The papers in this collection appear to have been collected by members of the Elbert and Mary Jones family who lived in and around Latah and Nez Perce counties in the late 1890's and early 1900's. Records from the 1900 census show the family living in Nez Perce County. In addition to parents, Elbert(born 1854) and Mary(born 1856), the records indicate two sons, Ollie A.(born 1879) and Otis L.(born 1881).
The bulk of this collection consists of handwritten transcription of words and lyrics to songs collected by members of the Jones family around 1895. In addition there is part of a handwritten homestead claim, clippings of poetry from newspapers, several letters written to members of the Jones family, household receipts and other papers. The cigar box which originally contained the papers is at the back of the box.
Collection is open for research.
This collection was donated by Nathan Bender, head of Special Collections and Archives, in December 2009. The papers were contained in an old cigar box which Mr. Bender purchased at a flea market in Uniontown, Washington from an antiques dealer (accession MA 2010-01).