Kenneth Isely Collection of Bliss Isely and Flora Isely Papers

Title:	Kenneth Isely Collection of Bliss Isely and Flora Isely Papers
Call Number:	MS 91-02
Size:	9.0 linear feet
Acquisition:	Donated by Kenneth Isely
Processed by:	KFS, 10-24-1990; JEF, 4-1-1998; JCM, MN and AV, 3-2018
Restrictions:	None

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.

This collection contains the manuscripts, research notes and correspondence of two Wichita writers, Bliss Isely and his wife, Flora Isely who wrote under the pseudonym Kunigunde Duncan. Although the majority of the collection consists of materials related to their work, there are some personal documents that contain biographical information. The documents in the collection span 1904 to 1978.

Under the pseudonym of Kunigunde Duncan, Flora Isely (1886-1971) wrote and published a great deal of poetry during the early 1900s and later wrote a number of books. She graduated from Wichita High School in 1904 where she later taught three years. In 1911 she married author Bliss Isely, and during most of their married life, they lived on a farm near El Dorado, Kansas. They had three sons, David, who died in childhood, and Malcolm and Kenneth. In 1938 she published the book Blue Star, a book based on the life of Corabelle Fellows Campbell Tillman, and during the 1940s she co-authored a book with D. F. Nichols titled Mentor Graham: The Man Who Taught Lincoln (1944). She wrote a number of articles dealing with the Dust Bowl and Wichita history for local and national newspapers. Her books also include a book of poems, The Land of the Little Boys.

Bliss Isely (1881-1963), a native Kansan, was a well known publicist and historian. He wrote several textbooks for elementary and secondary public schools on Kansas history, among them Early Days in Kansas (1927) and Four Centuries in Kansas (1936). Isely graduated from Fairmount College in 1906 and remained involved with the school throughout his life. He was employed by several newspapers, including the St. Louis Star, Kansas City Star, and Wichita Beacon, as a feature writer at different times during his career. In 1916 he joined Fairmount College as a field secretary or fund raiser. He later served as the publicity manager of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. In 1955 he retired on his farm southeast of El Dorado. His books include Sunbonnet Days (1935), Blazing the Way West (1939), The Presidents: Men of Faith (1953), and The Horseman of Shenandoah (1962). He also wrote numerous articles for local and national newspapers and magazines.

Series 1	Box 1-Box 6	Flora Isely (Kunigunde Duncan) Poems, Manuscripts, and Correspondence. Arranged chronologically and by subject. This series contains poems written by Flora Isely in the early 1900s, both in draft and published form, as well as notes, pictures, correspondence, and manuscripts for the books Blue Star and Mentor Graham: The Man Who Taught Lincoln.
Series 2	Box 7-Box 9	Bliss Isely Manuscripts and Correspondence, 1904-1963. Arranged chronologically and by subject. This series contains Bliss Isely's manuscripts, photographs, correspondence, and notes for his short articles and books, including Blazing the Way West, The Horseman of the Shenandoah, Knife to the Hilt, and The Presidents: Men of Faith. Note: The above documents that were originally in labeled folders have been kept together and arranged by subject.
Series 3	Box 10	Correspondence, Business and Personal, Memorabilia and Biographical Information. Arranged chronologically and by subject. This series contains letters both business and personal that were not in a folder or any particular order, also some personal mementos including Christian Isely's correspondence (Bliss Isely's father), Bliss Isely's Student Handbook from Fairmount College (1904-1906), Secretary's Book for Wichita High School Class of 1904 and newspaper clippings.
Series 4	Box 11-Box 12	Bliss Isely's Scrapbooks. This series contains scrapbooks on Fairmount College (1916-1920 and 1934).
Series 5	Box 13-Box 17 FF 3, 9-10	Books. This series contains books, including Christian Isely's English/German Bible, two volumes of the 1912 Kansas Encyclopedia, cookbooks, Food Saving and Sharing, and The Skater's Manual.
Series 6	Box 17 FF 4-8	Photographs. This series contains photographs used in newspaper articles by the Iselys.
Series 7	Box 18-Box 19 FF 7	Oversized. This series contains printed articles by the Iselys that are oversized. Arranged by author and chronologically. Large photographs used for book illustrations and family photographs are also included.
Series 8	Box 19 FF 8-9	Isely family materials relating to M. Alice Isely and Paul Wellman.

