Register of the Paden (Irene Dakin) Papers, 1931-1953

Processed by Don Walker; machine-readable finding aid created by Don Walker

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University Library, University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA 95211

Phone: (209) 946-2404

URL: https://www.pacific.edu/university-libraries/find/holt-atherton-special-collections

Register of the Paden (Irene Dakin) Papers, 1931-1953

Collection number: Mss29

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University Library

University of the Pacific

Contact Information

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University Library, University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
URL: https://www.pacific.edu/university-libraries/find/holt-atherton-special-collections

Processed by:: Don Walker
Date Completed:: 5-98
Encoded by:: Don Walker

Descriptive Summary

Title: Paden (Irene Dakin) Papers,

Date (inclusive): 1931-1953

Collection number: Mss29

Creator: Irene Dakin Paden

Extent: 3.5 linear ft.

Repository: University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

Stockton, CA 95211

Shelf location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Paden (Irene Dakin) Papers, Mss29, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Biography

Irene Dakin Paden (1888-1974), self-styled "housewife," lived and pursued the study of the history of the American West for more than forty years in Alameda (Calif.). Her husband, Dr. William G. Paden, a descendant of the Locke family of San Joaquin Valley pioneers, was the Alameda Superintendent of Schools. Together the Padens spent many summers during the 1930s and 1940s seeking and following the 19th century emigrant trails that lead to California. Mrs. Paden kept copious notes of these explorations and during the winters carried out preparatory research for the following summer's excursions. She is the author of three books on western history: The Wake of the Prairie Schooner (1943), an overview of travels on the Overland trail from the Missouri River to the California gold fields; Prairie Schooner Detours (1949), an extension of the first book, examining alternative routes on the Overland Trail; and The Big Oak Flat Road (1955), a history of the route from Stockton to the Yosemite Valley.

Scope and Content

The Paden papers consist of notes, research materials, and portions of the drafts of her three books. They are contained in seven manuscript boxes (3 linear ft.), the first four of which contain 18 ringbinders of notes, quotations, and transcripts that Mrs. Paden collected in the course of her research. Included among the transcriptions are some full length diaries written by travelers on the Overland Trail as well as many shorter quotations from published and unpublished accounts. The next two boxes contain 48 notebooks--journals of Mrs. Paden's travels along the Overland Trail. Virtually every year, from 1931 t0 1952 the Padens spent a month or more traveling the region by automobile; the journals constitute a day-to-day account of her observations. The final box contains partial drafts of each of Mrs. Paden's three books.

BOX 1: NOTES & RESEARCH MATERIALS ON OVERLAND TRAIL

Binder 1: TRANSCRIPTIONS OF JOURNALS IN THE BANCROFT LIBRARY

A)-James Abbey, "A Trip Acoss the Plains in the Spring of 1850" (F593-A24). A chronological account of the journey with daily entries. [20 pp.] (Paden page # 1.)

B)-Samuel Rutherford Dundass, "Journal," A chronological account of the journey to San Francisco with daily entries. [10 pp.] (page 43)

C)-James Reynolds, 1853. Short excerpt from a long-hand diary. [1 pp.] (page 53)

D)-Joaquin Miller, "Overland in a Covered Wagon" and Ezra Meeker, "Oxteam Days on the Oregon Trail--1852". Two excerpts [1 pp.] (page 55)

E)-Delonzo, "Life on the Plains and at the Diggins--1849" A chronological account of the journey west. [17 pp.](page 57)

F)-E.S. Engalls, "Journal of a Trip to California--1850-51." A chronological account of the journey out west. [17 pp.] (page 123)

G)-George E. Jewett, "Journal--1849". A chronological account of the journey west. [32 pp.] (page 153)

H)-Wm. S. Johnson, "Experience of a Forty-Niner." Chronological account of the journey west. [18 pp.] (page 219)

I)-Loomis, "Journal of 1850." A chronological account of the journey west. [18 pp.] (page 257)

Binder 2: TRANSCRIPTIONS OF JOURNALS

A)-Joseph Hackey, "Journal" [1857] [23 pp.] (page 1)

B)-W. Audley Maxwell, "Reminiscences, Not Diary." [3 pp.](page 23)

C)-Louisa M Rahm, "A Facsimile of her Diary--1862." [2 pp.] (page 26)

D)-Sawyer, "Journal--Across the Plains--1850." [27 pp.](page 33)

E)-Udell, "Incidents of Travel to California--1850." Chronology of three journeys--1850, 1852, 1854. [37 pp.](page 61)

F)-George Willis Read, "General Remarks." Chronological. [22 pp.](page 90)

G)-Mary A. Jones, "Recollections." From interview. [15 pp.] (page 112)

Binder 3: TRANSCRIPTIONS FROM BOOKS, JOURNALS, REPORTS, etc.

