Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
Cage 47
Hult, Ruby El, 1912-2008.
Ruby El Hult Papers
1899-1994
25 Linear Feet of Shelf Space
45 boxes
Washington author Ruby El Hult (1912-2008) was born in Belgrove, Idaho, graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, and was a student at the University of Washington. In the early 1950s, Hult began a freelancing writing career that continued for decades, publishing articles and opinion pieces concerning Pacific Northwest historical and conservation issues. She also began to publish a number of books on the Pacific Northwest, beginning with "Steamboats in the Timber" in 1952. The Ruby El Hult Papers consist chiefly of original manuscripts, notes, photos, correspondence and other materials related to Hult's writing career. Also included is personal correspondence to family and friends.
Collection materials are inEnglish
Washington author Ruby El Hult (1912-2008) was born in Belgrove, Idaho, to John Adolf and Carolina (Pearson) Hult. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane in 1932, and was a student at the University of Washington during 1945-46. After holding various secretarial positions between 1942 and 1949, she served as assistant editor of the Washington State Journal of Nursing in Seattle from 1949 to 1952. During this time, she completed a number of short stories for writing classes she took between 1924 and 1953.
In the early 1950s, Hult began a freelancing writing career that continued for decades, publishing articles and opinion pieces concerning Pacific Northwest historical and conservation issues. She also began to publish a number of books on the Pacific Northwest, beginning with Steamboats in the Timber in 1952 (a second edition was published in 1968). That was followed by Untamed Olympics in 1954 (a second edition was published in 1971), and Lost Mines and Treasures of the Pacific Northwest in 1957. A sequel to that book, Treasure Hunting Northwest, was published in 1971. In 1960, both Northwest Disaster: Avalanche and Fire and Guns of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (an expanded version of the June 6, 1955 article in Guns Magazine, "The Arms that Won an Empire") were published. The second edition of her last book, Herb Crisler in the Olympic Mountain Wilds (originally published in 1977), was published in 1992.
During this time, Hult maintained ties with a small group of Pacific Northwest women writers, historians and book lovers, some of whom she had met in the late 1930s. Up through 1980s and 1990s, Hult regularly corresponded with these women, who were both friends and professional colleagues. These included Hazel Corbeill, Eleanor Garst, Martha Livingston and Elizabeth Marion Saunders. In 1980, Hult and Saunders published their correspondence over the years in a compendium called The Cockalorum Chronicles: New Words Between Old Friends: Correspondence of Elizabeth Marion Saunders and Ruby El Hult.
Ruby El Hult was married first to S. John Sether, who died in 1959. She married her second husband, Raymond L. McAndrew, in 1961. He died in 1978.
The Ruby El Hult Papers consist chiefly of original manuscripts, notes, photos, correspondence and other materials related to Hult's writing career. Also included is personal correspondence to family and friends. Most material is typewritten, although much personal correspondence is handwritten.
The papers retain Hult's original order.There are eleven series, organized alphabetically (except the Oversize materials). Within each series, the contents are arranged by the type of material, such as notes, correspondence, clippings, etc.
Series 1: Articles, Short Stories, and other Writings. Concerns both published and unpublished writings not directly related to her books.
Series 2: Editing Work. Relates mostly to her work as assistant editor at the Washington State Journal of Nursing.
Series 3: Lost Mines and Treasures. Includes materials related both to the original book and to its sequel, Treasure Hunting Northwest.
Series 4: Miscellaneous Matters. Contains clippings, correspondence and source materials not directly related to Hult's books or personal life.
Series 5: Northwest Disaster. Contains materials related to this book.
Series 6: Personal and Family Matters. Mostly letters from friends and family with whom Hult regularly corresponded over the years. These papers are then divided alphabetically by name.
Series 7: Photographs. Contains photos and negatives dating back to the late 1800s. These mostly were gathered for use in her books, but some personal photos are included as well.
Series 8: Political Materials. Includes historical materials, clippings and correspondence related to Hult's involvement in campaigns for various causes. Also included are publications of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions Santa Barbara, CA, where Hult served as mail supervisor from 1965-66.