Series 1 ‒ Flora Isely (Kunigunde Duncan) Poems, Manuscripts, and Correspondence

Box 1	FF 1	Notebooks (3) of poems by Flora K. Duncan entitled "Early Poems I" (1902-1927), "Early Verse III A" (November 1933-August 1934), and "Early Verse III B" (August 1934); handwritten.
Box 1	FF 2	Notebook of poems by Kunigunde Duncan, El Dorado, Kansas, entitled "The Land of Little Boys"; typed with ink and watercolor drawings, 93 pages.
Box 1	FF 3	Notebook of 57 poems by Kunigunde Duncan, entitled "Hours Pass," typed.
Box 1	FF 4	Collection of poems that were in a folder labeled "As It Seems to Me" with the notation "completed in 1967," 1924-1967, typed, 104 pages.
Box 1	FF 5	Collection of poems that were in a folder labeled "The Stumbler and Others," typed with an index of the poems.
Box 1	FF 6	Collection of poems that were in a folder labeled "Facets" (1967), typed.
Box 1	FF 6A	Folder labeled "Facets," notes on the folder.
Box 1	FF 7	Drafts of poems that were in a folder labeled "Facets," typed and handwritten.
Box 1	FF 7A	Bound draft of "Facets" also labeled "20th Century Notes."
Box 1	FF 8	Drafts for poems that were not included in a labeled folder, typed and handwritten.
Box 1	FF 9	Printed copies (4) of "A Woman Sings: A Song Cycle," one printed copy of "Preference" and "To A Little Child."
Box 2	FF 1	Complete draft of "Longer Than Long Ago: Tales from the Bantu" by Alta Hoyt and Kunigunde Duncan, typed, the subject is the folklore of the Bantu people; contains a letter from Joan Rattner, This Week Magazine, (13 June 1962) regarding the Bantu proverbs; contains a picture of a Bantu home.
Box 2	FF 2	Information related to "A Republic Is Born," a radio script. Contains a handwritten letter to Mr. Bashaw from Mrs. Isely (2 June 1950); a letter from Edward Stanely, National Broadcasting Co., Inc. (28 February 1951); contains a rough draft of "A Republic Is Born" and handwritten notes.
Box 2	FF 2A	Folder labeled "Radio Scripts" in which the above was in, includes an outline of the script.
Box 2	FF 3	Complete draft of the radio script "A Republic Is Born."
Box 2	FF 4	Documents and correspondence originally in a folder labeled "Eisenhower." Contains correspondence associated with the research of Ida Eisenhower, dated January 1957-November 1957; contains 11 pages of handwritten notes, including notes of an interview with a niece of Ida Eisenhower; contains 12 newspaper clippings about Ida Eisenhower or Dwight Eisenhower, including an obituary for Ida Eisenhower; contains two articles written by Kunigunde Duncan, "The Presidents Mother," National Republic (May 1953) and "I Remember Ida Eisenhower," This Day (May 1953). Note: The large newspaper clippings that were originally in this file are in the Folio Box 18.
Box 2	FF 4A	Metal plate with image of Ida Eisenhower.
Box 2	FF 5	Photographs (13) that were included in the folder labeled "Eisenhower." Contains four photographs of Ida Eisenhower; contains one unlabeled photograph, possibly David and Ida Eisenhower's wedding picture; contains a photograph of the Eisenhower family on the front porch (1926); contains one unidentified group of people; contains two exterior and five interior photographs of the Eisenhower home.
Box 2	FF 6	Documents, correspondence and photographs originally in a folder labeled "Presidents Men of Faith." Contains letters from A. Allan Wilde, W. A. Wilde Co., (March 20, August 28, September 8, October 29, 1964) regarding the book Presidents: Men of Faith; contains letters from the Goldwater Campaign Headquarters (August 17, October 20, November 2, 1964) with information about Barry Goldwater and pictures; contains correspondence related to research from the Republican National Committee (21 October 1964), from Sarah T. Hughes, U.S. District Judge (24 October 1964), and from William E. Miller (29 October 1964); contains draft manuscripts and notes for article on Presidents Johnson, Hoover, and Kennedy; contains manuscript and note for article of Barry Goldwater; contains three newspaper clippings, "Soldier's Stand Guard at Hoover's Grave" and two regarding Lyndon Johnson.
Box 3	FF 1	Issues (3) of The Sampler which were done when Flora Duncan Isely was the instructor: the Christmas 1937 issue, Midsummer 1938 issue and one without a date. Contains poetry by Flora Isely.
Box 3	FF 2	>Issues (3) of The Sampler, the Spring 1939 issue (2) and the 1938-1939 issue. Contains poetry by Flora Isely.
Box 3	FF 3	Poetry Review (March/April 1940), Conservation (March/April 1941), The Woman's Digest (July 1944), and Voices: A Quarterly of Poetry (Winter 1946). Contains poetry by Flora Isely.
Box 3	FF 4	Georgia Review (Spring 1947). Contains poetry by Flora Isely.
Box 3	FF 5	Copy of "The Music That Washington Knew," Boston: Oliver Ditson Co., Inc., 1931. This is a musical score with a historical sketch and apparently is information that Mrs. Isely sent for.
Box 4	FF 1	Letter from Louise Irvine Riggs to Kunigunde Duncan (10 May 1939), handwritten, regarding Duncan's book Blue Star, Mrs. Riggs questions some of the facts given by Corabelle Fellows and offers some criticisms of the book; contains two flyers promoting the book.
Box 4	FF 2	Photographs originally in a folder labeled "Blue Star: the Story of Her Life as Told to Kunigunde Duncan by Blue Star, Corabelle Fellows." The 21 photographs are labeled and were kept in the original order. The subjects of the photographs include members of Corabelle Fellows, members of her family, and the Indians she worked with.
Box 4	FF 3	Photographs (11) of Corabelle Fellows at different ages, and six photographs of members of her family and friends, (some are duplicates of FF 2); contains the original of the newspaper photographs of Kunigunde Duncan and Corabelle Fellows.
Box 4	FF 4	Photographs (4) of Santee Normal Training School and several reprints of the original photographs.
Box 4	FF 5	Photographs (14) of Indians, mostly school children, three of adults in traditional dress and a photograph of a tepee; contains five photographs of Miss Fellows' correspondence, (originals are in FF 6) and a hand-drawn map of Dakota Territory.
