Payson W. Spaulding papers, 1886-1980

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Spaulding, Payson W.
Title
Payson W. Spaulding papers
Dates
1886-1980 (inclusive)
Quantity
98.97 cubic ft. (103 boxes)
Collection Number
01803
Summary
Payson W. Spaulding was an attorney in Evanston, Wyoming from 1901-1971. His collection contains legal case files, correspondence, business records, legal documents, newspaper clippings, publications, maps, and photographs relating to his law practice and personal life.
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

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Payson W. Spaulding established himself as a notable attorney in Southwest Wyoming, serving the community and state for 70 years. He was counsel for the Lincoln Highway Association, Union Pacific Railroad Company, and John D. Rockefeller’s Snake River Land Company; involving Spaulding in the establishment of the Lincoln Highway and the Jackson Hole National Monument. Payson W. Spaulding was born in Bingham, Maine in 1876; however, he spent most of his youth growing up in the Midwestern states of Minnesota and Illinois. Spaulding attended Kent College and the University of Colorado law school, where he earned his law degree in 1901. Shortly after graduation he moved to Evanston, Wyoming, opened a law office, and married Nelle Johnson Quinn. Spaulding was interested in automobiles and road travel. He was the first person to own an automobile in Evanston and in 1908 he joined J.M. Murdock and his family on a transcontinental automobile tour to New York. He also took a personal interest in oil drilling; investing time and money mining Southwest Wyoming and Nevada. He continued practicing law in Wyoming until 1971 and died in 1972 at the age of 95.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains legal case files regarding civil, divorce, corporate, criminal, land, water, and probate cases from Payson W. Spaulding’s private practice. These files contain correspondence, legal documents, and financial records concerning the case and/or clients; including his work with the Lincoln Highway Association, Union Pacific Railroad, and the Jackson Hole National Monument and involvement of Rockefeller’s Snake River Land Company in acquiring land for the monument. The collection also contains his law firm records of correspondence, research and reference publications, and financial records; documentation about transcontinental automobile tours in the early 20th century; personal correspondence, photographs, news clippings, publications, and maps of Wyoming and Utah; and correspondence and legal documents regarding Spaulding’s personal interests in oil drilling and mining.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

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, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Payson W. Spaulding at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Addie B. Taggart in 1975, 1977, and 1981.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Jamie J. Greene in November 2012.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. Legal Case files, 1900-1974Return to Top

This series contains legal case files from Spaulding's private law practice regarding civil suits, divorce, corporations, criminal cases, land matters, water rights, roads, and probate and guardianship matters. These files contain correspondence, legal documents, and financial records about the case and/or clients.

Container(s) Description Dates
Sub-series 1. Client and Topic files
This series contains legal case files organized according to the topic/case type or client.
1901-1974
Box
1
Appeals to the Wyoming Supreme Court
1905-1968
2
Bankruptcy
1903-1959
3-4
Collections and sundry suits for collection
1901-1968
2
Department of the Interior
1910-1929
5
Goldfield Consolidated Mines Company (Goldfield Corporation)
1906-1974
6-7
Irrigation and water conservancy districts
1935-1963
Jackson Hole National Monument
1909-1955:
Box
8-9
Land matters and roads
1912-1955
10-11
JP Ranch Company
1909-1941
12-14
Robert E. and Grace G. Miller Estate
1919-1950
10-11
Snake River Land Company
1927-1954
15
Lincoln Highway
1913-1958
16
Oil and gas mining leases
1930-1965
17-19
Union Pacific Railroad
1904-1970
20-21
Utah Power and Light Corporation
1943-1968
Sub-series 2. County and State files
This series contains legal case files organized according to the County and State the case occurred in and then by case type.
1900-1976
Box
Lincoln County:
Box
22-23
Civil
1912-1964
23
Civil - divorce and child custody
1914-1963
24
Companies and corporations
1935-1965
23
Criminal
1946
24
Land matters, water rights, roads
1915-1960
25-26
Probate, guardianships, and adoptions
1913-1967
Sublette County:
Box
27
Civil
1925-1960
27
Civil - divorce
1930-1961
28
Companies and corporations
1926-1960
28-29
Land matters, water rights, roads
1907-1970
29
Miscellaneous litigations
1927-1949
29
Probate, guardianships, and adoptions
1925-1936
Teton County:
Box
37
Bankruptcy
1942
30-32
Civil
1912-1964
32
Civil - divorce
1928-1963
Companies and corporations:
Box
33
1925-1961
34
Teton Valley Ranch and Wendell L. Wilson
1955-1964
34-36
Albert E. Schwabacher
1940-1968
37
Criminal
1932-1934
37
Land matters, water rights, roads
1932-1958
37
Miscellaneous litigations
1916-1960
38-40
Probate, guardianships, and adoptions
1908-1969
37
Workman's compensation
1932-1937
Uinta County:
Box
Civil:
Box
41
Civil suites for and against Blyth & Fargo Company
1903-1921
41-43
1900-1919
44-46
1920-1929
47-48
1930-1939
49
1940-1949
49-50
1950-1959
50-51
1950-1969
51-52
Civil - divorce
1909-1970
Companies and corporations:
Box
53
1900-1919
53-54
1920-1929
54-56
1930-1972
57
Towns and School Districts
1910-1965
57
J.R. Broadbent Company
1950-1976
58-59, 97
Stahley Land & Livestock Company
1916-1970
59
Uinta Land & Grazing Company
1908-1960
59-60, 97
Edholm & Akin Company
1907-1915
60
Z-Bar Ranch
1907-1915
61
Criminal
1902-1963
62-64
Land matters, water rights, roads
1900-1970
61, 65-66
Miscellaneous litigations
1900-1965
Probate, guardianships, and adoptions:
Box
67-68
1900-1919
68-69
1920-1929
70-72
1930-1939
73-75
1940-1949
75-76
1950-1959
76-77
1950-1969
78
Estate of Mary Rennie
1960-1973
61
Workman's compensation
1928
Other Wyoming Counties:
Box
79
Albany County
1929
79
Carbon County
1944-1953
79
Laramie County
1912-1920
79
Natrona County
1947-1954
79
Park County
1910-1919
79
Sweetwater County
1906-1951
Out of State Litigations:
Box
79
California
1938-1948
79
Colorado
1966
79
Idaho
1920-1939
Utah:
Box
80
Civil
1922-1944
80
Civil - divorce and child custody
1919
80
Companies and corporations
1907-1964
80
Criminal
1915-1929
81
Land matters, water rights, roads
1906-1962
81
Miscellaneous litigations
1915-1965
82
Probate, guardianships, and adoptions
1919-1969