Series 9: Steamboats in the Timber. Contains materials related to this book.
Series 10: Untamed Olympics. Includes materials related to this book.
Series 11: Oversize Materials. Contains mostly large scrapbooks with reviews and other clippings, as well as correspondence related to the publication of Hult's books.
This collection is open and available for research use.
Copyright restrictions apply.
[Item Description]
Ruby El Hult papers, 1899-1994
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections,
Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Ruby El Hult donated her papers to the Washington State University Libraries in several installments between 1959 and 2001. Her manuscripts, correspondence and other materials span more than six decades.
This collection was processed by Kevlin Haire in 2002; in 2007 Lynette Scriver performed additional preservation and processing.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Hult, Ruby El, 1912-2008 -- Archives.
Hult, Ruby El, 1912-2008 -- Correspondence.
Idaho -- History -- Archives.
Washington (State) -- History -- Archives.
Coeur d'Alene Lake (Idaho) -- History -- Photographs.
Fort Sherman (Idaho) -- History -- Photographs.
Historiography -- Northwest, Pacific -- Women authors.
Steamboats -- Idaho -- Photographs.
Logging -- Idaho -- History -- Photographs.
Mines and mineral resources -- Idaho -- Photographs.
Washington (State)
Idaho
Coeur d"Alene
Logging
Mines and Mineral Resources
Ships and Shipping
Series 1: Articles, Short Stories, Other Writings
Clippings
1
1
Various articles, 1944-1954
1
2
University of Washington "Month's Best" supplement, 1945 May and November
1
3
"The Chilcoot Pass Went Up, Up, Up," Seattle Times, 1964 July 26
1
4
"The Saga of George W. Bush" reprint, with bibliography, 1962 September
Correspondence, Drafts
1
5
"Aristocrat of the Wilds," 1963
1
6
Black Drift article, 1953
1
7
Chilcoot Pass article, 1963
1
8
"Lady of the Paddlewheel," 1954
1
9
Outdoor safety article, 1954
1
10
"Sturdy Tugs and 'Poke Fire' Boats," 1969-1970
Correspondence, Notes, Sources
1
11
Babes in the Woods article, 1950s
1
12
George W. Bush article, 1962-1969
1
13
"Joe Meek and His Gun," 1958
2
14
Lewis and Clark article, 1950s
2
15
Mima Mounds article, 1953-1954
2
16
Moncacht Ape article, 1954-1956
2
17
Mountain Beaver article, 1952-1958
2
18
Mt. Stuart article, 1962
2
19
"Narrow Gauge Up the Jackass Trail," 1953-1954
2
20
Olympic College outdoor class program article, 1956-1958
2
21
Ozette Indian Tribe article, 1956-1958
2
22
Wild horses article, 1954-1958
2
23
Various articles, 1952-1962
2
24
"Harrison Named after President" (with Paul Drus), 1971-1972
2
25
Correspondence, contributions to Pacific Bakers News, 1966-1971
Drafts
2
26
"Eggs is Odd"
2
27
"The Ghostly Companion of the Andrea Doria;" "Not S.O.S., but C.Q.D."