A)-Octavius Thorndike Howe, "The Argonauts of Forty-Nine."[2 pp.] (page 1)

B)-Sarah Royce, "Frontier Lady." [5 pp.](page 3)

C)-Rufus R. Wilson, "Out of the West." [3 pp.](page 5)

D)-Misc. excerpt from Council Bluffs Nonpareil. [4 pp.](page 11)

E)-William Tallack," The California Overland Express."[3 pp.] (page 19)

F)-"Annual Report of the Commisssioner of Indian Affairs, 1855." [7 pp.] (page 25)

G)-W.F. Drannan, Chief of Scouts Piloting Emigrants Across The Plains of 50 Years Ago.[7 pp.](page 35)

H)-Theodore Talbot, "Journal."[5 pp.] (page 47)

I)-Alexander Majors, Seventy Years on the Frontier. [7 pp.] (page 53)

J)-E.H. Derby, "The Overland Route to the Pacific --1859." [3 pp.] quotations from "A Report on the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railways." (page 69)

K)-Ben Arnold (Connor), Exploits of, "Rekindling Campfires." [11 pp.](page 71)

L)-Edward H. Hall, The Great West...[1 pp.](page 83)

M)-General W.T. Sherman, "Memoirs." [2 pp.](page 85)

N)-Charles Hopper, "Narrative of a California Pioneer of 1841." [3 pp.](page 87)

O)-Frank Soule, and others, The Annals of San Francisco--1854. [4 pp.] (page 91)

P)-John Bidwell, "Information." [7 pp.](page 99)

Q)-Israel Hale, "Diary--'49." [2 pp.]quotations from the Quarterly of the Society of California Pioneers. (page 109)

R)-Col. William Thompson, "Reminiscences of a Pioneer--1852." [1 pp.](page 113)

S)-Charles Alston Messister, "Sport and Adventures Among the North American Indians." [8 pp.] (page 115)

T)-C.B. Glasscock, "A Golden Highway."[9 pp.] (page 125)

U)-Dr. John H. Wyman, "Diary--1852."[22 pp.] (page 137)

V)-Elizabeth Page, "Letters from Henryn Page to his Wife Mary, found in Wagons West." [1 pp.] (page 171)

W)-Lavinia Honeyman Porter, "Incidents, etc.--1860." [4 pp.] (page 173)

X)-M.P. Sawtelle, "Heroine of '49." [1 pp.](page 177)

Y)-Tuey Ayer Hutchins, "The Boy Emigrants." [2 pp.](page 179)

Z)-Miscellaneous Information. [5 pp.](page 183)

AA)-22 pp. of misc. notes and quotations. (page 193)

Binder 4: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, etc. [ca. 300 pages of notes, quotations, etc.; material from ca. 40 different authors] The longest entries are:

A)-Frink, Margaret, "Journal of the Adventures of a Party of California Gold Seekers--1850." [22 pp.]

B)-McGowen, Geo., "Trip Across the Plains --1854."[2 pp.]

C)-Bryant, Edwin, "What I saw in California." [21 pp.]

D)-Williams, Joseph, "Crossing the Plains." [35 pp.]

Binder 5: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, etc. #2 [incl. following items]

A)-Irving, Washington, "The Adventures of Captain Bonneville." [10 pp.]

B)-Jagger, D., "Journal." [18 pp.]

C)-Roundtree, Patrick Henry, "Autobiography, a trip Across the Plains." [8 pp.]

BOX 2:NOTES & RESEARCH MATERIALS ON OVERLAND TRAIL

Binder 6: NOTES, QUOTATIONS & BUR. INDIAN AFFAIRS PUBL. [310 pages of notes, transcripts and quotations from the writings of travelers crossing the plains, plus Office of Indian Affairs publications; most are short] The longest entries are:

A)-Fremont, John C., "Report of Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains--1842." [11 pp.]

B)-Butler, family, "Letters." [23 pp.]

C)-Mrs. Dunlop, "Diary--1864." [12 pp.]

D)-Anderson, Charles, "Letters to his Wife on the Road to California." 1862. [12 pp.]

E)-Cooke, Lucy Rutledge, "Crossing the Plains in 1852." [11 pp.]

F)-Office of Indian Affairs, "Bulletins." [25 pp.]

