Finding aid to the scrapbook of newspaper clippings by Charles F. Lummis and other authors, circa 1885 MS.1315

Holly Rose Larson, Anna Liza Posas, Kim Walters
Library and Archives at the Autry
2011
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org


Contributing Institution: Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Scrapbook of newspaper clippings by Charles F. Lummis and other authors
source: San Francisco Examiner
Creator: Bierce, Ambrose
Creator: Nye, Bill
Creator: Lummis, Charles Fletcher
source: Los Angeles Times
Identifier/Call Number: MS.1315
Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet (1 bound volume in one box)
Date: circa 1885
Abstract: A scrapbook of newspaper articles from publications such as the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Examiner, circa 1885. The majority of articles are written by Charles Fletcher Lummis and are accounts of his "Tramp Across the Continent" from 1884-1885.
Language of Material: English .

Scope and Contents

This scrapbook has two sections: a collection of Charles Fletcher Lummis' columns from the Los Angeles Times, and a second section consisting of an assortment of newspaper clippings from the San Francisco Examiner and other newspapers published in the Eastern United States.
The title page of the first section reads "Vol. 2 Lum's Letters: Being a trip on foot from Ohio to Los Angeles by Chas. F. Lummis, property of W.C. Wolfe."
The clippings in the second section of the scrapbook includes editorials by Ambrose Bierce, articles by Bill Nye, and articles about religion and ethics.
The following numbers are written in the front of the book in pencil: 2549; 917.8 Lummis.

Custodial History

The custodial history regarding the assembladge of the scrapbook is unknown. Per handwritten notes on a section of the scrapbook, part of it was once the "property of W.C. Wolfe." The scrapbook was eventually owned by Maxwell Hunley. The Southwest Museum acquired the scrapbook from Hunley in 1960.
  • Los Angeles Times articles, 1885, undated
  • San Francisco Examiner and other newspapers, undated

Historical Note

Charles Fletcher Lummis (1859-1928) began his famed cross-country trek on 1884 September 12. He walked west from Cincinnati, Ohio to Los Angeles, California covering 3,507 miles in 143 days.
Prior to leaving, he had made contact with Harrison Gray Otis, owner of the Los Angeles Times, who promised to publish Lummis' weekly reports. Lummis had also made the same deal with the owner of the Scioto Gazette. He sent different accounts to the two newspapers.
It was during his trek that Lummis was first exposed to the people of Spanish descent, Mexican and Native American people of the Southwest. The exprience changed his preconceptions about these cultures.
Before reaching the end of his journey, Lummis was met by Harrison Gray Otis at the San Gabriel Mission in California. They finished the walk to together. Lummis arrived in the Los Angeles area on 1885 February 1.
Lummis was made City Editor of the Los Angeles Times, a position he held from 1885-1888.
In 1892, Lummis published the book The Tramp Across the Continent which retold his accounts of his cross-country journey.

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives  and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Related Archival Materials

Charles Fletcher Lummis Papers, 1888-1928, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.1

Processing History

Processed by Holly Rose Larson, Project Archivist, funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). Updated by Anna Liza Posas, 2011 November 9. Biographical information provided by Kim Walters.

Preferred Citation

Scrapbook of 1880s Newspaper Clippings, circa 1885, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.1315.

Acquisition

Acquired by Maxwell Hunley 1960 August.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Overland journeys to the Pacific
Tramp Across the Continent
Newspapers -- California
Clippings
Scrapbooks
Religion and ethics
San Francisco Examiner
Los Angeles Times