2
28
"Houseboat Headaches"
2
29
"Mahoney and the Millars' Daughter"
2
30
Richard W. Poston article
2
31
"Shut Mah Mouf," 1954
2
32
"Great White Watchers," 1963
3
33
Early writings, 1924-1944 (3 folders)
3
34
"TV or not TV" (Journalism class paper)
3
35
Writing class papers, 1929-1953
3
36
Unpublished articles, 1954-1958
Series 2: Editing Work
3
37
"Along Seattle's Seawall," Vol. I
3
38
Journal of Nursing issues and related materials, 1949-1952 (2 folders)
3
39
Journal of Nursing issue, 1954
Series 3: "Lost Mines and Treasures" Papers
3
40
Bibliographies
3
41
Book lists, 1966
4
42
Brochures, maps, pamphlets on Idaho (2 folders)
Clippings
4
43
Bunker Hill Co., including notes from Hazel Corbeill, 1966-1969
4
44
Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe River areas, 1967-1970
4
45
Coeur d'Alene silver mining, 1934-1970
4
46
General, 1966-1970
4
47
Golden Chest Mine, including notes from Hazel Corbeill 1966-1970
5
48
Oregon Mines, 1900-1969
5
49
St. Joe River area, 1968-1969
5
50
Sunken treasure, 1958-1969
5
51
Treasure hunting in California, Nevada, 1966-1969
Correspondence
5
52
Binfords and Mort publishers and general, 1956-1964
5
53
Binfords and Mort, 1966-1971
5
54
General, 1954-1974 (folders 1-2)
6
54
General, 1954-1974 (folders 3-4)
6
55
Blue Bucket Mine, 1968-1972
6
56
Lake Coeur d'Alene treasure, 1958-1967
6
57
Lost Cement Mine (correspondence with Harvey Altman), 1971-1972
6
58
Lost Pedro, Lost Sheperder, other mines, 1954-1955
6
59
Neahkahnie (correspondence with Don Viles), 1969-1971
6
60
Portland treasure chart, 1964-1969
6
61
Spanish Silver Mine, 1966-1971
6
62
Tillamook Mine, 1966-1967
6
63
Reprint, 1994
6
64
Stanley Partridge, 1966-1971
Correspondence, Notes, Sources
6
65
ABT Indian Post Office Mine, 1966-1971
7
66
Astoria and Clatsop County, 1967
7
67
Blue Bucket Mine, 1954-1959 (2 folders)
7
68
Cabin mines, 1964-1968
7
69
Capt.'s Caches and Chevy Chase, 1966-1967
7
70
Chief Bigfoot, 1967-1968
7
71
Chief Kitsap's gold mine, 1966
7
72
Ed Schieffelin's gold mine, 1966-1970
7
73
Gold strikes of Olympic Mountains, 1966
7
74
Granville Stuart, 1967
7
75
Idaho mines, 1966-1971
7
76
Idaho place names, 1955-1956, 1969-1970 (folder 1)
8
76
Idaho place names, 1955-1956, 1969-1970 (folders 2-7)
9
77
Indian Lost Cinnabar Mine, 1967-1969
9
78
Klamath Butte Creek, 1969-1970
9
79
Lake County, 1966-1968
9
80
Lemon Mine, 1967-1968
9
81
Lost Cabin Mines, 1965-1967
9
82
Lost Creek Mine, 1967-1968
9
83
Mountain treasures stories, 1968
9
84
Moose City, 1959-1969
9
85
Nahanni's lost gold, 1969-1970
9
86
Neahkahnie and Nehalem, 1955-1956
9
87
Neahkahnie, 1966-1971
9
88
Oregon mines, 1963-1969
10
89
Plummer Gang, 1966-1969 (2 folders)
10
90
Port Orford meteorite, 1955 forward
10
91
Post Falls Diamond Mine, 1966-1969
10
92
Roslyn Bank Robbery, 1968-1969
10
93
S.S. Golden Rule, 1956-1957
10
94
Santa Creek, 1959-1971
10
95
Vancouver Island, 1969 (2 folders)
10
96
Vault of Gold, 1968
11
97
Washington, 1963-1968
Drafts
11
98
"Legends of the Little Rockies," including notes
11
99
Malta train robbery, including notes
11
100
Early drafts of book (2 folders)
11
101
Galley proofs (2 folders)
11
102
Galley proofs (sequel)
11
103
Write-up of interview with Fred and Cora Kelly, and related materials, 1969
11
104
Library of Congress list of treasure maps, 1964
12
105
Manuscript, including index and table of contents, for sequel (4 folders)
12
106
Microfiche records about S.S. Golden Rule and crew, 1861-1877
Notes
12
107
Beesway, Blue Bucket and Neahkahnie mines, shipwrecks
13
108
Cabins, ledges, Randolph Trail, Sheperder mine
13
109
General
13
110
Silverthorne, other Montana mysteries
