Preston B. Plumb Letters
Collection Summary
| Title: | Preston B. Plumb Letters |
| Call Number: | MS 92-16 |
| Size: | 0.25 linear feet |
| Acquisition: | Source unknown |
| Processed By: | KJC, 1-14-1992; JEF, 4-6-1999; MN, 12-13-2011 |
| Note: | None |
| Restrictions: | None |
Literary Rights
Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State
University. When permission is granted to examine the manuscripts, it is
not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication
without regard for common law literary rights, copyright
laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher
and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students
who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry
regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.
Content Note
The Preston B. Plumb Letters consist of eight letters
written by Preston B. Plumb between the years 1884 to 1891. He wrote seven
of the letters to “Cavaness”; the nature of the correspondence
was general. One letter was written to Philip Morgan, American Minister
to Mexico City, in which Plumb requested an escort for two female travelers.
Biography
Preston B. Plumb was a progressive United States
Senator representing Kansas from the years 1877 to 1891. He was born in
Berkshire, Ohio, in 1837 and moved to Kansas in 1855. Plumb was typical
of the 1800s American entrepreneur, as he entered one business venture after
another on his upward climb to economic success. At 16 Plumb purchased a
newspaper operation, the Xenia, in Marysville, Ohio. In 1855 he was part
of an Kansas exploring party, and as a result he bought land one mile from
Salina and developed the short-lived town of Mariposa. One year later he
bought interest in the Emporia Town Company and became one of Emporia’s
founding fathers.
Plumb settled in Emporia permanently, where he entered into a variety of occupations, not excluding his incorporation of the Jefferson City and Neosho Valley Railroad. In 1861, after passing the bar exam, Plumb opened the Plantz and Plumb Law Firm. That same year he was elected to the Kansas State Legislation. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Plumb formed a company of Emporia men to fight for the Union cause. He established the Emporia National Bank in 1872, of which he remained the president until his death in 1891.
Plumb settled in Emporia permanently, where he entered into a variety of occupations, not excluding his incorporation of the Jefferson City and Neosho Valley Railroad. In 1861, after passing the bar exam, Plumb opened the Plantz and Plumb Law Firm. That same year he was elected to the Kansas State Legislation. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Plumb formed a company of Emporia men to fight for the Union cause. He established the Emporia National Bank in 1872, of which he remained the president until his death in 1891.
Detailed Description: Box and Folder Listing
| Box 1 | FF 1 | 18 November 1884. Emporia National Bank. To Cavaness concerning money owed. |
| Box 1 | FF 2 | 3 March 1885. Senate Chamber. To Philip H. Morgan asking for an escort for the wife and daughter of Judge N. R. Wagstaff . |
| Box 1 | FF 3 | 22 July 188? United States Senate. To Cavaness concerning money owed. |
| Box 1 | FF 4 | 27 July 1886. United States Senate. General correspondence to Cavaness. |
| Box 1 | FF 5 | 17 November 1886. Emporia, Kansas. General correspondence to Cavaness. |
| Box 1 | FF 6 | 10 December 1886. Senate Chamber. To Cavaness concerning money owed. |
| Box 1 | FF 7 | 4 ? 1891. Emporia, Kansas. General correspondence to Cavaness. |
| Box 1 | FF 8 | August ? United States Senate. General correspondence to Cavaness. |