Box 4	FF 6	Corabelle Fellows' correspondence, (1884-1905), handwritten. Contains a letter from an unknown person , description of Deer Park in the Allegheny Mountains; contains letter from A. S. Quinton, Women's Home Mission Society, (188?), writing is almost illegible; contains letter from Mr. Quinton to Miss Fellows (4 July 1884); contains letter from A. S. Quinton (14 September 1884), regarding what is expected of teachers; contains letter to Mrs. Quinton from Mr. J. G. Wright, Indian Agent, (10 November 1885) explaining the protection of the missionaries from the Indians; contains letter from T. L. Riggs to Miss Fellows (22 December 1885) regarding the obligations of teachers; contains letter from Charles E. McChesney, Indian Agent, to Corabelle Fellows (2 January 1886) description of the school and the items that she will need to bring. Contains letter from Stella Berlit to Corabelle Fellows (14 June 1886); contains a personal letter from G. Bluederhill to Miss Fellows (15 August 1886); contains letter from Mrs. A. M. Faehlz from Miss Sinderl (11 December 1886) regarding Corabelle Fellows' appointment to teaching; contains letter from Auntie May to niece (Corabelle) (26 February 1887) regarding the rumor that a teacher (Corabelle) has married an Indian; contains a letter from Mr. Williams to Servis Baker (12 August 1887) regarding Miss Fellows' appointment as a teacher; contains letter from Servis Baker, attorney to Miss Fellows (20 August 1887); contains letter from Charles E. McChesney, Indian Agent, to Miss Fellows (26 September 1887) includes a list of supplies.
Box 5		Correspondence, notes, photographs and articles used in researching the book Mentor Graham: The Man Who Taught Lincoln, by Kunigunde Duncan and D. F. Nickol (1942-1959).
Box 5	FF 1	Correspondence (1942-1947) with the publisher, the University of Chicago Press, regarding book on Mentor Graham, research correspondence and letters of praise and criticism for the book. Contains two letters written by Kunigunde Duncan requesting information (June 27 and 28, 1942); contains letter from Ellen Ward, a granddaughter of Mentor Graham (31 July 1942); contains undated correspondence with D. K. Nickol; contains a telegram (12 October 1944) announcing that the book goes to press; contains an undated letter to Dr. Brandt from Kunigunde Duncan regarding the Mentor Graham book, in the letter she mentions her family history, and defends her research methods and choice of material included in the book; contains 34 letters of congratulations and opinions of Mentor Graham: the Man Who Taught Lincoln (November 1944-March 1947); contains three drafts of a letter to Mr. Anderson from Kunigunde Duncan (20 April 1947) regarding his misuse of her book; contains a typed copy of a review of the book by Paul Angle in the Lincoln Quarterly and Kunigunde Duncan's undated letter responding to his comments. Contains nine letters from D. F. Nickol (August 1947-December 1947) publication of the book in braille, and copyright laws; contains two letters from Richard F. Locke, Attorney and Kunigunde Duncan's reply; contains a personal handwritten letter from Edith Nickol to Kunigunde Duncan .
Box 5	FF 2	Correspondence with D. F. Nickol, the University of Chicago Press, Richard F. Locke, Attorney, Mark Howe, Kansas State Teachers Association, Copyright Office, and Miller and Miller Attorneys (1948-1952). Letters from Nickol contains a personal note inquiring about the Isely's health and telling about his own family. The subject of most of these letters is selling the Mentor Graham book, copyright issues, and the possibility of producing a movie based on the book; contains a letter from Edith Nickol to Kunigunde Duncan (7 July 1952) soon after the death of D. F. Nickol.
Box 5	FF 3	Letters written to Kunigunde Duncan while she is working on a revised edition of the Mentor Graham book (1954-1959). Contains letter from Marie Ennes, a descendent of Mentor Graham (24 February 1954); contains letter from Walter Graham and Family (22 April 1954) affirming his interest in her project; contains letter from Mrs. Olive B. Miles (25 April 1954) with picture of Mentor Graham;s tombstone; contains letter from Walter Graham (28 April 1954); contains letter from Eleanor Pemberton (25 July 1956) regarding copyrights and papers to sign; two letters from the University of Chicago Press (August 16 and September 1, 1954) regarding publication of the revision; contains letter from Eleanor Pemberton (22 May 1956) regarding a movie based on the book; contains letter from Shelby Pervis (2 May 1958) claiming to be a relative to Mentor Graham; contains letter from Mrs. Gifford Hicks (23 August 1959) sharing her knowledge of Mentor Graham's family tree, included is a handwritten family tree.
Box 5	FF 4	Documents originally in a folder labeled "Mentor Graham." Contains a press release from the University of Chicago Press (10 February 1945) for the 12 February dramatization of the book Mentor Graham by Cavalcade of America; contains an advertisement for the radio program "The Man Who Taught Lincoln;" contains the radio script for "The Man Who Taught Lincoln;" contains syndicated lists; contains information about a motion picture.
Box 5	FF 4A	Folder that contained the above documents; it has some notes on it.
Box 5	FF 5	Miscellaneous promotional items and activities. Contains the Illinois Pupils Reading Circle book list (1945-1946); newspaper clipping "Wichita Author Discusses Latest Book at Assembly"; contains receipt for payment of expenses in connection with a luncheon (21 October 1944); contains two invitation to a Literary Tea and a photograph of the authors attending the Tea (both Duncan and Nickol are in the picture).
Box 5	FF 6	Reviews of Mentor Graham: the Man Who Taught Lincoln. These are arranged in chronological order when possible, also included is a list of the reviews compiled by Kunigunde Duncan
Box 5	FF 7	Notes for Mentor Graham.
Box 5	FF 8	Newspaper clippings about Lincoln or Mentor Graham written by other people. Contains the Middle Border Bulletin, South Dakota (Summer 1945); Newspaper photograph of a home in Green County, Kentucky from the Courier Journal (1948); contains clipping from unknown source "106-Year-Old Man Tips Wichitan on Long Life;" contains a portrait of Lincoln from a magazine; contains an article about Lincoln and Mary Owens.
Box 5	FF 9	Complete manuscript for "Lincoln Had An Alma Mater."
Box 6		Photographs and photographed copies of Mentor Graham's correspondence.
Box 6	FF 1	Copies of two letters written by William "Mentor" Graham dated 29 May 1865 and 15 July 1865; contains copies of three letters written to Mentor Graham from cousins, dated 2 April 1866 and 22 April 1866, some of these letters have references to Lincoln; Mrs. Isely has typed four of the letters and these are included in the file.
Box 6	FF 2	Photographs originally in a folder labeled "Illustrative and Verifying Material: (except for the two book jackets, which can be found in Box 18). Contains 17 labeled photographs for the Mentor Graham book.
Box 6	FF 3	Photographs collected during the research process and some duplicates of those in FF 2, most are labeled. Photographs of Sarah and Mentor Graham, Nancy Ellen, Mary Owens, Mary Graham Bradley, Flora Graham Sellers, and Lincoln.
Box 6	FF 4	Photographs collected during research of places, primarily of the New Salem area, some are duplicates of photographs found in FF 2.

