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Adelle Knox Papers, 1821-1973

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Knox, Adelle Baron
Title
Adelle Knox Papers
Dates
1821-1973 (inclusive)
Quantity
5 Linear feet of shelf space, (11 Boxes)
Collection Number
Cage 532 (collection)
Summary
These papers were generated by Adelle Knox in the course of her research on the collection of Pierre Jean De Smet Papers, 1764-1970 (Cage 537), at Washington State University.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English, French
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Biographical Note

Adelle Baron Knox was a librarian at Washington State University in the Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections department. Her work was concentrated on the papers of the Jesuit missionary, Pierre Jean De Smet.

Pierre Jean De Smet was born January 30, 1801 in Termonde, France (now Dendermonde, Belgium). His parents were Josse De Smet, a wealthy ship outfitter, and his second wife, Jeanne Marie Buydens. Pierre went to college at Alost in 1818 and on to Preparatory Seminary at Mechelen, Belgium in 1820. He was enlisted as a novice in 1821 and sent to White Marsh, Maryland, United States. In 1823 De Smet took his vows for the priesthood at Florissant, Missouri. Pierre ran a school for Native American children from 1824-1830. He was then assigned to be Procorator, Prefect of Studies, and Professor of English at the newly constructed Jesuit college in St. Louis. De Smet went to Europe in 1831 to improve his health and solicit funds for the college. Due to his illness, he withdrew from the Society of Jesus in 1835 and managed the Ghent orphanage until 1837 when he reentered the Society. In 1838 De Smet was sent to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to work at the Potowatomi Mission. Then in 1840, he responded to the Flatheads' desire for a "Black Robe" and was with them until 1841 as they traveled through Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. From 1841-1846, De Smet was Superior of the Oregon Missions. During his appointment, De Smet visited and established Catholic missions among the Native American tribes of what is today the northwestern corner of the United States, and British Columbia. In 1849 De Smet was appointed Assistant Vice Provincial and Procurator of Missouri. During this appointment, De Smet assisted in securing a treaty between the United States and the Sioux tribe as well as making several trips to Europe. On May 23, 1873, De Smet died in St. Louis, Missouri.

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Content Description

These papers were generated by Adelle Knox in the course of her research on the collection of Pierre Jean De Smet Papers, 1764-1970 (Cage 537), at Washington State University. While researching the life of De Smet, Knox collected copies of De Smet manuscripts in other repositories in the United States and Europe. She also collected copies of works about De Smet, made transcripts of De Smet's and related persons' correspondence and writings, and took notes on De Smet's life, his correspondence and writings, and the various editions of his published correspondence or writings.

The Correspondence series contains transcripts of correspondence held by WSU as well as photocopies of originals and transcripts obtained from other repositories and transcripts made by Knox of material held by other repositories. Some transcripts have notes in the margins made by Knox. The "Notes" in the Correspondence series are Knox's notes on specific letters written by De Smet or related to him. See the Reference Materials series for similar notes. Francois De Smet's incoming correspondence is a copy of a letter from J.B. Druyts, S.J. The copies of Pierre Jean De Smet's correspondence include letters to De Smet's family, P.J. De Nef, Jean Nicollet, P. Hoeken, Colonel Mitchell, and various Jesuit superiors. The copies of Eugene Laveille's correspondence are letters to Francois De Smet. The copies of Archibald McDonald letters are addressed to John McLaughlin. The miscellaneous correspondence includes letters from P.J. Arnoudt to Pierre Jean De Smet, Paul to Charles De Smet, Ferdinand Coosemans to Charles Van Mossevelde, and F. Deynoodt to Francois De Smet. The Reference Materials series includes several card files.

The Drawings series and the Genealogy series are both small, consisting of one folder each.

The Legal Documents series contains documents of Pierre Jean De Smet and the De Smet family.

The Maps series includes copies of maps drawn by De Smet.

Within the Reference Materials and Notes Files series, is an alphabetical listing of people, subjects, words, and events related to Pierre Jean De Smet. This alphabetical file also includes references to specific letters containing references to the index entry, including people, subjects, or events. Similar references to people, subjects, or events are also filed in a chronological file to Pierre Jean De Smet's correspondence. The chronological file references De Smet's correspondence as well as events occurring in the year referenced. Cards describing occurrences in a specific year are filed in front of references with specific dates. These cards with specific dates include information concerning the contents of specific letters, or people or events mentioned in the letter referenced. This chronological file also references information on letterheads, notes on Eugene Laveille's letters to Paul Adrien De Smet, and notes on the correspondence of Archibald McDonald with De Smet and others about Fort Colville (copies of McDonald's correspondence are filed under "Correspondence, McDonald). Box 9 includes an alphabetical and a chronological file. The alphabetical file is similar to the alphabetical file described above. It contains notes on subjects, people, books (filed by author), and events. The file also includes some notes on the contents of letters filed under addressee or subject. The chronological file includes notes on De Smet's incoming and outgoing correspondence, both at WSU and at other repositories, including published correspondence. It also includes notes on general events in De Smet's life, filed by year. Filed behind the main run of notes are notes on Francois De Smet's correspondence included in his (Francois') letterbook, and filed by letterbook number, and notes on the Annales de l'Association de la Propagation de la Foi, Precis Historiques and De Smet's letters published therein.

The final series contains the Writings of Pierre Jean De Smet and Others.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Adelle Knox Papers, 1821-1973 (Cage 532)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The papers have been arranged in eight series and, where applicable, arranged in a manner which reflects the arrangement of the Pierre Jean De Smet Papers, 1764-1970 (Cage 537). Dates assigned to folders reflect the span of years of the original materials to which the copies, correspondence, notes, transcripts, etc. pertain. Folders labeled "undated" either contain copies, etc. of undated original material, or, Knox's notes on general information or unspecified correspondence.

Acquisition Information

The papers were donated to MASC by Adelle Baron Knox in the 1970s.

Related Materials

Pierre Jean De Smet Papers, 1764-1970 (Cage 537)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by MASC Staff
2025

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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