View XML QR Code

William A. Olson papers, 1958-1978

Overview of the Collection

Creator
William A. Olson, 1911-1985
Title
William A. Olson papers
Dates
1958-1978 (inclusive)
Quantity
7 cubic feet
Collection Number
MG 393, MG393 (collection)
Summary
Correspondence concerning Idaho history, especially the Nez Perce War of 1877; also photocopies of historical records, handwritten and typed transcripts of published material, maps, newspaper clippings, and other papers.
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.
Return to Top

Historical Note

William A. Olson was born June 16, 1911, at Breckenridge, Minnesota, the son of Carl Henning and Laura Enderson Olson. As a young man he moved with his family to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He attended the University of Idaho, graduating with a B.S. degree in business with a major in accounting in 1939. He served as secretary of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, and in 1941 he became the first full time alumni secretary of the University of Idaho.

He married Julia Hunter on August 28, 1937, at Coeur d'Alene. In 1942 he joined the U.S. Air Corps and was stationed at the Salt Lake City Air Base, and later served in the South Pacific. In 1946, following his military service, he moved to Pocatello where he worked for M.T. Deaton Co. as an accountant for two years. In 1948 he opened his own public accounting firm in Boise where he continued until his retirement in January of 1979.

He was past president of the Idaho Society of Certified Public Accountants, a member of the Elks Club, and a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He was also an avid collector of Idaho history. He died in Boise on October 18, 1985.

Return to Top

Content Description

Although the photocopies in this collection include material from as early as the 1860s the correspondence related to the collecting of the material spans the years 1964 to 1978.

Included in the records are photocopies of historical records, handwritten and typed transcripts of published material, maps, newspaper clippings, photographs, and correspondence concerning Idaho history. Also included are several sets of bibliography and note cards.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

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

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Some of the material in this record group was in unlabeled or poorly labeled three ring binders, and other material was in well-labeled folders. Since there appeared to be no order to the received arrangement, a series order based on format was imposed during processing.

The first series contains the material which was removed from the three-ring binders. Since most of the binders were not labeled or had one or two word labels, these were given broad subject headings, e.g. Indians, Nez Perce; Mining; Florence, Idaho; then alphabetized using the name, if any on the binder, followed by a brief description of the type of material (handwritten notes, photocopies, etc.). If there was no title on the binder only a description of the type of material was used.

The second series contains the material which was in labeled folders; it is divided into two subseries, letter size and legal size. These are also arranged alphabetically by folder heading, with an occasional description of contents. This series contains correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, about Olson's collecting activities as well as photocopies, handwritten excerpts from published sources, newspaper clippings, and photographs.

Olson's bibliography and note cards are in series three. These are on 5x8 pieces of paper and are arranged alphabetically or, as in the case of the Nez Perce war of 1877, chronologically.

Material in three ring binders was removed from the binders and placed in acid-neutral folders. Duplicate photocopies were discarded, as were carbon copies of the handwritten notes. Also discarded were the handwritten drafts of letters when the carbon-typed copy was present. USGS maps not in individual folders were sent to the gifts librarian for evaluation as possible additions to the University Library's map collection. This reduced the records by 2.5 cubic feet.

Acquisition Information

The papers of the William A. Olson were donated to the University of Idaho Library by his son William T. Olson in June 1996.

Separated Materials

Additional materials were passed along to Gifts librarian for consideration to add to main collections.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Series I. Notebooks

    • Description: Books: Dealers and prices
      224 items
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1-3
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Books: Titles of books on northwest history, possibly owned by Olson
      15 items
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Correspondence: A-Z
      89 items
      Dates: 1964-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 1/5
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Correspondence: McDermott, John D. (material on Nez Perce)
      13 items
      Dates: 1966-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/6
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Florence, Idaho. Docket book of Jaspar Rand, Justice of the Peace (typescript)
      1 item
      Dates: 1862-1876
      Container: Box/Folder 1/7
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: History: McDonald, Duncan, biographical sketch, handwritten
      1 item
      Container: Box/Folder 1/8
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: History: Rutledge, Louise. D. Boon, 1776, a western bicentennial mystery
      1 item
      Dates: 1975
      Container: Box/Folder 1/9
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: History, Salmon River
      4 items

      Excerpts from journals of M. Lewis and Sergeant John Ordway with miscellaneous notes, handwritten & typed

      Container: Box/Folder 1/10
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: History, Winter Travel: Tracy & Co.'s express
      3 items

      Typescript of story of men frozen to death in two parts, Cast & story, both handwritten

      Dates: 1862
      Container: Box/Folder 1/11
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Idaho History: Benedict O. Kelly
      2 items

      Handwritten story, photocopies and typescript of sources. Photo of Geo. Cartwright family

      Container: Box/Folder 1/12
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Idaho History: Excerpts, typed and handwritten, from published sources, A-Z
      1 item
      Container: Box/Folder 1/13-16
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Idaho History: Idaho in 1860 (handwritten)
      1 item
      Dates: 1860
      Container: Box/Folder 1/17
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Big Foot: Johnson, Carolyn. He chose a life of revenge
      1 item (carbon typescript)
      Dates: 1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1/18
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Big Foot: Photocopies of articles
      20 items
      Dates: 1878-1963
      Container: Box/Folder 1/19
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce: Brice, Patrick. Narrative
      10 items

      Typescript & handwritten copy with notes.