Binder 7: NOTES, QUOTATIONS & OREGON HIST. QUARTERLY ARTICLES [308 pages of notes, transcripts and quotations from the writings of travelers on the emigrant trails, 80 taken from the Oregon Historical Quarterly; most are short; ca. 100 writers are represented] The longest entries are:

A)-Clark, John H. "Trip Across the Plains in 1852." [22 pp.]

B)-Norton, Maria J. (Elliot) "Diary--'59." [18 pp.]

Binder 8: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, etc. #3 [340 pages of notes transcripts and quotations from the writings of travelers on the emigrant trails; most are short; ca. 100 writers are represented] The longest entries are:

A)-Richardson, Caroline C., "Diary--1852." [28 pp.]

B)-Keen, Richard, "Diary--1852." [21 pp.; blue binder; 29 cm.]

Binder 9: CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, QUOTATIONS & MATERIALS ON MORMONS [470 pages of notes, transcripts and quotations from the writings of travelers on the emigrant trails; also materials on Mormons and letters to Mrs. Paden with information about the trails; most items short; ca. 60 writers are represented] The longest entries are:

A)-Mann, R.H., "Diary--1849." [46 pp.]

B)-Nusbaumer, Louis. "Adventurws of a Trip to the Goldfields of California." [17 pp.]

C)-Lienhard, Heinrich, "Diary--1846." [54 pp.]

Binder 10: CLIPPINGS, NOTES, QUOTATIONS & MATERIALS ON MORMONS [274 pages of notes, transcripts, and quotations from the writings of travelers on the emigrant trails; also materials on Mormons and transcribed newspaper articles; most entries are quite short] The only item of significant length is:

A)-Howe, Elbridge G., Diary--1850. [66 pp.]

BOX 3: NOTES & RESEARCH MATERIALS ON OVERLAND TRAIL

Binder 11: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, MAPS, etc. [253 pages of notes, transcripts and quotations from the writings of travelers on the emigrant trails; all materials are short; ca. 40 writings are represented; also 15 pages listing maps Mrs. Paden planned to order]

Binder 12: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, etc. #4 [332 pages of notes, transcripts, and quotations from the writings of ca. 30 travelers on the emigrant trails; most entries are short] The longest entries are:

A)-Hunt, Nancy A., personal narrative, "By Ox-team to California." [23 pp.]

B)-Saunders, Mary, "The Whitman Massacre--True Story by a Survivor." [22 pp.]

C)-Delano, A. "Life on the Plains--1849." [19 pp.]

Binder 13: NOTES, QUOTATIONS ON EARLY CALIFORNIA HISTORY [94 pages of notes, quotations from ca. 20 writers on miscellaneous subjects in early California history] The longest entries are:

A)-Millington, Ada, "Journal." [20 pp.]

B)-Lesse, Jacob B., "Letter to Gen. Vallejo--June 19, 1843." [2 pp.]

C)-Sutter, John, "Diary." 5 pages, handwritten.

Binder 14: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, etc. #5 [402 pages of notes, transcripts and quotations from ca. 80 writers on travels on the emigrant trails, etc.; most entries are short] The longest entries are:

A)-Moorman, Madison Berryman, "Diary--from Nashville to San Francisco--1850." [25 pp.]

B)-Gass, Patrick, "Travels of a Corps of Discovery--Lewis and Clark." [17 pp.]

C)-Bachelder, A., "Journal--to California--1849." [26 pp.]

Binder 15: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, etc. #6 [269 pages of notes, transcripts and quotations from ca. 80 writers on travels on the emigrant trails and miscellaneous information; most entries are short] The only item of substantial length is:

A)-Fish, Lafayette, "Diary--Across the Plains in 1860." [28 pp.]

BOX 4: NOTES & RESEARCH MATERIALS ON OVERLAND TRAIL

Binder 16: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, HAND-DRAWN ANNOTATED MAPS [269 pages of notes, transcripts and quotations from ca. 80 writers on travels on the emigrant trails, and miscellaneous information; also handdrawn maps and notes of the trails. Most entries are short] The longest entries are:

A)-Redyley, Joseph, "Overland to California in 1849." [15 pp.]

B)-Mathers, James, "Journal of trails from Missouri to California--1846." [13 pp.]

Binder 17: NOTES, QUOTATIONS, etc. #7 [ca. 200 pages of notes, transcripts and quotations by ca. 60 writers of travels on the emigrant trails; all entries are short]

Binder 18: NOTES, QUOTATIONS ON YOSEMITE & BIG OAK FLAT ROAD [ca. 300 pages of notes, quotations and transcripts from ca. 60 writers on Yosemite and the Big Oak Flat Road; lso, hand drawn maps of the road; all entries are short.]