Pamphlets
13
111
Pamphlets for treasure seekers, 1953-1968
13
112
Pamphlets on Washington-Idaho border areas, 1937 forward
13
113
Publicity and orders for sequel
13
114
Scrapbook of Tony Moreno, 1966-1968
Series 4: Miscellaneous Topics
13
115
Archive container item lists sent to WSU from Hult, 1950s-1960s
13
116
Articles, flyers, newsletters on atheism, 1970s (folder 1)
14
116
Articles, flyers, newsletters on atheism, 1970s (folder 2)
14
117
Catalogs for colored prints, engraved portraits and lithographs
Clippings
14
118
Idaho County Free Press anniversary edition, 1966 June 16
14
119
Kellogg Evening News Progress edition, 1969
14
120
Life Magazine issue, including announcement for Wilderness Kingdom book, 1967 (note: relocated to Oversize, box 45, folder 276)
14
121
Kellogg News, 1924-1970
15
122
Various Northwest newspapers, 1952-1988
Clippings, Correspondence
15
123
Bunker Hill Company strike, 1960 (2 folders)
Correspondence
15
124
Robert Hitchman, 1959-1971
15
125
Tahuya Book Sellers, 1960-1961
15
126
Washington State Historical Society, 1959-1962
15
127
Writers, printers, etc., 1953-1963
Correspondence, Notes, Sources
15
128
Henry J. Warre paintings, 1954
16
129
"Crow's Nest" newsletter by Robert Hitchman, 1955-1970
16
130
Expense books, 1953-1962 (3 folders)
16
131
"La Blanc and La Gasse: Predecessors of David Thompson...," U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 1966
16
132
Log marks chart of lumber and logging companies in Lake Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe River areas, 1921
16
133
Pamphlets on Pacific Northwest timber and lumbering, 1938-1956 (folders 1-2)
17
133
Pamphlets on Pacific Northwest timber and lumbering, various dates (folder 3)
17
134
Publishers' trade lists
17
135
"The Quileute of La Push, 1775-1945," by George A. Pettitt, 1950
Series 5: Northwest Disaster Papers
17
136
"Avalanche" article in Spokesman-Review, with draft, 1960 February 11
17
137
Basil Sherlock's description of avalanche, 1960
Clippings, Correspondence
17
138
Inland Empire forest fires scrapbook, 1967-1969
Correspondence
17
139
Binfords and Mort, 1958-1961
17
140
General, 1957-1960
17
141
Book promotion, 1960
17
142
1910 Fire, 1956-1960
Correspondence, Drafts
17
143
William Morris and Ed Pulaski, 1960s
Correspondence, Notes, Sources
18
144
1910 Fire, 1950-1960
18
145
Galley proofs (3 folders)
18
146
Hart's corrections and suggestions
18
147
Journalism class paper on 1910 Fire
18
148
Manuscript (folders 1-2)
19
148
Manuscript (folder 3)
19
149
Manuscript of "Experiences on a National Forest," by William Morris
19
150
Manuscript of "Letters from Coeur d'Alene," by William Morris
19
151
"Northwest Disaster" maps (2 folders)
19
152
Notecards listing interviewees, 1956-1960
Notes
19
153
Avalanche
19
154
Interview with Edward Sweeney, including transcript, 1957 May 22
19
155
1910 Fire
19
156
Articles about avalanche byother authors
Series 6: Personal and Family Concerns
20
157
Autograph book from high school, 1932
Correspondence
20
158
Lee Carpenter, Jr., 1959-1967
20
159
Hazel Corbeill, 1957-1969 (folders 1-4)
21
159
Hazel Corbeill, 1970-80 (folders 5-11)
22
159
Hazel Corbeill, 1981-91 (folders 12-18)
22
160
Family, 1937-1945 (20 postcards)
22
161
Family, 1960-1970 (Ruby's cousin, Gloria Hult Kennedy)
22
162
Family, 1955-1968 (folders 1-4)
23
162
Family, 1969-1975 (folders 5-11)
24
162
Family, 1976-1980 (folders 12-15)
24
163
Family, 1973-1976 (McGoughs in Hong Kong)
24
164
Family, 1976-1978 (McGoughs in Middlebury, VT)
24
165
Friends, including item list, 1955-1969 (folder 1)
25
165
Friends, 1970s (folder 2)
25
166
R.H. Gallagher, 1961