Series 2 ‒ Bliss Isely Manuscripts and Correspondence

Box 7	FF 1	Complete typewritten manuscript of "Sunbonnet Days" by Elsie Dubach Isely as told to Bliss Isely, 1935. Reminiscences of Bliss Isely's mother, Elise Isely, and her experiences as a pioneer in the 1850s.
Box 7	FF 2	Correspondence and manuscripts dealing with the Dictionary of American History. Note: the original folder had the notation "Original copy of material written for Dictionary of American History and prices paid for each item." Contains letter to Mr. R. V. Coleman, Scribner's Dictionary of American History from Bliss Isely (29 January 1938); contains a letter from R. V. Coleman, Managing Editor, to Isely (3 June 1937) explaining the Dictionary project, including a typed sheet detailing the purpose and procedures of the project; contains two copies of "editorial direction" for the Directory; contains 32 letters to Isely from Coleman (June 1937-April 1940) regarding article manuscripts and payment; contains manuscripts for the Dictionary; "Wheat, Turkey Red and Mennonites" (two copies), "The Kansas Wheat Pool," "Tree Planting on the Great Plains" (2), "Santa Fe Trail" (2), "Dodge City Kansas," "El Dorado's Oil Field," "The Dust Bowl," "Mallet Brothers Exploration," "Fort Manuel" (2), "Grubb Stake," "Yellowstone River Expedition," "Taos Trail," "Platte River Trail," "Southwest Fur Company," "Wichita," "Nesters and the Cattle Industry" (2), "Coronado's Expedition," "O'Nate's Exploration" (2), "Appleseed Johnny," "French Exploration of the West" and "Kansas, Prohibition In."
Box 7	FF 3	Letter from the Coleman Lamp and Stove Co. to Isely (7 July 1939) confirming an agreement for a history of the company; contains letter to Mr. Paul McCrea, Nation's Business from Isely (15 August 1945); contains published copy of "Thirty Thousand Yesterdays" as it appeared in Coleman Victory News (July 1942-February 1943); contains complete typed manuscript of "Thirty Thousand Yesterdays" by Bliss Isely.
Box 7	FF 4	Correspondence with Charles Scribner's sons regarding the publication of Blazing the Way West by Bliss Isely (March 1939-November 1939); contains a letter to Mr. Burke, Charles Scribner's sons from Chritiane Henry, Wellesley College (13 November 1939) regarding translation of book into French; contains letter from Richard M. Ketchum, American Heritage Publishing Co., to Mrs. Flora Isely (2 November 1967) regarding republishing Blazing the Way West.
Box 7	FF 5-6	Illustrations used in Blazing the Way West and the available pictures are in the original order when it was known.
Box 7	FF 7	Maps used in Blazing the Way West.
Box 7	FF 8	Drawing of Lewis and Droulliard at the Continental Divide.
Box 7	FF 9	Incomplete manuscript for Blazing the Way West, Chapters II-XXIII.
Box 8	FF 1	Documents that were in a folder labeled "Case History of Wheat." Contains letter to Editor from Bliss Isely inquiring about possible interest in an article about wheat; contains two letters from Atlantic Monthly staff (March-April 1940); contains ten letters from various people expressing appreciation for Isely's article in Atlantic Monthly; contains letter of inquiry to Herald Tribune from Isely (20 May 1941) proposing another article; contains article published in the Northwestern Miller and American Baker (6 September 1939), "The Trend in Wheat Production" by Bliss Isely; contains article published in the Atlantic Monthly (May 1940), "The Case History of Wheat;" contains a seven page draft of "The Wheat Farmers Bow to Regimentation;" contains seven reviews of "The Case History of Wheat" (April-May 1940) arranged chronologically; contains two articles from the newsletter for the consolidated flour mills, Wichita, Kansas, (8 May 1940 and 4 June 1941).
Box 8	FF 2	Documents originally in a folder labeled "Dust Bowl Heroes Won't Budge Unwhipped." Contains letter from Albert Weaver, Weaver Wheat and Kafir Ranch, Bird City, Kansas (27 May 1941) with a photograph, the 20th Annual Crop Report, December 31, 1940, and an article from the Northwestern Miller (20 November 1940), "Weaver's Harvest" by A. W. Erikson; contains letter from Raymond C. WIlloughby, Nation's Business, (10 June 1941); contains letter from Albert Weaver (6 November 1941) with a clipping from the Topeka Daily Capital (2 November 1941); contains letter from G. W. Vetter, of Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Co., (2 April 1943); contains an article from the Northwestern Miller (24 December 1941), "The Forgiveness of Nature" by C. C. Isely, regarding the Dust Bowl; contains three newspaper clippings regarding wheat, pasture lands and broom corn ; contains two clippings from the Wichita Beacon describing Henry Parkinson's experiments with expansion into other commodities; contains statistics from the Annual Broom Corn Summary for 1942, Brooms, Brushes and Mops (January 1943); contains two clippings from the Broom and Broom Corn News (January and May 1943); contains eight pages of handwritten notes; contains a brief review of Isely's "Unwhipped Dust Bowl Heroes Won't Budge" (November 1941); contains a photograph of Mr. and Mrs. B. V. Hanna, Springfield Co., 1942.