BOX 5: FIELD NOTEBOOKS FROM PADEN TRAVELS, 1931-1938

5.1 Irene Paden's inventory of her field notebooks

5.2 1931 "Trip North with Coxes." Notebook is a green "Yearbook." Journal of summer vacations, from Bay Area north to Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and return. [ca. 100 pp.; 23 cm.]

5.3 1932 untitled. Notebook is a green "Yearbook." Journal of summer vacation, from Bay Area north to Oregon. Washington, British Columbia, and return. [ca. 200 pp.]

5.4 Vol. I. of Paden's "Oregon Trail Journal--1934." [309 pp.; notebook is a green "Yearbook--1929"]

5.5 1934-35 "Data on Fremont Cannon and Bidwell Trail." Notebook with black and marble cover. Includes: Trip to Lake Tahoe, Trip on Bidwell Trail, Trip to San Diego, etc. [ca. 100 pp.; 25 cm.]

5.6 Vol. II. of trail notes, "Trip to Goose Creek Mountains--1935." [240 pp.; notebook is green "Yearbook--1931."]

5.7 Vol. III. No. 1 of trail notes "Home to Chicago-1936." [104 pp.; notebook is brown cardboard bound with string]

5.8 Vol. III. No.2 of trail notes "Chicago to Boston--1936." [ca. 80 pp.; notebook is black;"no data on Oregon Trail"; 25 cm.]

5.9 Vol. III. No 3 of trail notes "Boston to Lawrence Kansas--1936." [ca. 80 pp.; notebook is brown spiral bound; 21 cm.]

5.10 Vol. III. No. 4 of trail notes "Topeka to Flagstaff--1936." [ca. 60 pp.; notebook is brown spiral bound; 21 cm.]

5.11 Vol. III. No 5 of trail notes "Flagstaff to home, 1936" [ca. 15 pp.; notebook is brown spiral bound; 21 cm.]

5.12 Vol. IV. No 1 of trail notes "Mesa Verde and Independence to West of Douglas." [212 pp.; notebook is blue; 21 cm.]

5.13 Vol. IV. No 2 of trail notes "Douglas and West--1937." [123 pp.; notebook is blue; 21 cm.]

5.14 1937 "Carson City Trip, Michigan Bluff, Territorial Archives." Travel notes and an inventory of information found at the Nevada Territorial Archives. [ca. 80 pp.; notebook is blue; 21 cm.]

5.15 1937 Journal of trip to New Orleans. [ca. 200 pp.; notebook is small brown and white striped ring binder; 23 cm.]

5.16 Vol. V. No. 1 of trail notes. "Bryce and Zion to Kemmerer Wyo.--1938." [86 pp.; notebook is brown, spiral bound; 21 cm.]

5.17 Vol. V. No. 2 of trail notes. "Rock Springs to Quincey--1938." [ca. 190 pp.; notebook is black, 21 cm.]

5.18 Vol. V. No. 3 of trail notes. "Trip to Plasses and Placerville--1938." [45 pp.; notebook is brown, spiral bound; 21 cm.]

BOX 6: FIELD NOTEBOOKS FROM PADEN TRAVELS, 1939-1953

6.1 1939 No. 1 of trail notes. "Trip to New York." [ca. 100 pp.;notebook is spiral bound; 21 cm.]

6.2 1939 No. 2 of trail notes. "Kentucky to Milton, Vermont." [ca. 100 pp.; notebook is brown, spiral bound; 21 cm.]

6.3 1939 No. 3 of trail notes. "Canada to Bandon, Oregon." [ca 100 pp.; notebook is brown with black binding; 25 cm.]

6.4 1939 No. 4 of trail notes. "Bandon, Oregon to Williams, California." [ca.7 pp.; notebook is brown with black binding; 25 cm.]

6.5 1940 "Camping Trip." no trail notes. Journal of camping trip to Eastern California, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Los Angeles. [ca. 50 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 26 cm.]

6.6 1941 trail notes No. 1 Lake Tahoe, Winnemucca , Nev., to the Dalles, Oregon, etc. [ca. 150 pp.; notebook is topbound brown spiral; 23 cm.]

6.7 1941 trial notes No. 2 The Dalles, Barlow Road, etc, to Longview, Washington, and return to California. [ca. 150 pp.; notebook is topbound spiral; 23 cm.]

6.8 1942 "Humboldt Sink," trail notes. [ca. 50 pp.; notebook is blue; 21 cm.]

