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J.H. Horner papers, 1889-1985

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Horner, J. H., 1870-1953
Title
J.H. Horner papers
Dates
1889-1985 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.9 cubic feet, (2 document cases)
Collection Number
Mss 6031
Summary
Papers of a Wallowa County, Oregon, official and amateur historian, consisting primarily of a manuscript of his unpublished book "Wallowa River and Valley," as well as correspondence with Otis Halfmoon and other documents.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

John Harland Horner (1870-1953) was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to Enterprise, Oregon, in 1911. He served as Wallowa County's deputy assessor from 1918 to 1924, before being elected county assessor in 1924. Horner also had a long-standing interest in the history of Wallowa County. For more than thirty years, he collected historical information and interviewed most of the early emigrants to the area and local Native people. His research resulted in an unpublished manuscript of more than 1,500 pages. Horner committed suicide on July 13, 1953, at the age of 83.

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Content Description

Collection consists principally of J. H. Horner's unpublished manuscript, "Wallowa River and Valley," dealing with regional history, as well as the history and cultural traditions of the Nimiipuu (Nez Percé) people. Other papers include correspondence (circa 1889-1985); legal documents (1898-1931); patents for window construction (1921-1922); and manuscript materials (undated). Horner's main correspondent is Otis Halfmoon of the Nimiipuu people, who collaborated on Horner's manuscript. The collection also includes a list of other contributors who assisted Horner in his research.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

Digitized version of "Wallowa River and Valley" is viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.

Preferred Citation

J. H. Horner papers, Mss 6031, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series: Series A. Correspondence and general papers; Series B. Manuscript of "Wallowa River and Valley."

Acquisition Information

Gift of C.N. Gaylord, October 1991 (Lib. Acc. 20491).

Separated Materials

Photographs were separated to photograph collections, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Names, Geographical--Oregon--Wallowa County
  • Nez Percé Indians

Personal Names

  • Halfmoon, Otis--Correspondence
  • Horner, J. H., 1870-1953--Correspondence
  • Joseph (Nez Percé Chief), 1840-1904

Geographical Names

  • Wallowa County (Or.)--History
  • Wallowa Lake (Or.)
  • Wallowa Mountains (Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • correspondence
  • histories (literary works)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Halfmoon, Otis


2004; revised 2023

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