Box 8	FF 3	Documents originally in a folder labeled "Football." Contains letter to Mr. Arthur Evans, National Football Shrine and Hall of Fame, Inc., from the Coleman Company, Inc., Public Relations (Bliss Isely), (18 August 1950), regarding a request for a narrative about the first night football game with a typed copy of a newspaper clipping from the Wichita Daily Eagle (7 October 1905) which reports on the first night game; contains an article by W. A. Swanberg, "Football By Lamplight;" contains letter from Ron Bonn, This Week (16 April 1956).
Box 8	FF 4	Partial manscript of the history of Coleman Company, originally in a folder labeled "Coleman Lamp."
Box 8	FF 5	Documents originally in a folder labeled "Britannica." Contains correspondence between Isely and Don A. Walter, Managing Editor, Britannica Junior (July 1958-March 1961); contains research correspondence (October 1958-October 1959); contains letter from W. M. Richards (24 October 1958) with criticisms of Isely's article; contains two maps of North America and one of the United States; contains manuscripts of Kansas History and fact pages.
Box 8	FF 6	Script for "Children of the South Wind: by Bliss Isely; contains programs from performances by the Wichita City Schools 16 April 1941 and a second performance 25 October 1960.
Box 8	FF 7	Documents and correspondence originally in the folder labeled "Horseman of the Shenandoah." Contains correspondence with the Bruce Publishing Company (November 1960-November 1962) regarding publication and promotion of Isely's book The Horseman of the Shenandoah; contains three letters to Mrs. Flora Isely from Bruce Publishing Co., (December 4 and 6, 1962 and February 26, 1963); contains two letters of condolence to Mrs. Isely from the Kansas State Reading Circle (21 March 1963) and from the Bruce Publishing Co. (27 March 1963), contains correspondence with the Bruce Publishing Co. regarding Knife to the Hilt and royalties from The Horseman of the Shenandoah (April 1963-August 1963); contains a press release for The Horseman of the Shenandoah with notes on the back; contains article from the Chicago Sunday Tribune (26 April 1963), "The Lost Portrait of Washington" by Arthur Veysey; contains article "Did John Singleton Copely Paint George Washington?" unknown author, ; contains four reviews of The Horseman of Shenandoah (January-February 1963); contains two black and white photographs of Fort Necessity, Fayette, PA; contains maps and labels used in the book.
Box 8	FF 8	Complete typed manuscript for Knife to the Hilt by Bliss Isely with an outline for pages 41 to the end and a list of illustrations.
Box 8	FF 9	Manuscripts (3), "The Long Pick-a-Back Ride," "The Railsplitter of Pigeon Creek" and "The Adventures of a Stolen Boy: the Home in a Grass Wigwam."
Box 8	FF 10	Manuscripts (9), "The Rust Spot" (1922), "The Winged Horseman: Famous Exploits of F. X. Aubrey on the Old Trails to Santa Fe" (1937), "State Capitals Bear Romantic Names," "Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks," "Ah'm In a Powerful Jam" (Ambrose P. Woodard), "Farmer George Washington" and "Jobs for Disabled Veterans."
Box 8	FF 11	Manuscripts (8), "Doniphan's Anabasis" (three drafts), "The Kansas Conflict," untitled article about paint brush bristles, untitled article about farm machinery, untitled article about John Doy (picture included), "The Peak Named Pike," "Root, Hog or Die" (as told by Dr. W. M. Jardine) and "Thank you Pays Dividends."
Box 8	FF 12	Letter from W. L. McFillen, Department of Agriculture, (7 September 1942) includes seven photographs of various conservation measures and the effects of erosion; contains five photographs of the Kaw River flood; contains the manuscript for "Stop Floods Where Rains Fall" (Tuttle Creek Dam).
Box 8	FF 13	Research notes.
Box 8	FF 14	Folder that the notes were in.
Box 8	FF 15	Copy of Progressivism (January 1937) with "To the Stars."
Box 9	FF 1	Articles written by Isely for various newspapers and magazines on local Kansas history, (1933-1945); contains one map of the Northwest Territory.
Box 9	FF 2	Articles originally in a folder labeled "Bliss' articles in Kansas Teacher on Kansas." Topics of Kansas history (1955-1958) arranged chronologically.
Box 9	FF 3	Issues of Classmate (1950-1951) which published in a serial form Isely's "Our Presidents, Men of Faith."
Box 9	FF 4	Photographs used in the "Our Presidents" series.
Box 9	FF 4A	Photographs of President Truman.
Box 9	FF 5	Magazine clippings originally in a folder labeled "Story of Wheat," contains pictures related to the production of wheat.
Box 9	FF 6	Newspaper clippings possibly kept for research purposes.

