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Richards family papers, 1800-1982

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Richards family
Title
Richards family papers
Dates
1800-1982 (inclusive)
Quantity
5.00 cubic ft. (7 Document Boxes, 2 F17 Flat Boxes, 1 F31 Flat Box, and 9 Expandable Envelopes and 1 Artifact)
Collection Number
01128
Summary
The Richards family papers, 1800-1982, include correspondence, diaries, legal documents, books, manuscripts, research notes, clippings, photographs, and other assorted items. A large part of the printed material concerns the media’s coverage of Bartlett Richards activities in the cattle business and his subsequent prosecution by the federal government.
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.
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Historical Note

The Richards family occupies a notable and sometimes controversial place in the economic and political history of New England, the American South and the American West. This collection deals principally with the activities of five members of the family: William Jarvis, Reverend Jonas DeForest Richards, DeForest Richards, Bartlett Richards, and Bartlett Richards Jr.

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Content Description

The Richards family papers, 1800-1982, include correspondence, diaries, legal documents, books, manuscripts, research notes, clippings, photographs, and other assorted items. These materials document the lives of five members of the Richards Family: William Jarvis, Reverend Jonas DeForest Richards, DeForest Richards, Bartlett Richards, and Bartlett Richards Jr.

The correspondence of the above individuals documents of their lives and activities from their own point of view. The letters also reveal the close knit nature of the family and how its members were affected by the events of their lives on a personal level.

The diaries are those kept by DeForest Richards. They document his travels overseas and his campaign and subsequent service as Governor of Wyoming.

The legal documents (found in Series III and VII) concern Bartlett Richards’ career as a cattleman. They shed light on how he acquired his land holdings. These documents also provide insight on the operations of his cattle business.

Series IV: Bartlett Richards – Nebraska Sandhills Cattleman concerns the writing of the named book. It documents the research undertaken by Bartlett Richards Jr. and evolution of the book to its final version. This series also contains useful correspondence with people who knew and worked for Bartlett Richards Sr. In addition, these files reveal the extent of Bartlett Richards Jr.’s efforts to restore his father’s reputation.

A large part of the printed material (found in Series IV and V) concerns the media’s coverage of Bartlett Richards activities in the cattle business and his subsequent prosecution by the federal government. There are also a number of items that appear to have little to do with the Richards family.

There are a few photographs of Bartlett and DeForest Richards. There is a handful of images of Spade Ranch as it appeared during Bartlett Richards’ time and its subsequent ownership by Lawrence Bixby. The bulk of the photographs are unidentified images from the family albums.

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Use of the Collection

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, Richards family papers, 1800-1982, Collection Number 01128, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by the Richards family at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

The Richards family papers, 1800-1982, were given to the American Heritage Center by Virginia McKenzie Smith, Mrs. George Brown, and Bea Richards. The papers arrived in three shipments: one in 1972-1973, one in 1981-1982, and one in 1986. The papers were received in good condition but not in any order.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Kenton G. Jaehnig in July 2001. The papers were received in good condition but not in any order. Where original folder titles existed, they have been maintained, where none existed, a descriptive title was created.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Processed by Kenton G. Jaehnig
2006

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

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