Guide to the Richard H. Moody diary and photographs M2127
Malgorzata Schaefer
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
November 2017
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Note
This is a listing rather than a true finding aid.
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Richard H. Moody diary and photographs
source:
Van Saun, Matthew
creator:
Moody, Richard H.
Identifier/Call Number: M2127
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear Feet
1 msb
Date (inclusive): c. 1901-1911
Physical Description: Glass plate negative is cracked
Content Description
Materials consist of a diary written by Richard H. Moody between 1901-1902 and revised in 1903, as well as photographs (both
prints and negatives). The diary contains 200 sheets; major highlights include transporting gold bullion down river, descriptions
of natives, politics, a mining accident, the daily life in a remote mining camp at this the extreme location, a cholera outbreak,
and mentions of several crew members losing their sanity. He also describes Colombian child soldiers, rebel attacks on government
troops, and more.
General
41 photographs were on nitrate negatives, some with prints. All of these have a digital copy.
Biographical / Historical
Richard H. Moody worked as a engineer at the Darian Gold Mine in Cana, Darien Province, Panama, near the border with Colombia.
The mine was operated by the Darien Gold Mining Company and stayed in operation until 1927, producing about 4 tons of gold.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Conditions Governing Use
This material is believed to be in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase; 2015. Accession MSS 2016-111.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Richard H. Moody diary and photographs (M2127). Department of Special Collections and University
Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Van Saun, Matthew
Moody, Richard H.
box 1, folder 1
Richard H. Moody - a revised copy of the diary he kept of his journey to the Darien Gold Mine, Cana, South America, and his
return home to England, April 4, 1901 - October 1, 1903
box 1, folder 1
Richard H. Moody - a journal of various incidents, sights, travels and voyages, 1904-1911 [follows entry of his return home
to England] (continued in another book which is missing)
box 1, folder 2-4
Photographs accompanying diary, many annotated, including Cana mine, Saw Mill, Buena Vista and St. Thomas Island
box 1, folder 6
Cabinet cards and mounted photographs
box 1, folder 8
Broken glass negative, fragile
box 1, folder 9
Prints from nitrate negatives [see digital]