Series 3 ‒ Correspondence, Business and Personal, Memorabilia and Biographical Information

Box 10	FF 1	Personal correspondence (arranged chronologically), biographical documents and photographs. Contains a handwritten letter from Bliss Isely to "France" (Frances Isely, Isely's sister-in-law), Seattle WA (24 May 1908); contains handwritten letter from Will, a cousin, Fairview, Kansas to Bliss (8 January 1929) describing how Isely Creek got its name; contains four letters from Bliss' physician Orville H. Brown, M.D. (January 1938 - August 1942); contains a letter sent to the Kansas State Board of Health by Bliss Isely (5 October 1950) regarding his birth certificate, a copy of the certificate is included; contains a discharge from the Kansas National Guard; contains two valentine greetings (not signed or dated). Contains newspaper clippings regarding the accomplishments of Mr. and Mrs. Isely, "Bliss Isely's Book In Kansas State School List," "To Hear Bliss Isely," "Bliss Isely to Receive Grad Award," "Welcome, Bliss Isely!," El Dorado Times (26 May 1955); "Historian Given Alumni Award" (22 May 1958); four copies of "Worthy Recognition" Wichita Eagle (27 May 1958); "Choose Winners in Kansas Author Contest" Dodge City Daily Globe; a review of Half A Million Wild Horses by Kunigunde Duncan; two obituaries for Bliss Isely; four photographs of family and friends.
Box 10	FF 2	Letters written by or to Christian Isely, Bliss' father. Contains a letter from Sgt. Jay M. Rufdell, Fort Riley to C. H. Isely (4 June 1862); contains a photograph of a letter from Christian Isely to Henry Isely, a brother, (4 May 1868); contains a photocopy of a newspaper clipping about Christian Isely and Spring Grove School .
Box 10	FF 3	"Students Guide and Handbook of Fairmount College" (1904-1905) and the Students' Handbook" (1905-1906) both belonging to Bliss Isely.
Box 10	FF 4	Secretary's book for the Class of 1904, Wichita High School. Flora K. Duncan was the last to serve as secretary, (October 1901 - May 1904).
Box 10	FF 5	Certificate from the Carey Salt Co. awarded to Isely because he went down into the Salt Mines, (14 January 1955).
Box 10	FF 6	Wichita Magazine (July 1949). Isely was the editor of the magazine as part of his duties as manager of the Publicity Department for the Wichita Chamber of Commerce.
Box 10	FF 7	Correspondence with various publishers and Flora Isely (Kunigunde Duncan). These seven letters were not originally in any order or folder (1940-1965).
Box 10	FF 8	Bliss Isely's business correspondence, which was not originally in a folder. Contains correspondence with publishers and other business opportunities (1913-1949); contains letter from P. R. Wilson (30 July 1949) which describes how they moved the town of Ulysses.