25
167
Eleanor Garst, 1956-1969 (folders 1-4)
26
167
Eleanor Garst, 1970-1979 (folders 5-11)
26
168
General, 1974-1979 (mostly fan letters)
26
169
Bill and Dorothy Hershey, 1958-1967
27
170
L.S. Keeton, 1953-1958
27
171
Cindy Kramer, 1962
27
172
Bonnie Kreshel, 1957-1968
27
173
Margaret Livingston, 1959-1969
27
174
Elizabeth Marion Saunders, 1957-1971 (folders 1-3)
28
174
Elizabeth Marion Saunders, 1972-1981 (folders 4-9)
29
174
Elizabeth Marion Saunders, including 1993 death notification (folders 10-14)
29
175
"The Cockalorum Chronicles," 1979 (compendium of correspondence between Hult and Saunders)
29
176
Minnesota State Inspector's Licenses for J.A. Hult, 1899, 1906
29
177
North Central High School yearbook, 1931
29
178
Poems of John Morgan McReary, 1965
29
178.1
Letters from fans and friends, 1977
Series 7: Photographs
29
179
Burke, Idaho, 1902
29
180
Chilkoot Pass photos, sketch maps
30
181
Dodo Canar and Blanche Canar (later Blanche Bond Ryan), 1909-1912
30
182
Independence Placer Mining Company, including item list, 1925-1926
30
183
Lake Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe River area, 1960s
30
184
Lake Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe River area, by Vern L. Hult, 1967 (3 folders)
30
185
Lake Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe River area steamboats, various dates (3 folders)
30
186
Lake Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe River area, various dates (folder 1)
31
186
Lake Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe River areas, various dates (folders 2-3)
31
187
Lake Coeur d'Alene area, 1968 July
31
188
Lake Coeur d'Alene area residents in steamboat era, various dates
31
189
Lost Mines and Treasures photos (sequel)
31
190
Lumberjacks, 1950s
31
191
Mining, including item list, 1925-1926
31
192
Montana historical sites
31
193
1910 Fire, Idaho
31
194
Oregon postcards, 1968-1972
31
195
Personal, various dates
32
196
St. Joe River area, early 1900s
32
197
St. Maries and St. Joe River area, early 1900s
32
198
St. Maries and St. Joe River valley negatives, 1968
32
199
Valleyford, WA, snow scenes by Vern L. Hult, 1960s
32
200
Valleyford, WA, winter of 1969 snow scenes, including item list, 1969
32
201
Wallace, Idaho, photos and negatives
32
202
Portrait of Ruby El Hult, 1932 (high school graduation)
32
203
Portrait of Eleanor Averitt Stark Garst and son Richard Stark
Series 8: Political Materials
32
204
Campaign for George W. Bush recognition, 1962-1963
32
205
Campaign to retain Ozette Indian Reservation in Olympic National Park, 1954-1958
32
206
Campaign for Three Sisters Wilderness boundaries, 1955-1961
32
207
Campaigns for various causes, 1960s-1970s
32
208
Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions pamphlets, 1962
33
209
Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions article in Pageant magazine, 1965 August
33
210
Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions "Change" issues, 1965-1966
33
211
Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions seminar materials, 1965
33
212
Discussion papers, newsletters, magazines, press releases, 1950s-1960s (3 folders)
33
213
Excerpts from writings of various authors, 1940s
33
214
"The Good Brahmin," by Voltaire, 1949
33
215
Industrial Workers of the World newsletters, pamphlets, circa 1930s-1940s
"The Bloodstained Trail: A History of Militant Labor in the United States," 1927
34
216
Seattle Urban League quarterly newsletters, 1947-1948
34
217
Seattle Urban League 17th annual report, 1947
34
218
Washington State Legislature materials, 1963
Series 9: "Steamboats in the Timber" Papers