      Dates: 1877
      Container: Box/Folder 1/20-21
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce: Lott, Sam & Peo Peo Tah Likt. Historical sketches of the Nez Perce
      1 item (photocopy of typescript)
      Dates: 1935
      Container: Box/Folder 1/22
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce: McDonald, Duncan. Articles appearing in New North West
      2 items (typescript)
      Dates: 1878
      Container: Box/Folder 1/23
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce: The Nez Perces. Photocopy from The North American Indian, by Edward Curtis, v.8
      1 item
      Dates: 1911
      Container: Box/Folder 1/24
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce: Reuben's Roster. Names of Nez Perce killed by soldiers in various battles (typed)
      241 items
      Container: Box/Folder 1/25-26
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce: Williams, Jonathon (Billy)
      4 items

      (Typed notes on Williams, his maps and place names)

      Container: Box/Folder 1/27
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce, War: Article on Chief Joseph, Hand drawn maps of White Bird area, typescript article: The Battle of White Bird
      4 items
      Container: Box/Folder 1/28
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce, War: Court of Inquiry: typescripts and photocopies arranged by subject
      18 items
      Container: Box/Folder 1/29-30
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce, War: Howard, O.O., Reports
      2 items (photocopies from microfilm)
      Dates: 1877
      Container: Box/Folder 2/31
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce, War: Indian order of battle
      118 items

      (Alphabetical list of Nez Perce involved)

      Dates: 1977
      Container: Box/Folder 2/32-33
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce, War: Names and places, A-Z
      376 items
      Container: Box/Folder 2/34-39
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce, War: New North West
      1 item

      Photostats of newspaper articles

      Dates: 1877-1878
      Container: Box/Folder 2/40-41
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce, War: War chronology, by date and place
      Dates: 190
      Container: Box/Folder 2/42-43
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Nez Perce, War: War Department files
      159 items

      (Photocopy from microfilm)

      Dates: 1877
      Container: Box/Folder 2/44-46
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Snake River, Massacre: Book. Geary, Edward R. Depredations and massacre by the Snake River Indians. Ye Galleon Press
      1 item
      Dates: 1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2/47
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Indians, Snake River, Massacre: Otter (Elija?) Photocopies, typescripts, and handwritten notes
      36 items
      Dates: 1860
      Container: Box/Folder 2/48-49
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Lewis & Clark: Excerpts from journals
      5 items (handwritten)
      Dates: 1805
      Container: Box/Folder 3/50
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Lewis & Clark: Selections from the journals
      20 items (handwritten and typed)
      Dates: 1804-1805
      Container: Box/Folder 3/51
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining: Boise Basin
      4 items

      (typed excerpts from various sources)

      Container: Box/Folder 3/52
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining: Healy
      15 items

      (Typed excerpts from journal and handwritten notes and lists of names)

      Container: Box/Folder 3/53
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining: Healy, John J. Frontier sketches (Ft. Benton, Montana Record)
      3 items (typescript)
      Dates: 1878
      Container: Box/Folder 3/54
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining, Florence, Idaho: Babboon
      3 items

      Handwritten notes on mining claims in Babboon Gulch and its tributaries.

      Container: Box/Folder 3/55
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining, Florence, Idaho: Claims
      5 items

      (Typed list)

      Dates: ca. 1861-1889
      Container: Box/Folder 3/56-57
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining, Florence, Idaho: List of names from James Hawley's History of Idaho
      2 items
      Container: Box/Folder 3/58
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining, Florence, Idaho: Scott
      9 items

      (Handwritten notes of Sylvester Scott and his family)

      Container: Box/Folder 3/59
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining, Newspaper excerpts
      182 items

      (arranged by newspaper)

      Container: Box/Folder 3/60-63
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining, Newspaper: Washington Statesman (Walla Walla)
      3 items (typescript)
      Dates: 1861-1865
      Container: Box/Folder 3/64
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Mining & Indians: Alphabetical list of names & places
      77 items (handwritten)
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 3/65
      Location: Series I. Notebooks
    • Description: Miscellaneous
      94 items

      Workbook; Checklists; Teller-Lewiston; Idaho City papers; History - income tax; Lapwai Agency letters

      Container: Box/Folder 3/66
      Location: Series I. Notebooks

  • Series II. Folders

  • Series III. Note cards

    • Description: 5x8 bibliography cards A-Z
      Dates: 1900
      Container: Box/Folder 7/179
      Location: Series III. Note cards
    • Description: Fur trade - Astorians, 5x8 note cards
      700 items
      Container: Box/Folder 8/180
      Location: Series III. Note cards
    • Description: Nez Perce War
      350 items

      5x8 note cards, chronological and alphabetical

      Dates: 1877
      Container: Box/Folder 8/181
      Location: Series III. Note cards

  • Series IV. Additional Materials

    • Description: Maps
      5 items (reservation maps, pnw territory maps )
      Dates: 1850-1867
      Container: Box 9, Folder 182
      Location: Series IV. Additional Materials
    • Description: Photographs
      5 items (landscape, portraits, military headshot)
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 9, Folder 183
      Location: Series IV. Additional Materials
    • Description: Notes
      27 items (pnw chronology, geological survey notes)
      Dates: 1972
      Container: Box 9, Folder 184
      Location: Series IV. Additional Materials
    • Description: Publications
      26 items (idaho territory, native american history newspaper clippings, chief jospeh )
      Dates: 1879-1972
      Container: Box 9, Folder 185
      Location: Series IV. Additional Materials
    • Description: Dept. of Justice materials
      2 items (gold rush, nez perce territory gold production )
      Dates: 1958
      Container: Box 9, Folder 186
      Location: Series IV. Additional Materials

Finding aid prepared by Judith Nielsen; updated by Erin Geslani in 2024.
1998; 2024

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

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West