Series 4 ‒ Bliss Isely's Scrapbooks

Box 11		Scrapbook kept while Bliss Isely was the Field Secretary at Fairmount College (1916-1921), most of clippings are from 1917. The scrapbook contains memos, letters, programs, tickets to fundraisers, pamphlets and newspaper clippings about Fairmount College; the clipping dated 13 November 1916 from The Sunflower gives an overview of Isely's career to that date; most of the clippings are from The Sunflower, the Wichita Eagle, and The Wichita Beacon (all dated).
Box 12		Scrapbook labeled "W. U. Publicity by Bliss Isely, beginning January 1934." The scrapbook contains clippings from the Wichita Eagle, The Wichita Beacon, and The Municipal, the University of Wichita Bulletin, related to activities that took place at the University (1934).
Box 13		German-English New Testament Bible that belonged to Christian Isely. New York: American Bible Society, 1852.

Series 5 ‒ Series 5 – Reference Books

Box 14		Women's Exchange Cookbook
Box 14	FF 1	Items that were in the Women's Exchange Cookbook: recipes, an obituary for J. S. Lindsay, and letter/postcard to Miss Helen Dunn from Helen (14 February 1910).
Box 15		Bliss Isely's copy of Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Vol. III, Parts 1 and 2, Chicago: Standard Publishing Co., 1912.
Box 16		Bliss Isely's copy of Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Vol. III, Parts 1 and 2, Chicago: Standard Publishing Co., 1912.

Series 6 ‒ Photographs

Box 17	FF 1	Food Saving and Sharing by the U.S. Food Administration, New York, Doubleday, Page and Co., 1918.
Box 17	FF 2	Child's book "Story A Day," New York: Story-A-Day, Inc., 1953 (story by Duncan, page 16).
Box 17	FF 3	Skaters Manual by Kenny Isely, Wichita, Kansas: Icetrea Inc., 1978, signed by the author.
Box 17	FF 4	Photographs (10) of different people, most were used in Mrs. Isely's series for the Wichita Eagle Magazine, 1955-1956; contains photograph of Birger Sandzen and daughter; contains a photographs of destruction; contains a photograph of a book shelf.
Box 17	FF 5	Photographs (5) of Fort Riley Black regiment.
Box 17	FF 6	Photographs (4) of a farm with a brief description on the back of each.
Box 17	FF 7	Photographs (2) from Bertoglio Studio in Medicine Lodge, Kansas; contains one photograph of cattle.
Box 17	FF 8	Photographs (7) of old mills, all labeled on the back; contains three photographs of boats and barges.
Box 17	FF 9	Booklet, Dream for Tomorrow by Kunigunde Duncan. Included in the front cover is a letter to Mr. Arch O'Bryant from Mrs. Bliss Isely dated May 3, 1969.
Box 17	FF 10	Book, On Relief (Boston: Branden Press, 1966) by Kunigunde Duncan.