6.9 1944 "Lassen Cutoff, Grass Valley to Johnson Ranch." trail notes. [ca. 80 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 27 cm.]

6.10 1945 "Trip to Omaha." trail notes. [ca. 150 pp.; notebook is red bound Trueline; 28 cm.]

6.11 1946 No. 1 trail notes on South Fork of Humboldt River, etc. [ca. 100 pp.; notebook is brown, spiral bound; 23 cm.]

6.12 1946 No. 2 trail notes on Hastings Cutoff, etc. [ca. 100 pp.; notebook is brown, spiral bound; 23 cm.]

6.13 1947 No. 1 trail notes on Placeville, Kingsbury Grade, Fallon, Yerington, etc. [ca. 120 pp.; notebook is brown spiral bound; 21 cm.]

6.14 1947 No. 2 trail notes on Utah, Stansbury Island, Twin Falls etc. [ca. 120 pp.; notebook is spiral bound; 21 cm.]

6.15 1947 No. 3 trail notes on Boise, Prattville, Lassen Trail, etc. [ca. 120 pp.; notebook is brown spiral bound; 21 cm.]

6.16 1947 No. 4 trail notes on Susanville, Lassen Trail, Chico, Yuba City, etc. [ca. 40 pp.; notebook is brown spiral bound, 21 cm.]

6.17 1947 "Trip to Black Rock Desert." [ca. 30 pp.; notebook is blue Big 10; 25 cm.]

6.18 1948 No. 1 Journal of trip to Black Rock Desert and Idaho. [ca. 70 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 28 cm.] [lack 1948 No. 2 ??????]

6.19 1948 No. 3 trail notes on LAssen trail, etc. [9 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 28 cm.]

6.20 1948 No. 4 trail notes on Susanville, etc. [9 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 28 cm.]

6.21 1948 trail notes on "Sacramento Valley." [ca. 30 pp.; notebook is blue Big 10; 25 cm.]

6.22 1949 Journal of "Summer Trip" to Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and return. [ca. 120 pp.; notebook is black and white marbled; 25 cm.]

6.23 1949 Journal of "Donner Summit Trip." [ca. 60 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 21 cm.]

6.24 1950 No. 1 Journal of trip to Montana [ca. 80 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 28 cm.]

6.25 1950 No. 2 Journal of trip to Montana (cont.) [ca. 80 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 28 cm.]

6.26 1950 "Mountain Ranch." [ca. 15 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 28 cm.]

6.27 1951-52 "Big Oak Flat Road--Mileage Oakland Camp to Sugar Pine--A" [ca. 100 pp.; notebook is brown spiral; 26 cm.]

6.28 1952 "Big Oak Flat Road--Mileage from Sugar Pine west--B" [50 pp.; topbound Irish linen notebook; 20 cm.]

6.29 "Tullock and Knights Ferry E. Milage W from Yosemite." [ca. 50 pp.; notebook is spiral bound Empire; 21 cm.]

6.30 1952 "Mileage from Sugarpine Inn East, and Interviews." [ca. 50 pp.; notebook is green Empire; 21 cm.]

6.31 1952 "Humboldt Sink." 1953 "Oregon." [ca. 60 pp.; notebook is green Highway; 21 cm.]

BOX 7: IRENE PADEN BOOK DRAFTS

7.1 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, Outlines

7.2 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, Draft of Chapter 1

7.3 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, Drafts of Chapter 2

7.4 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, Drafts of Chapter 3

7.5 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, Drafts of Chapter 5

7.6 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, unidentified manuscript scraps

7.7 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, unidentified manuscript scraps

7.8 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, Circuit of old sites in Yosemite

7.9 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, The Ira J. Willis guide to the gold mines

7.10 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, Yosemite before 1852

7.11 BIG OAK FLAT ROAD, Yosemite 1852 to the coming of the automobile

7.12 WAKE OF THE PRAIRIE SCHOONER, Table of contents and scraps

7.13 WAKE OF THE PRAIRIE SCHOONER,"Yea, I Walk Through the Valley."

7.14 WAKE OF THE PRAIRIE SCHOONER,"Green Pastures and Beer Springs."

7.15 WAKE OF THE PRAIRIE SCHOONER,"And the Bear Was Over the Mountain."

7.16 unidentified manuscript scraps

7.17 unidentified manuscript scraps

7.18 unidentified manuscript scraps

7.19 unidentified manuscript scraps

7.20 unidentified manuscript scraps

7.21 PRAIRIE SCHOONER DETOURS, introduction

7.22 Notes on Livermore Valley

7.23 Newspaper clippings