Clippings, Correspondence
34
219
General, 1952-1983
Correspondence
34
220
Binfords and Mort, 1967-1969
34
221
Book contracts, including royalty statements, 1952-1967
34
222
Caxton Printers Ltd., regarding book shipment, 1960 July 27
34
223
Hazel Corbeill, 1969-1970 (folders 1-4)
35
223
Hazel Corbeill, 1969-1970 (folder 5)
35
224
Regarding photographs, 1967-1969 (2 folders)
35
225
Blanche Bond Ryan, regarding St. Maries, Idaho, 1950s
35
226
Various letters on Idaho, 1956-1969
Correspondence, Notes, Sources
35
227
North Idaho, 1968 forward
35
228
Galley proofs, 1952
35
229
Manuscript, 1947
36
230
Personal recollections, 1968
36
231
Revisions to manuscript for second edition
36
232
Sales and promotional material for second edition, 1968-1969
36
233
Souvenir book, St. Maries, Idaho, 1911
36
234
Tariff rates for Red Collar Steamboat Company, 1925
Series 10: "Untamed Olympics" Papers
Clippings
36
235
General
Correspondence
36
236
Awards, publicity, 1953-1961
36
237
General, 1952-1954
36
238
Robert Hitchman, 1951-1954
36
239
Olympic National Park, 1952-1960
36
240
Publishers, historical societies, regarding manuscript, 1953
36
241
Theodore Rixon, 1952
36
242
Second edition, 1968-1970
36
243
Victor Smith chapter, 1950-1953
36
244
Charles N. Webster, 1952-1955
Correspondence, Drafts
36
245
West end, including notes, 1952-1953
Correspondence, Notes, Sources
37
246
General regarding second edition, 1969-1970
37
247
Timber, incl. short bibliography, 1952-1953
Drafts
37
248
"Bridge to the Future" chapter
37
249
"Expendable Forests" chapter
37
250
Olympic National Park battle
37
251
Various chapters (2 folders)
37
252
Manuscript pages
Notes
37
253
General, including bibliography
37
254
Olympic Peninsula (folders 1-2)
38
254
Olympic Peninsula (folder 3)
38
255
Parks and forests
38
256
Port Townsend and Millport
38
257
Olympic National Park publications, including clippings, 1930s-1950s
38
258
Pamphlets on Washington, mainly on Olympic Peninsula, various dates (2 folders)
39
259
Port Angeles community study publications, 1953
39
260
Script of speech to Mason County Historical Society, 1971 November 4
39
261
Souvenir program, Port Townsend-Jefferson County Centennial, 1951
39
262
Statistical report on Olympic Peninsula by Institute of Forest Products, 1953 October 12
39
263
Write-up of interview of William T. Putnam, early explorer of the Olympics, including Shelton-Mason County Journal article dated 1950 June 15
39
0
Processing and administrative files
Series 11: Oversize Materials
40
264
Articles about Olympic Peninsula for "Untamed Olympics," 1949-1962
40
265
Ledger for Red Collar Steamboat Company (routes originating mostly from St. Maries), 1921-1923; tariff rates for 1926, 1929; and shipping orders, 1925
40
266
Ledger for Red Collar Steamboat Company (mostly St. Maries to Coeur d'Alene route), 1921-1922
41
267
Recording of interview of Ruby El Hult by Bev Brown of KIMA Radio in Yakima, WA, 1952 April 15 (long-playing disk)
Scrapbooks
41
268
"Lost Mines and Treasures" clippings (including reviews), correspondence, 1957-1967
41
269
Logging and lumber photos, clippings, various dates
42
270
Miscellaneous clippings on Pacific Northwest, correspondence about books and other writings, 1954-1959
42
271
"Northwest Disaster" clippings (including reviews), correspondence, 1960
43
272
Pacific Northwest clippings on fires, 1967-1970
44
273
Pacific Northwest clippings on people, places and things, 1950-1971
44
274
"Steamboats in the Timber" clippings (including reviews), correspondence, 1952-1970
45
275
"Untamed Olympics" clippings (including reviews), correspondence, 1952-1964
45
276
Miscellaneous