and photocopy of a typescript report on the Southern Nez Perce Trail.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Note: This collection contains fragile materials. Providing reproduction requests falls to the discretion of U of I Library Special Collections and Archives (see policies).

Preferred Citation

Author, Description or "Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

Photographer, "Title," date. Collection name, object ID. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Unpublished MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
1 1
The historical stages of Idaho
1 folder (maps and an essay)
1 1
Southern Nez Perce Trail
1 folder (a typed essay, newspaper clippings and maps)
1 1
Idaho Miscellaneous
1 folder (names of the first explorers in idaho; three photographs; a magazine clipping of "city of rocks"; indian tribes in idaho--a map showing the location of each tribe, plus a list of tribes and their location.)
1 1
Idaho Primary Sources
8 folders (this is the carbon typescript of barry's unpublished book. each section is bound separately.)
Box Folder
1 1
Introduction
1 1
Lewis and Clark
1 1
The beginnings of the fur trade
1 1
Astorians, pt. 1, 2
1 1
Astorians, pt. 3
1 1
Northwest Company
1 1
Conclusion
1 1
Maps

MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
2 2
Arrowsmith Map
2 3
Southern Nez Perce Trail
2 4
Trail Seekers Council
2 5
John Day Basin

CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 6-9
Correspondence with University Officials
1941-1954

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cartographers
  • Correspondence
  • Historians--United States--Correspondence

Geographical Names

  • Idaho
  • Oregon