Series 7 ‒ Oversized Newspaper Articles and Photographs

Box 18	FF 1	Newspaper and magazine articles written by Kunigunde Duncan (1915-1960). Contains a critique of Carl Webster's performance with the Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Globe (1915); contains "News" Better Homes and Gardens (December 1932); "Reclaiming the Dust Bowl: Man's Fight With Nature" The Adelaide Chronicle (25 January 1940); "How to Build Sod Houses" (April 1940); "Town Hall Goes to the Country" (July 1941); "Indian Cooperatives" (December 1941); "Bringing the Work to the Worker" (Spring 1943); "Wichita's War Boom Bonanza and Nightmare" Denver Post (31 May 1942); "Believe a Woman Invented the Broom" Broom and Broom Corn News (9 June 1942); "Kansans Fight 'Usurpations' by U.S. Bureaus" New York Herald Tribune (10 December 1944); "Grain Weevils Have Plagued Millers Before" Milling Production (March 1950); "Too Late to Blame--Not To Challenge" National Republic (September 1951); "Buffalo Ranch" The Country Guide (October 1953). "Turtle Goes to Mulberry Lane" Highlights for Children (July 1955); "Small Woman had Big Part in Wichita Literary Life" Wichita Eagle Magazine (25 September 1955), subject: Mrs. Lucetta Carter; "W. A. White's Mother Attained Strange Immortality" Wichita Eagle Magazine (13 May 1956); "The Impossible Kansas Garden" Popular Gardening (January 1957) two copies; "Musician Gave Culture to Pioneer Wichita" Wichita Eagle Magazine (11 September 1960), subject: Mrs. Catherine Russell; "Wichita of 1890s Honored Piano Teacher" Wichita Eagle and Beacon Magazine (24 December 1961), subject: Mrs. Etta Furlong; "Seventy-fifth Flag Raising at Rural School in Kansas," subject: Fairview School District, Howard, Kansas.
Box 18	FF 2	Newspaper article "Life Story of Former Wichita Woman Told in New Book" Wichita Eagle Sunday (4 December 1938), clipping was originally in a folder labeled "Blue Star."
Box 18	FF 3	Articles written by Kunigunde Duncan about Mentor Graham or Lincoln and reviews of the book, Mentor Graham: The Man Who Taught Lincoln. Contains "The Mill A. Lincoln Tended" Northwestern Miller (22 January 1941); "The Lad Who Was A Heller For Larnin'" New York Times Review (1945) two copies; "Abraham Lincoln's Teacher" Children's Activities (February 1948), (2); "Preparation for Greatness" Daily Oklahoman (6 February 1949), (2); "Abraham Lincoln's Schoolhouse" American Farm Youth (February 1949); "Abe Lincoln's Teacher" Courier-Journal Magazine (11 February 1949), (3) "Meet Lincoln's Teacher" Teens (11 February 1949); "Finds Lincoln Not Entirely 'Self-Made Man'" Dodge City Daily Globe (11 February 1950); "Lincoln Tackled a Hard Course" National Republic (February 1951); "The Alma Mater of Abraham Lincoln" National Republic . Contains "Stiff Course of Reading Prepared Abe Lincoln for his Career as a Public Man" Kansas City Star (12 February 1952); "Lincoln and His Teacher" Children's Activities (February 1952); "When Lincoln Went to Blab School" Catholic Boy (February 1952); "Lincoln's Town" Courier-Journal Magazine (8 February 1953); "Nobody Knew" Highlights (February 1956); "Abe Lincoln and the Scheming Cupids" Courier-Journal Magazine (10 February 1957), (2); "Lincoln-Ann Rutledge Romance Confirmed by Tutors Report" Kansas City Star (12 February 1957); "Letters of Classmate Throws Light on Lincoln's Schooling and Love" Kansas City Star (1 March 1958), (2); "Abe Through a Teen-agers Eyes" Washington Post (7 February 1960); "Papers of Mentor Graham Explode a Legend" Boston Daily Globe (12 February 1960).
Box 18	FF 4	Articles on Lincoln and Mentor Graham written by other authors found in the Chicago Sunday Times (11 February 1945).
Box 18	FF 5	Map of Kentucky, sketched with pencil, an illustration for Mentor Graham.
Box 18	FF 6	Book jackets (2) from Mentor Graham, originally in a folder labeled "Illustrative and Verifying Material."
Box 18	FF 7	Newspaper clippings originally in a folder labeled "Eisenhower," not written by Mrs. Isely. Contains "General to See Abilene Home" Wichita Eagle (14 April 1952); contains "How Ike Rates as a Father" This Week Magazine (16 June 1957); contains "Complete Text of President Eisenhower's Message" Wichita Eagle (10 January 1958); contains "To Eisenhower's Mother, All Her Sons Were Famous"; contains a review of Kunigunde Duncan's book on Ida Eisenhower.
Box 18	FF 8	Articles written by Kunigunde Duncan for the Wichita Eagle Magazine (1955-1960) on local history. Subjects include: Jessie Clark, Mrs. Ann Beachy, Mary Wadsworth Buckner, Mrs. Ellen Campbell, Mary Ellen Lease, Dr. Thurlow Lieurance, Mary White, William Finn and Fairview School, Howard, Kansas, English elms and drought, Mrs. Lou Hoover, Fannie Hull Wilson, Miss Harriet Stanley, the Indian Burial Pit near Salina, Dr. Ada St. John, and the Kansas Twister.
Box 18	FF 9	Series of articles that Flora Duncan Isely did on gardening for the Wichita Eagle Sunday Magazine .
Box 19	FF 1	Photograph of the Christian Isely family, ; contains two illustrations used in the book Blazing the Way West written by Bliss Isely.
Box 19	FF 2	Articles written by Bliss Isely from the St. Louis Star, magazine feature section (January 1914 - November 1914): "To Congress by the Elopement Route" (3 January 1914), "Spare the Rod and Spoil the Professor" (17 January 1914), "Where You Can Yell Liar In Safety" (31 October 1914), "Thou Shalt Not Kill" (21 November 1914).
Box 19	FF 3	Articles written by Bliss Isely for the Town Crier, Sunday Magazine section of the Wichita Beacon (1925), local and Kansas history topics, arranged chronologically when dates possible.
Box 19	FF 4	Copies (2) of an article written by Bliss Isely published in the Topeka Daily Capital (11 September 1927) about the capture of the German sisters.
Box 19	FF 5	Series of articles written by Bliss Isely published in the Wichita Beacon (April - September 1929) about Kansas place names, arranged chronologically.
Box 19	FF 6	Articles written by Bliss Isely published in various magazines and newspapers, arranged chronologically when possible, (1944-1960). Contains "Three Billion Blades of Wheat" The Christian Science Monitor (15 January 1944); "Feats of a Prairie Sailor" The Christian Science Monitor (26 June 1948); and ten articles published in the Wall Street Journal.
Box 19	FF 7	Newspaper clippings written by others from the Kansas City Times (1935-1939) about the settlement of Kansas and Missouri; contains articles on the Dust Bowl, conservation and work in Wichita from the New York Herald Times (1939-1942); contains an article about Major Morrill from a supplement to the Brown County World.

Series 8 ‒ Isely Family Materials

Box 19	FF 8	Recognition award presented to M. Alice Isely, Librarian, by the University of Wichita and Alumni Association, on 4 April 1962.
Box 19	FF 9	Photograph of Paul Wellman, ca. 1940s.