Series II. Law Firm records, 1900-1972Return to Top

This series contains correspondence, legal documents, financial records, certificates and awards, newspaper clippings, law books, and publications regarding the operations and activities of Spaulding's law practice.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
85
Accounting ledger books
1901-1915
83-84 and 92
Bank Statements, cancelled checks, and check stubs
1902-1968
85
Bills receivable
1902
85
Business cards
undated
85, 98
Certificates and awards
1902-1972
Correspondence:
Box
85-86
1900-1909
85-87
1910-1919
85, 88-89
1920-1929
85, 89
1930-1972
89
Political correspondence
1902-1962
90-91
Directories
1900-1972
85
Dockets of the Third Judicial District Court
1912-1971
85
Index of cases, names, and numbers
85
Law firm legal matters
1900-1970
85
Letterheads
undated
90
Maps - state road maps
1935-1965
90, 99-103
Maps and blueprints - U.P.R.R., topographical maps, townships and sections
1900-1971
90
Newspaper clippings
1900-1972
90-91, 98
Publications on law, U.S. laws, and hearings
1900-1972
90
Reference law books for the firm
1900-1972
92
Seals/emblem matrices or dies
1900-1970
98
Signs - Wyoming County Officers
1927-1950
85
Uinta County and state business licenses and taxes
1915-1966
85
Union Pacific Railroad Company passes for Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding
1905-1969
85
Wyoming State Bar Association
1930-1959
85
Wyoming State Bar Association - correspondence and photographs
1937-1939
85
Wyoming State Bar membership and license fees
1902-1972
85
Wyoming State Board of Law Examiners
1955-1968

Series III. Personal papers, 1886-1972Return to Top

This series contains correspondence, photographs, legal documents, speeches, publications, newspaper clippings, and a scrapbook regarding Spaulding's personal life and interests; including documentation about automobile travel and oil drilling and mining investments.

Container(s) Description Dates
Sub-series 1. Personal files
1886-1972
Box
98
Book - "Collier's Photographic History of the European War,"
1915
Correspondence:
Box
93
1904-1971
93
Mrs. Nelle Spaulding
1886-1980
93
P.W. Spaulding and Fred Varny (Spaulding's half-brother)
1927-1968
93
P.W. Spaulding and J.M. Murdock
1908-1934
93
Day planner and receipts
1914
93
Invitations
1955-1971
93
Legal matters
1911-1964
93
Marriage certificate
1904
93
Newspaper clippings
1920-1972
93
Obituaries and notices for Fredrick Warren Varny (Spaulding's half brother)
1968
93
Obituaries and notices for Payson W. Spaulding
1972
93
Pamphlets
1869-1925
93
Payson W. Spaulding's campaign for Third Judicial District Court Judge
1934
93
Speeches
undated
93, 98
Transcontinental automobile tours - books, pamphlets, clippings, and scrapbook
1908-1949
93
Union Pacific Railroad retirement
1971
93
University Club membership
1953-1954
93
University of Colorado -1901 Alumni and yearbook
1901-1951
Sub-series 2. Oil drilling and mining activities
1900-1944
Box
94
Correspondence
1927-1944
94
Correspondence between P.W. Spaulding and J. M. Murdock
1911-1921
94
Charles Spaulding (P.W. Spaulding's brother) and Spaulding Engineering Company
1900-1915
94
Charles Lilley
1918
94-95
J. M. Murdock and the Murdock-Spaulding Trusteeship
1911-1921
95
Nevada Star Mining Company - Cherry Creek, Nevada property
1917-1926
95
Penn Star Mining Company
1917-1927
95
T-C Oil Company
1920
Sub-series 3. Photographs
1900-1967
Box
96
Evanston, Wyoming
1903-1936
96
Memorial dedications
1930-1939
96
Oil drilling and mining
1920-1939
96
Payson W. Spaulding
1903-1967
96
Salt Lake City, Utah
1900-1919
96, 98
Scenic views and landscapes (mostly of Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park)
undated
96
Stereocards - Union Pacific Railroad views and Yellowstone National Park
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Automobile travel--United States
  • Law firms--Wyoming
  • Practice of law--Wyoming
  • Roads--West (U.S.)
  • Transportation--West (U.S.)--History--20th century

Personal Names

  • Rockefeller, John D.(John Davison), 1874-1960

Corporate Names

  • Lincoln Highway Association
  • Snake River Land Company
  • Union Pacific Railroad Company

Geographical Names

  • Evanston (Wyo.)
  • Jackson Hole (Wyo.)
  • Jackson Hole National Monument (Wyo.)
  • Lincoln Highway
  • Uinta County (Wyo.)
  • Wyoming--History, 1890-1918
  • Wyoming--History, 1919-1945
  • Wyoming--History, 1946-
  • Wyoming--History--20th century

Form or Genre Terms

  • Legal files
  • Maps

Occupations

  • Lawyers