Park Brothers Papers
Collection Summary
| Title: | Park Brothers Papers |
| Call Number: | MS 94-28 |
| Size: | 0.25 linear feet |
| Acquisition: | Purchased from RIBA Auction, 3-27-1993 |
| Processed by: | MWU, 5-12-1994; JEF, 5-14-1998 |
| Restrictions: | None |
| Note: | Digital collection, Park Brothers Papers. Digital collection, John Wesley Park Papers, on Springfield-Greene County Library District website, "Community & Conflict: The Impact of the Civil War in the Ozarks." |
Literary Rights
Literary rights were not granted to the 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 Park Brothers Papers are the correspondence of three brothers; John Wesley Park, Frank M. Park, and Jesse Park, who lived in Missouri and Kansas from 1857-1861 and 1867-1869. Most of the letters are written to family in their hometown of Higginsport, Ohio.
The letters of John Wesley Park describe life along the Kansas-Missouri border from 1857 to 1861. In the letters Park writes about the pro-slavery and anti-slavery activity in the area, activity at Leavenworth, Kansas, and social life around Smithville, Missouri. Park also described his experiences on the plains, a trip to the Colorado gold fields and a stint as a school teacher in Melville, Missouri. In 1861 Park joined pro-Union forces and served as a teamster in Jim Lane's Brigade. Some of his letters describe the action along the Kansas-Missouri border.
The letters of Frank M. Park describe life on the Western Kansas frontier from May 1867 to September 1868. Frank Park writes about battles between the U.S. Army and Indians around Fort Hays during the summer of 1867, life in Hays City and buffalo hunting on the plains.
The letters of Jesse Park describe life in Sheridan, Kansas, from March 1869 to September 1869. At that time Sheridan was the end of the line for the Union Pacific Railroad. In his letters Jesse Park writes about an Indian raid on the town. He also comments on justice dispensed by the town's vigilantes.
The letters of John Wesley Park describe life along the Kansas-Missouri border from 1857 to 1861. In the letters Park writes about the pro-slavery and anti-slavery activity in the area, activity at Leavenworth, Kansas, and social life around Smithville, Missouri. Park also described his experiences on the plains, a trip to the Colorado gold fields and a stint as a school teacher in Melville, Missouri. In 1861 Park joined pro-Union forces and served as a teamster in Jim Lane's Brigade. Some of his letters describe the action along the Kansas-Missouri border.
The letters of Frank M. Park describe life on the Western Kansas frontier from May 1867 to September 1868. Frank Park writes about battles between the U.S. Army and Indians around Fort Hays during the summer of 1867, life in Hays City and buffalo hunting on the plains.
The letters of Jesse Park describe life in Sheridan, Kansas, from March 1869 to September 1869. At that time Sheridan was the end of the line for the Union Pacific Railroad. In his letters Jesse Park writes about an Indian raid on the town. He also comments on justice dispensed by the town's vigilantes.
Administrative History
These letters originally were part of a family archives divided and sold at auction. The letters owned by Wichita State University Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives, were purchased because of their connection to Kansas history.
Detailed Description: Box and Folder Listing
Currently unavailable